698 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
In summer this is the common Chickadee of southern Dlinois and Indiana, 
and even in the northern parts of these states it is found occasionally 
mingled with the northern form, aéricapillus. It doubtless occurs in 
Michigan with more or less regularity, but mainly or entirely along the 
southern border of the state. According to Dr. Gibbs, Dr. Atkins of 
Locke, Ingham county, met with this species in that vicinity at least 
once, but no specimen appears to have been preserved, and we do not 
know who was the authority for its identification. Mr. B. H. Swales 
took a specimen July 17, 1899, in a small woodland in Ecorse township, 
Wayne county, Mich., which he believes to be the first bird of the species 
taken in the state (Auk, XXIII, 1906, 342). G. A. Stockwell’s Forest 
and Stream list includes this species, but we do not know on what authority. 
Dr. Miles also included it in his list (1860). 
Probably this species will be found at rare intervals in summer through- 
out the southern tier of counties, but in its general habits, note, nesting 
and food it is so nearly identical with the common Chickadee that it is 
almost sure to escape recognition except by the trained observer who is 
familiar with the bird in the south, or by the collector who kills every 
specimen about which he has any doubt. 
Nehrling states that in the south (Texas), where he has studied this 
species, ‘“‘The bird seems to prefer (for nesting places) hollow horizontal 
boughs, with the orifice on one side or beneath; but if these cannot be 
found the bird is satisfied with any cavity, provided its opening is not too 
large. The nest always consists of a mass of very soft substances, such 
as moss, fine bark strips, cotton, and especially hair and pieces of rabbits’ 
fur.” The eggs average .57 by .45 inches, and except in size are not dis- 
tinguishable from those of the Black-capped Chickadee. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Head without crest, its top and the throat black; no white superciliary streak; sides 
and flanks light brownish. 
“Adult: Wing .20 inch longer than tail; tertials and greater wing-coverts without 
distinct whitish edgings; black of throat with an abruptly defined posterior border. Above 
uniform grayish; beneath white medially, light buffy brownish laterally (paler in summer); 
length +.25 to 4.60 inches; wing 2.40 to 2.60; tail 2.10 to 2.50” (Ridgway). 
315. Hudsonian Chickadee. Penthestes hudsonicus hudsonicus (J’orsi.). 
(740) 
Synonyms: Hudsonian Titmouse, Hudson Bay Chickadee, Hudson Bay Titmouse.— 
Parus hudsonicus, Iorst., 1772, and most authors.—Parus hudsonicus stoneyi, A. O. U. 
Committee, 1889. 
Figure 149. 
Similar in size and general coloration to the common Chickadee, but 
the top of the head clear brown instead of black, and the stripe on the 
side of the head pure white only in front, decidedly ash-gray on the neck. 
Distribution.—Northern North America, from the more elevated parts 
of the northern United States (northern New England, northern New 
York, northern Michigan, etc.) northward. 
The Hudsonian Chickadee must be counted as a rare bird in Michigan. 
The older writers reported it as common in the Upper Peninsula, but 
