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birds at this elevation. Many birds range through all four of the flexible 
tree zones, but a few appear to find their preferred habitat in one or two 
zones. 
The northern hardwoods forest type is well developed over large por- 
tions of the Cheat slopes. Coming in just above the oak-chestnut areas, 
this belt extends up the mountains to about 3500 feet, varying with topog- 
raphy and exposure. Beech, sugar maple, basswood, striped maple and 
mountain maple are the prominent trees, and a slightly more™northern bird 
life abounds. 
The northern mixed forest lies between the northern hardwoods below 
and the spruce forest above, at approximately the 3500-4200 foot contours. 
Cones of the shortleaf pine (left) and loblolly pine illustrate the 
difference in size and shape between these two species. 
Yellow birch, hemlock, and red spruce dominate a varied habitat. The 
shrub life is abundant. Rhododendron, azaleas, deciduous holly of four 
species, mountain laurel, American yew, hoary alder, beaked hazel-nut and 
fetid currant form a jungle-like undergrowth which makes travel, except 
along opened trails, virtually impossible. Ferns are everywhere and there 
are five species of club mosses (Lycopodium) which often carpet the ground. 
In favored localities bloom northern orchids. The numerous decaying logs 
covered with mosses and trees heavily hung with Cladonia lichens give tc 
the forest a hoary appearance reminiscent of more boreal regions. This 
zone has a rich and highly diversified bird life. Where clearings have been 
made, yellow-breasted chats and mourning warblers may occupy the same 
blackberry thickets. Worm-eating warblers occur locally. The conifers 
bring in winter wrens, golden-crowned kinglets, red-breasted nuthatches, 
and brown creepers. 
Occupying the highest peaks and ridges is a northern evergreen forest 
