150 
SINGING BIRDS. 
CAROLINA CHICKADEE. 
Parus carolinensis. 
Char. Above, ashy gray tinged with dull brown ; head and throat 
black; cheek white; beneath, brownish white; flanks huffish. Length 
4 X to 4^ inches. 
2Vest. In a cavity of decayed stump, composed of grass or shreds of 
bark, and lined with feathers. Sometimes composed entirely of fur or 
fine wool felted compactly. 
^SS^- S“8 ; white often spotted with reddish brown ; o.6o X 0.50. 
This species, detected by Mr. Audubon, is a constant inhab- 
itant of the Southern and Middle States from the borders of 
New Jersey to East Florida. It has a predilection for the 
borders of ponds, marshes, and swamps, and less gregarious 
than the preceding, seldom more than a pair or family are 
seen together. It is also shy and retiring ; inhabiting at all 
times a mild and genial clime, it never seeks out domestic 
premises, nor even the waysides, but, like the European Marsh 
Titmouse, it remains throughout the year in the tangled woods 
and swamps which gave it birth. In the wilds of Oregon late 
in autumn we frequently saw small roving restless flocks of 
these birds associated often with the Chestnut-Backed species. 
At such times both parties were querulous and noisy ; but the 
tshe te de de is comparatively feeble, uttered in a slender, wiry 
tone. At such times intently gleaning for insects, they show very 
little fear, but a good deal of sympathy for their wounded com- 
panions, remaining round them and scolding in a petulant and 
plaintive tone. At the approach of winter those in the Atlan- 
tic region retire farther to the south, and on the Pacific border 
they are to be seen in winter in the woods of Upper California ; 
but in no instance did we see them approach the vicinity of 
the trading posts or the gardens. 
A nest of this species discovered by Dr. Bachman was in a 
hollow stump about four feet from the ground ; it was rather 
shallow, composed of fine wool, cotton, and some fibres of 
plants, the whole fitted together so as to be of an uniform 
thickness throughout, and contained pure white eggs. 
