2o6 Next to the Ground 



sides, and left deep dark caves in them, but, until 

 the thaw began, all about the foot of the sierra 

 there were foothillsof swelling, gently rounded 

 drifts, burying and staying the tips of the 

 bended boughs. But for such staying the 

 boughs would soon have shaken down some 

 part of their snow blanket — and then the 

 snowbirds and all the other birds would have 

 been in very much worse case. The snow- 

 tent kept off the bitter wind ; further there 

 were cedar berries available here and there 

 about the twigs. It was no wonder birds of 

 many sorts crowded in — redbirds, bluebirds, 

 garden and swamp sparrows, sap-suckers, an 

 obstinate pair of mockers which had refused 

 to migrate, jays, and even an occasional shy 

 field-lark. 



Each and several they hopped about the 

 doors, some fearlessly, others flying if even 

 the wind made a wavering shadow. Patsy 

 laid planks across the rails, at the corner of the 

 piazza, and strewed the planks with seed and 

 crumbs, and tiny bits of fat meat. In reward 

 she was able to watch the birds feeding, herself 

 standing snug inside the window. Some of 

 the shyest chose rather to feed with the fowls. 

 Joe and Dan had had a great time, getting 

 the turkeys down from their perch in a tall 

 oak. One pert' young gobbler sailed down 

 at the usual time, stuck in a drift, then with 



