246 BIRD PARADISE 



rang with their sharp voices. When I first saw 

 them they were passing to and fro in the park, 

 evidently enjoying their visit as a sort of Christ- 

 mas carnival. There was some food hunting, in 

 fact that is a large portion of the work of all our 

 winter birds. I say work, but really their food 

 is so arranged that about all they have to do is to 

 go from tree to tree and simply pick it up, I 

 rather enj oy watching them when feasting. Their 

 table manners are perfect after their kind, and 

 while they are not over- generous in sharing the 

 viands with one another there is a certain kind 

 of fellowship in what they do that savors of real 

 brotherhood. I noticed that one of the birds 

 made a careful inspection of the old nests that 

 hung on the leafless trees. "With his stout bill he 

 tore them apart and scattered the pieces over the 

 snow. From some of the movements that he 

 made I inferred that he found some food there, 

 which suited his taste. I studied their calls a 

 little, hoping to decipher some of their meaning. 

 For my pains I did not receive much more than 

 I already possessed. They knew what they meant 

 and used the knowledge no doubt to advantage. 

 The faultless fit of their bright blue suits was 

 most noticeable and their spotless appearance 

 added not a little to the attractiveness of their 



