14 THE BIKD-LIFE OF A YEAR. 



Red- winged Blackbird, birds which pass the winter 

 such a short distance south of us that they appear 

 at the first sign of returning spring. 



Further confidence in the growth of the new year 

 is shown by the Great Horned Owl, one of our less 

 common species, who begins nesting late in February 

 or early in March. 



But in spite of these movements among the birds, 

 February is, generally speaking, a winter month, 

 and it is only in exceptional years that we shall find 

 much change in our avifauna. 



BIRDS OF THE MONTH. 



PERMANENT RESIDENTS (see page 6). 



WINTER VISITANTS (see page 7). 



MIGRANTS. 

 February 15 to 28, in favorable seasons. 



Plate 

 No. 



37. Purple Grackle. 

 Rusty Blackbird.* 



Plate 

 No. 



82. Red-winged Blackbird. 

 89. Robin. 



BIRDS NESTING. 

 Great Horned Owl February 20-28. 



MARCH. 



While March is sure to witness a" general north, 

 ward movement among the birds, the date of their 

 arrival is as uncertain as the weather of the month 

 itself. Continued severe weather prevents their ad- 

 vance, which a higher temperature as surely occa- 

 sions. It is well, therefore, to watch closely the 

 weather predictions, knowing that birds will quickly 



* Transient Visitant passing further north. 



