178 OUR WINTER BIRDS 



who were coasting merrily past the tree in which he 

 was perching. 



Food, therefore, is the all important thing, and 

 as long as birds are well-fed, even those which are 

 not accustomed to cold weather can withstand a 

 surprisingly low temperature. I have known of a 

 number of Mockingbirds which survived a northern 

 winter as guests at a bird-lover's lunch-counter. It 

 is not often, however, that we are honored by such 

 a distinguished bird visitor. 



