Bethel, Maine.
1902.
January 7.
P. hudsonicus. These birds collected in the middle of a
dense, low cluster of arbor vitaes where they remained for a
long time hopping about excitedly and uttering incessant
scolding cries which at first led me to think they had found
a little Owl of some kind but which I finally decided were
directed at myself.
  Standing within a few yards of the birds I had an excellent
chance to watch the Hudsonian Chickadee and to compare
his attitudes and behavior with those of his black-capped
cousins. I must confess that I could discover no differences
of any importance although the Hudsonian seemed to be rather
more active and excitable than any of the other members of
the flock. He was unquestionably the most voluble making
almost as much noise as all the others put together. Although
like all the Hudsonian Chickadees which I have ever met he
had only two or at most three really distinct calls he
combined the notes of which they were composed in so many
different ways as to give one the impression that he possessed a
somewhat varied repertoire. I noted the following variations
on the spot:-
1. Tzi (a simple lisping chirp)
2. Tchee-tchee (emphatic yet husky, at times wheezy and
broken)
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