BIRD PARADISE 257 



do not kuow — but in the winter they are almost 

 daily visitors. What a clean domestic flavor 

 marks their brief song. It comes down from the 

 tree as though the heart of the tree was in it. In 

 the wood they seem to regard themselves as 

 custodians of the best hospitality the sylvan aisles 

 afford. Very often when I visit Bird Paradise a 

 little bevy of chickadees will meet me at the en- 

 trance and accompany my steps throughout the 

 entire stroll. Their attitude is that of hospitality, 

 and someway its greeting is warm-hearted, 

 through and through. 



The woodpeckers are now occupied with their 

 daily winter rounds. I see them in my lawn trees 

 busy with work which no doubt is of great mo- 

 ment to them. So far as I can tell from what I 

 see these birds are fortunate in having no other 

 occupation but that of picking up their daily 

 bread. Every moment of their waking time is 

 given to it, and the marvel is how those small 

 bodies can compass so much. I sometimes get 

 the notion that their daily menu is all comprised 

 in two or three different dishes, and I wonder how 

 the fellows can keep so sleek and cheerful on so 

 spare a diet. But is it true that a few articles con- 



