184 



OEDEES OF BIEDS— PEECHEES AND SINGEKS 



RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. 



head. In life it is a dainty little feathered gem, 

 but it is so modest and retiring that it is seen 

 only by sharp eyes. "Kinglet" means "Little 

 King." Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright testifies 

 strongly to its value as an insect-destroyer, 

 especially in the late autumn, when other in- 

 sectivorous birds have gone, when it works in- 

 dustriously upon the trunks of evergreens. Dr. 

 Coues considered the Kinglet an exquisite singer, 

 but I must confess that its vocal powers have 

 quite escaped me. 



THE NUTHATCH AND TITMOUSE 

 FAMILY. 



Paridae. 

 The birds of this Family deserve to rank as 

 prime favorites. They remain with us through 

 "the long and dreary winter," when all save a 

 corporal's squad of the grand army of birds have 

 fled southward, and left us to our fate. They 

 are exceedingly industrious, and their efforts 

 arc directed against insects of very destructive 

 habits, the tree-borer and the bark-louse. In 

 their work they are not continually " playing to 



the gallery," and telling people how busy they 

 are. 



The Chickadee, or Black -Capped Tit- 

 mouse, 1 is one of the dearest little fellows that 

 flies. It always reminds me of a forest-elf, in 

 a black cap and a feather cloak. Instead of 

 making a great show of fright, like a girl in the 

 presence of a 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 Eng- 

 lish, "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 be- 

 fore had the pleasure of meeting him, he pipes 

 out cheerily, " CHiCK-a-dee-dee-de e! " 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 nliinly as print. 



CHICKADEE. 



Pa'rus at-ri-cap'ilrhis. Length, 5.25 inches 



