THE CHICKADEE 
A Study in Black and White 
(yaeRY early in my experience as a 
hunter I became acquainted with a 
small black-and-white bird, who 
not only announced himself with 
unmistakable distinctness, but did 
so at such close range that one 
could form a very clear idea of his 
appearance; and thus because of his notes and trust- 
fulness I learned to know the Chickadee by name 
years before I was aware that the woods were 
tenanted by dozens of other more common but less 
fearless birds. 
With regret for the universality of the instinct, 
I found that to see was to desire. I had felt exactly 
the same longing in regard to other birds, and had 
thrown many a stone in a fruitless effort to get pos- 
session of the half-mysterious wild creatures which 
always eluded me; but the Chickadee came within 
range of my bean-shooter and soon paid the penalty 
of misplaced confidence. The little ball of flesh and 
fluffy feathers was perfectly useless, so after a day 
or two, the length of time depending on the tem- 
perature, it was thrown away. 
My curiosity concerning the Chickadee being 
satisfied, and the bird’s tameness making it too easy 
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