GRAND TETON NATURE NOTES

BIRD CLOWNS

The ever cheerful little clown of the forest birds, the Chickadees, that lived around our quarters at Jenny Lake gave us many minutes of pleasure this summer. We were able to overcome the shyness of several to the extent of having them alight on our hands for food. The cheerful song that was constantly issuing from their throats was an inspiration. Has anyone ever seen a downhearted Chickadee?

An iron dipper was hanging near the stove at such an angle as to hold a few spoonfuls of water. The stove poker hung next to it. We usually kept fresh pans of water out for the birds, and the Tanagers and Chipping Sparrows drank and bathed regularly in these, but the Chickadees never did. These little clowns perched on the poker and hung upside down to enjoy a drink from the dipper.

-Willis Smith