42 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 78. 



OUR WINTER PENSIONERS. 



Located in northeastern Iowa on the Mississippi river, with 

 tree-covered bluffs all about us, making favorable conditions 

 for birds, we have many such friends the year round. Even 

 in the winter time, we are favored with those which are or- 

 dinarily found in a similar locality. However, this season 

 we are especially favored, for, not only have we had the 

 Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Nuthatches, Chick- 

 adees, Juncoes, etc., but also several that are supposed to go 

 to a milder climate when winter approaches. 



A pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers are. daily feeding from 

 the suet and corn placed on a nearby tree for their use. They 

 often carry the kernels of corn and place in some carefully 

 sejected cache. 



Three Kentucky Cardinals are frequently seen in our vicin- 

 ity — one female alighting" just outside the window one day 

 and within three feet of it. 



We have both seen and heard robins many times this 

 winter. 



A Carolina Wren flew into a neighbor's shed December 2. 

 We were able to see it so closely that all the peculiar mark- 

 ings were noted, thus making an unquestioned identification. 



Another day, a Winter Wren scolded us in true Jenny 

 Wren fashion, from a house top. 



When we consider the unusually cold season — the ther- 

 mometer registered 38° below zero twice — it seems remark- 

 able that so many birds of milder climate preferences should 

 stay with us this year. 



We can readily account for the large number of pensioners 

 at our board in that the ground is so well covered with snow 

 that food is hard to get. They joyfully welcome our well 

 filled table. 



McGregor, Iowa. M.\ry E. Hatch. 



