The Audubon Societies 39 



Then follows two months or more of the social and communit} life, with the 

 excitement of flocking and the southward journey; and, when winter comes to us, 

 these summer birds are entering upon a second and tropical summer— a vaca- 

 tion season without care or responsibility, from which they will finally emerge 

 refreshed and provided with new spring garments for the return flight. 



But what of the other birds, winter residents with us or wandering visitors 

 alike? Their summer cares are the same as those that fly before the frost that 

 they must face, compelled by a force outside of the region of their own will. 



Take, for example, the Tree Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, American 

 Goldfinch, the slender-billed Brown Creeper, the dainty Redpoll, and a score of 

 others, including the Ruffed Grouse and cheerful Bob-white. What is their 

 vacation season, and how is it spent? In what, if a similar condition existed 

 among human beings, would be considered a time of pinching economy akin to 

 famine, and the enduring of which not only patiently but cheerfully by men would 

 be called heroism. But as birds do not push trembling hands in our faces and 

 clamor for charity, we forget their needs, and they too often disappear, deprived 

 of natural food and shelter b\- the very march of the civilization of w'hich we 

 are proud. 



If they cannot speak for themselves, their friends should never cease to do it 

 for them in the same old words, winter after winter. " Do not clear away the 

 wild hedges — leave some shocks of corn in your field, scatter grain sweepings in 

 likely places, fasten suet to your orchard tree, and spread a lunch-counter under 

 your \\-indow out of the reach of cats! Do not use that irresponsible argument, 

 ■"There are never any birds in winter where I live;" for if there are none the 

 responsibility is yours for not aiding them to be there. For we are all keepers 

 of our brother, in one sense or another, and the larger brotherhood includes all 

 forms of sensate life. When we deliberatel\- shirk responsibility we have ceased 

 to live in the best sense. 



Remember, my friend, in Februarv lies the stress of winter. It is not too 

 late, begin now, feed the hungry birds, and as you do it study the mystery of 

 their winter lives; for, as the bird song, of all music, sinks the deepest into the 

 heart of memory, even as the bird's air-cleaving wing bears it the farthest 

 through that which to us is the unfathomable. — M. O. W. 



