Page:Bird-lore Vol 03.djvu/33

 An Adirondack Lunch Counter BY F. A. VAN SANT, Jay, N. Y. With photographs from natiiri- hy the author N the Adirondacks in March, 1900, the snow fell over four feet deep, and wild birds were driven from the deep woods to ^J/r^ seek for food near the habitation of man. It occurred to me pf that a lunch counter with ' meals at all hours ' might suit the convenience of some of the visitors to my orchard, so I ■fixed a plank out in front of the house, nailed pieces of raw and cooked meat to it, sprinkled bread crumbs and seeds around, and awaited results. The first caller was a Chickadee. He tasted the meat, seemed to enjoy it and went off for his mate. They did not seem in the least afraid when I stood on the veranda and watched them, and after a time paid but little attention to the noises in the house; but only one would eat at a time. The other one seemed to keep watch. I set my camera and secured a picture of one alone. While focusing for the meat one WHITE- BREASIEL) M' IHATCHES Chickadee came and commenced eating in front of the camera, and a second later its mate perched on my hand as 1 turned the focusing screw. I saw the Chickadees tear ofif pieces of meat and suet and hide them in the woodpile. This they did repeatedly, and later in the day would come back and eat them if the lunch counter was empty. (18)