37G USEFUL BIRDS. 



* Greenbrier, catbrier, bullljrier, . Smilax rotundifolia. 

 Spice bush, fever bush, . . . Benzoin cestivale. 



* Blueberries and huckleberries. . Vacciniam and Ga>jluss<(cia. 



(Nearly all species eaten.) 



Cranberry, ..... Uxycocctis macrocarpon. 



Dwarf cranberry, .... Oxijcoccus Oxycoccus. 



Broom crowberiy, .... Corema Conradii. 



Bearberrv, ' . . . • • Arctostaphylos Uva-nrsi. 



* Tupelo, sour gum, pepperidge, . Nyssa sylvatica. 



* Flowering dogwood, . . . Cornus florida . 



* Red osier, dogwood, . . . Cornus stolonifera. 



* Alternate-leaved cornel, green osier. 



dogwood, ..... Cornus allernifolia. 

 (The berries of other species of cornel are probably eaten.) 



Partridge berry, .... Mitchella repens. 



* Bed cedar, savin, .... Jnniperus virginiana. 

 Common juniper, ground junii)er, . Jnniperus communis. 



This list probably does not include all the native trees, 

 shrubs, and vines that bear a more or less pulpy fruit and 

 contribute largely to the sustenance of ))irds, Imt it is be- 

 lieved that it comprises those of most importance, with the 

 addition of a few valuable introduced species. 



There are many trees, not named in the above list, that 

 attract a few birds. The willows, for example, are fre- 

 quented by certain Warblers. Amono; the shrubs, the fruit 

 of the burning bush {Euonymus atrojyurjnweufi) is sought 

 by some birds. The berries of the nightshade (^Solanum 

 nigrum), though believed to be poisonous, are eaten by 

 birds. The pokeweed (^PJii/tolacca decandra) furnishes a 

 fruit which, though it is believed to have poisonous prop- 

 erties, is eaten l)y very many birds. 



Those fruit-bearing plants Avhich retain their fruit in win- 

 ter are of great importance. Such plants enable many birds 

 to exist through our winter storms. The bayberry is among 

 the most valuable of the low-growing shrubs. Nearly all 

 the winter birds, from the Kinglet to the Crow, eat these 

 berries. Where the bushes are not covered with snow, the 

 supply at Wareham usually becomes exhausted in February, 

 after which the Myrtle Warblers and many of the winter 

 Sparrows disappear. The bayberry bushes, being low, are 

 sometimes covered with the drifting snow, and then the 



