IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
Like the larger relative, the red-breasted nuthatch has the 
habit of darting along the boughs of trees and running along the 
underside. The common note of this bird somewhat resembles 
that of the white breast, but it is higher pitched and uttered at 
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more frequent intervals. 
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A near relative of the chickadee is the bold, little, tufted 
titmouse. It is about the size of the English sparrow. It has 
a crest which is high and pointed, and is ashy-blue in color. 
Ash-gray or leaden is its coat. The wings and tail a 
dark, and the shoulders are black. The sides of the head/anTa 
dirty white, while those of the body are a yellowish-white, tinted ik.: 
with red. 
Although very diminutive in size, this pert and dainty little 
bird resembles the blue jay in miniature, minus the latter’s 
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gaudy color. Here is the leader of the Winter bird troupe. His 
call of “cheevy, cheevy,” is one of the most familiar sounds in 
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the Winter woods. Hopping ahead of you, he always sees to it 
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that you are not lonely on your Winter afternoon’s walk. Lead- 
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ing you farther and farther into the woods, constantly hopping 
from twig to twig a few feet above your head, he is always cheer- 
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ing you on. 
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