1876.] Certain Phases of Bird-Life. 369 
ranged from 3 0 to 4J 0 F., no ordinary shelter could pro- 
tect our resident birds. During the day not one was to be 
seen flying. I found the cardinal redbirds — a pair of them 
— had taken shelter in a large hollow tree, and with them 
was quite a large number of titmice, a brown tree-creeper 
(Certhia familiaris ), and several sparrows. I do not doubt 
but that the earth-shelter already described had proved in- 
adequate, and that the birds usually roosting there had 
sought more sheltered spots. However, I did not have the 
courage to face the wind and see for myself if such was the 
case. 
During the present winter I have found that some, at 
least, of our winter birds utilise the very excellent shelter 
afforded by the nests of our bank-swallows. February 20th, 
a bright, clear day, I passed by a high, steep cliff of compact 
sand and clay, much frequented by these swallows during 
summer. I noticed there chipping-sparrows and a bluebird 
sunning themselves, each at the opening of a nest. On 
driving them away I found that they circled about for a few 
moments and returned. On passing the cliff again some 
hours later, I saw these birds and several others, some at 
the openings of the nests, and others flitting about, quite in 
the manner of swallows. I could not reach the nests to 
determine if they had been much occupied during the 
winter, but do not doubt but that such was the case. 
I have not found, however, any shelters constructed by 
birds for such purpose solely, except in the case of the intro- 
duced English sparrow, which builds quite an elaborate and 
very warm roosting-nest. During the early frosts of autumn 
and prevalence of cold rain-storms occurring before the 
ordinary date of migratorial departure, the nests used in 
spring and summer are, I know, used as roosting-places, 
but I have not detected any refitting of them for this pur- 
pose. Considering this, it would be natural for birds to 
build new structures for winter use, and in the sparrow we 
have an instance of it, and, I presume, the abundance of 
natural shelter has alone prevented the gradual acquirement 
of this habit by our winter birds. 
Having familiarised one’s self with the various phases of 
bird-life as it occurs in the open fields, dense thickets, along 
secluded streams, and in shady forests, one can scarcely 
conclude otherwise, if happily he has not entered upon his 
studies with some preconceived notion, than that these wild 
and wary falcons, timid sparrows, fiery little wrens, and 
cautious waterfowl are creatures that, like man himself, are 
thrown upon the world dependent upon their own exertions, 
VOL. vi. (n.s.) 2 L 
