70 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



"When cold weather came, Woochu took a long nap in one of his snug un- 

 derground rooms, and many times through the winter Hans would ask his 

 mother, "Do you think Woochu will come again next summer?" Mother 

 woidd shake her head. But for once mother was wrong, for before the note 

 of the first Robin was heard. Woochu appeared in the field and ere long came 

 to be fed as of yore. 



But one morning when Hans went to the barn he saw a large bird hovering 

 overhead. It was of a buffy white color beneath, streaked with brown, and 

 as it wheeled in the air above him, he could see its dark brown back striped 

 with white and grey with a rust-red tail. 



Sir Red-tail was one of those birds with whom he had not made friends. 

 He hastened to see that his brood of young bantams were in a safe place, and 

 then gave his familiar call to Woochu to come to breakfast. But no amount 

 of whistling brought Woochu to his former haunts. 



After a week had passed and there were no signs of his furry friend, Hans 

 felt sure that the Hawk had laid violent hands — or claws upon his pet. He 

 afterwards learned that old Mr. Turner's dog Jack was the culprit. 



Although Hans has had many pets since the disappearance of Woochu, he 

 often goes to the shed at the rear of the barn and gives the old whistle, but 

 not a woodchuck comes in response to his call. 



We shall be glad to print more letters like that of Clarence Abbott's, giv- 

 ing accounts of birds you see in your walks. Our Bird Magazine goes into 

 cold, tropical and temperate climates, and it will be of interest to "swap 

 stories'' about the birds in these different places, so send careful reports of 

 your own birds and their doings, and we will compare Connecticut, Florida 

 and California birds. 



Cordially your friend, 



Meg Merrythought. 



Answers to January Puzzles. 



Pi, A winter visitor. 



1. North; 2. pine; 3. green; 4. snow; 5. Sparrow; 6. beak; 7. tip; 8. 

 coat; 9- brick; 10. brown; 11. yellow; 12. seeds; IS. pine cones; 14. other; 

 15. berries; 16. trees; 17- winter; 18. share; 19. sociable; 20. birds; 21. 

 American Crossbill. 



Queries. 

 1. The tail feathers of the Woodpecker are pointed and stiffened to act 

 as a prop, and it has 2 toes before and 2 behind, for clinging. 



