ciously in favorable locations at times of emergency. The protection which has 

 been extended by law to so many of the wild birds ought to be supplemented by 

 further provision in behalf of the beneficial birds of the winter. 



However bitter may be the cold or how deep the snows, there are never- 

 theless a great many birds which strangely choose to remain near their sum- 

 mer haunts and weather out the inclement season. Indeed there are almost 

 myriads of small birds in winter far to the north of us who have bravely elected 

 to withstand even severer conditions of cold and storm. How all these tiny 

 mites of life are able to find such shelter as will prevent them from perishing 

 and obtain food enough to tide them over till spring is a mystery; and why 

 they should seemingly prefer frigid cold to warmth beneath summer skies and 

 scant food instead of abundance, is still a greater one. 



Perhaps they have forgotten the way to the sunny south, or more likely 

 they are aware of the perils of so long a journey which must be encountered 

 both when going and coming. And so they remain and make the most of the 

 short, cheerless days of winter and may be seen, if you look closely, stirring 

 about continuously during the hours of daylight, busily searching for food. 



Who are some of our permanent bird residents ? Probably you would men- 

 tion first the woodpecker. Often has he called your attention to his presence 

 by a merry tattoo on some dead and hollow limb. He is verily working for 

 dear life — to satisfy his appetite, and in doing so he is rendering a service to 

 man that is well-nigh incalculable. There will be less grubs, caterpillars and 

 borers to injure your trees and your fruit next season, if the woodpeckers are 

 working in your orchard during the winter. 



The chickadees, sometimes known as titmice, are light-hearted little fellows 

 that grace the winter landscape. They are friendly birds and general favorites, 

 more numerous in winter than summer. They will -come to your door or win- 

 dow if you encourage them with crumbs during the "hard times." In their 

 quest for food they destroy myriads of caterpillar eggs, moth larvae, dormant 

 bark beetles and plant lice. 



The nuthatches and kinglets may often be seen in company with the chick- 

 adees, and together they do much to enliven the dull days of winter. Spry but 

 not shy are these restless little acrobats — tree-wardens of such skill and per- 

 severance as to make their presence indispensable. 



The juncos, goldfinches and snow buntings need have no fears of the rigors 

 of winter so long as the snows do not bury the weed patches. How much the 

 farmer or gardener is indebted to these birds for keeping down the weed growth 

 it would be impossible to overestimate. 



The blue jay and crow we have with us in season and out. Noisy, cunning 

 and mischievous as they are, said to know more about our ways than we do of 

 theirs, there are few of us so ungenerous as to resent their presence or be- 

 grudge them of their meagre living when the fairer singers have deserted us. 

 Indeed, the sharp and vibrant notes of these hardy birds on a frosty winter 

 morning are words of cheer and inspiration to most of us. 



But there are times of stress for all these winter pilgrims — days when 

 the snow-drifts have buried the food supplies of some, and the driving, freez- 

 ing sleet has locked up the storehouses upon which others are wont to depend. 

 It is, then, not a question of the severity of the cold nor of shelter with the 

 birds that winter with us, but rather a problem of finding a continuous food 

 supply. The establishment of feeding-places for the birds in suitable localities 

 is good economic policy ; the recipients will be grateful for such service and 

 will reward you when you, too, are in need of their help. 



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