. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. UTILITY OF BIRDS IN WOODLANDS. 101 in the forest. It is true tliat usually there are fewer birds, both in numbers of species and individuals, in most northern forests than in more open or cultivated lands. This is par- ticularly true of coniferous forests, for such woods harbor fewer insects than deciduous forests, and so furnish a more meager food supply for bi
. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. UTILITY OF BIRDS IN WOODLANDS. 101 in the forest. It is true tliat usually there are fewer birds, both in numbers of species and individuals, in most northern forests than in more open or cultivated lands. This is par- ticularly true of coniferous forests, for such woods harbor fewer insects than deciduous forests, and so furnish a more meager food supply for birds. Those birds that live and breed in the deep woods, however, are especially fitted to destroy the trees' enemies. This care of the trees is kept up throughout the year by the ebb and ilow of the tide of bird life. In the chill days of March and early April, when sunshine and shadow fleck the lingering snow, in silent, leafless woods and along swol- len streams, the lusty Fox Sparrow searches for seeds and for dormant insects,, which only await the warmer sun of April or May to emerge from their hiding places and attack the trees. This Sparrow and its companions, the Tree Sparrow and the. Junoo, soon pass on to the north, making way for the White-throats and Thrushes, which continue the good work, to be followed in their turn by other Thrushes and the Towhees. Birds are not plentiful in the woods in early April, but nevertheless diligent Titmice, Woodpeckers, Jays, Nuthatches, and Kinglets are there and at work. In the warm days of May, when nature has awakened from her long winter's sleep; when the little, light-green oak leaves are just opening; when the bright young Fig- birch leaves decorate, but do not hide, the twigs; when every leaflet vies with the early flowers in beauty, and every branch upholds its grateful offering; when insects which were dormant or sluggish during the earlier days of the year become active, and their swarming offspring appear on b
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