CHAPTER V 



THE BIRDS IN WINTER 



WITH the approach of winter the country 

 loses its charm for many people. The 

 blossoms and verdure, so common yet so 

 beloved by all, have departed, and only the brown 

 expanses of dead grass and weeds relieve the black- 

 ness of the forest trees. Even ardent nature lovers 

 have been known to forsake their walks at this season 

 when the songs of the birds have ceased and the 

 forest boughs give forth only sobs and shrieks as they 

 sway to the strength of the north winds. 



A Good Time for Field Walks. — Nevertheless win- 

 ter is a good time for the bird student to go afield. If 

 the wild life is less abundant, so is the human life, and 

 you have the country almost to yourself. If you but 

 say in your heart, " I will go and see what may be 

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