32 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
Whither away, Swallow, 
Whither away ? 
Canst thou no longer tarry in the North, 
Here where our roof so well hath screened thy nest? 
Not one short day ? 
Wilt thou — as if thou human wert — go forth 
And wander far from them who love thee best ? 
Whither away ? 
— EpmMuUND CLARENCE STEDMAN. 
The Fall Migration 
“Tf you watch the birds, you will soon notice that some 
eat only animal food, in the shape of various bugs, worms, 
and lice, while others eat seeds of various weeds, and 
grasses, and also berries. There are many birds that, like 
ourselves, eat a little of everything, both animal and 
vegetable. 
“For instance, the Swallows live on insects of the air, 
except sometimes in the autumn flocking they feed for a 
short time on bayberries. The Phoebe is an insect-eater; 
also the Catbird, though he is fond of strawberries and 
cherries for dessert. You saw just now that the Chickadee, 
Woodpecker, and Jay preferred the meat from the sand- 
wich and the Robins the berries from the pie, though the 
Jay also likes nuts and seeds. 
“You know that when frost comes, the air-flying insects 
are killed, and the gnats, mosquitoes, and flies that have 
worried the horses and cattle disappear. For this reason 
the birds that depend upon these bugs must follow their 
food-supply, and move off farther southward where frost 
has not yet come. 
