Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-26
ENEMIES OF THE BIRDS.

tend with in winter The cold which increases their own hunger, also sharp ems the appetites of the creatures which prey upon them. Among these we must of course include the birds of prey, for there is no hour of the day or night but some of them are abroad, hunting for food, be it furred or feath- cred. During the day the hawks swing in broad circles, high above the earth. watching the smaller birds which fit across the snow fields or which gather in flocks among the evergreens. At night the owls pass softly overhead, now stooping on noiseless wing to snatch sleeping crow from his perch now striking a grouse. as she crouches in the snow. r. tS
 It is surprising how destructive even a small bird can be when equipped by Nature for the work of killing. Last winter a Northern shrike came into my garden and played havoc with a flock of tame chickadees which fre- quented our lilac bushes. His hawk. like bill alone proclaimed his trade; his feet looked no more formidable than those of robin. But he killed several of my chickadees before l caught him at 1t; after that he killed no more Swiftly but silently he work ed, in pursuit of single chickadee. The latter seemed to realize his dan- ger fully. and, scolding necessarily, fitted from point to point. followed by the shrike, who paused on branch for a moment after each swoop, and then darted again like lightning. But by and by the chickadees became so excited that he left the cover of the bushes. and flew out across the open. The shrike was after him instantly, and, after some doubling and turning. bore his little victim to the ground and quickly killed him.
 Mink and weasels too are active en. emies of birds in winter. and though they get only those which they are able to seize on the ground. they prop ably destroy 8 good many. They are tireless creatures, coverings consider. able area of country in a day. and find. ing here an exhausted pheasant, there a starving quail and elsewhere . grouse imprisoned beneath the crusted snow. These 1.-the, longbodied ami mals are probably much more destruc. tive to bird life during the nesting season. when sharp eyes and noses may detect the presence of countless fiedgling field sparrows. towhees. bob olinks and others, whose homes are on the ground. Nevertheless. when we follow their footprints In the snow and find blood and punches of feathers on the trails. We know that they are busy in winter as well.
 Foxes, I am inclined to think. do lit- tie harm in winter. To be sure they get an occasional grouse or quail. sometimes under the snow. sometimes above it. Now and then perhaps a fox will dash out into shallow water and get a wild duck. but after all. the num- Der of birds destroyed by foxes In win ter, at least, is comparatively small.
 One of the worst bird enemies of all. at this season. is the domestic eat. Sire trips cautiously and silently through the snow. crouehes low near any flock of birds which may be feed ing on the ground. and springs upor toe first unfortunate which happens to hop too near. She will to this several times in a day. and every day in the week if she gets the chance
 ERNEST HAROLD HAYNES.