December 
special benefit—a sort of Christmas present, a 
little belated in the delivery. 
My last tour of observation for the year was 
taken on the 30th in a genuine snow-storm, the 
air still and full of flakes—more favorable for 
finding birds than a clear but windy day. ‘The 
chickadee was chanting its brief and gentle 
carol near a brown creeper that was just start- 
ing at the bottom of a tree for his endless as- 
cent. Numerous white - throats were busily 
scratching among the leaves, and fraternizing 
with the solitary chewink, who will doubtless 
remain here through the winter, unless driven 
away by extreme cold; and, lastly, a cardinal 
grosbeak was flitting from tree to tree in lively 
fashion, uttering his loud, rich call-note. 
ie be 
