BIRD-NEST MATERIALS 



November i*]th 



NOTHER bright winter's day. To 

 the woods to see what birds' nests 

 are made of." Such is the brief 

 entry in Thoreau's winter journal one 

 January day, over thirty years ago, and 

 in others of his pages we read of his pur- 

 suing the same quest, and stopping in his 

 walks to unravel the deserted hanging- bas- 

 kets of the vireos and other birds. Many winter 

 walkers before and since Thoreau's time have followed 

 the same amusement. It is an attractive and instruc- 

 tive pastime, and will give added zest to our autumn 

 or winter stroll. The woods are now nearly bare of 

 foliage 



" Boughs are daily rifled 

 By the gusty thieves, 

 And the book of nature 

 Getteth short of leaves" 



