308 



GLEANINGS FROM NATURE. 



in length. In color it is a uniform leaden-gray above, 

 except a narrow streak of black across the forehead. 

 Below, it is a whitish ash, with the sides tinged with 

 dull reddish-brown. The feathers of the head are 

 long, and, when the bird is excited or angry, can be 

 raised into a conspicuous crest, whence the common 

 name of " tufted titmouse." 



From the black bar across the forehead it is some- 

 times called the black-front- 

 ed titmouse, while its Latin 

 name is Parus bicolor L., the 

 former w^ord meaning "tit- 

 mouse" and the latter "of 

 two colors." 



In winter perhaps no 

 bird is more abundant in 

 the wooded portions of the 

 southern half of Indiana, 

 than this species. Roving 

 in restless, noisy troops 

 through the woods, scolding 

 at every intruder and calling to one another in harsh 

 tones, it soon renders itself conspicuous to every one 

 who is beginning to take an interest in our feathered 

 fauna. Its ordinary note is a rather monotonous 

 "dee-dee-dee" often repeated as if from habit. Its 

 song is a loud clear w r histle resembling the syllables 

 " peto-petp~pet&" uttered in a defiant tone, as if chal- 

 lenging all other birds within the compass of its 

 voice. When angry it raises its crest and utters a 

 series of chirps which appear to be imitations of 

 the notes of other birds, those of the blue jay being 



Fig. 85-Head of Tufted 

 Titmouse. 



