The Chickadee
KATHERINE CREIGHTON
"Chick-a-dee-dee-dee! Chick-a-dee-dee-dee!"
"Who are you?" asked Jack.
"Chickadee!"
"Where are you?" asked Mary.
"I'm up on a tree. Chick-a-dee-adee-adee!"
"I like your black cap," said Jack.
"Dee-dee-dee-dee! I am sometimes called Black Cap."
'Your cap comes right down to your eyes," said Mary.
"Fe-bee Fe-bee!"
"Your cap and your bib are black, and your cheeks white", said Mary.
"Chick-a-dee-dee-dee! Chick-chick-a-dee dee!"
"Your breast is white, and your back, your wings your tail are gray," said Mary.
"Chick-adee-adee-adee!"
"What are you doing here in this cold winter weather?" asked Jack.
"Dee-dee-dee-dee! I don t mind the cold, and the wind, and the the snow so I always stay here in the cold winter weather. Dee-dee-dee-dee!".
"I thought you went south with the bluebird and robin," said Mary.
"No, I never go south with the bluebird and robin. Chick-chick-a-dee-dee!"
"Why didn t you go down to the warm, sunny south with the bluebird and robin?asked Jack.
"I'd rather stay here with the Nuthatch and Downy. Fe-bee! Chick-chick-a-dee-dee!'
"But where do you live in this cold winter weather?" asked Mary.
"I live in the heart of a great oak tree, in a snug little nest, lined with moss, leaves, and feathers. Chick-a- dee-dee-dee!"
"Are you never cold in your nest in the tree" asked Jack.
"I've a thick feather coat, and no matter how much wind may blow, and the snow may fall, I'm safe and warm in my snug little nest in the great tall tree. Chick-a-dee-dee! Chick-chick-a dee-dee!"
"But the ground is all frozen and covered with snow, and the insects are gone,so what can you find to eat in this cold winter weather?" asked Mary.
"In winter I get all my food from the trees. Chick-adee-adee!"
"But we don t see any food on the trees!" said Mary and Jack.
"There are thousands and thousands of insects' eggs in the bark of trees, and I pick them out with my sharp little bill. Dee-dee-dee-dee!
"Can't you see how much good the chick-a-dees do when they eat up the eggs of the insects that eat up the leaves of trees?"
We work on the branches and the Nuthatches work the trunk. Chick-a-dee-dee-dee!"
"You are brave little workers out here in the snow," said Mary and Jack.
"All winter long you are helping to save the trees from their enemies, and all winter long you are cheerfuk, and happy, and bright."
"Chick-a-dee-dee-dee! I don t mind the wind, or the cold, or the snow.
"Chick-chick-a-dee-dee!"
"Fe-bee! Fe-bee! Fe-bee!"
"Dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee!"
"Chick-adee-adee-dee!'
"Chick-a-dee!"
REFERENCE FOUND IN THIS MAGAZINE- POPULAR EDUCATOR- JANUARY .1912.
PRESENTED AS FOUND;
Education XX A MONTHLY JOURNAL FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS JANUARY 1912 LLEDOR 14 1942 NUMBER 1; 00 fre VOLUME XX PRIMARY EDUCATION PUBLISHED BY THE PRIMARY EDUCATION COMPANY 50 BROMFIELD STREET BOSTON