14 THE BIRD-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 Plate 
No. No. 
37. Purple Grackle. : 82. Red-winged Blackbird. 
Rusty Blackbird.* 89. Robin. 
Brrps NEstTING. 
Great Horned Owl— February 20-28. 
Maron. 
While March is sure to witness 4 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. 
