CHAPTER V. 



BEDTIME. 



THE habits of birds in winter are, perhaps, most 

 interesting at the close of day. Most perch- 

 ing birds then seek shelter from the elements 

 amongst evergreens, and the large shrubberies 

 near fields and woods become suddenly alive 

 with a regular rush of birds as soon as the sun 

 draws near the western horizon. Every one 

 who wishes to encourage birds should pay more 

 than usual care to the cultivation of evergreens, 

 as they form a perfect paradise for birds and for 

 naturalists. It is in such places that birds are 

 tempted to sing when they would not think of 

 doing so in less sheltered localities. Evergreens 

 furnish shelter from the severest storm, and 

 warmth in the coldest weather they are the 

 grand refuge of nearly all the land birds that 

 remain to winter in this country. To the dense, 

 clustering shrubberies the birds repair at sun- 

 down, and during the fleeting hour of a winter 

 twilight these places are the scene of many 

 stirring incidents. 



