< 5 ) 
along with the Wild Turkey. Mr. J. A. Allen is authority for 
the statement that this latter bird was common in New England 
subsequent to the settlements, and probably became extinct in 
Massachusetts as late as 1833. 
About the first of February this present year, I was informed 
by friends in conversation, and by the daily papers, of the capt¬ 
ure of several birds supposed to have visited us, out of season. 
This led to a little study of the subject and dating from the first 
day of January, during the season of snow and ice, the ground 
being frozen ordinarily to the depth of several inches, I find that 
if we look with diligence in the proper situations, we shall dis¬ 
cover many interesting forms, so hardy as to brave the rigors of 
the climate. I readily obtained data for eighty species of birds 
taken in Rhode Island about that time, a small minority of them 
somewhat later. 
All through the State, and often in close proximity to our pop¬ 
ulous towns and citities, we may find the Bob White (American 
Partridge usually called Quail). These live in small flocks 
among sheltering brambles or on sunny hill sides, eating berries 
or seeds from the plants that stand above the snow ; in a stress of 
weather they will come to the barn and poultry yard of the farmer 
for the hay seed and grain scattered there. 
In similar situations we may look for our noble game bird, the 
Rufl'ed Grouse (commonly called the Partridge). Any one who 
has wandered through the outskirts of our woods, will remember 
the boom and rush with which this bird announces himself as he 
springs from the ground, and goes ofl‘ with great velocity, seem¬ 
ing almost to fly straight through the trees and bushes. Their 
sustenance is much the same as that of the preceding species. 
Both these birds have many enemies, foxes, weasels, cats, and 
sportsmen with dog and gun ; they also sutler severely when deep 
snows cover them, and afterward freezing to a crust, imprison 
and starve the poor creatures. 
In the light woods we shall find also one of our handsomest 
birds, the Blue Jay. Usually he is wild and wary, but at this 
season, emboldened by hunger, often coming into the orchards 
and close to farm houses. He is well known among us and adds 
much to the beauty of the New England woods; the eye detects 
