BIRDS IN FROST. 



(Jan. 24, 1891.) 



FROST and snow are terrible enemies to birds, and 

 a prolonged spell of hard weather such as that 

 which we are experiencing, and which will make 

 the winter of 1890-91 a memorable one, brings 

 untold misery to all our birds, and absolute 

 starvation and death to a vast number of them. 

 The movements of birds during such times of 

 hardship are extremely interesting, and it is 

 curious to note how completely many species 

 change their habits in the endeavour to adapt 

 themselves to their altered surroundings. 



When the ground is hardened and frost-bound 

 most of the insect and worm feeders are put to 

 sore straits ; but when, in addition to the frost, a 

 mantle of snow covers the ground, and, as has 

 been the case for weeks during the present winter, 

 even the rivers and streams are full of ice and snow, 

 the whole economy of bird life is disorganised, and 

 there are but few birds that do not find some 

 alteration in their usual habits necessary. At 

 such times the inland waters are deserted, and wild 

 fowl of all sorts, frozen out of their accustomed 

 haunts, flock to the coasts and. estuaries, their 



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