THE BIRD-LIFE OF A YEAR. 83 
ground be unfrozen, and little or .no snow fall, 
many of the migrant species of November will 
linger into December. They rarely are found, 
however, after the middle of the month, when our 
bird-life is reduced to its simplest terms, being com- 
posed only of the ever-present Permanent Residents 
and the Winter Visitants. 
The comparative scarcity of food now forces birds 
to forage actively for provisions, and when a supply 
is found they are apt to remain until it is exhausted. 
Their wanderings lead them over large areas, and 
our dooryards and orchards may often be visited 
by species which, when food is more abundant, do 
not leave their woodland haunts. An excellent 
way in which to attract them is to provide them 
with suitable food. Crumbs and seeds scattered in 
some place where they will not be covered by snow, 
or blown away, will bring Juncos, Tree Sparrows, 
and Purple Finches ; an old seed-filled sunflower 
head may prove a feast for Goldfinches, while bits 
of meat, suet, or ham bone hung from trees will be 
eagerly welcomed by Chickadees, Nuthatches, and 
Downy Woodpeckers. 
