1138 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



RANGE. Southern United States, north to New Jersey and central 

 Indiana; west to Texas and Indian Territory. Resident throughout 

 its range. 



Nest, in cavity in tree, stump, post or rail, usually not over 10 feet 

 up; of grass, bark shreds, feathers and hair. Eggs, 5-8; white, speckled 

 with light reddish-brown, markings heaviest at larger end; .57 by .45. 



The Carolina Chickadee is an abundant resident throughout south- 

 ern Indiana, where it replaces the last mentioned form. This bird ex- 

 tends, at least in the Wabash Valley, two-thirds of the way across the 

 State. In Carroll County, both forms are found resident, but this is 

 least comnion. Doubtless they occasionally are found north to our 

 northern limit. Mr. J. G. Parker, Jr., informs me he has a specimen 

 taken at Lake Forest, 111., December 12, 1890. 



The Chickadee proclaims itself by its note, chicka-dee-dee, which 

 is louder than that of the Blackcap. They also have a, call day, 'day 

 very similar to the last species, and a two-note utterance that sounds 

 something like hey-de, liey-de. 



I have seen them mating, March 31 (1884), and full sets of eggs 

 are sometimes found late in April and early in May. The following 

 description of a nest taken at Richmond, Ind., May 12, 1889, by Mr. 

 H. N. McCoy, from a hole six inches deep in a fence rail lying against a 

 fence, is characteristic both as to nest and location in localities where 

 worm fences are commonly found. Nest: outside diameter, 3| inches; 

 inside diameter, 2 inches; depth, If inches; lower part, green moss; up- 

 per part, vines, bark, cowhair and a little wool, all woven together 

 closely. Contained 6 fresh eggs. Another favorite nesting place is in a 

 dead willow stub, along a stream. In those and the dead trunks of other 

 soft-wood trees they can readily excavate a nest. A hole made by a 

 Downy Woodpecker is often handy, and they promptly occupy it. In 

 winter they use excavations made by themselves and other birds as 

 protected quarters, and there keep snug and dry, though, with the 

 weather below zero and no fire, we may express our sorrow for the 

 poor little mite. On the morrow, however, he is still able to sing his 

 merry song. Their food is similar to that of the last mentioned species. 

 Often they may be seen clinging to the blossom end of a large apple, 

 inspecting it for larvae, and when they are found, drawing them forth. 

 It likes the worm, and, if it gets it, is willing to leave to the farmer 

 the apple. 



