December 



special benefit — a sort of Christmas present, a 

 little belated in the delivery. 



My last tour of observation for the year was 

 taken on the 30th in a genuine snow-storm, the 

 air still and full of flakes — more favorable for 

 finding birds than a clear but windy day. The 

 chickadee was chanting its brief and gentle 

 carol near a brown creeper that was just start- 

 ing at the bottom of a tree for his endless as- 

 cent. Numerous white - throats were busily 

 scratching among the leaves, and fraternizing 

 with the solitary chewink, who will doubtless 

 remain here through the winter, unless driven 

 away by extreme cold ; and, lastly, a cardinal 

 grosbeak was flitting from tree to tree in lively 

 fashion, uttering his loud, rich call-note. 



335 



