150 SINGING BIRDS. 



CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 



Parus carolinensis. 



Char. Above, ashy gray tinged with dull brown; head and throat 

 black ; cheek white ; beneath, brownish white ; flanks buffish. Length 

 4X to 4^ inches. 



N'est. In a cavity of decayed stump, composed of grass or shreds of 

 bark, and lined with feathers. Sometimes composed entirely of fur or 

 fine wool felted compactly. 



Eggs. 5-8 ; white often spotted with reddish brown ; 0.60 X 0.50. 



This species, detected by Mr. Audubon, is a constant inhab- 

 itant of the Southern and Middle States from the borders of 

 New Jersey to East Florida. It has a predilection for the 

 borders of ponds, marshes, and swamps, and less gregarious 

 than the preceding, seldom more than a pair or family are 

 seen together. It is also shy and retiring ; inhabiting at all 

 times a mild and genial clime, it never seeks out domestic 

 premises, nor even the waysides, but, like the European Marsh 

 Titmouse, it remains throughout the year in the tangled woods 

 and swamps which gave it birth. In the wilds of Oregon late 

 in autumn we frequently saw small roving restless flocks of 

 these birds associated often with the Chestnut-Backed species. 

 At such times both parties were querulous and noisy ; but the 

 tshe te de de is comparatively feeble, uttered in a slender, wiry- 

 tone. At such times intently gleaning for insects, they show very 

 little fear, but a good deal of sympathy for their wounded com- 

 panions, remaining round them and scolding in a petulant and 

 plaintive tone. At the approach of winter those in the Atlan- 

 tic region retire farther to the south, and on the Pacific border 

 they are to be seen in winter in the woods of Upper California ; 

 but in no instance did we see them approach the vicinity of 

 the trading posts or the gardens. 



A nest of this species discovered by Dr. Bachman was in a 

 hollow stump about four feet from the ground ; it was rather 

 shallow, composed of fine wool, cotton, and some fibres of 

 plants, the whole fitted together so as to be of an uniform 

 thickness throughout, and contained pure white eggs. 



