A Curious Nesting Habit of the Tufted Titmouse 



By JAMES P. BAKER. JR.. Helmsburg, Ind. 



ON May iS, 1917, I made a very unusual discovery in the nesting habit 

 of one of our common birds. To me this observation was very inter- 

 esting for several reasons, not the least of which was my own unique 

 position for witnessing the incident. 



My home is in the wooded hills of southern Indiana. On the date mentioned, 

 I was sitting on my front porch, when I observed a Tufted Titmouse fly up 

 from the woods below the house and alight on the ground close to the porch. 

 From the bird's subsequent actions I judged that it was a female. There was 

 something about her manner, an eagerness and alertness, that spoke of urgent 

 duties to be performed. Time was pressing hard, I guessed, because her 

 feathers were sadly ruffled and her beak was opened, as if in distress. 



What, thought I, was the cause of such ardent industry? Just at this 

 moment the bird flew upon the floor of the porch, not more than two feet from 

 my chair. What, indeed, would inspire such reckless and daring behavior! 



The Titmouse surveyed my feet — they did not stir. She examined my 

 body — it was motionless. A moment more and I checked my breathing — the 

 bird was calmly inspecting me from the arm of my chair. It remained here 

 but an instant and then flew to the back of my chair. I could not see her in 

 this position, but a moment later I coxild feel her! She was now perched upon 

 my head; taking a wisp of my hair in her beak, she gave several sharp jerks. 

 After trying vainly to detach some hair in one place, she would try in another 

 until, exhausted in her attempts, she withdrew to the back of my chair. 

 After a short rest she renewed her efforts, but with no better success. The tools 

 at her command seemed whoUy inadequate for tonsorial purposes, and as I was 

 in no wise able to assist her, I concluded that any further exertions might as 

 well be discouraged. Accordingly I made a very slight move, but sufficient 

 to give alarm. 



I learned, however, that the bird's investigations in my neighborhood 

 were but partially completed. In her momentary fright she had flown to a 

 tree nearby, but in a minute she was again on the porch, this time on a table 

 which stood by the kitchen door. Here she discovered an old shoe-brush, an 

 object which seemed to meet the exigency of her demands. She gave several 

 heroic tugs at the brush, but not a bristle would yield. 



My screen-door stood open, and in the kitchen near the door was my kitchen 

 table. The table caught her eye. That was enough for this Titmouse. From 

 the edge of a molasses can she quickly surveyed an array of culinary articles 

 which covered the table. It revealed nothing of an architectural nature and 

 accordingly she transferred her explorations to the opposite side of the room. 

 Here she examined the kitchen range, but it held nothing she desired. With 

 the hope that such a bold guest might accept the aid and assistance of her host, 



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