Page:The Way of the Wild (1923).pdf/170

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But the wonders of nature do not cease even then, for the winter also has its woodland secrets, many of which are most interesting.

It is a very pleasant pastime to keep a bird calendar and notice each new arrival. This keeps one always on the lookout, and before you know it, you have gained a great deal of knowledge about our little feathered friends.

Most of the common song-birds can be observed in villages or near houses, as the birds seem to consider themselves the friends of man.

For the thrushes and the bobolink one will have to go further afield, but he will be well rewarded for his pains.

An old apple orchard is also a good place to observe birds and there are several species to be found there which do not frequent the village street. Barns and bridges likewise attract swallows and fly-catchers. It is a very easy task to identify seventy-five of the more common species of birds between March first and the middle of May without going far afield.