24 BIRD LIFE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 



of the thrushes, are the first to lose heart. They may 

 be seen hopping about, tame and disconsolate, on the 

 frozen grass-fields, or turning over the dead leaves in the 

 woods. Soon there is downright want, and the weakest 

 begin to go to the wall. An outcry from under the 

 hedge-side calls attention to two magpies who are 

 bullying a distressed starling which has fallen into their 

 evil clutches. Another note of feebler protest comes 

 from a thrush in reduced circumstances which is being 

 attacked by one of its stronger brethren. How little 

 reck the merry hares of the weather, as they play 

 about the frosty grass by a cover-side. 



Now is the time for those charitably disposed towards 

 the feathered folk to come to their assistance, to open 

 a soup-kitchen, or its equivalent, for the starving and 

 unemployed. Restrict not the dole to crumbs — all too 

 Spartan fare — but with kitchen-scraps of every kind, 

 shreds of meat, potatoes, suet — even if a few raisins 

 and kernels of nuts chopped fine be considered too 

 lavish an addition — we may prepare a banquet worthy 

 of the attention of an avian Lucullus. There is no 

 need to spread the invitation ; a crowd will be waiting 

 every day at the wonted hour. Nor must we forget a 

 pan of tepid water, for in times of frost birds often 

 suffer as much from thirst as from hunger. And 

 right well are we repaid for our trouble by the amuse- 

 ment which the bird-table affords, and by the traits and 

 eccentricities of the various guests. The robin at these 



