OUR HOME BIRDS. 
267 
“ The crested titmouse is rather larger, measuring 
six inches, and has a high, pointed, almost upright 
crest, which gives it a quaint look and is rather or- 
namental. The upper parts are of the same color 
as those of the chickadee, but the front is black with 
a reddish tinge, and the sides under the wings are 
reddish-orange. The tail is a little forked, and of 
the same color above as the back. 
“ This species of titmouse is 4 more noisy, more 
musical, and more suspicious, though rather less ac- 
tive, than the other. It is nevertheless a sprightly 
bird, possessing a remarkable variety in the tones 
of its voice, at one time not much louder than the 
squeaking of a mouse, and a moment after whistling 
aloud and clearly, as if calling a dog, and continu- 
ing this dog-call through the woods for half an hour 
at a time. It possesses considerable strength in the 
muscles of its neck, and is almost perpetually dig- 
ging into acorns, nuts, crevices, and rotten parts of 
the bark after the larvse of insects. 
44 The nest and eggs are the same as those of the 
black-capped titmouse ; and in the month of July the 
whole family hunt together, the parents keeping up 
a continual chatter, as if haranguing and direct- 
ing their inexperienced brood. 4 During winter they 
roost in holes of trees or walls, eaves of thatched 
houses, or hay and corn-ricks. When not in holes 
