54 WASTE-LAND WANDERINGS. 



three broods were nnited, are always in jDairs, and there 

 is every appearance of their close companionship during 

 the winter. I have hundreds of references, in my note- 

 books, to single pairs frequenting certain fields the year 



through. 



I can speak less positively of blue-jays, as my oppor- 

 tunities for close observation have been fewer ; but the 

 important fact is known tliat, when tliey are no longer 

 nesting, they often remain associated in pairs, and joint- 

 ly occupy some cunningly chosen roosting -j^lace in a 

 hollow tree or barn ; and further, that occasionally they 

 have a brood as early as March is at least presumptive 

 evidence that some of these birds are mated for a longer 

 period than a single summer. 



The flicker or pigeon-woodpecker offers an interest- 

 ing example of permanent mating among birds. They 

 are usually found in pairs or small flocks ; and it is not 

 uncommon for a pair to jointly peck a deep, commo- 

 dious nest in a tree late in autumn or in midwinter. 

 These nests are never used, that I am aware of ; but as 

 they are the result of joint labors of a pair, it is quite 

 impossible that a few weeks later they should separate 

 and form new ties. 



The two owls — the little red and tlie barnowl — are 

 found to occupy their nests in hollow trees long after 

 the young have sought homes of their own ; and in the 

 case of the barnowls, so strongly attached do they be- 

 come to a chosen tree, that when either bird is captured 

 or killed the widower or widow will soon find another 

 companion, and continue in the old home, indifferent to 

 the fact of its being associated in the mind of the bird 



