MIGRATION. 



There are two annual migrations of birds, one in 

 autumn and one in spring. On the approach of cold 

 weather most insect-eating birds go south and remain 

 through the winter, returning in spring as soon as 

 their food is assured. The birds that do not migrate 

 live on flesh, buds of trees, wild berries, and the seeds 

 of weeds and grasses, which may be found at any time. 

 A few species that are insect-eating to a great extent, 

 change their diet to one of seeds and buds when win- 

 ter comes, and are thus enabled to remain in a cold 

 climate. On the other hand, many seed-eating birds 

 go south because they find food more abundant there. 



In both spring and fall migration the time of arrival 

 of every species at a given place is known, and seldom 

 varies more than a few days except in case of unusual 

 storm. In the spring of 1882 extreme cold and very 

 severe storms occurred along the Atlantic coast wdth 

 the effect of retarding all migrants at points south of 

 Washington; these being suddenly released by a 

 change of weather came on in hosts, and for several 

 days the streets and parks of the city were crow^ded 

 with the most beautiful and rare birds — a sight never 

 to be forgotten. In this part of the country migrants 

 from the south pass up the coast to Cape Henry, 

 thence up the Chesapeake Bay, and up the Potomac, 

 Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers to their northern 

 breeding-places. 



It is interesting to notice that as these migrants 

 roam through the woods in search of food all move- 



