248 BIRD PARADISE 



that they would find a nook well out of sight of 

 all earthly things, but nothing of the kind ap- 

 peared in the instances that came to my knowledge. 

 In the darker part of the old barn loft, the little 

 hooks along the edges of the wings were fastened 

 to the board or rafter, and thus suspended the lit- 

 tle creature braved with perfect success the cold 

 and frosts of winter. When to do it and how to 

 do it they seem to understand perfectly. 



The weather makes itself felt among the wild 

 creatures, as it does among human beings. This 

 I note, however, with the birds, that is not as 

 common with the lords of creation as it ought to 

 be. They seem to meet It all with a cheerful 

 spirit, and if food be plentiful go on from day to 

 day in a joyful manner. Even as I write a com- 

 pany of chickadees are passing to and fro in my 

 lawn trees, and though the weather is cold and 

 snowy there is not a bird other than bright and 

 happy. Of course they are warmly clothed and 

 have nothing else to do but eat, drink, and be 

 merry, yet that does not always insure happiness. 

 Sometimes the conditions appear perfect, and the 

 creature's action exceedingly imperfect. But I 

 see so little of this among the birds that I rarely 



