HOW TO STUDY THE BIRDS 28 



in evidence. The two latter are migratory, but often spend 

 the winter with us. The rough-leg is sluggish, his habits 

 reminding one of an owl. The little screech owl calls weirdly 

 through the long nights of November, when other bird voices 

 are hushed. December causes the crows to "hustle for a 

 living." Rather than migrate during severe weather they 

 sometimes starve. One good word may be said here in behalf 

 of the crow; he has never been known to eat the remains of 

 his own kind, nor does he attempt to fight with his fellow 

 birds over some morsel which he may have chanced to 

 acquire. 



This is a good time to set up a httle " free lunch coun- 

 ter" for the birds by nailing a board to your window-sill or 

 nearby tree. You will undoubtedly make friends with sev- 

 eral sociable birds. Place a generous amount of corn, bread 

 crumbs, and suet on this shelf, or the latter, if preferred, 

 may be tied to a limb. Downy woodpeckers and white- 

 breasted nuthatches are very fond of suet, and the nuthatch 

 will usually prevail upon some chickadee to visit the same 

 eating-place. Occasionally a blue jay or English sparrow 

 will steal the larder intended for the other birds, thus jus- 

 tifying one in shooting them on sight. 



Visit the woods on a cold December morning when snow 

 is on the ground. You will be surprised at the friendliness 

 of the chickadee. He even alights upon your head or shoul- 

 der, and will readily eat bread crumbs from your hand. 



G. A. A. 



