THE CHICKADEE 
Called also: Black-capped Titmouse 
T>ITTERLY cold and dreary though the day 
^ may be, that “little scrap of valour,” the 
chickadee, keeps his spirits high until ours can- 
not but be cheered by the oft-repeated, clear, 
tinkling silvery notes that spell his name. 
Chicka-dee-dee: chicka-dee-dee : he introduces 
himself. How easy it would be for every child 
to know the birds if all would but sing out 
their names so clearly! Oh, don’t you wish they 
would? 
“Piped a tiny voice near by 
Gay and polite— a cheerful cry— 
Chick-chickadeedee ! Saucy note 
Out of sound heart and merry throat, 
As if it said, ‘ Good day, good Sir! 
Fine afternoon, old passenger! 
Happy to meet you in these places 
Where January brings few faces.’ “ 
No bird, except the wren, is more cheerful than 
the chickadee, and his cheerfulness, fortunately, 
is just as “catching” as measels. None will 
respond more promptly to your whistle in imi- 
tation of his three very high, clear call notes, and 
come nearer and nearer to make quite sure you 
19 
