10 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of Bronzed grackles are almost always found about dooryards and road- 

 sides where groups of spruces or pine trees are growing. Thus, if carefully 

 studied, a large percentage of our native birds will be found to choose 

 a preferred site for nesting. 



Plants as affecting the food directly are of most importance, of course, 

 in the case of frugivorous and granivorous species such as the Grouse, 

 Bob white and Sparrow which will not be abundant in any district unless 

 their favorite food can be found. Striking examples of the influence of 

 food are frequently noticed ; a crop of mountain ash berries attracts flocks 

 of Cedar birds and Pine grosbeaks. Large beds of vallisneria in the central 

 lakes, of recent years have attracted flocks of redheads and canvasbacks, 

 sometimes hundreds and thousands, during the early winter. The Ruffed 

 grouse is frequently observed traveling long distances in the winter to feed 

 on the buds of birch and apple trees. Unless its coverts contain a suffi- 

 cient admixture of such species upon which it can feed in winter it will 

 rapidly disappear. A crop of cones in spruce or pine trees frequently 

 attracts flocks of crossbills in winter or early spring, and a field of lettuce 

 or dandelions will bring large numbers of goldfinches to feed on the 

 seeds. 



Plants are also of great importance as shelter for birds apart 

 from their use as nesting sites, and apart from furnishing food. They 

 afford a refuge from enemies as well as from storms and the heat of 

 the sun. Everyone has seen sparrows and other birds scurrying to the 

 shrubbery when disturbed in the open field or when pursued by hawks 

 or cats. When grouse are frightened • they seek either the dense thicket 

 or trees as a refuge, the former when pursued by hawks and the latter 

 when pursued by dogs or foxes. During the migration season one must 

 look for transient birds on the leeward side of the woods during wind 

 storms. Here they are often found feeding at leisure, while on the windy 

 side few or none are observed. Once while seeking refuge beneath a dense 

 maple from an approaching thunder shower, I observed a small company 

 of goldfinches come diving into the tree and arrange themselves so that 



