THE BIRD-LIFE OF A TEAR. 33 



ground be unfrozen, and little or no snow fall, 

 many of the migrant species of November Avill 

 linger into December. They rarely are found, 

 however, after the middle of the month, when our 

 bird-life is reduced to its simplest terms, being com- 

 posed only of the ever-present Permanent Residents 

 and the Winter Visitants. 



The comparative scarcity of food now forces birds 

 to forage actively for provisions, and when a supply 

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

 Their wanderings lead them over large 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-tilled 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, Nuthatches, and 

 Downy Woodpeckers. 



