THE WINTER BIRDS. 285 



accident in considerable numbers upon one tree, and, 

 meeting perhaps more company than is agreeable to 

 them, they make the wood resound with their noisy dis- 

 putes. They may have been assembled by some note of 

 alarm, and on finding no particular cause for it, they raise 

 a shout that reminds us of the extraordinary vocifera- 

 tion with which young men and boys in the country con- 

 clude a false alarm of fire in the early part of the night. 

 These birds are not gregarious, and, though fond of the 

 presence of a few of their own kind, are vexed when 

 they find themselves in a crowd. 



THE NUTHATCH. 



The Nuthatch is often found in these assemblages, and 

 may be recognized by his piercing, trumpet-like note. 

 This bird resembles the Woodpecker in the shape of 

 the bill, but has only one hinder toe instead of two. He 

 is a permanent inhabitant of the cold parts of the Amer- 

 ican continent, resembling the Titmouse in his diligence 

 and activity, and in his manners while in quest of his 

 insect food. 



There are times when even the birds I have described 

 in this essay, that collect their food from the bark and 

 wood of trees, are driven to great extremities. When the 

 trees are incased in ice, which, though not impenetrable 

 by their strong bills, prevents their discovery of their 

 food, they are in danger of starving. At such times the 

 gardens and barnyards are frequented by large numbers 

 of Woodpeckers, Creepers, and Nuthatches. Driven by 

 this necessity from their usual haunts, a piece of suet 

 fastened firmly to the branch of a tree, at any time of 

 the winter, would soon be discovered by them and 

 afford them a grateful repast. I have frequently assem- 

 bled them under my windows by this allurement. 



