January 



lower branches of trees, and, with a large meas- 

 ure of confidence in human nature, it yet dis- 

 creetly flies on a little in advance as you ap- 

 proach. It has a vivacious, tinkling note, 

 quite distinct from any other winter bird. Al- 

 though the snow-birds are here all winter, they 

 become more numerous at the approach of 

 spring. They have a conspicuously sociable 

 disposition, and mingle freely with sparrows, 

 chickadees, and the early migrants. Their 

 sleek and natty appearance and genial temper 

 commend them at once to the observer. 



The foregoing list of birds found in the Park, 

 during what is perhaps the most unpropitious 

 month of the year — the white-throated sparrow, 

 kinglet, brown creeper, nuthatch, chickadee, 

 song sparrow, downy woodpecker, golden- 

 winged woodpecker, hawk, catbird, cardinal 

 grosbeak, gull, crow and snow-bird, — comprises 

 those which one is most likely to meet in all 

 our woods, during the winter ; not a remarka- 

 bly long list, but more extended than an un- 

 observant person would suppose, and afford- 

 ing objects of search and thought that can 

 render a walk, even through the bleak woods 

 in winter -time, a source of instruction and 

 pleasure. 



41 



