WINTKK FRIENDvS. 33 



Winter Friends, very industrious ; so he runs quickly over 

 the larger branches of this tree, and then flies to another, 

 always following his friends. 



Thus we have seen them all, and go away well pleased. 



One day, however, I missed Downy. I searched care- 

 fully through the accustomed haunt, but in vain. At last 

 retracing my steps, I heard the familiar call within six feet 

 of me, but look as I would, I could see no bird. I was 

 puzzled ; here was the well known call coming from some- 

 where nearby, and yet no Downy was to be seen. After 

 about two minutes I saw a small, round hole in an old tree 

 and, carefully drawing nearer, saw that a crack ran down 

 the tree from the hole about eight inches. Through this 

 I perceived the object of my search sitting somewhat head 

 downward. When I came too near, he flew away and pro- 

 bably joined the band again. 



So, all winter, these little birds travel about each day, 

 searching the trees with greatest care for insect's eggs and 

 larvae ; and going over the same trees the next day, they 

 find just as much to be done as before. The good thej' do 

 can easily be understood. 



As spring draws near we note various changes in our 

 little company. The Nuthatch is joined by a mate, and 

 perched crosswise on a branch, often gives the laughing 

 "yah-yah-yah-yah" which is his song. The tattoo of 

 Downy is heard, and it is no longer necessary for us to 

 whistle to hear the sweet "phoe-be," "Spring's near" of 

 the Chickadee. 



If we are lucky, we may hear the clear, four or five note 

 song of the Creeper. It reminded me of a Meadow lark's 

 whistle heard from a distance. A more common call of the 

 Creeper is one of six notes, the third, fourth and fifth just 

 half the length of the first, second and sixth. This has been 

 said to resemble the song of the black throated green war- 

 bler's "Trees, trees, whispering trees." 



