120 
OUR BIRDS IN WINTER 
in the north-western part of Maine ; this is a 
small settlement on the Magalloway River, 
a beautiful stream that empties into the An- 
droscoggin, near Lake Umbagog, and is the 
last collection of human dwellings on the river, 
and, indeed, below the Canada line. You all 
know that it is much pleasanter to make our 
home near human habitations ; for, in addi- 
tion to what company we have in the labors of 
the busy farmers, there is a sort of security 
or rather protection from our many foes, that 
we feel they render us. 
Well, a party of us Snow Birds built our 
nests in an old cart-road, or rather lumber- 
path, near what is called Diamond Brook, 
below Wilson’s Mills, and got along swim- 
mingly. My companions all placed their nests 
in the grass and weeds in the road itself; 
but I, who had seen more of the world, hesi- 
tated to live in so exposed a place, and, my 
husband agreeing with me, we concluded to 
build our nest in the side of a mossy knoll 
near the road, but pretty effectually hidden 
