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February Birds 



BY MORGAN ST. JOHN (aged 12) 

 Grammar School, Ithaca, N. Y. 



N the morning of February ig we went on a walk in 

 search of birds and nests. On our way to the 

 swamp we saw, on one short block, sixteen 

 Orioles' nests. These nests are always hung on 

 drooping branches. They look like little bags on 

 the branches of elm trees. The Orioles weave their 

 nests. Some of them are made from milkweed 

 bark, or of moss, grass, or even of silk and thread. 



We also saw a great many Robins' nests, which are carelessly 

 built of mud and grass. The grass is on the outside, the lining is 

 of mud. 



Mistress Robin is certainly a sloven housekeeper, and the cup- 

 like nests are lodged in the forks of trees in such a way that a 

 heavy shower or wind brings many of them to the ground. 



Crows' nests are built usually in evergreens. We saw them in 

 swamp maples. One of these was about thirty-five feet from the 

 ground. It was made of sticks and twigs, thrown loosely together 

 and lined with cedar bark. 



The ground was covered with snow, and we saw in all directions 

 tracks of some bird with three toes in front and one long toe behind. 

 We found that these tracks were made by the Partridge, or Ruffed 

 Grouse. These tracks are remarkably curious, because they are 

 wider than the birds' feet. I found it was because in the winter 

 time little stiff bristles grow around each toe and make little "snow- 

 shoes." With these winter shoes on the bird does not sink in the 

 snow. These snowshoes begin to grow in the autumn and are gone 

 by April. 



We did not see the Partridge, but we saw dead logs where he 

 had been to pick off the bark to find the bugs and worms. Another 

 interesting track is made by the Partridge. When the bird runs he 

 takes long steps and drags his hind toe. This makes a mark which 

 gives you an idea his toe is longer than his tracks. 



We saw a Downy Woodpecker. This one was a female. She 

 was about the size of an English Sparrow. She is like the male 

 bird, except she has no red patch on the back of her neck. This 



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