Bird Citizens in Winter 



By Harriet Woodward Clark 



Courageous indeed are the few of our bird acquaintances whom, because 

 they brave the rigors of our northern winters and remain with us the year round, 

 we have come to regard as citizens. 



We rejoice at the coming of the feathered guests who make the summer 

 cheery with their songs, and whose housekeeping projects afford us so much 

 pleasure. But we have a real affection for those plucky little citizens who endure 

 without complaint the discomforts which the winter brings, and do not migrate 

 with their companions at the first hint of frost. Let us make out a list of the 

 bird citizens in winter, for they certainly deserve honorable mention. The first 

 one who comes to mind is that plucky little fellow, the very impersonation of 

 valor, although small in size — the chickadee. No matter how cold or dismal it 

 is, he makes the best of it, and his cheerful uncomplaining voice singing the 

 refrain "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" is enough to drive away a fit of the vapors. He 

 is a messenger of hope, and we could ill spare this little citizen from our borders, 

 even for a brief visit south. 



The blue jay is a large, handsome bird who brightens our winter landscape. 

 One day, last winter, I noticed a pair of them flitting from limb to limb on a tree 

 whose branches were covered with a light snow. Their brilliant blue and white 

 wings, flashing in the sunlight, made a wonderfully pretty picture in color. The 

 blue jay has a harsh voice, resembling that of the parrot. He has, however, a 

 whistling note which is tuneful. The blue jay is a social bird and is fond of 

 company, but his manners are none of the best. He chatters noisily, and his voice 

 is raised to a high pitch, as he tells one jolly story after another. I have been 

 told that the blue jay, like the parrot, can be taught to talk. He certainly is 

 imitative, and a splendid fellow to have about in winter. Like the squirrel, the 

 blue jay collects acorns and chestnuts in the fall, and hides them in the hollow of 

 some favorite tree, where he finds them later. The blue jay is not well liked by 

 his associates, for he has a bad habit of stealing the eggs of other birds and eating 

 them. This is assuredly a dishonorable proceeding, and merits punishment. Still, 

 I cannot help liking the saucy fellow who occasionally visits my yard in winter, 

 and hope that he will, in time, develop the traits necessary for good citizenship. 



The nuthatch, kinglet, and snowbird are also permanent residents. The little 

 nuthatch is a common sight as he comes about our houses, seeking crumbs. He 

 is a chum of the chickadee, and they may often be seen eating side by side. The 

 nuthatch is a pretty, plump little bird, with bluish gray back and white under- 

 neath. The snowbirds and kinglets are seen only occasionally about here, as they 

 keep in shelter in the coldest weather. 



One bird who never fails to visit the trees about the house, and for whose 

 coming I watch each winter, is the downy woodpecker. You cannot fail to recog- 



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