TITMICE. 57 



the Sittidce the nostrils are likewise concealed, but the bill is 

 long, rather slender, acute, and with a convex outline beneath 

 only ; the tail is short (pi. 1, fig. 5). In the Certhiidce the 

 bill is slender and decurved, the nostrils are exposed, and the 

 tail-feathers are stiff and pointed (pi. 1, fig. 6). All the Creep- 

 ers and Titmice of North America belong to the typical groups 

 or subfamilies, Certhiince and JParince. 



I. PARUS. 



A. ATRICAPILLUS. Black-capped Titmouse. Chickadee. 

 Common in Massachusetts throughout the year, but much 

 less abundant in summer than in the other seasons.* 



a. 5-5|- inches long. (Tail and wings 2 J.) Above, ashy, 

 variously tinted. Beneath, white, in winter often tinted with 

 " rusty " or buff. Crown, nape, and throat, black; interven- 

 ing space, (nearly) white. 



b. The Chickadees either select a natural cavity or a de- 

 serted Woodpecker's home, or with great 



labor excavate a hole for themselves in a 

 post or a tree. They rarely select a sound 

 tree, but much prefer a decayed one, par- 

 ticularly a white birch, in which from 

 one to thirty feet above the ground, on 

 the side (or often on the top of a trunk, 

 if a broken one), they make an excava- 

 tion, from three inches to a foot deep, 

 with a narrow entrance, if possible. At 

 the bottom they place warm and soft 

 materials, such as hairs, moss, feathers, 

 and wool ; and the female, usually in the 

 last week of May (near Boston), lays six 

 or sometimes more eggs often again Fi ^ 2 - Chickadee, tt) 

 laying, later in the season. The eggs average .63 X .50 of an 

 inch ; and are white, either spotted with reddish brown or finely 

 freckled with a rather paler shade, approaching flesh-color. 



* A permanent resident, everywhere ently most numerous in autumn and 

 common at all seasons, but in Massa- winter. W. B. 

 chusetts and to the southward appar- 



