382 DIVISION I. VEKTEBKAL ANIMALS. — CLASS II. AVES. 



where the young one luul failed, anil ili.-^tinctly finislieil tlie remaining part. 

 The young one nuulo a second attempt, commencing wliere it liad left off, 

 and continuing for a i\'\v notes toleral)iy distinct, wlicn it again lost tiie 

 notes. The mother began again MJierc it ceased, and went througli with 

 the air. The young one again resumed the tune, and completed it. When 

 this was done, the niotlier again sung over the whole of her song with great 

 precision ; and then another of the young attempted to follow it, who like- 

 wise was iucapaljle of going through with tlie tune, Init the parent treated it 

 as she had done the first bird ; and so on with the others. This was re- 

 peated at intervals every day while they remained in tlieir nest.'' 



The l'arina\ or Titmice, are well-known liy numerous representatives in 

 dific'rent portions of the world. 



Of American Titmice, the Common Black-cap Titmouse, or Chickadee 

 [I'drn.^ atn'cftpillns) is probably the best known. This species remains with 

 us through the year, being nearly if not (juite as abundant in the winter as 

 through the sununcr, and it is deservedly one of the greatest favorites. It 

 commences building as early as the second week in May. The nest is 

 placed in a hole excavated in a dead tree or stump. Tiiis hole is, like that 

 of the woodpecker, gradually widened at the bottom, and is about nine or 

 ten inches in depth. The nest is constructed of soft moss and the hairs of 

 different animals. One beautiful sjtecimen tliat we found in the northern 

 part of .Maine is com[)osed of the hair of the conunon deer, moose, and hare, 

 a icw leathers of the rutl'ed grouse, and a few fragments of soft mosses. 

 They arc woven into a warm and comfortable tenement. 



The eggs are from six to ten in mmil)er, usually aijout six. They are of 

 a nearly [)ure white color, with a faint reddish tint, and are spotted, thickly 

 at the greater end, with markings of reddish-brown. Tlieir form is about 

 ovoidal, and their dimensions average about .02 by .i>'2 inch. Two broods 

 arc often reared in tlie season. 



Tlie Chickadee is eminently kindly and sociable in its disposition ; and, 

 although almost always in company ^vith other birds, — such as the golden- 

 crested and rul)y-crowncd wrens, nuthatches, itc, — it is never seen quar- 

 relling with them, but fraternizes with them in the most cordial manner. 

 Often, when seated in the woods, have we been surrounded by them; and 

 their curiosity to learn the cause of our presence and our employment was 

 so great, that they wouhl often perch on a twig within two feet of us, and 

 scrutinize us with their shining black eyes, in a manner amusing to witness. 



Ostensibly they were searching beneath the bark for their food ; but 

 really they were watching us. We once had one perch on our foot, and 

 look in our face with a perfectly plain " what-do-ymi-want-here " expression 

 on its countenance. Always at short intervals, while perched in trees, and 



