Wage Aa OL 6 OLIN oun IN 63 
probing, but they never seemed to have any food in their bills when raised 
to the surface. Not often one has the opportunity of watching the feed- 
ing habits of this bird, and as I did, through a pair of 16-power glasses. 
Years, too, have passed since the Wilson Snipe has come to the lake, and 
then only when the water was very low. 
Mr. Aberdeen reported to the writer January 8 the following vis- 
itants at his place: European Starling, flock of about 40; Meadowlark, 
small flock or 4 or 5, never more, and no singing birds among them; Pine 
Siskins, 4 or 5; Tree Sparrows, + or 5, but sometimes to the number of 25, 
and that a Screech Owl had taken possession of his Flicker stump. It 
roosted there daily, starting on his nightly trips at just about dusk, 
usually looking out the entrance way for a spell before launching forth. 
It is in the red phase, but the gray is here in equal number. 
Don Locke mentions many Jays about their place, often as many as 
nine in a flock, which also I have noticed at various times in that section 
of the village. The Chickadees, too, are more than usually plentiful, six 
to eight being together at a time. “The Chickadee, however, nests in that 
locality, and very likely it happens to be a congregated family remaining 
together for the Winter, only to be dismembered when the Spring months 
come on. 
Juncos have been common this Winter in scattered flocks here and 
there. One was singing January 7, and the day following I heard the 
mating-call of the White-breasted Nuthatch. Previously it was heard 
calling December 22, both days being quite like those of early Spring. 
Photograph by Benjamin T. Gault 
A WOODED RETREAT 
