320 CASSEIX'S BOOK OF BIROS. 



seed, until it had devoured it, or it had fallen to the ground. Should the latter be the case, the busy 

 bird would at once fly down and hammer at the fruit. To the Black-cap Titmouse the breaking of a 

 hazel-nut is quite a pleasure, and I have repeatedly seen the feat accomplished, not only by a bird in 

 its natural state, but by one kept in confinement. Courageous, and at times exceedingly tyrannical, 

 it will attack young birds, break heir skulls, and feed upon their flesh, as I have more than once 

 witnessed. 



" The Chickadee feeds on insects, their larva; and eggs, as well as on every sort of small fruit or 

 berries, including grapes, acorns, and the seeds of various pines. I have seen it eat the seeds of the 

 sunflower, the pokeberry and pears, as well as flesh of all kinds. Indeed, it may truly be called 

 omnivorous. Often you may see them perched, as it were, upon their food, and holding it beneath 

 their feet while pecking it. 



" The nest of this species, whether it be placed in the hole of a Woodpecker or Squirrel, or in a 

 place dug by itself, is seldom found at a height exceeding ten feet. Most of those which I have seen 

 were in low, broken, or hollowed stumps, a few feet high. The materials of which it is composed 

 vary in different districts, but are generally the hair of quadrupeds in considerable quantity, and 

 disposed in the shape of a loose bag or purse, as in most other species which do not hang their nests 

 outside." The eggs rarely exceed eight in number ; they are five-eighths of an inch long by three- 

 eighths and three-quarters, rather pointed at the smaller end with minute reddish dots and markings. 

 The first brood are laid from the middle of April to that of May, the second two months later. " The 

 flight of this species," says Audubon, " like that of all American Titmice, is short, fluttering generally 

 from tree to tree, and is accompanied with a murmuring sound, produced by the concavity of the 

 wings. It is seldom seen on the ground, unless when it has followed a fruit that has fallen, or when 

 searching for materials for its nest. It usually roosts in its nest during winter, and in summer amid 

 the close foliage of firs or evergreens. In winter indeed, as well as in autumn, it is seen near the 

 farmhouses, and even in villages and towns, busily seeking for food among the trees." 



" On seeing a cat, or other object of natural antipathy," says Mr. Nuttall, " the Chickadee, like 

 the peevish Jay, scolds in a loud, angry, and hoarse note, ' 'tshe ! daigh, daigh, daigh !' Among the 

 other notes of this species I have heard a call like ' 'tshe-de-jay ! 'tshe-de-jay !' the two first syllables 

 being a feeble chirp, with the jay strongly pronounced. The only note of this bird which can be 

 called a song, is one which is frequently heard at intervals in the depths of the forest at times of day 

 usually when all other birds are silent. We may then sometimes hear, in the midst of this solitude, 

 two feeble, drawling, clearly whistled and rather melancholy notes, like ' Te dizzy !' and sometimes 

 ' Ye perrit !' and occasionally, but rarely, in the same wiry, whistling, solemn' tone, ' Phebe !' On 

 fine days, about the commencement of October, I have heard the Chickadee sometimes for half 

 an hour at a time, attempt a lively petulant warble, very different from his ordinary note. On 

 these occasions he appears to flirt about, still hunting for his prey, in an ecstasy of delight and 

 vigour. But, after awhile, the usual drawling note again occurs." 



