AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ^ 223 



TUFTED TITMOUSE, 



( Panis bicolor.) 



Geog- range: — The Tufted Titmouse is pretty generally distributed 

 throughout Eastern United States to the Plains, and as far north as 

 Southern New England and is a resident throughout its entire range. 



The Tufted Titmouse is an abundant resident throughout the more 

 southern part of its range, breeding in abundance in the deep woods, 

 or more open orchards where a suitable nesting site may be found. 

 No member of the parus family is more common, or better known, 

 than this species. The loud, clear note wher-da, wher-da, zvher-da may 

 commonly be heard in sunny days in winter, as the little feathered 

 friend busies itself all day long among the branches of trees, or around 

 the doorstep in search of found. It is especially fond of hickory nuts 

 that have been cracked, or suet that has been allowed to freeze without 

 the door. This bird is most congenial, showing no disposition to quar- 

 rel with its own kind, or to be unkind to its companions of the bleak 

 wintry day. 



In early spring the Tufted Titmouse becomes more spirited, and 

 seem to be more abundant on account of making its presence known. 

 Mounting the upper branches of the yet leafless tree, the loud, clear 

 mating call i« sent forth in March, and by the beginning of April the 

 happy pair of mouse colored friends have chosen the site for a summer 

 home. The female is busy during the period of home building, the 

 male bird seldom, if ever, offering other assistance than his presence 

 while the work is being done. Material is generally carried from a dis- 

 tance in great mouthfulls which almost blind the mother bird in her 

 homeward flight. The male bird is a close companion, making every 

 trip for nesting material with his little wife, and pouring forth his best 

 song from the top of a nearby tree or post while the "bricks" are being 

 laid. The nest is placed in the natural cavity of trees in deep woods 

 at any distance from the ground, or in posts or bird boxes in the open, 

 and is composed almost entirely of moss and hair. I have seen the 

 female Tufted Titmouse alight upon the back of a crow and take out a 

 mouthful of hair whicn she would place upon a nail in a nearby post, 

 and repeat this operation until she had gathered all she could carry, 

 and then hurry away to her nest, soon to return for another load. 



The historic ground included in the battle field of the Campaign of 

 Chickamauga and Chattanooga seems to be a favorite range for this 

 specie. Before the breaking of the buds in spring the cheery notes 

 are heard from the tops of the cannon-torn tree, or the blasted oak 



