270 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 



ferocious mouse, little Black-Cap perches on a tiny twig 

 growing low down on the trunk of a big tree, and cocks his 

 head at you, while he looks you over with a fraternizing 

 air. His attitude and manner say as plainly as English: 

 "You are a good fellow, and I'm another. We understand 

 each other perfectly, don't we ? " 



And then his greeting. If you have never before had 

 the pleasure of meeting him, he pipes out cheerily, "chick- 

 a-dee-dee-dee ! '' Watch for him the next time you go into 

 the woods in winter — a jet-black cap with a white waistcoat 

 below it; a black necktie, bluish-gray overcoat, and a very 

 pert and saucy air. You can hardly fail to recognize him, 

 but in case you hesitate, and think his "face is familiar," 

 he will up and tell you his name, as plainly as print. 



Six well-marked types and several races of Chickadees 

 inhabit North America from Alaska to Mexico, but the one 

 most widely known is that just named. 



The White-Breasted Nuthatch 1 deserves the most 

 perfect protection and encouragement that the people of 

 this country know how to offer. One good look at this bird 

 on the trunk of a valuable tree, searching as if with a mag- 

 nifying-glass for the trees' deadly enemies — the borers — ■ 

 ought to convert any person to the cause of bird-protection. 

 Like the chickadee, the Nuthatch remains in the North all 

 winter, because he feels that he has not a moment to lose in 

 his war on the borers. 



The tree-trunks are his favorite hunting-ground, and he 

 goes over them, literally inch by inch. He becomes so ab- 



1 Sit'ta carolinensis. Length, about 6 inches. 



