54 



BIRDS AND FLOWERS. 



grosbeaks, a big, handsome, stupid bird, were quite 

 common here in 1899 and again in 1903, both in 

 town and out. Another pretty bird with a chestnut 

 crown and a slightly reddish tinge to his coat is the 

 tree-sparrow, which I have found at SewalPs Falls 

 and when snow-shoeing at Walker's Island. Blue 

 jays often hang about the farm-yards in cold weather, 

 but they are too wary to venture into town. I set 

 up a shook of corn in our dooryard one winter, hoping 

 to attract them, but they were not to be caught by 

 the golden bait. 



It is said that the crows in mid-winter go to the 

 seashore to feed on the refuse of the waves, but I 

 almost always hear them in February. Of all our 

 Nature lovers, Frank Bolles is the one who has most 

 appreciated this knowing bird. He gave the name of 

 Crowlands to his summer home at Chocorua Lake, 

 and there under the shadow of New Hampshire's 

 most picturesque mountain he studied their dusky 

 legions. For a glorification of the crow, read his 

 " Chocorua 's Tenants." 



December 6, 1905. 



