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Range (Eastern United States breeds) (XV)
- Eastern United States; breeds from the Gulf States to southern Iowa and northern New Jersey: resident throughout its breeding range. Washington, very common P. R., more so in winter.
Nest, of leaves, moss, strips of bark, feathers, etc., in Woodpeckers' deserted holes, stumps, etc. Eggs, five to eight, white or creamy white, rather coarsely and evenly marked with rufous-brown, FIG. 114. -Tufted Titmouse. (Natural 71 x 55. size.) The Tufted Titmouse is a bird of very general distribution in woodlands, where its presence is always made known by its notes. Its common call is a loud, clearly whistled peto, peto, peto, peto, which may be repeated by the same individual for hours at a time. Occasionally the key is changed, and at first the notes are decidedly pleasing, but the bird finally wearies one by its monotonous repetition. It utters also other whistled calls, and a de-de-de-de, much like the notes of the Chickadee, though somewhat louder and hoarser. The Tufted Tit is not a shy bird and may be approached with ease. Its conspicuous crest is an excellent field mark.
NUTHATCHES AND TITS. 735. Parus atricapillus (Linn.). CHICKADEE. (See Fig. 57, b.) Ad.-Top of the head, nape, and throat shining black; sides of the head and neck white; back ashy; outer vanes of greater wing-coverts distinctly margined with white; wing and tail-feathers margined with whitish; breast white; belly and sides washed with cream-buff. L., 5-27; W., 2.53; T., 2·43; B., 37.
Range.-Eastern North America; breeds from southern Illinois and Pennsylvania northward to Labrador, and southward along the Alleghanies to North Carolina; in winter migrates a short distance below the southern limit of its breeding range.
Washington, rare and irregular W. V., Dec. to Apl. 15. Sing Sing, tolerably common P. R. Cambridge, very common P. R., more numerous in fall and winter.
Nest, of moss, grasses, feathers, and plant down, in old stumps, holes in trees, etc., not more than fifteen feet up. Eggs, five to eight, white, spotted and speckled, chiefly at the larger end, with cinnamon- or rufous-brown, *60 x 48.
When most birds were strangers to me, I remember thinking what a blessing it would be if every one spoke his name as plainly as does this animated bunch of black and white feathers. No need of a textbook to discover his name; with winning confidence he introduced himself, and probably for this reason he has always been my best friend among birds. I never hear his voice in the woods without answering him: or Soon he comes to me, mildly inquisitive at first, looking about for the friend or foe whose call has attracted him. In an unconcerned way he hops from limb to limb, whistling softly the while, picking an insect's egg from beneath a leaf here or larva from a crevice in the bark there, all the time performing acrobatic feats of which an accomplished gymnast might be proud. Finally his curiosity becomes aroused, he ceases feeding, and gives his entire attention to the discovery of the bird who so regularly replies to him. Hopping down to a limb within three feet of my head, he regards me with puzzled intentness; his little black eyes twinkle with intelligence, he changes his call, and questions me with a series of chick-ă-dēēs, liquid gurgles. and odd chuckling notes which it is beyond my power to answer, and finally, becoming discouraged, he refuses to renew our whistled ccnversation and retreats to the woods. On two occasions Chickadees have flown down and perched upon my hand. During the few seconds they remained there I became rigid with the emotion of this novel experience. It was a mark of confidence which seemed to initiate me into the ranks of woodland dwellers.
KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS. 736. Parus carolinensis Aud. CAROLINA CHICKADEE.-Similar to the preceding species, but smaller; greater wing-coverts not margined with whitish; wing and tail-feathers with less white on their outer vanes. L., 4:06-4-75; W., 2.20-2.48; T., 1·88-2-12; B., 30-32.