Plate LXVI. 



PARU8 ATR/OAPILLUS-Black-capped Chickadee. 



The Black-capped Chickadee or Common Titmouse is known generally over the greater part of the 

 United States, and by mutual consent is looked upon as the typical representative of its family. It 

 crosses the line of the summer habitation of P. carolinensls in Ohio, and at such places both species are 

 found together. Dr. Wheaton says, Vol. IV, Geological Survey of Ohio: "Abundant resident in Northern and 

 probably Eastern Ohio. Twenty-five years ago the Black-capped Titmouse was as abundant in Central Ohio, 

 as the Tufted. Since that time it has become quite rare, and a winter visitor only in the vicinity of Columbus. 

 In some seasons none are seen. I have seen but two or three individuals in the city limits within ten years." 



Occasionally I have found this species in Central Ohio in the summer. It nests early in May. Two 

 broods are frequently reared during a season. 



LOCALITY: 



"While it seems to prefer the edges of woods as best affording the means of food and shelter, it 

 by no means confines itself to these localities, not only appearing familiarly around the dwellings in the 

 winter season, but also occasionally breeding in open and exposed places. A hollow post of a fence in 

 the midst of open cultivated fields, a decayed stump near the side of a public highway, a hollow log in a 

 frequented farm-yard, and even the side of an inhabited dwelling, are localities these birds have been 

 known to select in which to rear their young. On one occasion a pair had built its nest over a covered 

 well, which connects with the dwelling by a side door, through which water was drawn at -all hours of the 

 day by means of buckets and a rope, the wheel for which was in close proximity to their nest. They 

 manifested no uneasiness, however, and even after the young were ready to fly, the whole family would 

 return to the place for shelter at night and during inclement weather." 



Sparcely timbered borders of streams, and ravines about creeks and springs it also frequents for 

 nesting sites, usually excavating a cavity in a dead limb, trunk, stamp, or even a prostrate log. Some 

 individuals either incompetent or hurried build in a deserted Woodpecker's hole, or a natural cavity. 



POSITION : 



As a rule the nest is over four and under twenty feet from the ground. When an excavation is made 

 the birds commonly select a piece of dead timber of considerable size, and, having made a round hole for 

 the doorway, this is projected into the wood for an inch or more, and then turning downwards enlarges 

 into a cavity about three inches in diameter at its widest part, by five or six inches in depth. The 

 excavation is often as well and accurately formed as that made by any of the Woodpeckers. 



MATERIALS : 



Differing from most birds that excavate a home in decayed or dead timber, the Black-capped Chickadee 



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