Bird lore - Project Puffin

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An Unusually Colored Chickadee
I inclose herein a photo of a unique
Chickadee, its sides being boldly colored
a dull black. As shown, the whole of sides
are thus colored, leaving but a narrow
streak of usual color along breast and
abdomen.
This Chickadee was first observed feed-
ing on my roof bird-garden on March 12,
since when I have observed him several
times. This particular bird has a retiring
disposition, for while dozens of Chickadees
feed daily on my roof-garden, he
rarely visits the stubs and so far he has
been alone. I have observed this black-
sided Chickadee several times in different
sections of the street and he was always
alone.
Bird - Lore
I presume it is merely an unusually
marked Chickadee.—C. F. Stone, Branch-
port, N. Y.
A BLACK-SIDED CHICKADEE
Photographed by C. F. Stone, Branchport, N. Y.
Nesting Habits of the Tufted Titmouse
I think I can explain the strange be-
havior of the Tufted Titmouse recorded
in March-April, Bird-Lore.
These birds, which my father has often
seen in the South, line their nests with a
pulpy substance not unlike a sponge. They
carry a large number of these damp leafballs
to their nest-hole and there pull them
into shreds. I do not know whether they
use their claws and bills for this or not.
The Titmouse uses this sort of lining for
its nest only when they build in damp
weather. They do not seem to be able to