THE BIRD-LIFE OF A YEAR. 33 



ground Ix^ unfrozen, and little or no snow fall, 

 many of the iniu^rant species of November will 

 linger into Deceiiihei-. They rarely are fcnind, 

 however, after tlie middle of the montli, wlicn our 

 bird-life is reduced to its sim])lest terms, l)cing com- 

 ]K)sed only of the ever-present Permanent Ilesidents 

 and the Winter Visitants. 



The comparative scarcity of food now forces lairds 

 to forage actively for provisions, and when a supply 

 is found they are apt to remain until it is exhausted. 

 Their Avanderino^s lead them over laro^e areas, and 

 our dooryards and orchards may often be visited 

 by species which, when food is more abundant, do 

 not leave their woodland haunts. An excellent 

 way in which to attract them is to provide them 

 with suitable food. Crumbs and seeds scattered in 

 some place where they will not be covered by snow, 

 or blown away, will bring Juncos, Tree Sparrows, 

 and Purple Finches ; an old seed-filled sunflower 

 head may prove a feast for Goldfinches, while bits 

 of meat, suet, or ham bone hung from trees will be 

 eagerly welcomed by Chickadees, Xuthatches, and 

 Downy "Woodpeckers. 



