48 Tue Aroostook Woops. 

in abundance. But heavy frosts coming, such food becomes 
withered, sour and unpalatable, and again they show them- 
selves across the brook upon the ridge. Birch buds constitute 
their principal food in winter, and they seem to be the proper 
thing, as we scarce hear of the birds being in a poor condi- 
tion. On the south side of the ridge, usually handy to the 
brook, and likely on the knoll, instinct teaching her the spot 
is dry, is where she builds her nest. Often in a sly chance, 
and occasionally, but not very often, are they discovered. 
We remember seeing one with a tight roof. The bark peel- 
ers had left a sheet of bark behind them, one end lay upon 
the log it came from, the other resting upon the ground. 
This was so cosy, such a complete shelter, that lady P took 
the chance. She had lined it with soft, wild grasses at the 
first and would add many of her abundant feathers towards 
the last. If nothing prevented, she would have a nest brimful 
of pretty white eggs, that are beautiful to look in upon. 
How she hates to have you find the nest, and more especially 
if her little chicks are just hatched out. She is brave for a 
fight, but first uses strategy to lead you off. Her feathers 
are ruffled forward, and with head down, tail spread out, 
wings dragging, she plays lame or wounded, as if saying 
Come now! Come on, you can easily catch me! which is 
only to entice you from her nest; and if not succeeding in 
drawing you away from her brood, grows furiously wild, if 
an old one, that has had the care of several broods of babies ; 
every feather is raised in anger against you; full of courage 
now, and at the risk of her life she flies directly at you, as if 
she would like to peck out your eyes, trying hard to take 
your attention wholly from her brood. 
These pretty little velvety baby birds, often seen when no 
