244 BIRD PARADISE 



wind and snow are at their height. Their visits 

 to this section are not made every year ; in fact 

 it is now several years since I have seen the 

 little fellows. It is marvelous how such a small 

 package of bird life goes to and fro in the snow 

 and cold apparently perfectly oblivious to the 

 biting sting of the weather. For months they 

 romp and rollick through the snow country, per- 

 fectly satisfied with all their surroundings. Their 

 food is easUy obtained, as it consists largely of 

 the weed seeds found in the hedgerows and old 

 fields. In times of great depth of snow they use 

 the buds of the trees — a repast that is always 

 ready for them. EedpoU, like most of our winter 

 birds, is socially inclined, though I think he pre- 

 fers the gatherings made up of his own species. 

 He wears a coat of a rich crimson color and is evi- 

 dently quite satisfied with his brilliant personal 

 appearance. "We always extend to them a hearty 

 welcome, for their coming is redolent with the 

 best of bird cheer. 



I heard the loud cries of the blue jays this 

 morning. They had come up from the swamp 

 and were having a little blue jay fan in my neigh- 

 bor's orchard. They have visited the village 



