256 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



both as to species and actual numbers of birds. The fact 

 that individuals which find the food attractive are induced to 

 locate in the vicinity, and to become frequent or even in- 

 cessant visitors to the food supply, can serve to make bird 

 life seem abundant and give a very cheerful aspect to the 

 wintry surroundings. One very cold winter I had at my 

 sheltered porch nearly all the time during daylight a flock 

 of a dozen chickadees and several nuthatches and wood- 

 peckers. There was always "something doing," and vari- 

 ous happenings proved so interesting that it was often hard 

 for me to stay away from the window and attend to my 

 work. 



Birds to Expect. The following list will give an idea of 

 what kinds of birds may be possible guests of our hospital- 

 ity. Reference is especially to the Northern and Eastern 

 States unless otherwise specified. It may also be noted 

 here that these divide themselves into two distinct classes — 

 suet-eaters and seed-eaters — though some species eat both. 

 Those that eat suet at all are the easiest to attract within 

 close range, and will sometimes eat on porch or window-sill, 

 the others feeding mainly on the ground. 



The chickadees, white-breasted nuthatch, and downy 

 woodpecker are the three especial "stand-bys" of the aver- 

 age bird lunch-counter. The hairy woodpecker is often 

 quite frequent, and the little red-breasted nuthatch not al- 

 together a rarity. The brown creeper sometimes stops for 

 a few bites, but quickly moves on, usually not caring to 

 tarry. The blue-jay sometimes ventures, especially at a 

 little distance from the house, though I have seen them come 

 on a piazza roof. In severe weather crows will work at 

 meat or bones hung up well back from the house, though I 

 have seen them attracted thus to suburban gardens. 



The usual seed-eaters most apt to be drawn are the tree 



