IV 

 FOREST BIRDS 



HE tree-inhabiting birds like the 

 Chickadee, Nuthatches and Wood- 

 peckers, which come about our 

 homes, are all forest birds which, 

 when the forests disappear or de- 

 crease in extent, adapt themselves 

 to the change and accept the trees of our orchards 

 and gardens in place of those of the woods. 



But there are other species which cannot make 

 this change. Either they do not find the food they 

 require near the home of man, or they are by nature 

 too wild to take up their residence near ours. 



The Screech Owl finds an old apple-tree just as 

 good a home as a forest-growing beech. But the 

 Great Horned Owl will not leave his forest dwell- 

 ing; and when it disappears he seeks another like it. 

 So if we want to see him and other true wood in- 

 habitants, we must go to their haunts. 



While we cannot value too highly the friendship 

 of Chickadee, Downy and Nuthatch, it is well that 

 some birds should express to us the spirit of the 

 wilderness and forever be associated in our minds 



with the mystery of the forest. 



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