CROSS-CUT VIEWS OF WINTER. 239 



much the same as those of the goldfinch, but a 

 great deal of the plumage on the back and flanks 

 appear as if scorched, and he wears a carmine 

 closely-fitting scull-cap. They appear to be very 

 happy together in these winter solitudes, and often 

 go bounding through the air like so many egg- 

 shells tossed along by high waves and heavy winds. 



The trunk-climbers too, titmice, nut-hatches, 

 woodpeckers and creepers, are successful. They 

 have full swing of our Northern woods in winter, 

 and have tastily colonized, for the purpose of 

 social interests and pleasures. How curious it is 

 that these birds, representing as many families, 

 but with similar habits of feeding, never flocking 

 with their own kind, should, as the cold weather 

 approaches, at last be impelled by some new influ- 

 ence to seek the companionship of strangers, and 

 feel the need of sympathy while struggling for a 

 livelihood. 



Ah ! here is a small flock of chickadees (Parus 

 atricapillus'), that I have surprised climbing about 

 on the trunk of this patriarchal willow. The black- 

 capped titmouse is a real Mark Tapley among 

 birds, and actually seems to be less joyous in the 

 midst of summer sunshine and foliage than when 

 the cold winds whirl the snows of winter before 



