486 TITMICE 
Range.—Carolinian end ee arian faunas from Nebr., Iowa, IIls., 
Ind., Ohio, Pa., and N. J. s. tocen. Tex., the Gulf coast, and Fila.; casual in 
8. parts of Wisc., Mich., a “Y., and Conn. 
Washington, very common "Pp. R., more so in winter. N. Ohio, common 
P. R. Glen Ellyn, only two records, Apl. 4 and Nov. 19. 
Nest, of leaves, moss, strips of bark, feathers, etc., in Woodpeckers’ 
deserted’ holes, stumps, ete. Eggs, 5-8, white or creamy white, rather coarsely 
and evenly marked with rufous-brown, 
‘71 x '55. Date, Mt. Pleasant, S. C., Apl. 
21; Weaverville, N. C., Apl. 8; Brook- 
ville, Ind., Apl. 22. 
The Tufted Titmouse is a bird of 
very general distribution in wood- 
lands, where its presence is always 
made known by its notes. Its com- 
mon call is a loud, clearly whistled 
peto, peto, peto, peto, which may be 
repeated by the same individual for 
hours at a time. Occasionally the 
4 key is changed, and at first the notes 
Fie. 135. Tufted Titmouse. are decidedly pleasing, but the bird 
(Natural size.) finally wearies one by its monoto- 
nous repetition. It utters also other whistled calls, and a de-de-de-de, 
much like the notes of the Chickadee, though somewhat louder and 
hoarser. The Tufted Tit is not a shy bird and may be approached 
with ease. Its conspicuous crest is an excellent field-mark. 
735. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus (Zinn.). CHICKADEE. 
' (Fig. 74b.) Ads.—Top of the head, nape, and throat shining black; sides 
of the head and neck white; back ashy; outer vanes of greater wing-coverts 
distinctly margined with white; wing and tail-feathers margined with 
whitish; breast white; belly and sides washed with cream-buff. L., 5° 27; 
W., 2-53: T., 2°48: B., 3% 
" Range. —Canadian and Transition zones of e. N. A. from se. Keewatin, 
and N. F. s. to cen. Mo., Ills., n. Ind., Ohio, Pa., n. N. J., and in the Alle- 
ghanies s. to N. C.; somewhat further s. in winter 
Washington, rare and irregular W. V., Oct. 19- Apl. 19. Ossining, toler- 
ably common P. R. Cambridge, common P. R., more numerous in fall and 
winter. N.Ohio, common P. R. Glen Ellyn, fairly common P. R. SE. Minn., 
common P. R. 
Nest, of moss, grasses, feathers, and plant-down, in old stumps, holes in. 
trees, etc., not more than 15 feet up. Eggs, 5-9, white, spotted and speckled, 
chiefly at the larger end, with cinnamon- or rufous-brown, ‘60 x "48. Date, 
Saybrook, Conn., May 6; Cambridge, May 10; Holland Patent, N. Y., May 
15; Brookville, Ind., Apl. 22; se. Minn., May 11. 
When most birds were strangers to me, I remember thinking 
what a blessing it would be if every one spoke his name as plainly 
as does this animated bunch of black and white feathers. No need 
of a text-book to discover his name; with winning confidence he 
introduced himself, and probably for this reason he has a a 
my best friend among birds. 
I never hear his voice in the + or === 
woods without answering him: E _ | 
