An Adirondack Lunch Counter 



BY F. A. VAN SANT, Jay, N. Y. 



With photographs from natiiri- hy the author 



N the Adirondacks in March, 1900, the snow fell over four feet 

 deep, and wild birds were driven from the deep woods to 

 ^J/r^ seek for food near the habitation of man. It occurred to me 

 pf that a lunch counter with ' meals at all hours ' might suit 



the convenience of some of the visitors to my orchard, so I 

 ■fixed a plank out in front of the house, nailed pieces of raw and cooked 

 meat to it, sprinkled bread crumbs and seeds around, and awaited results. 

 The first caller was a Chickadee. He tasted the meat, seemed to 

 enjoy it and went off for his mate. They did not seem in the least 

 afraid when I stood on the veranda and watched them, and after a time 

 paid but little attention to the noises in the house; but only one would 

 eat at a time. The other one seemed to keep watch. I set my camera 

 and secured a picture of one alone. While focusing for the meat one 



WHITE- BREASIEL) M' IHATCHES 



Chickadee came and commenced eating in front of the camera, and a 

 second later its mate perched on my hand as 1 turned the focusing screw. 

 I saw the Chickadees tear ofif pieces of meat and suet and hide them 

 in the woodpile. This they did repeatedly, and later in the day would 

 come back and eat them if the lunch counter was empty. 



(18) 



