THE BIRDS IN WINTER 



places of Woodpeckers are thus again rendered useful, 

 and many of the natural cavities of trees contain, 

 during the hours of darkness, the little warm, pulsat- 

 ing bodies of birds. 



Quails invariably roost on the ground regardless of 

 the time of year, or the prevailing weather conditions. 

 An entire covey numbering sometimes twelve or 

 fifteen will settle for the night in a compact circular 

 group with heads pointed outward. When a heavy 

 snow falls they are completely buried, and then if a 

 hard crust forms before morning their roosting place 

 becomes their tomb. Grouse now and then are 

 trapped in the same way, but their superior strength 

 enables them to break through and escape. In fact, 

 these larger birds often deliberately go to roost be- 

 neath the snow, breaking through the crust by a swift 

 plunging dive from the air. Bearing these facts in 

 mind it is easy to understand why Quails often be- 

 come scarce in a country where Grouse abound. 



Small birds pass the winter nights in evergreens, 

 thick-growing vines, under the eaves of verandas, or 

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