358 Bird -Lore 



Pheasants and olher foreign game-birds might far better ha\'e been used in 

 re-establishing this hardy native game-l)ird in its original haunts from Cape 



Cod to the Connecticut Valley. 

 "The Heath Hen belongs to 

 this country. It has been fitted 

 l)ythe natural selection of cen- 

 turies to maintain itself abun- 

 dantly in southern New England. 

 It is superior in every way to 

 any foreign game-bird that we 

 are likely to introduce. As the 

 forests are cut off and the land 

 thus unfitted for the Ruffed 



WINTER HAUNTS OF THE HEATH HEN ^ .^ , , ^^ ^^^ , 



Grouse, it becomes better fitted 

 for the Heath Hen. Why have we so long neglected the opportunity to 

 propagate and multiply this indigenous species? The survival of the Heath 

 Hen upon. the island of Martha's Vineyard, after it has been extirpated else- 

 where, leaves its fate in the hands of the people of Massachusetts. Let us 

 hope that they will accept this trust, and spare no pains to preserve this 

 noble game bird and restore it to its former range." 



My Bird Neighbors 



By MRS. L, H. TOUSSAINT, Rio, St. Lucie Co., Florida 



MY BIRD family usually consists of eight Florida Jays, six Florida 

 Blue Jays, one Brown Thrasher, five pairs of Cardinals, four Mourn- 

 ing Doves, three pairs of Towhees, about a dozen Crackles, one pair 

 of Woodpeckers, a covey of Quail, and a Sandhill Crane. These I feed regularly; 

 of course, there are many others in the orange grove that are not so tame. 

 Then we have numerous small birds that devour the worms on mulberry 

 trees. My Jays and other birds are very tame. We buy crackers wholesale, 

 wheat, corn, unroasted peanuts, and grape-nuts for the birds. The Cardinals, 

 Towhees, and Quail love the wheat; all eat crackers; the Crane and Jays eat 

 corn; the Crackles eat crackers, and always soak them in water before eating; 

 they also eat table scraps. I like to have the flocks of Crackles arrive in the 

 fall, they so often bring visitors with them, generally Red-winged Blackbirds. 

 Peanuts are the Jays', Cardinals', and Towhees' speciality. The Jays will 

 take them out of my apron-pocket. I always carry nuts with me, as I am sure 

 to meet the birds somewhere. The Cardinals fly to the windowsill, and if they 

 see me inside, chirp for peanuts, then they fly to the door. They are are always 

 the last to come for supper, and I am sure I could get them to eat from my hand 

 if the Jays were not so jealous that they will not allow it. 



