for. There are two species of crossbills, the red or American crossbill and the 

 white winged variety, the latter being- the more common. 



Of the small winter birds the pine siskin and common redpoll are probably 

 the most numerous. There are two more species of redpoll found here, but they 

 are not very common. 



Pine grosbeaks are occasionally seen. Goldfinches are usually found, some- 

 times in quite large flocks, but they would hardly be recognized now, for they 

 have discarded their bright yellow dress for one of a plain, more sombre hue. 



The purple finch, that beautiful songster heard so frequently during April, 

 occasionally spends the winter here. Often a song sparrow will be found in some 

 sheltered nook. 



Juncos and tree sparrows are usually found in the thickets along the border 

 of a woods. Cedar waxwings are sometimes seen in large flocks, but their occur- 

 rence is irregular. They are confirmed nomads and never content to remain long 

 in any locality. 



The little brown creeper is often found here in winter. He is one of the 

 tiniest of our winter birds and it requires careful hunting to find him. He is a 

 plain, quiet and solitary little chap, seldom, if ever, utters a sound and is always 

 industrious and interested strictly in his own afl^airs. In searching over the tree 

 trunks he always starts at the bottom and works his way upward, carefully in- 

 specting every crack and crevice of the bark for dormant insects or eggs. On 

 gaining the upper branches, like a wind-tossed leaf, he flutters down again to 

 another tree and immediately continues his silent, earnest searching. 



Two species of nuthatch are found here in winter, the red breasted and the 

 more common white breasted. Wherever the nuthatch is found there also will 

 be found the downy woodpecker and the ever industrious and excitable chickadee. 

 To the city dweller these three are probably the most familiar of our winter birds. 

 If food is placed for them they will be daily visitors and their confidence once 

 gained they become very tame. 



If strips of suet are kept tied in the trees and bushes these birds can be 

 induced to remain about all winter, even in thickly settled communities, and their 

 benefactors will be rewarded thereby by many a pleasant hour. There is another 

 species of chickadee, the Hudsonian. It is a Northern one, occurring only in 

 winter, and is never common. 



The rarest of the small birds found here in winter is the tufted titmouse. 

 Two small flocks of these have been observed in the woods along the lake. Their 

 usual range, even in summer, is much further south. 



The red-headed woodpeckers are frequently permanent residents. They 

 inhabit the old beech timber, the decaying stubs offering them an abundance of 

 places in w^hich to chisel out a home. Here they are secure from the winter 

 weather. 



When the sun shines clear and the storms have lulled their peculiar rattling 

 call is often heard through the woods. For neighbors they often have the north- 



583 



