PARID.E -THE TITMICE. Ill) 



of workmen enga,t;t'(l ii; suttiii",^ lieun-polrs. Tliey visited and carefully 

 examineil each pole, and bored holes into several in search of hidden larva', 

 often within a few feet of i>ersons at work. 



While on the I'aeitic coast they are said to prefer tlie forests of deciduous 

 trees, and to Ik? r.nely found in the dark evergreen forests, in the Eastern 

 States they seem to Ixj particularly fond of the seeds of pine-trees, ami in 

 the winter are seldom found in tlie woods of deciduous trees. 



They feed in pairs and climh about in all directions, usually in company 

 with the white-breasted species, Chickadees, and the smaller Woodpeckei-s. 

 They are restless and rapid in their motions, and have a voice at least an 

 octave higher than any other of this family. The note is a monotone, and is 

 unmusical. Mr. Xuttall represents their cry as consisting of three syllables, 

 represented by ddy-ddti-dait, and compares it to the sound of a child's 

 trumj)et. 



Those wintering at the Xorth occasionallv visit farm-vards and orchards, 

 and examine the eaves of outbuildinijs for food. 



Audubon found this species more plentiful in the woods of Maine and 

 Nova Scotia than anywhere else. He never met any south of Maryland, 

 saw none in Newfoundland, and onlv met with one in Labrador. At East- 

 port he found a pair breeding as early as the 19th of A])ril, before the 

 Bluebirds had made their aj)pearance, and while ice was still remaining on 

 the northern exposures. An excavation had been made in a low dead stump, 

 less than four feet from the ground, both male and female birds working 

 by turns until they had reached the depth of fourteen inches. The eggs, 

 four in numljer, were of a white ground-color, tinged with a deep blush 

 when fresh, and sprinkled with reddish dots. They raise but a single brood 

 in a season. 



C. S. Paine, of East Bethel, Vt., found a nest of this species alx)ut the 

 middle of May, in a small beech-tree, the excavation having been made at 

 the height of twelve feet from the ground. The hole was al»out as large as 

 that made by the Downy Woodjjecker. When first noticed, the bird was 

 looking out of the hole. Having l)een started out, she flew to a limb close 

 by and watched the party some time. When she flew l>ack, she buzzed 

 before the hole in the manner of a Humming-Bird, and then darted in. 

 "While Mr. Paine was looking on, the male came several times to feed his 

 mate, who would meet him at the opening with a clamorous no. :.3, to receive 

 his bounty. The nest contained live eggs. 



In Western Massachusetts, Mr. Allen speaks of this species as chiefly a 

 winter resident, appearing the tirst week in October, and leaving the last 

 of April. 



The eggs of this species measure .02 by .48 of an inch, and are of an 

 oblong-oval shape. Their ground-color is a clear crystal white, marked 

 principally about the lai-ger end with a wreath of purple and roseate 

 markings. 



