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

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

 tumn, 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. JNIany hundreds of species of insects infest the 

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



are desirable. The con- 

 iferous trees are not 

 subject to the attacks 

 of such a variety of 

 insects, nevertheless cer- 

 tain species sometimes 

 become numerous upon 

 them. The white pine 

 is a favorite with tit- 

 mice and kinglets in 

 winter, as they often 

 find the eggs of aphides 

 on these trees in enor- 

 mous numbers. The seeds of coniferous trees are eaten by a 

 few species of birds. Elms ripen their seeds early, thus pro- 

 viding 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: — 



Virginia juniper or red cedar. 



