which seems a protest against snow and ice. I'locks of mallards gorge them- 

 selves in the cornfields. The birds are then prepared for a continuous flight of 

 two thousand miles, though they defer such journey as long as they can find open 

 water nearer. We have the mallard with us from October to late in December. 

 With January comes a general freeze up of his feeding grounds, so he moves just 

 far enough south to return at the first thaw in Fol^ruary. Many mallards reach 

 Canada in March. Fifty years ago we had this noble game bird with us at least 

 eleven months in the year. Great flocks of prairie chickens are now roaming the 

 cornfields. Families have combined with others and these flocks join larger 

 ones until hundreds of birds have banded together so to remain until April. 



Field and tree sparrows are sheltered along the roadsides in the thickets and 

 about truck gardens. A few large hawks, such as the red-tailed, goshawk and 

 rough-leg are in evidence. The two latter are migratory but often spend the 

 winter with us. The rough-leg is sluggish, his habits reminding one of an owl. 

 The little screetch owl calls weirdly through the long nights of November when 

 other bird voices are hushed. December causes the crows to "hustle for a living." 

 Rather than migrate during severe weather they sometimes starve. One good 

 word may be said here in behalf of the crow ; he has never been known to eat the 

 remains of his own kind nor does he attempt to fight with his fellow birds over 

 some morsel which he may have chanced to acquire. 



This is a good time to set up a little "free lunch counter" for the birds by 

 nailing a board to your windowsill or nearby tree. You will undoubtedly make 

 friends with several sociable birds. Place a generous amount of corn, bread 

 crumbs and suet on this shelf, or the latter if preferred may be tied to a limb. 

 Downy woodpeckers and white-breasted nuthatches are very fond of suet and 

 the nuthatch will usually prevail upon some chickadee to visit the same eating 

 place. Occasionally a bluejay or English sparrow will steal the larder intended 

 for the other birds, thus justifying one in shooting them on sight. 



\'isit the woods on a cold December morning when snow is on the ground. 

 You will be surprised at the friendliness of the chickadee. He even alights upon 

 your head or shoulder and will readily eat bread crumbs from your hand. 



The Bluebird 



O bluebird, up in the maple-tree 

 Shaking your throat with such bursts of glee ; 

 Did you dip your wings in the azure dye 

 When April began to paint the sky?' 

 Or were you hatched from a blue-bell bright 

 'Neath "the warm gold breast of a sunbeam light ? 



— Emilv Dickinson. 



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