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Part of Childs’ Point

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a
3 V-26-1901

to the second, at the wood in front of it, end producing,
of course vocally, the hissing somd which I had heard....

I wish thet I might find a better word than "hissing,"

which does not adequately describe the sound, there being

a bit more "voice" in it; end it was weal outside the range
of anything which I had ever heard @ chickadee say. Obvi-
ously it was @ defensive device of the bird to discourage
intrusion; and I should say that, in general, it might prove
very effective.

I stayed by in the most unmannerly way, and by occasional
tapping stimulated the bird time end again to repeat its
funny little show. I must have spent twenty minutes at the
nest. Then I went to the shelter of bushes near by, and
watched; for I wished to see that chickadee in the open.

And after about five minutes it came out - just an ordinary
little chickadee, not in the least vainglorious. So I
emerged from my concealment. Dear, dear! the things that

bird said to me, and about me! - all of which I deserved.