6 BIRDS OF THE 



the Common and the Public Garden have 

 become an isolated park-area in the midst 

 of the city, separated from wild lands and 

 country estates. As such it serves as an 

 aviary for birds in their migrations. 



No human power controls this aviary as 

 a natural temporary cage to such birds as 

 elect to occupy it for rest and desired delay 

 in their onward flight. To such, moreover, 

 no inducements present themselves to move 

 out from it, for there is no inviting and suit- 

 able contiguous territory for them to move 

 into. So, until they are inspired to proceed 

 farther, the migrant birds which alight in 

 this domain, a veritable oasis amid a des- 

 ert of roofs, remain; with little exception 

 remain throughout the day following the 

 night of their flight, and to a considerable 

 extent remain over a second day or several 

 days, and occasionally a week or more. 



While the Common must be regarded as 

 contributing a large part, a two-thirds part 

 indeed, to this island of rest amid human 

 habitations and bustling activities, it has 

 not been found that it attracts very many 



