VILLAGE BIRDS IN WINTER

Throughout the winter of 1915-16, and more particularly during my threemonths in the hospital at Hayle, from the beginning of December toMarch, I was greatly impressed at the perpetual state of hunger in whichthe birds exist, especially the three commonest species in ourvillage--rook, daw, and starling. Little wonder that the sight of apiece of cheese thrown out on the green field somewhat below my window would bringall these three and many others with a rush from all sides, every oneeager to get a morsel! But the birds that live most in a groove, as itwere, like the rook and starling, and have but one kind of food and oneway of finding it, are always the worst off in winter. These subsist onthe grubs and other minute organisms they are able to pick out of thegrass roots, and are life workers paid by the piece whom must labour hardand incessantly to make enough to keep themselves alive; their winterlife is accordingly in startling contrast to that of the daw--one thatlives on his wits and fares much better and altogether has an easier and moreamusing time.