TITMICE. 59 



hand ; but his friends were possibly young and inexperienced, 

 or at least probably had passed the summer in some country 

 uninhabited by man. 



In regard to the manner in which the hardy little Titmice 

 pass the night, I have some interesting information to offer 

 to my readers, and I shall here quote from my ornithological 

 diary. " February 10th. This afternoon, just before sunset, 

 I noticed two Chickadees, feeding on the ground, and peck- 

 ing at a bone, to which a remnant of meat was attached. 

 After saving one of them from a cat, who was stealing 

 towards and was about to catch them, I remained there 

 fifteen minutes. They scarcely left the ground during that 

 time, except to take a low perch, until half-past five, when 

 one flew away over the house-top and disappeared. The other 

 continued to hop about on the ground ; and then, without any 

 intimation of his purpose, abruptly flew to the piazza, whither 

 I followed him. He took possession of a Pewee's nest, which 

 stood upon the top of a corner-pillar, adjoining the house, 

 and, having stared at me for a moment, tucked his head under 

 his wing, ^ and apparently leaned against the wall. I think 

 that he went to sleep almost immediately, for, on my stepping 

 from the piazza, he started (as if from sleep) and turned to 

 look at me ; but he soon composed himself once more to his 

 slumbers." " Feb. 12th, 1875. I found my friend, the Chick- 

 adee, fast asleep to-day at 5.35 P. M." " Feb. 18th. I have 

 continued to find the Chickadee retiring to rest in the nest on 

 the piazza. Another retires as regularly at sunset, and sleeps 

 in a hole of a white birch, evidently once a Chickadee's nest, 

 perhaps his own." " March 13th. At five minutes after six 

 this morning a Chickadee suddenly uttered his 4 chick-a-dee-dee- 

 dee ' from a pine, and then for five minutes repeated his whistle 

 of pe-wee. Two companions then came, and the small flock, 

 thus formed, moved off." 



In spring the Titmice gradually disperse, many to seek more 

 northern homes, and some, after mating, to prepare homes for 



85 I have here emphasized this fact, nlous supposition that wild birds ever 

 because I have lately read, where I do put their bills under their wings when 

 not now remember, that it was " a ridic- sleeping " ! 



