270 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 
ferocious mouse, little Black-Cap perches on a tiny twig 
growing low down on the trunk of a big tree, and cocks his 
head at you, while he looks you over with a fraternizing 
air. His attitude and manner say as plainly as English: 
“You are a good fellow, and I’m another. We understand 
each other perfectly, don’t we?” 
And then his greeting. If you have never before had 
the pleasure of meeting him, he pipes out cheerily, ‘ cuicK- 
a-dee-dee-dee!’’ Watch for him the next time you go into 
the woods in winter—a jet-black cap with a white waistcoat 
below it; a black necktie, bluish-gray overcoat, and a very 
pert and saucy air. You can hardly fail to recognize him, 
but in case you hesitate, and think his “face is familiar,” 
he will up and tell you his name, as plainly as print. * 
Six well-marked types and several races of Chickadees 
inhabit North America from Alaska to Mexico, but the one 
most widely known is that just named. 
Tue Wuire-Breastep Nutuatcu' deserves the most 
perfect protection and encouragement that the people of 
this country know how to offer. One good look at this bird 
on the trunk of a valuable tree, searching as if with a mag- 
nifying-glass for the trees’ deadly enemies—the borers— 
ought to convert any person to the cause of bird-protection. 
Like the chickadee, the Nuthatch remains in the North all 
winter, because he feels that he has not a moment to lose in 
his war on the borers. 
The tree-trunks are his favorite hunting-ground, and he 
goes over them, literally inch by inch. He becomes so ab- 
1 Sit’ta carolinensis. Length, about 6 inches, 
