26 
December 17, 1899 - Sunday, 
Pine siskins are common everywhere. X see 
them flying around singly or in pairs, never in 
a flock. 
December 19, 1899 - Tuesday . 
I have not heard the notes of a prairie horned 
lark for about a month. The winter thus far has 
been mild and open. In October they were quite 
abundant. In the morning I could hear them; now 
they have disappeared. 
December 26, 1899 - Tuesday. 
Today I was in the ho se when I It ard a bird 
screaming. I looked out of the window and a 
northern shrike had a sparrow down on the sidewalk 
and was killing it. It was a little smaller than 
a robin. It picked the sparrow's brain out and 
then flew away with it close to the ground. I 
hunted afterwards but could not find it. 
January 4, 1900 - Friday. 
V/ent out oil the 'back steps to sun myself and 
watch the birds. Soon a chickadee came along. He 
lit in a big maple tree and from there v/ent to an 
elm. He hunted on every dry leaf and crevice for 
cocoons and larvae. He gave a note like sit, 
very fine and insect like. Soon after he'‘left 
his mate came. She v/as much tamer and lit within 
a few feet of me. She went on the woodpile and 
then went on the ground. She hopped. Soon some 
English sparrows lit above me. They held their 
bodies close to the perches. Soon a lot of them 
lit by the woodpile. J shined a looking glass 
in their eyes^and as soon as they saw it they flew 
away. A chickadee that 1 triedit on only hopped 
away^ Lat'er I was out there watching a 
chickadee. He v/ent down to the ground and got a 
