Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The Bay State
Capital City: Boston
Location: 42.33602 N, 071.01789 W
Bird:
The BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Penthestes atricapillus) was adopted as the official State Bird by the Massachusetts Legislature on March 21, 1941. It is also known as the titmouse, tomtit, and the dickybird, and it is one of the most familiar of the North American birds. It is from four to five inches in size, its tail accounting for nearly half its length. The general coloring is ashy-grey, the back having a brownish tinge; the crown, nape, chin, and throat are black, and the cheeks white. It nests in a stump, tree, or fence post close to the ground, and broods twice a year. It is a cheerful bird and has a pleasing call: "Chick-adee-dee-dee".
Border States: Connecticut - New Hampshire - New York - Rhode Island - Vermont
Coastline: 192 mi.
Constitution: 6th State
Economy:
Agriculture: Seafood, nursery stock, dairy products, cranberries, vegetables.
Industry: Machinery, electric equipment, scientific instruments, printing and publishing, tourism.
Flag:
The STATE FLAG is white, bearing on both sides a representation of the coat of arms (except that the five- pointed star is white instead of silver). It was adopted in its final form in 1971; before that, the obverse side depicted a pine tree.
