Bird of the Merry Heart.
Here is a picture of a bird that is always merry. He is a bold, saucy
little fellow, too, but we all love him for it. Don't you think he looks
some like the Canada Jay that you saw in April "BIRDS?"
I think most of you must have seen him, for he stays with us all the
year, summer and winter. If you ever heard him, you surely noticed how
plainly he tells you his name. Listen--"Chick-a-dee-dee; Chick-a-dee;
Hear, hear me"--That's what he says as he hops about from twig to twig
in search of insects' eggs and other bits for food. No matter how bitter
the wind or how deep the snow, he is always around--the same jolly,
careless little fellow, chirping and twittering his notes of good
cheer.
Like the Yellow Warblers on page 169, Chickadees like best to make their
home in an old stump or hole in a tree--not very high from the ground.
Sometimes they dig for themselves a new hole, but this is only when they
cannot find one that suits them.
The Chickadee is also called Black-capped Titmouse. If you look at his
picture you will see his black cap. You'll have to ask someone why he is
called Titmouse. I think Chickadee is the prettier name, don't you?
If you want to get well acquainted with this saucy little bird, you want
to watch for him next winter, when most of the birds have gone south.
Throw him crumbs of bread and he will soon be so tame as to come right
up to the door step.