Page:Bird-lore Vol 06.djvu/261

 2m Bird~Lore

and a large lawn with shrubbery and trees contributed to its success. The tree was placed on the roof of a veranda and fastened to the narrow strip dividing a large double window. so that it was easily seen from the room. Festoons of pumpkin-seed strings took the place of popcorn, suet was tied to the branches in many places, and small berryrbaskets. securely fastened, contained sunﬂower and hemp seeds and barberries. Loosely woven cord bags. resembling the traditional stocking. were ﬁlled with cracked nuts, which the birds reached through the interstices. On all the trees and shrubs around the house suet and bones were tied.

Birds were not lacking to enjoy such a royal feast. The tree was never without gusets, though morning and late afternoon brought the largest number, and the lawn was a popular resort The company was composed of Chickadees, Juncos, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. Brown Creepers, Golden-crowned Kinglcts. Blue Jays. Tree Sparrows. Pine Grosbeaks (in full plumage) and White‘ and Red-breasted Nuthatches. The Chickadees were the tamest. though one Red~breasted Nuthatch fed from his hostess' hand. One day the birds were honored with a visit from Mr. Burroughs, who came across the river to enjoy their Christmas cheer.

While such a tree might be impracticable in a city home, some features of it would no doubt be successful in attracting more worthy visitors than the English Sparrows.

Incidents of Bird Life

By GEORGE Ht GILBERT inged n), Nonhamptun. Mass.

NE day when I was sent to shake rugs; the market-man drove up, 0 and gave me a piece of suet for the birds. I took it and went out to a hemlock tree about seventeen feet from the house, and waited. Very soon a Nuthatch came and began to eat the suet which I held in my hand. Then another came to the suet. and both ate right-there until they were scared by the milk~man. Another day. a little later, as I was coming from school. the path led by a tree where there was a Chickadee. I had a piece of bread in my pocket; so I took it in my hand. and stood still. Very soon the Chickadee Iit on my finger and ate the bread. Iwas sorry that I did not have more, and when I got back with another crumb the little fellow had ﬂown away. One Sunday. not long ago. we had at the suet and cracked corn: 5 Juncos, 2 Nuthatches, I Downy Woodpecker, 2 Goldﬁnches, 4 or 5 Chick- adees, 3 Tree Sparrows. 5 Blue Jays and 2 Red Squirrels. all out there in ten minutes,