THINGS TO DO THIS WINTER 75 



great world more, and you will feel how fit a place, 

 for the strong of heart, is this earth to live on. 



Ill 



Keep a careful list of the winter birds you see ; 

 and visit every variety of wood, meadow, and upland 

 in your neighborhood not neglecting the parks 

 and city trees for a sight of the rarer winter vis- 

 itors, such as the snowy owl, the snow buntings, 

 and the crossbills. 



IV 



If you know little about the birds, then this is the 

 time to begin your study. When they are so few and 

 scarce ? Yes, just because they are few and scarce. 

 On a June morning (unless you are at home in the 

 woods) you will be confused by the medley of songs 

 you hear, and the shapes flitting everywhere about 

 you; and you may be tempted to give up your 

 study for the very multitude. Get a pair of good 

 field or opera glasses and a good bird book, such as 

 Hoffmann's " Guide to the Birds," and go into the 

 fields and woods leaving the book at home. The 

 first bird you see follow up until you can remember 



(1) his size, color whether he has a white bar on 

 wings, or small spots or large clear spots on breast; 



(2) his chirp, or call; (3) something peculiar about 

 his flight a flirt of the tail, a habit of flying down 

 to the ground in getting away. Then come back to 



