SONG BIRDS OF ORCHARD AND WOODLAND. 163 
expect such work of Creepers or of Woodpeckers; but the 
Kinglets seemed to have departed from their usual habits of 
gleaning among limbs and foliage, to take the place of the 
missing Creepers, not one of which was seen in the grove 
last winter. 
NUTHATCHES AND TITS. 
This useful family is well represented here in woodland and 
orchard by three common species, one Titmouse and two Nut- 
hatches. The Hudsonian Titmouse is too rare to be of any 
economic importance. The common Titmouse or Chickadee 
is a well-known species that visits every village and farm. 
The Nuthatches may be known by their short tails and their 
habit of climbing about over the trunks and limbs of trees, 
somewhat after the manner of Woodpeckers, except that they 
do not use. the tail as a support, as the Woodpeckers and 
Creepers do, and that they often move about head downwards, 
or suspend themselves in this manner, which Woodpeckers 
seldom do. The name Nuthatch probably originated from 
nuthack or nuthacker. It was first applied to the European 
species because of its habit of cracking nuts or acorns, — 
presumably for the kernel; but the American species seem 
to open nuts or acorns mainly for the insects that feed within. 
In winter, however, these birds will eat the kernels of broken 
nuts that are often put out for them by humane people. 
They can scarcely be called song birds, but sometimes the 
males twitter softly, as if attempting to whisper a song. 
Chickadee. Black-capped Titmouse. 
Parus atricapillus. 
Length. — About five and one-quarter inches. 
Adult.— Top of head, nape, and throat black; sides of head and neck white; 
back ashy; breast white; wing feathers and tail feathers margined with 
whitish ; belly and sides washed with creamy buff. 
Nest.—Sometimes built in a natural hollow of some tree in the woods or 
orchard; often placed in a cavity hollowed out by the birds themselves in 
a decayed birch or pine stump, and composed of moss, feathers, and other 
warm materials, 
Eggs. — Usually six or seven, but sometimes even ten; white, and finely spotted 
with reddish-brown or a paler shade. 
Season. — Resident. 
The Chickadee remains in Massachusetts throughout the 
year, but is usually moré commonly seen in winter than in 
