THE SNOW BIRD 



127 



Sparrows often flock with them. The white on the outer 

 tail feathers is distinctly noticeable when the bird flies, and 

 is a good mark to look for when endeavoring to identify 

 it. The white patches, contrasting with the dark, slaty 

 color of the back and tail, make the bird easy to recognize. 



When the snow comes and covers up much of the birds ' 

 food, the stout weed 

 stalks still hold their 

 store of seeds high above 

 it all, and to these the 

 snowbirds are wont to 

 come. They alight on 

 the stalks, and by their 

 pecking thrash out the 

 seed, which are after- 

 wards gathered from the 

 snow. 



Sometimes the hunt for food becomes a most serious 

 one. In February, 1899, a distressing cold wave swept the 

 country. On the thirteenth a sleet came and covered the 

 trees, wrapping each limb and twig tightly as in a blanket. 

 Grass and weeds were covered and crushed to the earth 

 beneath its weight. The next day the snow fell until it lay 

 deep upon the ground. All bird food was buried under 

 this merciless sheet of ice and snow. The cold was so 



