364 



A MERl CA N ORNITHOL OGY. 



bottom could not possibly breathe. For a few days preceding their 

 departure from the nest, the young take turns in scrambling up to the 

 entrance as if to get a peep into the future that is about to open to 

 them. The young Chickadees are even prettier than their parents, if 

 that is possible; fluffy little bunches of black and white down, supple- 

 mented with two bright bead like eyes and a short tail. '"ITIIZ. 

 The first few days following the egress of the young Chickadees are 

 ones of anxiety and labor for the old birds. There are numerous chil- 

 dren to feed and to keep from the clutches of various maurauders such 

 as hawks, owls, crows, jays, etc. As the young are scattered about it 

 would seem as though it would tax the mental faculties of the parents 

 to remember their locations. 



When cold weather begins to come in the fall, several families form 

 in one band and pass the winter together; a lonesome winter it must be 



with the ground cov- 

 ered with snow and 

 the woods deserted 

 by all except a very 

 few of the most hardy 

 of the winter birds. 

 In the fall they asso- 

 ciate freely with the 

 warblers as they mi- 

 grate and it is strange 

 that they do not con- 

 tinue on with them, 

 to share their pleas- 

 ures in the south. 

 The reason for their 

 strange choice of 

 winter quarters is yet 

 to be discovered, un- 

 less it be that they 

 have an unusual at. 

 tachment for the old 

 homestead and would 

 rather brave our se- 

 vere winters than to 

 leave it even tempo- 

 rarily, 



MY MATE IS INSIDE. At this season of 



the year, they live on the larvae and eggs of the smaller insects, while 

 some of the more fortunate ones find a welcome lunch counter provid- ' 

 ed for them by some kind hearted member of the human race who takes 

 more than a passing interest in the welfare of his feathered friends. 



