130 BEACH GRASS 



doubtedly able to survive much cold if they have 

 plenty of food, but, in a dearth of calories they go 

 to the wall. I have measured all the crows I have 

 found dead and although there are not yet num- 

 bers enough from which to draw conclusions, it 

 would seem as if it were the small and weakly 

 that fall first. Doubtless many creep into holes 

 and die and are never found, or are eaten by 

 prowling animals. As the bird population re- 

 mains nearly constant and many young are reared 

 each year it is evident that a large number must 

 perish annually — but how few of their bodies are 



ever seen! 



It has been reported that in severely cold 

 weather birds are found with their eyes frozen. 

 I had always supposed that this took place only 

 when the bird was much weakened from lack of 

 food and was dying, or that it occurred after 

 death, for northern birds, with their active cir- 

 culation and high temperature, can stand much 

 cold provided they have sufficient food. On 

 May 31, 1920, after the severe winter, Mr. F. A. 

 Saunders and I were walking along the inner 

 beach of the dunes when we noticed a crow flying 



