138 
BLACK-CAPT TITMOUSE. 
indeed, be called a song, but ratber a lively, frequently 
repeated, and often varied twitter. They are most usually 
seen during the fall and winter, when they leave the depths j 
of the woods, and approach nearer to the scenes of cultivation. | 
At such seasons, they abound among evergreens, feeding on 
the seeds of the pine tree; they are also fond of sunflower j: 
seeds, and associate in parties of six, eight, or more, attended 
by the two species of Nuthatch already described, the Crested 
Titmouse, Brown Creeper, and small Spotted Woodpecker; 
the whole forming a very nimble and restless company, whose 
food, manners, and dispositions are pretty much alike. About 
the middle of April they begin to build, choosing the deserted 
hole of a squirrel or Woodpecker, and sometimes, with incre- j 
dible labour, digging out one for themselves. The female 
lays six white eggs, marked with minute specks of red; the 
first brood appear about the beginning of June, and the second 
towards the end of July ; the whole of the family continue to 
associate together during winter. They traverse the woods 
in regular progression, from tree to tree, tumbling, chattering, 
and hanging from the extremities of the branches, examining 
about the roots of the leaves, buds, and crevices of the bark, 
for insects and their larvae. They also frequently visit the 
orchards, particularly in fall, the sides of the barn and barn- 
yard, in the same pursuit, trees in such situations being 
generally much infested with insects. We, therefore, with 
pleasure, rank this little bird among the farmer’s friends, and 
trust our rural citizens will always recognize him as such. 
This species has a very extensive range ; it has been found 
on the western coast of America, as far north as lat. 62°; it is 
common at Hudson’s Bay, and most plentiful there during 
winter, as it then approaches the settlements in quest of food. 
Protected by a remarkably thick covering of long, soft, downy 
plumage, it braves the severest cold of those northern regions. 
The Black-capt Titmouse is five inches and a half in length, 
and six and a half in extent ; throat, and whole upper part of 
the head and ridge of the neck, black ; between these lines a 
