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: Minnesota Srate HorvicuLTuraAL SOcrery. 91 
ing in mind that we are still in the latter part of autumn, or early winter, we 
will not forget to mention the somewhat irregular arrival of the Waxwing, or 
_ Bohemian Chatterers, as they are called in Europe. This bird is one of the few 
common to both Europe and America. The exquisite delicacy of its drab plum- 
age and the presence of bright red appendages to some of the wing-feathers re- 
sembling seeling-wax are all that is especially characteristic, as they do not sing. 
But they are welcome, for they remain with us all the winter to cheer us with 
their presence, and help us bear our burden of patience while waiting for the 
tardy spring. 
But we must not pass over those species which ever abide with us alike through 
the fervid heat of summer and the frigid cold of winter. Principal of these, we 
will only name the Pinnated Grouse or Prairie Chicken, dearest of all to the 
heart of the huntsman, and only more so than the Sharptail and the Ruffed 
Grouse or Partridge. Quails are scarcely to be mentioned as so few of them sur- 
vive our severe winters; yet so they do, to a limited extent, and when favored by 
a succession of mild winters rapidly multiply again—a single nest having been 
known to contain 24 to30 eggs. During some of the many winters I have spent 
here Woodcock, and one or two species of snipe, have been found in the vicinity 
of springs surrounded by marshy grounds, but this is not common. 
The little familiar Shore Lark, that ought to have been called Road Lark, 
which flits out from under your horse’s feet along almost any thoroughfare, 
especially upon the open prairie, and lights again just in front of you, is another 
waif of the winters here. Notice him closely, for he is confidingly noticing you, 
and you will see two little pencils of feathers rise from his head like symmetrical 
horns, giving him a pleasing and grotesque appearance. 
The little immortalized Chickadee will now insinuate himself upon our notice» 
as he goes from limb to branch on the shade tree, or a shrub, m search of the 
eggs and larve of insects, of which the eggs of the moth of the leaf-rolling cat- 
erpillar, the canker-worm, apple moth, and others equally injurious to vegetation - 
are favorite food. 
If so favored as to have trees near our dwellings, we can scarcely avoid 
-becoming familar with the Whitebellied Nuthatch and his less conspicuous 
cousin, the Redbellied, two of the busiest little bodies that ever you saw. You 
will know them at once by their habit of traversing the trunks and principal 
branches, head persisteutly downward in their search for the very same kinds of 
food as the last mentioned species. While these are thus employed, the Downy 
Woodpecker is not far away, and equally industrious in the destruction of the 
insect pests. 
Turning now to the forests in midwinter, we everywhere meet the ubiquitous 
Jay along our brushland approach, and in the denser thickets embraced in the 
forests themselves. Be sure he will herald our coming by his clamorous cry from 
every bush and tree. Exquisitely beautiful in form and plumage, and undaunted 
by the rigors of a northern winter climate, which ought to secure for him the 
affectionate friendship of man for his constancy, and his admiration for his beauty, 
like some ‘‘ birds of another feather,’’ he is peculiarly unfortunate in the ostenta- 
tion of his self-assurance, and turns those who would otherwise be friends, into 
relentless enemies. Knowing this he retaliates by attacking the eggs of others 
more welcome in summer, stealing from the corn-crib in winter, and in annoy- 
ing the hunter, by forewarning every other denizen of the forest of his approach. 
But stay thou accuser, man! Be not too hasty in passing judgment on him 
whom better acquaintance may prove to be thy constant friend. 
