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In August, September, and through October warblers, thrushes, 

 sparrows, and other small land birds arrive from the north. 

 They are followed by birds of prey. Water birds also are con- 

 tinually passing, so that from August until the ponds and rivers 

 freeze, the vast and changing concourse moves on. Look for 

 land birds in the fall, on the fair, warm days, or ''weather- 

 breeders," just before storms. In clear nights they may be 

 heard passing overhead. They are then fleeing from the "wrath 

 to come." Easterly storms now bring wading and swimming 

 birds. 



Thrushes may be found in sheltered swamps and in woods 

 where late maturing berries grow. Birch plant lice sometimes 

 furnish food for warblers, blackbirds and sparrows in autumn 

 until heavy frosts come. 



Sparrows now depend mainly on weed seeds, and may be 

 found in sheltered, weedy cornfields and gardens, along road- 

 sides, or in bushes on sunny hillsides where they can find 

 shelter from strong winds. Weedy places are also frequented 

 by bobwhites. The ruffed grouse or partridge now seeks wild 

 apple trees, and feeds also upon barberries or wild grapes. 



There are associations of birds in spring, autumn and winter 

 that the watcher should examine and study carefully. Red- 

 winged or rusty blackbirds, starlings, cowbirds or even meadow- 

 larks may mix with a flock of grackles or with each other. 

 Flocks of common warblers or sparrows should be looked over 

 carefully, as there may be some rare species among them. 

 Never neglect the notes of the black-capped chickadee in the 

 seasons of migration. Then and also in winter other birds 

 may be with or near the chickadees. All companies of chick- 

 adees should be examined in winter to see if there are any 

 brown-capped Acadian or Labrador chickadees with them. 

 Flocks of slate-colored juncos may contain one or more of the 

 rarer western forms. In winter goldfinches, redpolls and siskins 

 sometimes accompany each other in feeding, and even flock 

 together. 



