The Birds' Christmas Tree 



H 



OW man}' of the younger 

 readers of Bird-Lore 

 know that in Norwa}^, 

 birds, as well as children, have 

 Christmas trees ? Indeed, it 

 is said that the children do 

 not enjoy their own gifts until 

 they know the birds have been 

 provided for. 



Concerning this beautiful 

 custom of putting out a yule 

 sheaf for the birds. Dr. Leon- 

 hard Stejneger, the eminent 

 Norwegian ornithologist, writes 

 us that the sheaves are usually 

 of barle}' or oats, and are 

 placed on high poles standing 

 either in the yard or nailed to 

 the gable end of one of the 

 houses, preferably the store- 

 house or "stabbur, " or on the 

 stable, but always where they 

 can be seen from the dwelling 

 house. Dr. Stejneger adds that the origin of the custom is shrouded 

 in the mystery of the mythological ages. 



Here, then, is a country where, as far as anyone knows, the birds 

 have always had a Christmas tree, while in America most birds, I 

 imagine, consider themselves lucky if they chance to find a stray crumb 

 on Christmas morning. So let us all be good Norwegians this com- 

 ing Christmas and see that the birds are well supplied, if not with 

 sheaves — at least w^ith crumbs, seed, and grain for the Juncos and 

 Sparrows, suet, ham-bones, and bacon rinds for the Woodpeckers, 

 Chickadees, and Nuthatches. And then let us improve on the Nor- 

 wegian usage by making every winter day Christmas for the birds, 

 so that no matter how deep the snow, they may always be sure of 

 a meal. Then, next March, write and tell Bird-Lore of your winter 

 guests, wdio they were, and what you have learned of their habits. 

 To the boy or girl of fourteen years, or under, who sends us the best 

 account of his or her experience in feeding the birds this winter, we 

 will give a copy of Mrs. Wright's -Citizen Bird' or 'Wabeno.' — Ed. 



(195) 



THE BIRDS CHRISTMAS TREE 



From the paintinp of A. Tideman, publishe 

 'Norwegian Pictures,' London, 1885. 



