694 MICHIGAN BIRD LIVE. 
The late Percy Selous observed a male at Greenville, Montcalm county, 
February 23, 1900, but this was the only one recorded for that locality. 
Mrs. Robert Campbell, of Jackson, noted two May 19, 1906. The species 
is reported by one observer in Marquette county, 1901 to 1904, but it 
seems probable that this record is based on a wrong identification; we 
have no other record for the Upper Peninsula, and it is not known to occur 
in Wisconsin except in the southern part of the state, and that very rarely. 
In its habits it is much like the common Chickadee, but shows many 
peculiarities of its own. According to Nehrling, in Missouri, ‘They 
scramble about among the limbs with great agility and restlessness and 
may be often seen hanging head downward on horizontal branches and 
trunks of trees, whilst exploring with great thoroughness every crevice 
of the bark for insects, their eggs and larve. They also show a liking 
for oily seeds, particularly those of hemp and the different species of small 
wild sunflowers. At times they will not despise berries, though they eat 
their seeds only. They also make occasional visits to meat which has 
been hung out in the airto dry. * * * Allits notes are very loud and 
clear, and uttered with whistling reverberation. During the sunny winter 
days it shouts with all its might: ‘hee-dle-dee-dle-dee-dle-dee-dle,’ and 
this is particularly the case as the mating season approaches. * * * 
Among other notes is a loud and querulous ‘pe-to-pe-to-pe-to-pe-to- 
day-tee-day-tee,’ which is especially pleasing * * * They are ex- 
traordinarily inquisitive, even daring to come close to the observer.” 
The nest is always placed in a cavity of some kind, usually the natural 
hollow of a tree or fence post, or a deserted woodpecker’s hole. Occasion- 
ally it nests in boxes provided for the purpose or for wrens and swallows. 
The nest is built largely of wool, fur, hair, feathers and various soft cottony 
substances and the eggs vary in number from five to eight, and average 
.71 by .55 inches. They are similar to those of the other members of 
the genus, being white, sparingly speckled with reddish-brown. In the 
southern states the bird rears two broods, but in Michigan it may rear 
but one. 
Mr. A. D. Tinker found a nest in an ash, elm and maple swamp near Ann 
Arbor, May 24, 1908. It was located ‘in the dead, broken limb of a 
stately elm some fifty or sixty feet from the ground. An old, abandoned 
woodpecker’s cavity had been appropriated and filled, as far as could be 
ascertained by means of a glass, with dead grasses, etc.” It was found by 
watching a female which was collecting food (various insects) and taking 
it to the young. The nest itself was inaccessible (Auk, XXV, 1908, 323). 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult: Forehead black, entire remainder of upper parts, including wings and tail, 
clear ash; a small white patch between the base of the upper mandible and the eye (lores); 
throat, breast and belly grayish-white, often with a yellowish or brownish tinge; sides 
chestnut; a noticeable crest much as in the Blue Jay; bill and feet black. 
Length 5.60 to 6.50 inches; wing 3 to 3.50; tail 2.80 to 3.15. Sexes alike and seasonal 
changes slight. 
