INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS. 



Sparrows pay a flying visit, and the Red-breasted Nuthatches 

 settle down. Even if there has been no hard frost, Novem- 

 ber is sure to bring it, and then in the afterglow, the illusive 

 Indian summer, we begin to realize that the song-birds 

 have left us. Grackles we have and Meadowlarks, but the 

 Robins and Bluebirds are diminishing, and after the middle 

 of November the birds that you see may safely be called 

 winter residents. 



The Blue Jay becomes very conspicuous now, and in late 

 November walks you will constantly see his pointed crest, 

 while his harsh notes no longer jar upon your ear, but sound 

 companionable. Most likely he is nutting, and jeering and 

 laughing at the squirrels who are filling their paunches 

 under the same tree. If, however, "he laughs best who 

 laughs last," the squirrels have decidedly the best of it, for 

 they frequently find the holes where the Jays hide their 

 plunder and rob them. 



Golden-crowned Kinglets, with their dainty little heads 

 on one side, peep into every crevice in the apple trees, giving 

 a shrill, wiry call, the Winter Wrens are settled in their old 

 quarters about the woodpile, Pine Warblers come in bus- 

 tling flocks, White-throated Sparrows appear at rare intervals, 

 and three, at least, of the Woodpeckers. 



If December is moderately snowy and not too cold, you 

 will see a distinct change even among the winter residents. 

 The Horned Larks become quite tame, and together with 

 the Meadowlarks keep near the upland farms, and if the 

 rivers are free from ice the Kingfisher still constitutes him- 

 self their guardian. The Tree Sparrow takes the place that 

 the Chipping Sparrow filled in summer, resembling it both in 

 appearance and note, and the Cedar-birds come from their 

 warm coverts and feast upon the remaining berries which 

 are now completely ripe and soft. 



The Shrike is in his element seeing his victims afar 

 through the leafless trees, the Hawks grow bold and circle 

 over the meadows by the hour, and the Barred Owl, with 

 strange blue-black eyes, leaves the wood with the Great 

 Horned Owl, to forage in the brush and in open pastures. 



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