236 Bird -Lore 



on the shelf, as they are seen in the illustration; for nearly all birds eat them 

 and they may attract the Myrtle Warbler or some other bird, not ordinarily 

 seen at the window. Chestnuts are the most attractive food for Jays, but 

 corn or suet will call them. Crumbs from the tables, scraps, pieces of 

 doughnuts or crullers, nuts, sunflower seeds, frozen milk and many other 

 food materials may be utilized, if one wishes to experiment. Those who are 

 not accustomed to approaching birds will be able to come quite near the 

 window without disturbing them, if a lace sash -curtain is hung across it, for 

 the birds will not be able to see through this distinctly. To me, the great 

 advantage of feeding birds in this manner is that they may be studied, 

 sketched or photographed at close range and in comfort, during the coldest 

 winter weather. We may learn much, in this way, about the food preferences 

 of birds, the amount of food they require, their manner of feeding and 

 drinking, their hours of rising and retiring. 



Other interesting habits will be observed. Someone not long since 

 asked in Bird-Lore the question, ''Did any one ever see a bird shiver?" 



Probably all who have maintained a window-shelf for feeding birds in 

 this latitude have seen this. Fox-sparrows, Song-sparrows, Juncos and 

 Chickadees tremble with cold early on severe mornings. 



With the thermometer at 28 degrees below zero, they were obliged to 

 hold each foot alternately up under the feathers for warmth. In such 

 weather, and during cold storms, some birds succumb, and their little bodies 

 may be picked up, now and then, in the snow. It is of the greatest impor- 

 tance, then, when once we begin feeding birds, to keep a constant supply 

 available for them throughout the winter, that they may have it to rely on 

 in the most inclement weather; for it is then that they are most in need of 

 it. We also continue feeding them for the summer and so maintain a larger 

 number of birds about the house than would otherwise live there, — but that 

 is another story. 



This method of attracting and domesticating the birds has proved so 

 successful with us that they will, in some cases, feed from the hand. It has 

 become necessary to keep doors and windows closed at our house if we 

 wish to keep the birds out of our rooms. Chickadees build their nests in 

 spring, and rear their young in boxes put up for them at door and window. 



The birds now furnish entertainment and amusement to the household 

 throughout the year. Any family in this latitude may have a similar experi- 

 ence, though the number of birds attracted may be less in bleak localities. 



