134 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 



in trees or holes in the ground for nesting-places, as though 

 consciously profiting by their experience of the security 

 afforded. 



Another very important circumstance favoring the pres- 

 ervation of small birds at this season is the fact that in the 

 majority of cases the tints of their plumages are precisely 

 such as best harmonize with the surroundings in which 

 they are most often seen, and thus make them less discern- 

 ible than they otherwise might be. Looking through our 

 list of winter birds, many striking examples of this pro- 

 tective coloration are found more, in proportion, than in 

 summer, when there does not seem to be so great need of 

 individual safety, and the " struggle for existence " is not 

 narrowed down to such a strait, and beset with so many 

 difficulties. The kinglets, for instance, spend their time 

 in flitting about the tops of the trees, and their plumage is 

 found to be a dusky green, like an old leaf, while the fiery 

 crowns which both wear are concealed, except at moments 

 (of love -passion, I imagine) when they wish to display 

 them. Easier to detect than the kinglets, yet plainly dress- 

 ed, are the titmice and nuthatches ; but these frequent 

 widely different scenes, and, moreover, have compensating 

 advantages beyond most other birds in the habit of living 

 mostly in the deep woods where diurnal birds of prey are 



