116 CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 
VARIETIES: The LoNc-TaILeD CHICKADEE, P. atricapillus septentrionalis ALLEN, 
inhabits the Rocky Mountain Plateau Region, east to Manitoba and the Plains; the 
OREGON CHICKADEE, P. atricapillus occidentaMls Coves, occurs in the Pacific Coast 
Region, from northern California northward. 
CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 
Parus carolinensis AUD. 
N ALMOST all the wooded regions of the Southern States, the CAROLINA CHICKADEE, 
or CAROLINA TITMOUSE, is a common bird. I have become better acquainted with 
it than with the Black-capped Chickadee, as it appeared at all seasons in close proximity 
to my house in Texas, as well as in south-western Missouri. In winter the Carolina 
Chickadees chiefly haunt in larger or smaller flocks all such localities as are covered 
with shrubs and trees, no matter whether these are aggregated to form extensive 
forests, or bushy swamps, or whether they are only clumps of live-oak on the prairies, 
or orchards and gardens. Moreover, it visits villages, and even comes into the gardens 
of larger cities, searching every bush, every tree, every nook and corner for insects and 
their larve, In the larger gardens of Austin and Houston, Texas, it is an almost 
permanent resident. 
It is most common in winter, when it roams about in flocks, frequently accom- 
panied in its pleasant rambles by Tufted Titmice, Creepers, Nuthatches, Kinglets, and 
small Woodpeckers. They are so merry and jovial, that their happy chicka-dee—dee-dee 
on these beautiful southern winter days ripples through the woods continually. This 
species seems to be even more sociable than its near relative, the Black-cap. It has a 
special fondness for young groves of pines and other evergreens, which grow so 
luxuriantly in the rich and sheltered lowlands. Towards spring these flocks dissolve, . 
and every pair return to their old quarters, or, if a young couple, decide upon a new 
home. While they are roaming about during winter, one frequently hears the familiar 
chickadee-dee-dee, but as soon as the first vernal breezes blow from the Gulf, and 
the first delicate blossoms in the woods and on the prairies open their buds, the 
Carolina Chickadee changes its song. A great variety of different more or less eupho- 
nious notes are now blended together into a very agreeable medley. The refrain is 
constantly heard while they roam through the woods and orchards in quest of food. 
Although some harsh notes will at times be intermingled, the quaint chant loses nothing 
of its pleasing originality. Two notes sounding like hé-dé, hé-dé, similar to those 
mentioned in the life-ssketch of the Black-cap, are usually heard when the plum-trees 
are in flower, but after that time I have never heard them. The first tone is high and 
prolonged, the second low and short. These sounds are so delightful and penetrating, so 
distinct and captivating, they overflow with such wonderful melancholy and entrancing 
