2o8 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



cation is more often wrong than right, favourable 

 weather during and just after the period of flowering 

 being the secret of a plentiful supply of fruit. He who 

 would encourage the feathered tribes around him during 

 the inclement months should look well after his berry- 

 bearing trees and shrubs. Birds are remarkably tame 

 and confiding in winter, and will visit the smallest of 

 back gardens or the tiniest of shrubberies and pleasure 

 grounds even in busy towns, if sufficient inducement, in 

 the shape of a goodly store of berries, be provided for 

 their special needs. Their actions in the branches and 

 amongst the twigs, their merry notes and occasional 

 outbursts of song are full of never-failing interest, and 

 imbue with life the dreary aspect of the garden or the 

 shrubbery in the depth of winter, when birds and 

 flowers are scarce. These bunches of white, scarlet, 

 and black berries become even more interesting and 

 beautiful when we remember their great utility in 

 feeding our feathered friends during the days of snow 

 and scarcity. As the festive season approaches, the 

 poor birds will be robbed of much of their supply of 

 food, for these berries are in great demand for mural 

 decoration. We can only regret the wanton destruction 

 of so much palatable food of the feathered tribes, and 

 appeal to the generous-hearted owners of such trees and 

 shrubs to spare a portion of their rich crop of berries for 

 the needy birds. 



