58 THE BIRD GROWN UP 
ing to learn about the habits of birds have tried 
this way, and so have found out some of their 
sleeping-places. 
One thing they have learned is that the nest 
is not often used for a bed, except for the 
mother, while she is sitting and keeping her 
little ones warm. 
Robins and orioles, and others, creep into the 
thick branches of an evergreen tree, close up to 
the trunk. Some crawl under the edge of a 
haystack, others into thick vines or thorny 
bushes. All these are meant for hiding-places, 
so that beasts which prowl about at night, and 
like to eat birds, will not find them. 
Tree sparrows like to sleep in holes in the 
ground like little caves. The men who found 
these cosy little bedrooms think they are places 
dug out by field mice, and other small animals, 
for their own use. And when they are left, the 
birds are glad to take them. 
When the weather is cold, some birds sleep 
under the snow. You may think that would 
not be very warm, and it is not so warm as a 
bed in the house with plenty of blankets. But 
it is much warmer than a perch in a tree, with 
nothing but leaves to keep off the wind. 
While the snow is falling, some birds find it 
as good as blankets for their use. Grouse, who 

