110 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [1891 



seldom entirely leaving us during the winter. On ornithological 

 excursions during the months of December and January one 

 rarely fails to see this bird, but February brings to us the 

 majority. This, however, is dependent on the exigencies of the 

 season. The blue garb makes this bird conspicuous everywhere, 

 especially since it does not seek to conceal itself in shady woods 

 or bushes and thickets. The song is a plain warble. Beside 

 these regular notes, there is a call-note which is very character- 

 istic, and which cannot easily be confounded with that of other 

 birds. 



The nest is placed in holes, usually in an old cherry or apple 

 tree. The eggs are of pale blue, and in shape are, on the aver- 

 age, a little more globose than those of the catbird. It is hardly 

 necessary to state that our bird is an exceedingly common and 

 abundant species, except, as above mentioned, during winter. 



Parus bieolor (Linn.). Tufted Titmouse. 



The " Tufted Titmouse," also known as the " Crested Tit- 

 mouse," is one of our resident birds, and may be found almost 

 anywhere in the depths of the woods, or among the trees and 

 shrub? that border our waters. In winter it associates with 

 various smaller birds, as for instance, chickadee, creeper, et al., 

 and is quite common near the suburbs, and has been seen and 

 heard even in the midst of the city. During the summer 

 months, however, this species seems to retire to a part of the 

 country less densely populated. Though quite common, it is not 

 so abundant as the next species, that is as regards the immediate 

 vicinity of the city. Being of a somewhat more shy and suspi- 

 cious disposition than its relative, the chickadee, this might be 

 easily explained. 



The most distinctive characteristic of the tufted titmouse is 

 the whistle, consisting of two tones, forming a fourth, as here 

 indicated : 



