246 CROSS-CUT VIEWS OF WINTER. 



The scales of the catkins as yet are firmly closed, 

 and must have been formed last summer, as were 

 those on the common alder and birch. What has 

 prevented them from freezing ? How curious it is 

 that Nature, although apparently she has taken no 

 pains to protect these naked buds, should be so 

 particular in other flower germs like those of the 

 wiUow and hickory, to wrap them up in warm 

 furry blankets ! The flower scales of these hardy 

 aments are closely crowded together and seem not 

 to want any extra clothing. They even grow 

 slowly on these sunny winter days, so eager are 

 they to be on time in the early spring. 



How readily the last year's birds' nests are 

 found now in situations least expected or foreseen 

 in the summer ! They have a neglected and 

 weather-stained appearance like abandoned human 

 dwellings with no cheer or system about the door. 

 Here is a wood-thrush's home, that the couple 

 were so anxious about in June. In this leafless 

 shrub a warbler's nest half-torn away, and filled 

 with a sodden mass of dead sticks, leaves and rose- 

 berry skins, has truly a pathetic aspect, when one 

 reflects on the associations connected with it last 

 season. Where are now the birds that were born 

 in this little cavity? Will they return to this 



