Snowbird 



The snowbirds have arrived for the 

 winter. They have come from the 

 coniferous groves of the far north to 

 spend the winter in the apple tree com- 

 munity, and it's good that they're here. 

 When the snow covers the ground, 

 these friendly little slate-colored birds 

 help make the landscape more cheer- 

 ful. 



I scatter bread crumbs and biodseed 

 on the ground, and stock the feeders 

 near the apple tree for these well- 

 groomed little birds in their gray vests. 

 As they fly from one place to another, 

 the white outer feathers in their tails 

 "flash" on and off, attracting other 

 birds that like to band together in win- 

 ter tree sparrows, white-throated 

 sparrows, and white-crowned spar- 

 rows. 



As the weather grows milder in late 

 winter and early spring, the snowbirds 

 leave, a few at a time, returning to their 

 summer homes in the cooler north. 

 There they will build their nests and 

 raise their families, and we'll not see 

 them again until falling leaves remind 

 them to return to the old apple tree. 



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