LXXXVIII 



CHICKADEE; BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE 

 735. Penthestes atricapillus (Linn.) 



The Chickadee is grayish on the back and whitish 

 on the belly and the crown and throat are black. The 

 bird is about five and one-half inches long. It nests in 

 natural cavities in trees and stumps and in abandoned 

 Woodpecker holes. The nest is made of moss, hairs, 

 feathers and rabbits' fur. There are from two to five 

 eggs with reddish-brown specks on a white background. 

 There is no race suicide in the Chickadee 's family, which 

 is broadly distributed, living the year around over its 

 range. The bird is an eater of seeds and insects and is 

 fond of fresh meat. 



Both birds assume all family duties. The male is 

 very attentive to the female and seems to consent to her 

 every wish. 



On a cold winter's day, as you stroll through the 

 woods, clothed in your heaviest furs, with the mercury 

 hovering near or below the zero mark, when the tree 

 trunks are crackling with loud reports from the grip 

 of the frost king and almost all living things have sought 

 a warmer clime or are " holed up" for the season, you 

 are surprised and gratified to hear the faint, but well- 

 known cheerful voice of the little Chickadee, as it busies 

 itself on the side of a nearby tree, seeking its dinner of 

 larvae and insect eggs. (Fig. 136.) 



In amazement and admiration you pause to utter 

 silent prayer in behalf of the bird. Now watch closely, 

 for it is not alone, as you will probably discover. Little 

 Downy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse and Nuthatch are 

 almost sure to be in that same locality. That they har- 

 vest together what others have planted is easily demon- 

 strated by their constant association and concerted ac- 

 tion. 



The Downy, with its powerful and awl-like bill, re- 

 moves the bark behind which the eggs and larvae are 

 hidden; then, "Dee, dee, dee" and "Tit" gather up the 



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