BIRD PARADISE 267 



they are small, but on the whole render a service 

 in the destruction of vermin far greater than the 

 injury they do. 



The snow sifted down until it lay on the fields 

 and lawns two or three inches deep. The morn- 

 ing song of the birds was omitted and the birds 

 themselves seemed to be a little dazed by the un- 

 usual weather. I saw the robins later in the day 

 looking around as though a condition of things 

 had been introduced of which their counsels had 

 taken no note. Most of the birds found their 

 way to the shelter of the woods and swamps and 

 some I suppose took the bird trolley for a 

 warmer clime. How they keep in touch with 

 things so nicely I have no means of knowing, 

 but someway they do, and are able to make good 

 use of their knowledge. It is rarely that I can 

 persuade the robins to take any food that I pre- 

 pare for them at such a time. If I do get it to 

 them it has to be done in such a way as to 

 awaken no suspicion that it is other than a per- 

 fectly natural table spread before Mr. Eobin. I 

 have a notion that most of our birds can get 

 along nicely with any kind of weather if they 

 have access to a plentiful supply of good food. 



