THE CHICKADEE Iai 
her door and shook her dwelling to its foundations ; 
no bird appeared, and not believing it possible that 
under the circumstances she would remain within 
the stub, I felt that she must have left without my 
knowledge, and there- 
fore retired to await 
her reappearance. 
At the end of sev- 
eral minutes the male, 
with food in his bill, 
advanced cautiously, 
and clinging to the 
rim of the nest open- 
ing, hung there a mo- 
ment and departed 
minus the food. This 
was surprising. Could 
there be young in the 
nest ? or was the bird, 
in imitation of the 
Hornbill, feeding his 
imprisoned mate? I 
rapped again, and this 
time, perhaps taken 
unawares, the female 
answered my ques- 
tion by appearing. 
On June 3d a family arrived in the Chickadee 
villa, and both birds were found actively engaged in 
administering to its wants. 
As areturn for the inconvenience to which they 
had been subjected, a perch was erected by way of a 
step at their door. The female was appreciative and 
28. Chickadee at nest hole. 
