CHICKADEE. 1 49 



In this fact, with so many others, we have an additional evi- 

 dence of affinity between the Titmouse and Jay, particularly 

 that short-billed section which includes the Gai-rulus cana- 

 densis and G. infaustiis. Even the blue color, so common 

 with the latter, is possessed by several species of this genus. 

 Indeed, from their aggregate relation and omnivorous habit 

 we see no better place of arrangement for these birds than 

 succinctly after the Garruli, or Jays. 



Following the authority of Temminck and Montagu, I con- 

 sidered this bird the same as the European Marsh Titmouse. 

 I have since seen the bird of Europe in its native country, and 

 have good reason to believe it wholly different from our lively 

 and familiar Chickadee. Unlike our bird, it is rather shy, seldom 

 seen but in pairs or solitary, never in domestic premises, usu- 

 ally and almost constantly near streams or watercourses, on 

 the willows, alders, or other small trees impending over 

 streams, and utters now and then a feeble complaining or 

 querulous call, and rarely if ever the chicka dee-dee. It also 

 makes a noise in the spring, as it is said, like the whetting of a 

 saw, which ours never does. The Chickadee is seldom seen 

 near waters ; often, even in summer, in dry, shady, and se- 

 cluded woods ; but when the weather becomes cold, and as 

 early as October, roving families, pressed by necessity and the 

 failure of their ordinary insect fare, now begin to frequent 

 orchards and gardens, appearing extremely familiar, hungry, 

 indigent, but industrious, prying with restless anxiety into every 

 cranny of the bark or holes in decayed trees after dormant in- 

 sects, spiders, and larvae, descending with the strictest economy 

 to the ground in quest of every stray morsel of provision which 

 happens to fall from their grasp. Their quaint notes and jing- 

 ling warble are heard even in winter on fine days when the 

 weather relaxes in its severity ; and, in short, instead of being 

 the river hermit of its European analogue, it adds by its 

 presence, indomitable action and chatter, an air of cheerful- 

 ness to the silent and dreary winters of the coldest parts of 

 America. 



