24 
THE 
CANADIAN 
NATURALIST. 
and is now tumbling and twisting around the branches^ and 
chirping as gleefully as if it were the glorious summer 
time." 
F, — It is emphatically a winter bird ; or at least it is 
then more seen : during the whole year we may find it^ if 
we go into the dark and sombre recesses of the cedar swamps, 
but as winter approaches, it comes out to the edges of the 
woods and road-sides. What the cause of this visit to the 
clearings may be, I know not ; I should think it would be 
more protected from the inclemency of the winter s storms 
in the woods, and it does not appear that food is its object, 
as this seems to be confined to the trees ; on which, indeed, it 
always seeks it, for I do not remember ever having seen a 
Titmouse on the ground. 
C. — Its food, I suppose, consists of the numberless mi- 
nute insects which are concealed during winter in the crevices 
of the bark, and among the twigs of the trees, with seeds of 
evergreens occasionally, though from its bill it is evidently 
insectivorous. 
F. — We may form some idea of its success by examining 
carefully some old tree. Let us look among the curled and 
ragged bark of this old birch. Here are two Ichneumonidce 
to begin with ; three minute Chrysomelina, an Elater, two 
species of Carahus, a pupa of a small moth, three or four 
flies, and several spiders. No bad meal for a little bird ; 
and as he is a most restless little fellow, all day long engaged 
in the search, with the twofold advantage of instinct and 
experience, no doubt he fares well. 
C. — Its song, without being very musical, is cheerful ; 
and there is considerable variety in the two or three notes 
which compose it. 
F. — In spring, it is fond of a chirp which much resem- 
bles the words sweet weather.'' I recollect a rather 
laughable incident connected with this note. In Newfound- 
