2i6 Bird-Lore 



and a large lawn with shrubbery and trees contributed to its success. The 

 tree was placed on the roof of a veranda and fastened to the narrow strip 

 dividing a large double window, so that it was easily seen from the room. 

 Festoons of pumpkin -seed strings took the place of popcorn, suet was tied 

 to the branches in many places, and small berry-baskets, securely fastened, 

 contained sunflower and hemp seeds and barberries. Loosely woven cord 

 bags, resembling the traditional stocking, were filled with cracked nuts, 

 which the birds reached through the interstices. On all the trees and 

 shrubs around the house suet and bones were tied. 



Birds were not lacking to enjoy such a royal feast. The tree was never 

 without gusets, though morning and late afternoon brought the largest 

 number, and the lawn was a popular resort. The company was composed 

 of Chickadees, Juncos, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Brown Creepers,- 

 Golden -crowned Kinglets, Blue Jays, Tree Sparrows, Pine Grosbeaks (in 

 full plumage) and White- and Red-breasted Nuthatches. The Chickadees 

 were the tamest, though one Red-breasted Nuthatch fed from his hostess' 

 hand. One day the birds were honored with a visit from Mr. Burroughs, 

 who came across the river to enjoy their Christmas cheer. 



While such a tree might be impracticable in a city home, some features 

 of it would no doubt be successful in attracting more worthy visitors than 

 the English Sparrows. 



Incidents of Bird Life 



By GEORGE H. GILBERT (aged 11). Northampton. Mass. 



ONE day when 1 was sent to shake rugs, the market-man drove up, 

 and gave me a piece of suet for the birds. I took it and went out 

 to a hemlock tree about seventeen feet from the house, and waited. 

 V'ery soon a Nuthatch came and began to eat the suet which I held in my 

 hand. Then another came to the suet, and both ate right- there until they 

 were scared by the milk -man. 



Another day, a little later, as I was coming from school, the path led by 

 a tree where there was a Chickadee. I had a piece of bread in my pocket; 

 so I took it in my hand, and stood still. Very soon the Chickadee lit on 

 my finger and ate the bread. I was sorry that 1 did not have more, and 

 when 1 got back with another crumb the little fellow had flown away. 



One Sunday, not long ago, we had at the suet and cracked corn: 5 

 Juncos, 2 Nuthatches, i Downy Woodpecker, 2 Goldfinches, 4 or 5 Chick- 

 adees, 3 Tree Sparrows, 3 Blue Jays and 2 Red Squirrels, all out there in 

 ten minutes. 



