8 
AMERICAN AGEICITLTUEIST. 
[January, 
"Winter Birds. 
Here we have a picture which may he s^.n this 
month upon many a farm. The owner plows his 
way through the snow—in the early 'lawn of a 
winter’s day—to procure fodder for the poor dumb 
beasts, anxiously awaiting their morning meal. 
The sky is dull and leaden overhead. The fields are 
morning, of fastening on a high pole, a sheaf of 
wheat for the birds. It is called the “ Christmas 
Sheaf,” and is quickly surrounded by a fluttering 
bevy of feathered creatures, eagerly enjoying their 
unaccustomed feast. It is a charming custom 
that might well be adopted in this country. 
The little winter visitors are more highly appre¬ 
ciated thau in summer, when the trees are full of 
happy songsters. But these seem so courage¬ 
ous to brave the Frost King and his icy 
train, and look so bright and cheerful hop¬ 
ping about the lawn, or perched in the limbs 
of the leafless trees, that .we can but admire 
and encourage them about our homes. 
The snow-birds—so cleverly illustrated— 
are the most common of our winter birds. 
They are merry little fellows, seeming to 
delight in the feathery suow-flakes, and ap¬ 
pear much more good-natured than the 
sparrows, who also remain during the cold 
months, and fight over every morsel of 
food like a party of quarrelsome children. 
It is supposed when the snow-birds—or any 
others migrate north in autumn in great 
draws to some lonely spot, and picks up worms, 
ants, and insects, but in winter he comes sociably 
to the window or door with touching confidence. 
It is a confidence that should never be betrayed. 
It is a grievous shame to kill those loving, trusting: 
little birds, “just for sport,” for they do us many 
a good turn by destroying the insects that infest 
the trees, and injure the fruit. We therefore- 
plead for the feathered tribe, and beg that both 
winter and summer birds may have their place on 
the farm undisturbed, and receive their share from 
the farmer’s hospitable board during all seasons. 
Full Rations for Poultry in Winter. 
Much of the profit of the poultry yard is lost for 
want of full rations for the birds during the winter- 
season. The very time when they would make the- 
most economical use of food, is generally the time 
when they are left to shirk for their living, or only 
fed once a day on short allowance. Half-fed fowls 
are always hungry, and the farmer grudges the- 
corn, meal, and boiled potatoes that are fed out to 
WINTER BIRDS AT HOME. 
Drawn and Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
one wide expanse of unbroken white, while the 
chill frosty wind bites his ruddy cheeks until they 
glow with a rosy hue, and benumbs his fingers, 
making them blue and pinched. But no matter ! 
whatever the weather maybe, the horses and cattle 
must be cared for, and patiently the steadfast 
farmer plods on. Sometimes a faithful watch-dog 
accompanies him upon his morning rounds, and he 
generally has the company of the birds — those 
hardy little creatures that, at this season, em¬ 
boldened by hunger, flock around the door-step, 
begging for a few crumbs from the table. They 
are often very glad to pick up the hay-seed scat¬ 
tered about the stack and beneath the sheds. The 
Germans have a pretty custom on Christmas 
numbers, that a severe winter is foretold. During 
one exceptionably cold season, a friend of ours liv¬ 
ing on a farm in Illinois, was surprised one morn¬ 
ing to perceive a quail—the most timid of birds— 
close by the door-step. Crumbs were thrown out, 
of which it partook greedily, and then disappear¬ 
ed. But the next morning it came again, bringing 
another quail with it, and, as they were allowed to 
feed undisturbed, they returned day after day, 
bringing more birds with them, until quite a covey 
came daily for their breakfast. 
One of the most attractive of all our winter birds, 
is the brisk little robin red-breast, with his bright 
eyes, jaunty air, and sweet melodious note. Dur¬ 
ing the summer, when food is plentiful, he with¬ 
them. Their ravenous appetite is one of the best 
indications of thrift, and the poultryman should 
make the most of it by giving full rations. The 
Asiatics, which grow to great size, especially should 
have abundant supplies, and regular feeding, to 
make them pay best, whether we are looking for 
eggs or flesh. During the winter season, fowls can 
find but little forage .in the garden or fields, and 
the eggs will not be laid -without plenty of grain, 
vegetables, and some animal food are given them. 
Fresh eggs bring their best prices in winter, and 
pullets of the spring hatch, when properly 
housed and fed, will lay all through the cold 
season, and give the best returns for the food 
consumed, Take good care of the fowls now,. 
