i8 Bird Life Stories 



of the forest, or from the orchard trees. Although more fre- 

 quently uttered in spring, it is now and then whistled on warm 

 days even in winter; it may be heard, in fact, in every month 

 of the year. It consists of two, or, less frequently, three clearly- 

 whistled and rather melancholy notes, like the syllables phee- 

 bee, not drawled like the song of the wood Pewee, and sweeter 

 and more even than the cry of the Phoebe. 



The Chickadee is found in summer in dry, shady and 

 secluded woods, but when the weather becomes cold, and as 

 early as October, roving families, pressed by necessity and 

 failure of their ordinary insect fare, now begin to frequent 

 orchards and gardens, appearing extremely familiar, hungry, 

 indigent, but industrious, prying with restless anxiety into 

 every cranny of the bark or holes in decayed trees after 

 dormant insects, spiders and larvae. The Chickadee adds by 

 its presence, indomitable action and chatter, an air of cheer- 

 fulness to the silent and dreary winters of the coldest parts of 

 North America. 



Geographical Distribution 



The Chickadee is very generally distributed throughout the northern 

 parts of eastern North America. Its nest is built as far south as 

 Illinois and Pennsylvania, and as far north as Labrador. High up in 

 the Alleghany Mountains it nests still farther south. In the South 

 and West occur closely- related forms with similar habits. 



