Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/378

342 able to provide for themselves. The other species moves in flocks during the whole winter, frequenting the orchards, the gardens, or the hedges and trees along the roads, entering the villages, and coming to the wood- piles of the farmers. The southern species is never met with in such places at any time of the year, and is at all seasons a shyer bird, and more difficult to be obtained. Its notes are also less sonorous, and less frequent, than those of the Titmouse found in the Middle and Northern Districts.

My friend John Bachman is of opinion that the smaller species particularly retires from South Carolina during winter, in consequence of the small number met with there at that season. On referring to my journals, written in the Floridas, in the winter of 1831-32, I find that they are mentioned as being much more abundant than in the Caro- linas, and as breeding in the swamps as early as the middle of February. The Carolina Titmouse breeds in the holes abandoned by the Brown- headed Nuthatch ; but I have not yet examined either its eggs or its nest, having at first carelessly supposed the bird to be identical with the northern species, as my predecessors had done.

My drawing of the Carolina Titmouse was made not far from New Orleans late in 1820. I have named it so, partly because it occurs in Carolina, and partly because I was desirous of manifesting my gratitude towards the citizens of that State, who by their hospitality and polite at- tention have so much contributed to my comfort and happiness, whenever it has been my good fortune to be among them.

PaRUS CAB.OLINENSIS.

Adult Male. Plate CLX. Fig. 1.

Bill very short, straight, strong, compressed, rather obtuse ; both mandibles with the dorsal outline slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges sharp. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by the recumbent fea- thers. Head large, neck short, body rather robust. Feet of ordinary length, rather robust ; tarsus compressed, anteriorly scuteUate ; toes large, the three anterior united as far as the second joint, the hind one much stronger ; claws rather large, compressed, arched, acute.

Plumage blended, tufty ; feathers of the head glossy. Wings of moderate length, the third and fourth quills longest and equal, fifth httle shorter, second longer than sixth, first and seventh about equal. Tail