194 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



and rarely is disturbed by birds until the dead of winter, when 

 they seek it eagerly. The foliage of the sumacs is brilliant in 

 autumn, while the fruit, as well as that of the black alder, is 

 handsome and remains on the stem for the winter birds. The 

 catkins of the birches and of the common alder are sought for 

 their seeds by winter birds. It is essential to provide berries 

 and seeds on shrubs and trees well above the snow for winter 

 food. 



All trees that are attacked by many insects are favorites 

 with birds. Many hundreds of species of insects infest the 

 apple, oak, poplar, willow, birch and alder. Hence these trees 

 are desirable. The coniferous trees are not subject to the 

 attacks of such a variety of insects, nevertheless certain species 

 sometimes become numerous upon them. The white pine is a 

 favorite with titmice and kinglets in winter, as they often find 

 the eggs of aphides on these trees in enormous numbers. The 

 seeds of coniferous trees are eaten by a few species of birds. 

 Elms ripen their seeds early, thus providing food for birds in 

 early summer, while the spanworms that infest elms and apple 

 trees are sought by nearly all birds. 



Mr. W. L. McAtee of the Biological Survey, who has made a 

 special study of fruits attractive to birds, has published in 

 Farmers' Bulletin 621, entitled "How to attract Birds in 

 Northeastern United States," the following table, showing the 

 seasons in which different fruits are available for birds : — 



