THE WINTER FOOD OF THE CHICKADEE 



97 



they can, carry away large quantities and tuck it away in crev- 

 ices in the bark, or at the base of twigs, in some neighboring 

 tree. If the wood-pile is handy, it affords numerous opportu- 

 nities for this purpose, and is freely used. This habit of stor- 



FiG. II. A Refuge for Birds. 



ing food is of great benefit to the blue jays, who, if the food is 

 displayed on a window-shelf, or some similar situation, dare 

 not get it for themseh^es, but will hang around until it is stored 

 away by the chickadees, when they will steal the morsels from 

 their hiding places." 



The protection which a pine grove affords to chickadees and 

 other winter birds is one reason why it is desirable to have such 

 a bit of woodland on or near the farm. It also serves as a shel- 

 ter to many other birds during the sinnmer season. 



A remarkable example of the benefit that may be derived 

 from the presence of a flock of chickadees, has been recorded 

 by Mr. E. H. Forbush, in a bulletin of the Massachusetts State 

 Board of Aofriculture. In a certain orchard in Massachusetts, 

 canker-worms had been abundant the previous season, and the 

 moths of the fall canker-worm had deposited great numbers of 

 eggs upon the trees. Pieces of meat, bone, or suet were fas- 

 tened to the trees early in the winter, to attract the chickadees. 



