116 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



species will not inhabit a treeless locality, for some nest 

 almost altogether in the woods. Most birds prefer a well- 

 watered locality. Water is fm'nished to the farm and adja- 

 cent land by several springs and small streams flowing to 

 the river. 



The kitchen garden, where most of the observations here- 

 inafter recorded were made, is situated in the rear of the 

 farmhouse, and is devoted to the cultivation of vegetables 

 and small fruits. The soil, vegetation and management of 

 the land inunediately about it vary gveatly. To the west 

 are, first, a few orchard trees ; next, a line of evergreens for 

 a wind-break ; and beyond these about one hundred acres of 

 open fields and meadows, where meadow larks and other 

 native ground-breeding birds resort. The lower portions 

 of the meadows nearest the river are frequented by black- 

 birds. Along the bushy borders of the higher fields birds of 

 both upland and lowland mingle. Here the quails and 

 pheasants lead their tender broods, always alert to guard 

 them from the low-flying marsh hawk or the sneaking fox. 



North of the garden the lowland is grown up, mainly, with 

 birch and maple, hedged about with a thicket of shrubbery 

 in which are mingled alders, berry bushes and fruiting vines. 

 This tract is largely covered with thick undergrowth, Avhere 

 the trees are scattering. It is backed to the east by a few 

 tall, lone pines, beyond which lies a high, sand}^ open field, 

 and then a small orchard . To the north it is bounded by a 

 small cranberr}' bog, and Ijej'ond this a sandy knoll rises to 

 the road. This low-lying open woodland, with its rich soil, 

 dense undergrowth and tangle of vines, fiu^nishes a good 

 wind-break for the garden, shutting off the cold, north-west 

 winds. It also provides a sheltered, sunny retreat for birds 

 in the piercing cold, but usually pleasant, winter weather 

 when these Avinds are very searching on the open fields. 

 Such a retreat is equally grateful to birds on cold days in 

 spring and fall ; and it forms an admu'able breeding place 

 for tlirushes, robins, vh-eos, towhees, song sparrows, ground 

 and bush nesting warblers. 



East of the garden the ground rises gradually, the soil 

 changing from a bluish-black to a dark brown, then from 



