PARIDAE: PARINAE 

 735. Parus atricapillus 



CHICKADEE. 5 inches 



Male and Female alike. Above blue-gray; top of head black, 

 sides white. Below yellowish white ; throat black. 

 This dainty, much-loved creature often merrily calls its name just 

 outside the window on cold winter mornings. In February it 

 begins to whistle its sweet, clear " Phoebe " notes that some- 

 times cause the young bird student to confound it with the 

 flycatcher Phoebe that normally does not reach Massachusetts till 

 late in March. Common in Massachusetts, in autumn and winter. 

 Song. Chick-a-dee, dee, dee, chick-a-dee, 

 dee, dee, and a clear whistled Phoebe, " rep- 

 resented by G and F on the piano." 

 Nest. Of warm material, in holes in trees 

 and stumps. 



Breeds. Throughout New England. 



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