Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-12-01

since we have learned that in the spring
hey always miyrate Northward by a route
vest of the Allegh,nies, and returned
dong the coast. or Just the opposite.
If YOU ask why they 90 north at all. I
must tell you that these sparrows and
warblers only differ from other birds in
roing farther. Every bird moves more or
less with the seasons, Crows, for exam
pie, are here pretty much all winter, but
not the same individuals; those who build
their nests in our woods are now in Nir-
yinia, and the ones we see to-day are Wis
TORS from Canada. Our autumn birds
went north to find suitable places in which
10 raise their young. \ bird cannot live
anywhere, although we have come to think
it as free rs air. Even the eagle and the
frigate bird. roaming over continents and
oceans. must have u home wherein to
hatch their eggs. The choice Of this home
depends on several things. but upon one
consideration in particular-the Glance of
getting suitable food for its young. For
whatever be the chosen diet of the parents,
the chicks must have their tender worms
md tles-and an astonishing quantity, too
till they are strong enough to gather
their own subsistence. and gradually adopt
the rougher fare of their parents. If the
birds cannot find the necessities of their
home life hele-and only about one bird
in three does-they must 60 On to the high
Cat~kills or the higher AdirondackS. to the
plains about Quebec. or the wllds OF LIB
radOr,t those mysterious mountains south
of Hudson Bay, even to the rCcdy shores
Of lakes close under the Arctic circle, that
have scarcely time to get free from ice be-
fore another winter freezes them IN again.
No explorer has been to such high latl
tud, that lie has not found birds yet near
or the pole in the summer time. But the
Arctic summer is a short one and the adj
vcnturouS Waterfowl that have been con-
sorting with the polar bears are nearly
chased ont by Jack Frost. Then two or
lrcc mi les Join together frr the Journey,
and some bright morning Whirl away from
he icc-clad shores, buoycd up 10y 4 favor
ne wind. Soon they come upon other
friends, and warn them, and that Strange
longing to travel sciZ"> upon all ~ this
increasing army cf messengers sweep, by.
ard " Up and away :" is the cry, rs every
wing is stretched toward the south. After
l time they move more lei>urciy. and the
har,lier winter birds, who don't cure fol
cold weather 50 long as the tall grl>>c-
are not showed under. ln~,r behind
while the old mules of Ill kinds gradually
olt>trip the females and yot;ng. and rrtc
rs a week or 20 ahead of the res. Thus
the luyiiiv''> keep Just in advance of win
ter. rs they also march southwark, flyin1
most by night, and by day picking up {;
| bounjiiul harvest OF berries, rl,ened seeds
lnr,;e and eE-g> of spiders and beetles an'
| flies, and such insects rs thty can capture
BY the last of October about Ill the small
hort winged birds are gone from ON
wood>-somr no further tim Cape MAY
: plnc 10 the ricr-ticldS of Louisiana. al,
some even to the West Indies and Ilondll
ras. Then the tarlv robbins collect il
noisy ilochs and depart, ~ though they
! had dome Us y great favor in staying It
| long: the few last bluchirdS revive THEN
spring notes for a day, and nj night rrlGc
family drift away, tWitterinr gentle fare
We'll, Is they -; Gavin. crows. like hug
! craVon-. draw black lines across the SKY
4 solitary hawk wheels mair>licallv ath
W:trt the uril November sunset: and W,
are alone with the snow birds and til,
! gathering stOrn.-t.iri>fttt (Hlrl.