THE STORY OF THE BIRDS. 



^ 



•^'iw 



again 



Fiff. 57. Swallows niin-ratinar. 



Professor M. W. Doherty. 



HE snow has gone, the grass is sv' 

 growing green again, the buds 

 are swelHng in the trees, the leaves 

 begin to open - Spring has come ; 

 and, in a few days, we may ex- 

 pect to see our feathered friends 

 They have been paying a visit to the 

 people of the South, and, having travelled in foreign places and seen 

 strange sights, they will greet us on their return with a merry tale set 

 to sweetest music. 



Many kinds of birds spend the summer with us, and in autumn go 

 southward to spend the winter months. Others come to us from the 

 northern districts and remain here over winter, returning in the spring 

 to the place whence they came. There are other birds that spend the 

 winter season south of us and the summer season to the north of us, so 

 that in their migratory flight, they simply pass through our district on 

 the way to and from their breeding places. These are " passing migrants" 

 A few remain with us summer and winter. Who has not heard the 

 peculiar " quank, quank" of the White-breasted Nuthatch commg from 

 the almost lifeless snow-clad woods. In spring and summer these same 

 birds may be seen running up and down and around the trunk and limbs 

 of the trees. As climbers, the Nuthatches excel. They can run rapidly 



Fig-. 58. The Cuckoo migrating. 



down the trunk of a tree headforemost. Woodpeckers even do not 

 attempt this feat In the southern part of the Province, the Crow re- 

 mains all winter ; and so, along with the Nuthatch, must be classed 

 as a " resident." 



The migratory flight of birds is a most interesting study, and has 

 engaged the attention of bird-lovers for centuries. A great deal, how- 

 ever, is not yet understood regarding the " lines of flight." For instance, 

 " The Eastern and Western Movement of the Blue-bird" in our Province 

 remains unexplained. 



What causes these migratory flights ? You immediately answer : 

 "The change in temperature." This answer is partially correct, but 

 you are leaving out of consideration a very important factor, w\z., Jood 



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