246 



THE CHICKy\DEE. 



Chickadee's g'oocl cheer is ])aiil\- explniiied l)y tlie fact that he lias a 

 ver}' warm coat — he looks like a little luuti' himself — ami hy the fact that 

 the sort of food he likes is reasonahlv plentiful in winter. The hird eats 

 insects at all times of ^•ear, liut his sta]-)le tliet is furmecl h\' the eggs and larvae 

 of insects. These are found tucked away in the cre\dces of hark, < ir grouped 

 on the under surface of the smaller limhs and persistent lea\'es. On this ac- 

 count the Black-cap must frec^uentl^' hang head down\\-ard, and this he does 

 very gracefully, using his tail to halance himself with, much as a hoy does his 



Taken ucir Cchi iiibu-i. Pli„lo by 11, e .hilhoi 



"a clinging snow comes and BLMUKS Tlir, NOUTIIERN HALF OP HIS II GNTING-GROU N D. " 



legs in hanging from a "turning jiolc," swinging to and fro as if he thor- 

 oughly enjoyed it. Once in a while a clinging snow comes and buries the 

 northern half of his hunting-gniund. Then is the time to hang out a lump 

 of suet, or to scatter hits of meat — unless )-our hounties are alwavs claimed 

 by the Englisli sparrow. 



Besides the frequent re])etition of its name, Chickadee, the bird has a 

 bruscjue tse-day, tsc-day of uncertain meaning, and a (/(7_v. dav, dav. day of 

 discomposure and indignation. The birds of a flock intent on feeding keep 



