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" : ui if bee pcos : ‘ sf / \ fs j PN Hf SP Nes +: E : Vax; ee foM, AV AAV A LOW iY aw eave So 4 Pee NN ONE Vf, Se Nene . q Mi eet } os , a8, ZN tA = + a - laa ij yj \ Mi i oN \ie DY fe (ost, aoa f Va ae J fs " Fes, > “~\ f--~ I) . > s f ay Mi Nile pH 1 ig Bae Waa F I + , Wwe; NX Fed ; y 3 es / 2 \/3 4 NIN SS ot . fo \ 2 ‘ os : ie opal GN Pe 7 \ Gare Ck € Ce CC CC Pipri, YA AR WY 3 ie On Vol. 6, No. 1, © GARY 1906 = 10¢ » copy, $a yenr. CHAS.K. een. PUBLISHER = eee Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass., as second-class matter, Jan. 16, 1901. 4144-10 LANTERN SLIDES We have listed below as fine a list of slides of birds as have ever been offered. Every one of them is photographed directly from life.. 50 cents each, $5.00 per dozen or finely colored, $1.00 each, $10.00 per dozen. Chippy Family (6 Chipping Spar- Young Field Sparrow. Bluebird Feeding Young. rows). Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Young Bank Swallows. Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrow. P Young Bobolinks Sparrows.) Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. Seven Young Kingfishers. Woodcock on Nest. Nest and Eggs of Bob White. Young Kingfishers. Nest and Eggs of Woodcock American Robin on Nest. Barn Owl. Three Young Woodcock. American Robin Feeding Young., Barn Swallows (pair). Ruffed Grouse on Nest. Five Young Chickadees. Kingbird and Young. Nest and Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. Chickadee at Nestin Bird House. Kingbird and Nest. House Wren (male). Chickadee at Nest in Tree. Young Kingbirds. House Wren (female). Brown Thrasher. Young Goldfinches. Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, Brown Thrasher on Nest. Yellow Warbler and Young. Cedar Waxwing on Nest. Wood Thrush on Nest. Catbird on Nest. American Redstart (male) Feeding Young Wood Thrush. Gila Woodpecker. Young. Pigeon Hawk. Wood Pewee on Nest. American Redstart (female) and Bluebird at Nest Hole. Young Spotted Sandpipers. Nest. Barred Owl. Flicker at Nest Hole. Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Screech Owl. Flicker leaving Nest. Young. Four Young Screech Owls. Young Baltimore Oriole. Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. young, Blue Jays.. Yellow breasted Chats. Red-eyed Vireo on Nest Blue Jays in Nests. Robin Feeding Young. Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. Blue Jay Feeding Young Young Red-wing Blackbirds. Wilson’s Thrushand Nest with Eggs. Loggerhead Shrike. Young Wood Pewee. Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. Phoebe on Nest. : Young Robin. Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. Hairy Woodpecker. Young Green Herons Ovenbird and Nest. Chimney Swift. Young Shrikes. Black and White Warbler on Nest: Four Young Crows. Red-headed Woodpecker. Field Sparrow Feeding Young. Arizona. Jays. Bush-Tit and Nest. Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. Rocky Mountain Jay. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass A POPULAR HANDBOOK OF THE Birds of United States AND CANADA. BY THOMAS NUTTALL. Methods in the Art of Taxidermy By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘Nests and Eggs of North American Birds” 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. A new edition, complete in a single volume. The best and most popular book on the birds of the Northern and Eastern States. The book has hitherto been made only in two volumes, and the price has been $7.50 net. In its new and handier form, it should find a place in every household. ; The illustrations of the birds faithfully rend- ered in colors (the most beautiful plates of the kind since Audubon) form an important feature. $3.00 postpaid. Secure only 8 new sub- | scribers to A. Q. and GET IT FREE. CHAS. K.REED, Worcester, Mass. VS Zi Never before has the Art of Taxidermy had its practical methods and beauties portrayed as we find them interpreted in this work. It is a work of art from cover to cover. Form- erly published at $10. My price $2.50 post- paid, or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass. — LHF 444 44444444444 4444444444444 +4 LEFF HF FF 444+ F 4444 +444 +444 44444444444444444444444444-44 F444 4 4444444444444 $4444444444444 The Latest and the Best BIRD GUIDE PART 2 BY GHESHER: Ac REED) (S: B: Author “North American Birds’ Eggs and editor American Bird Magazine This new pocket Bird Guide is the result of years of study as to the needs of teachers and Nature students, for a convenient and reliable book that would quickly identify any bird that they might see. It not only NAMES THE BIRDS FOR YOU w but tells you about their babits and distribu- tion; in what places to look for them; de- scribes their songs as accurately as they can be given on paper; describes their nests and eggs; and gives COLORED ILLUSTRA- IONS, OF PALES HE eAN Da BiRDS ef }EAST OF THE ROCKIES, beginning «1 ¢ with the Parrots and ending with the Blue- birds. Blank pages in the back of the book allow you to make any additional notes that you wish regarding any of the birds. > It is complete in every respect and is BET- Z TER THAN A HUMAN INSTRUCTOR V a for it knows all the birds and is ready to tell & Za ee at ee time. gee TE A SSS e pictures are drawn and colored from a i PSS @ the bird themselves and are very TRUE TO NATURE; if the female or young differ in plumage from the male, they are shown also. Regardless of price, a bird book cannot be found as complete and with the real value and utility of this one. It can easily be carried in the pocket, measuring but 3 x 5 1-2 inches; it has 220 pages and index; bound in either flexible sock cloth or leather. FINELY PRINTED ON THE BEST PAPER AND PACKED IN A NEAT BOX. CLOTH BOUND 5Oc POSTPAID Five Copies for $2.00. Bound in flexible Leather, 75 cents; five copies, $3.00. WE WANT AGENTS IN EVERY CITY, TOWN AND SCHOOL. GOOD DISCOUNTS. Part 1 will contain the Water and Game Birds and Birds of Prey; the two books will thus give EVERY BIRD EAST OF THE ROCKIES. CHAS. K. REED, Pub. Worcester, Mass. PHATE F444 444444444444 444+44444 444444 444444444444444444-4+4 44444444444444444444444444 For Christmas Gifts, The Perry Pictures 6 to 8 times this size. 5 1-2x8 Awarded Four Gold Medals, ONE CENT EACH for 25 or more. 120 FOR $1.00 Teach the Christmas Story with these Pictures Send 50 cents for Art Subjects, 50 Madonnas, etc.; 50 Life of Christ, etc.; or 50 Children, or 25 cents for any 25. OR $1.00 For Christmas Set of 120 choice pictures, or four 25 cent sets and 20 pictures. Catalogue of 1000 tiny pictures for 2c stamp in December. Order today. A Beautiful Gift Book “THE STORY OF CHRIST” Just Published. 100 full page pictures. The story in Bible language. Intended espec- ially for children and young people, but suitable for all. aso 230 pages. Prices, $1.50, postpaid. Size, 7 x-93. Send 25 cents for Art Booklet, Madonnas, or Scenes in Life of Christ, or Booklet “Children,” or Art Booklet, “Cats.” THE PERRY MAGAZINE Makes a Choice Christmas Gift. Beautifully il- lustrated. Monthly, except July and August. $1.00 per year. SISTINE MADONNA THE PERRY PICTURES CO., Box 413, Malden, Mass. $35.70 for $1.85 A New Unprecedented Combination Offer For new subscribers only. Just see what you get. BindstandsNaburesonesyeats a) ae eee ree eee eee $1.50 Constructive Wisrk= SW orst eee cscn ce ea cee ee ee 1.00 WaldgBirdsrniCityararks=WValltens eee aa anne niaen nt enim 40 16 Photo-Engravings of Typical Forest Trees....................... 80 . Rotall value y.s.)4..5 3s. somes ce eee ee Ree $3.70 You can get all the above for only.................... ++ ccc ceeecee $1.85 Each plate shows the tree, section of the trunk and spray leaves, and at the bottom of each plate is given a description of the tree. These plates are beautifully printed and absolutely perfect in detail. Nature lovers everywhere should have them. Any of the above may be purchased separately at price specified. Don’t delay, remit $1.85 today. You are getting a bargain pure and simple. Money back if not satisfied. A. W. MUMFORD & CO., Publishers, 378 Wabash Ave., Chicago. Established 1887 Learn to Mount Birds, animals fishes, etc. Sports- men, naturalists, teachers, and all outdoor lovers, should know how to properly pres- erve and mount Birds and animals. Rare and beauti- ful specimens are being tak: en every day, and they should be preserved. WE TEACH TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. You can learn from our correspondence course, easily, quickly, right in your own home. Our school is endorsed by all leading taxidermists and the nature magazine. Write TODAY for full particulars, cata— log, and sample copy of the Taxidermy Magazine. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXID- ERMY, 8: K St., Omana, Neb. lilustrated Results in e by Taxidermy 140 Half Tones Representing Hundreds of Specimens A Guide to The Study of Positions Heavy Paper, Cloth Bound PRICE $1.75 Our Specialty Glass Eyes and Naturalists Supplies Frank Blake Webster Co., Taxidermist and Museum HYDE PARK, MASS. 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE PATENTS TrRavDE MARKS DESIGNS CopPpyYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and gesCH pun may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest Breuey for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American. A handsomely illustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co,2e1220=. Hew York Branch Office, 625 F' St., Washington, Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds Animals and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens ; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation for the amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. ™~ CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies {0c. The Flower-lovers. The only publication giving spec- ial attention to the curious and in- teresting facts about our wild flow- ers iS The American Botanist It is written in untechnical lan- guage and is just the thing for those who would like to know about plants without studying botany, especially good for nature-study work. Send for a sample. WILLARD N. CLUTE & CO., BINGHAMTON, N. Y. American Ornithology A Magazine Devoted Entirely to Birds. Published monthly by Cuartes K. Reep, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. Edited by Chester A. Reed, B. S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mezico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies ten cents. Vols. I, II, III, and IV, $1.00 each. SPECIAL.—Vols. I, II, III, IV, V and subscription for 1906, $4.00. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $1.25. Copyright, 1906 by Chas. K. Reed. VOL. VI JANUARY, 1906. NO. 1 We wish all our readers the best of success during the year 1906. May it bring many new admirers for our feathered friends, as well as increase the interest of those that are already devoted to their welfare. 'ThePresident of our country is interested in the protection of our native birds and has caused a number of islands to be made into public reservations for breeding places for wild fowls; let each of us add our mite in the great work. Feed the birds when their natural food is scarce and protect them from their ene- ~ mies, especially when they are nesting. We want to make this magazine just as interesting as we can to all our readers and we ask you all to co-operate with us. A wide-awake person rarely goes into the woods or fields without seeing some interesting phase of bird life; make notes of these and write them up and send them to us for others to read. Of course we are always glad to receive any suggestions as to how we can make any improvement. If you think any special departments would be of interest to the majority of our readers write and tell us so; we shall be pleased to adopt any feasible requests that may be made. Our supplements to be colored have hit a popular chord, and judging by the number received and the quality of the work, our country will not in the future find a lack of competent artists. We received 235 of the Bluebird pictures and many were exceptionally good, so that judging them was a dif- ficult matter. We finally made the following three awards from about 25 of practically equal merit: Ist., Rosemary Hopkins, Cincinnati, O.; 2nd., George Gerald, Rosedale, Toronto; 3rd., Armand R. Tibbitts, Waukesho, Wis. TIIHSOUND GAONIM-ALIHM “AENUe LE 10J ABopoyuIG ued Zeuly 04 jueawaddns “SSBW “Jo}SeDJOAA “Jaysiqng ‘Gaay “Y ‘“SVHD ‘SsoIppy “AGIND GuyIg jo Adoo v aatada1 yova [JIM seq PIG} PUB PUODIS 94} ‘oulzeseW sIy} 0} UONdIDsqns sivad vB UdAIZ 9q [1/4 yyUOW Yo¥e 91injdId pasojod Jsaq ay} UI Spuas OYM aU aU], ‘UdZOP B S}UBD OI 10} Pato[od aq 0} saidod jeuoljIppe pew [1M aM {syidnd sayy Jo JuaTey S14S1}1B BY} 4NO BULIG 0} BUIAJasS se [Jam se Apnys p1iq JO} S}usWaONpUl Waid ale SBUIMEIP asay} yey} Puy] Ssiayovay = “payulid si ainjoid oy} JO}J¥ SYJUOU OM} ONSs! ay} Ul paysijgnd aq JIM }NSe1 ay} puy ‘Yy}UOW BUIMOT]O} B41 JO YJOI ay} UO aSO[D []IM UONedWOD yoeq "jooy ss SWOS SUIpua}}Z asoy} 0} AjuO saziid pieMe []IM aM ‘UaIpTIYD JoouDs suowe Apnjs piiq ul ysas90} UI SuIseaiouI Jo asodind ay} 104 st uonad “WOD SIq} SB “pue Y}JUOW Yd¥A JOJO 0} ainjord Mau ¥v DAIB [IM 9A : "nod JOJ spatq oy} Ajquap! IM yey, 4Yoog ey} “ACIND Auld jo Adod v 10 GNIZVOVW UIA NVOIMAWV 94} 0} uodiiosqns s,1vad ve ‘ao1y ‘ya8 Avw nod pue FOO INO O} [lew puv ‘ydeq BY} UO pua}}e NOA yey} [OOUDs puY ssaip “pe “awieu inoA 9}1M “no a4njoId ay} ynd ‘ayqissod sv ayse} oINSTIAE yonur se yyM pue Ajeinjeu se ysnf SqQYIG ASHHL YO1OD ce a a enn eo hee Ti 4 oe mk oe & a Sane A PAROQUET. AROLIN C AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 3 A.O. U. No. 382. (Conurus carolinensis.) Since the Mexican Thick-billed Parrot is only occasionally found over the United States border in Southern Arizona, the Carolina Paroquet may be regarded as the only true representative of the Parrot family in our coun- try. Paroquets are usually smaller and more gracefully formed birds than are the Parrots. They are all tropical, and nearly all brilliant in plumage, their feathers combining the greens, reds, blues, and yellows to harmonize with the tropical foliage. So well does their plumage agree with their sur- roundings that, were it not for their harsh voices, which always betray them, it would be difficult to locate them. Our paroquets are beautiful creatures, slender in form, and attractively colored. Adults have the fore part of the head an intense orange red, but the heads of the young birds are a more or less bright greenish yellow; in length they range from 16 tol7 inches. Years ago, Carolina Paroquets were commonly found in all our southern states, and in some localities they were very abundant, flocks containing a hundred or more individuals being frequently seen. Since the advent of civilized man and with the advance of civilization, their numbers have’ stead- ily decreased until at the present day they are upon the verge of becoming extinct, and the next few years will see the passing away of the last of the - few remaining birds, without our being able in any way to stay their de- struction. Their passing is a sad one and, in many respects, may be likened to that of the Great Auk, the Passenger Pigeon, and the Bison. The greatest factor in their decline is the inroad that progress has made into heir chosen dwelling places. Their boundaries have been gradually narzowed and pushed steadily southward until the few remaining birds are ty be found in the inaccessible swamps of middle and southern Florida. As late as 1860 they were regarded as abundant in some sections of the South, and even in 1890 flocks of from fifty to one hundred individuals were not uncommon. Besides eating the seeds of various plants and trees, they were fond of oranges, bananas and other cultivated fruits, as well as many grains. For this reason they were in ill-repute with the farmers, who always im- proved an opportunity to kill them. They were often caught and sold for cage birds and many of them perished in this way, their habits rendering their capture alive an easy matter. Their notes are loud, harsh and discordant, like those of all parrots; soon after rising in the morning and just before going to roost at night, and at all times when in flight, their incessant clatter and chatter proclaims their presence. Their flight is quite rapid, sometimes resembling that of 4 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. the smaller hawks and again being undulatory like that of the woodpeckers. They sometimes feed upon the ground, but they are very awkward walkers. When feeding upon buds or seeds at the ends of the slenderest twigs, they are the embodiment of grace, and are as likely to be seen hanging upside down as in the regulation manner. Like all parrots they make free use of their bill to aid them in clambering from one position to another. Their manner of nidification is still a matter of doubt and it is very possi- ble that they may go out of existence without anyone obtaining an authentic set of their eggs. It is generally believed that they nest in cavities of trees and that they lay two or three eggs. It has been claimed that they nest in colonies and make shabby structures on horizontal branches, but this belief lacks absolute confirmation, although it might be true if there were a scarcity of hollow limbs for them to occupy. The National Museum has sets of eggs purporting to be those of this bird, but the datas are not sufficiently ac- curate to prove their genuineness. Mr. Robert Ridgeway has obtained eggs from birds in captivity, so that it is known that the eggs are white in color like those of other parrots; the surface of the shells is pitted somewhat, like that of the shell of an ostrich egg, but much less noticeable. As night approaches all the birds in the neighborhood retire to the com- mon roosting place; this is usually in the heart of some large decaying tree in the:depths of a swamp. ‘They are said to sleep partially suspended by their strong hooked bills, from the inner walls of the cavity. As they al- ways returned to the same tree every night, this habit was taken advantage of in catching them alive, a man going to the place before dark, and after the birds had all entered the tree, placing a bag over the opening, thus tak- ing the whole colony. It is very doubtful if any means of protection can be devised to preserve this interesting species. They are too far gone, and we must sit idly by and watch these birds that once were common as far north as Virginia and Mis- souri, pass out of existence. A TRUE STORY, Concerning Some Foreigners. , By C. Epwin Hopkins. A number of foreigners had taken apartments upon the eaves and cornices surrounding a beautiful lawn which, by the way, was a very good feeding ground. Now, these foreigners had used these feeding grounds for many years, during rain and sunshine, winter and summer. One fine morning early in the month of March, a gentleman, Mr. Robin, by name, who had been spending the winter in the southern states, arrived in the neighborhood, and being impressed by the beauty of the place, decided AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. [ * 189}U0D GOGT ‘T SSID Ul OZIIq IST JO JouUTA\ ] ‘ONOOX UAPT ONIawaUg AVEC FATT WUUIS WM Aq oF] WoT OJo4g 6 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. to reside there for the summer. Naturally, these same feeding grounds fell under his observant eye and with quick decision he determined to make! them his own. But what of the foreigners who had made the locality their per- manent residence, could they be imposed upon by summer boarders? Not if they had anything to say. So an envoy was sent to inform Mr. Robin to keep away, but he was received with a look of scorn. One whole day passed and when the morning dawned bright and clear two robust Sparrows were sent to meet Mr. Robin and give him battle. Mr. Robin “came, saw and conquered.” Now, I should judge by the noise and chatter in Sparrowdom that a council of war was taking place, shortly after the contest which left the field in possession of Mr. Robin. Another day passed and again the morning dawned peacefully and quietly. Even Sparrowdom was quiet, but it was only the calm before the storm, for all the men, or rather Sparrows, in ~ the entire colony had been mobilized. The hour for Mr. Robin’s appear- ance was at hand and across the lawn he came, sailing proudly. Immediately the brown hordes swept down from the eaves with a cry equaling the “Rebel Yell,’ and Mr. Robin found himself encircled by a tribe of screeching say- ages. First he dashed at one group, then at another, but as soon as his back was turned, those at his rear closed in upon him making feathers fly. Mr. Robin now decided to quit such an unequal contest, so he attempted to with- draw by flying upward, but quicker than words can tell, the encircling Sparrows made a like move and darted down upon him from above forcing Mr. Robin to the ground. Then the besiegers took up their former position and so the contest continued. Mr. Robin was allowed to retire, conquered, when the little brown and gray birds were tired out. THE BLUE-JAY, The Blue-jay has always been a favorite with me, both for his beautiful plumage and because I find him full of surprises. Who knows the limit of his repertoire? and who outside the bird lover has heard him sing? He who follows the Jay through the year must add many interesting pages to his journal A companion and I were returning from a long bird walk, our path skirting a large swamp, the day. nearly spent, and the calm of a spring Sabbath evening pervading the air, when from the swamp came a low clear song, which rooted us in our tracks. Neither of us knew the song, nor would we have believed it could come from a Jay, had we not seen the bird a mo- ment later and heard the song a second time, while we watched the singer through our glasses. Another time, in the same place, we saw one seemingly trying to get some- AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. a thing out of his throat, going through all sorts of antics, emitting a gurgling note, and apparently enjoying the whole performance. Why, who has not been fooled, thinking a Red-shouldered Hawk was circling above, and after looking in vain, seeing our blue friend go flying away, screaming “Jay! Jay!” I began to pride myself that I knew the Jay’s notes, when with a company of bird lovers, we heard a note, clear as the stroke of a bell, and which no one knew, until the owner of the place told us it was the “bell note of the Jay,” and often heard there, yet I had not heard it before, nor have I since, a matter which offers a field of inquiry. So, too, the Jay’s nesting habits were a surprise, for I had keen told of the Jay’s leaving their nests because of one’s looking into them while containing eggs, yet my experience has been they are most easily tamed—else I must have known ex- ceptional birds. ; Photo from life by R. H. Beebe. , Biure-Jay on NEst. 8 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by C. A. Reed Youne Jays. The Jay, whose picture is shown, allowed me to place my camera within six feet of her nest the second time I visited her, without concealment of any sort, and would return as soon as I went away and allowed me to take her picture if I did it by a string led behind a fence. Gradually I moved the. camera until I had it as near as the lens would work, less than three feet from her nest, and I wondered at the mother love that brought her back to her babies with that great (to her) red and black object staring into her nest, and so very close. Yet more, she allowed me to come up to the camera and make a bulb exposure, though her eye sparkled and it was clear that mother love and fear were working hard for mastery. The shutter clicked, yet she did not fly and remained while I changed the plate and reset the shutter, and wishing to see how far I could go, I reached out and touched the limb against which her nest was built, and made the ex- posure with the other hand. Neither did she leave now and I took down the camera and left her with her babies, richer in the memories of one of nature’s secrets, and happy that I could transform part of that home scene to paper so that others might get a glimpse of this brave bird, who was willing to risk death that she might protect her young, and trust it will induce someone to say a kindly word for this beautiful bird that is so often persecuted. Wizzsur F. Smiru. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. a CHICKADEE. THE TAMING OF BIRDS. By Samuret Dowsr Rossins. My home is so situated that I am afforded an unusual opportunity to study bird life from my window. As almost everyone knows, it-has been very hard the past winter for the birds to find enough food to keep them alive. About fifteen feet from my study window is a large tree upon which a plentiful supply of food has been kept. Here the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Blue-jays, and Chick- adees have fed all the winter. The Juncos came to eat the crumbs I scat- tered for them at the foot of the tree, while the gray and red squirrels made themselves a nuisance to the birds by greedily devouring their food. In vain I have tried to keep the squirrels away from the birds; they were as hungry as the birds, and would eat as much suet in an hour as all the birds would together in a week. Now, that the snow has gone, the squirrels do not touch the bird’s food, much to my delight, as well as the birds.’ After feeding the birds on this tree for over a month, it was suggested to me that I put crumbs on my window-sill for the Chickadees. I gladly made the experiment which proved successful. Chickadees and Red and White- breasted Nuthatches came to the window sill with but little fear to get the crumbs I took pains to keep plentiful there. A window-sill is by no means an easy place for a bird to get to, and it would have been almost impossible for the birds to get there at all, had it not been for a number of wires which - met under the window to ring a bell. The birds soon learned that the wire was the most convenient way to get their food. Within a week, the Chick- 10 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. adees got to the window-sill in a very graceful manner, while the Red- breasted Nuthatches came with but little difficulty. The White-breasted Nut- hatches were very awkward. At first they flew directly from the tree to the window-sill, always landing on their breast, and hitting their head against the window. They tried more experiments, and ended in flying against the the window pane several times. While the Nuthatches are slow to invent, they are very quick to learn from other birds. They watched the Chicka- dees, and learned from them that the wire was the best way for them to get to the window. They tried this, but were so clumsy they could not hold on to the wire. Instead of grasping it tightly with their toes as all other birds do, they curl the part of the foot which would correspond to the wrist of a human being around the wire. Of course they could not hold on by this method without many failures, so they took several somersaults off the wire, landing five feet below, and righting themselves again. After nearly a month of practice, they succeeded in getting to the window-sill by going to one corner where the two wires met, and hopping from there to the win- dow-sill. When one got a piece of food that was too large to swallow, he would take it to a neighboring tree where he drove it between the bark and pecked small pieces from it until he had it all eaten. His relative, the Red- breasted Nuthatch is more graceful and could be better compared with the Chickadees, to which he also is related. The Red-breasted Nuthatch came to the window-sill without any trouble, was graceful on the wire, and could stand up nearly as straight on his legs on the window-sill as the Chickadees could. FEARLEss BUT HUNGRY. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 11 The birds soon made themselves at home on the window-sill, but were afraid of me at first, even when the window was closed. After I felt sure they did not mind me, when I was reasonably quiet behind the closed window, I thought it would be interesting to see whether they would be frightened away if the window was open. I started by leaving it open a little way while I was out of the room, in this way, letting the birds know that the warm air was harmless. After giving them time to get used to this, I stayed near the partly opened window while the birds came and went. At first they were much afraid, but they soon decided that I would not hurt them. One morn- ing I went away, leaving my study window open, and at the same time carelessly leaving some choice crumbs on a table near the window. A pair of Chickadees, seeing the doughnut crumbs, flew into the room, and then forgot how to make their escape. They were found beating against the glass with their bills open. The poor little things were helped to escape. I opened the window a little more every day until the birds learned not to mind me when it was open quite wide, although the Chickadees were but little afraid. The White-breasted Nuthatches have never come to the window-sill without fear while I was near. es — os ee eee enea ee sie: Ss SSS ad A NutuHatcH. One bitter cold morning, when the birds were very hungry, I put no food out, but kept a careful watch for the first arrival for his breakfast. When I saw a Chickadee, I put some crumbs into my hand, opened the window a little and quietly laid my hand flat upon the window-sill and waited. The Chickadee came cautiously until he got to the wire right in front of my hand. 12 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. He turned back several times, but became bolder. At length he reached for- ward and pecked my hand with all his might. He found my hand was harm- less so he reached forward from the wire and picked up some crumbs. He grew bolder each day until he hopped into my hand and ate the crumbs there. Other Chickadees followed his example and a Red-breasted Nuthatch soon plucked up courage enough to come too. This Red-breasted Nuthatch came to my hand but four times, three times reaching over from the window- sill to get a large crumb to fly away with, and once coming to my hand while it was held in mid air, staying there while he ate many crumbs. A month later I photographed a Chickadee on my hand; the result may be seen in the accompanying picture. Having learned through experience that the birds preferred doughnut crumbs to all others, I always placed doughnut crumbs on my hand, never giving them to the birds from any other place. As the squirrels chased so many birds from the trees, I tried to think of some way by which I could feed the birds where the squirrels would not be able to bother them. I made a board platform, with a narrow side all around and inserted a wire in each of the four corners, which I joined to a single wire at the top. By means of a pulley, I pulled the platform from my win- dow to the tree. I made a hole in the center in which I put a trough for Downy WoopPECKER. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 13 - water, while I scattered crumbs, nuts, squash seeds and suet around the edges. The birds soon learned that the squirels could not trouble then on the “restaurant,” as we called it, so they came there to eat without fear. They showed a decided preference for the shag-bark nuts, which I cracked for them, but were also fond of squash seeds. _ The Woodpeckers amused me very much by their peculiar habit of hop- ping up the tree, and, especially, in the way they backed down to the suet. They would fly to the tree, alight some distance above the suet, and back down by short hops to the place where a good breakfast awaited them. They sometimes stay immovable near the suet for nearly ten minutes. The Nut- hatches also do this; one fell into this peculiar sleep upon my. window-sill while I opened the window and touched him. It is peculiar how well the birds can tell time. They come at about the same time for weeks in succession to get their meals. Now that the cold weather is over, the birds do not come so often. They have not eaten out of my hand since the middle of April. I shall keep a small supply of food upon the restaurant all the year round, so that the birds may be sure of something, whenever their natural supply fails, as it often does, after several days of rain. I hope the birds will be as tame next win- ter as they were this and I shall do my best to see that they are well fed. Tue ResTAuRANT. 14 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. A CHRISTMAS RAMBLE, (UNSIGNED. ) I passed the Christmas holidays at my home at Greenport, Long Island, and I took the time on Christmas morning to once more wander over the fields and through the woods, which were so familiar to me a few years ago. The weather was threatening rain, but I did not wish to miss the trip, so I prepared for wet weather, and started about 8:30 a. m., with note book and field glass. The day was hardly an ideal one for seeing birds, but the fol- lowing will show that I was not entirely unsuccessful. I had gone but a short distance, after leaving the house, when from above me came the “‘pick, pick, pick,” of a Woodpecker. Looking up, I discovered two hairy woodpeckers on an upper limb. Certainly this was a good begin- ning. Soon after I passed by a long hedge of cedar trees I heard the familiar notes of that fluffy little bunch of feathers, the Chickadee. There were some ten or twelve of them, all having a great time among the branches. As I walked out into the open country road, a number of hoarse “caw caws,” told me that all the crows were not dead yet, for across the field were a number of them in a patch of woods. Here I left the road, and passing through the woods amid loud protests from the above mentioned crows, I came out upon the high bluff which extends all along the southern shores of Long Island Sound. I had not seen the Sound for some time, so I stop- ped to watch the waves roll up and break into foam on the beach. While I stood there a flock of Black Ducks went by, and after looking more closely I found several other flocks of both Old Squaw and Black Ducks, some float- ing on the water and others flying along just above the waves. Besides the ducks there were a number of Herring Gulls circling about. A fine mist had now commenced to blow in from the northwest, so I de- cided to move. I followed the path of the life-saving patrol along the bluff for about two miles. In many places the path led me through sumac and bay bushes. In one of these spots were a number of Song Sparrows, evident- ly determined to stick it out all winter. They were so quiet that I hardly recognized them for the vivacious little songsters of spring and early sum- mer. Numerous Chickadees, also, were there, either feeding on the bay ber- ries or nervously hopping from branch to branch, while all along the bluff I heard the cheerful twitter of numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers. These last named birds, although their usual winter home is much farther south, are always to be found along the sound in winter and, in fact, are quite com- mon around Greenport at that season. They seem to enjoy the cold weather for I have seen them often when the thermometer was blow zero, and the zero weather in the damp atmosphere of Eastern Long Island is as cold as twenty degrees inland. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 15 About 10:30 I reached the Rocky Point Life Saving Station. The mist had settled into a driving rain. It did not seem to “‘fease” the birds at all though for there were still numbers of Ducks and Gulls on the water, and as I walked around the building I saw Chickadees, Warblers and a Nut- hatch. Behind the buildings was a flock of about twenty Goldfinches feed- ing on some last year’s seeds. On my approach they left the seeds and scat- tered across the field with swift undulating flight. Near the fence, in a pile of brush, was a Winter Wren and a number of Song Sparrows. I turned toward the cedar woods, which come almost to the station on the west and came upon about thirty Lesser Redpolls. These birds were scatter- ed through the tops of two oak trees which stood at the edge of the cedars. I watched them a few minutes, when, as if with a sudden impulse, they arose and disappeared over the woods. Entering the cedars I found myself in a small wilderness of trees, bushes and cat briars. For some time I went on in silence save for the rattle of the rain on the dead leaves and when a startled rabbit scurried out of my way. Not even a Chickadee was to be found. At length, more or less scratched and torn by briars, I came upon a muddy lane, which seemed to lead toward civilization. I followed and soon left the woods behind. Suddenly from across the fields came the clear whistling call of a Meadow Lark. I stop- ped and listened. It came again and again. At length I saw him on the top of a fence post some distance off. A short distance farther the lane skirted the woods again and there among the bushes along the fence were thirty or forty Juncos and a few more Warblers. The lane ended in a barnyard. and just before I reached it I was startled by a loud whirring from a pine tree just ahead. I looked up quickly and was just in time to catch a glimpse of a flicker as it disappeared in the woods. I passed quickly through the yard out on to the road. In a maple across was a lone Robin, wet and be- dragled, looking sorry enough. I had almost given up hopes of seeing any robins for there are usually a few around almost any time in winter. One year I found over one hundred in a dense grove of cedars and pine, on the 2ist of January.. ; It was now after twelve o’clock and pretty well soaked by the rain, I had the good fortune to meet a friend with a covered rig, so I reached home in a short time without seeing any other birds. I did, however, see one other a little later, the Christmas turkey, for which I was just in time. A THRASHER‘S NEST, As a rule now, I believe, the Brown Thrashers have learned to build their nests in low shrubs or trees, instead of on the ground, as used to be the cus- 16 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. tom with that branch of the Thrasher family, before the “fatal multiplica- tion of cats.” But just behind a plain little white country school house in a thicket of young poplars and alders, near, or rather at the base of an old stump, on the ground, was a Thrasher’s nest with five baby birds in it. When we first discovered the nest we were in great fear lest we disturb the mother bird. But very soon we became very well acquainted. With all the marching and singing by the nest she did not seem to be at all afraid and appeared to enj oy it quite as much as anyone. With head tipped to one side, she seemed to be listening very attentively. At every opportunity we watched the birds very closely. One noon, as we ‘were at lunch near by, we threw some crumbs near the nest, hoping she would ‘come out and pick them up. And sure enough, out she hopped, and took them! But she ate them herself! Finally, I suppose because she found them all right, she took a very large piece of bread in her mouth and immediately dropped it into one of the small bird’s mouths. It being so large, only served as a prop to keep the little fellow’s mouth open. In a few seconds she took it out and dropped it into another mouth and ended by eating it herself. Photo from life by C. A. Smith. Brown THRASHER ON NEST. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 17 Upon finding her fondness for crumbs, we all gathered around the nest and tried feeding her. She seemed to understand that we would not hurt her, for as soon as we offered to feed her she did not hesitate in taking the crumbs or insects. A few minutes after we succeeded in stroking her back and. breast. It was very funny to see the little birds’ heads appear from all directions as soon as a crumb thrown would strike the nest. Like all young birds, of course, they were just as hungry when the mother was through feeding them as before, and were we to keep them in food it would take us the greater part of our time. We grew to be so friendly with our family that we wanted a photograph of it, so a photographer was engaged to come up in a few days. At last the day came, and out to the nest we all went, camera and all. And oh! such a disappointment was in store for us. Not a single occupant. was there in the nest. A very much crestfallen party, we started back for the school house, when one of the children shouted, “Here’s one of the babies.’”’ We were de- lighted to find that small part of the family. So we tried to capture him, but not before two very angry Brown Thrashers were flying about us danger- ously near. We caught him finally and decided to take his picture. I never saw a more unwilling subject. He insisted on falling from the shrub where we placed him, every time the camera was ready to “snap.” At last when we found that way would never do, I held the little fellow in my hand. We got a picture, but not a very successful one probably. If one really wants to become acquainted with a very friendly family of birds, I would suggest the Thrashers. They are very interesting in their ways and will afford much pleasure to any real lover of birds. Jets das 183. SOME INTERESTING HOMES. By H. H. Dunn. Birds are so plentiful in California that we do not take more than passing notice at least of the more common kinds. This year, however, I was espe- cially interested in a pair of Quail, which nested in a large field, not far from my home in Los Angeles. The field had not been touched with a plow for several years, and this season it was not even used for cattle pasture, so it became the home of countless Linnets, Sparrows, Horned Larks and other sround-nesters, as well as this one pair of Quail. Where they came from I do not know, for it is some six miles back to the oak-lined canyons, where these birds are usually found. However, the owner of the lot protected them from wandering boys and “Sunday hunters,’ who are the banes of our 18 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. birds, and they made their nest in the rank grass at the base of an old stump, squarely in the middle of the pasture. Here they layed 14 eggs and the photo shows you the nest on the day the last egg was laid. Sometimes the Valley Quail will weave an arch of grass blades over her nest as does the Bob-white, but not often, and in this case the ornamentation was entirely omitted, so that when Mother Quail left the nest the eggs were quite ex- posed. Nothing happened to them, however, and all fourteen hatched. Two met an untimely end, but the remaining twelve and two parent birds are still to be seen and heard around the place. Probably they will re- main there and two or three pairs of them nest in the surrounding fields next season. ij i i Photo by H. H. Dunn Nest oF VAauttey PARTRIDGE. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ey LO a Another nest I found a season or two ago, down in the lowlands between this city and the beach contained five snow-white eggs, and was the home of a Short-eared Owl, quite a rare bird in California. When I found the nest the old birds were at home—the female on the nest, the male sitting in the tall grass, close by. Unfortunately, someone found the nest shortly after I did and robbed it of its treasures, for when I went back to photograph the young birds, three weeks later, there was not even a scrap of a broken shell in the nest and the old birds were gone. This nest was flat on the ground, the eggs merely laid on a mat of marsh grass, with a little rim of broken grass stems around it. I think it was an abandoned nest of some one of the rail tribe, though it may have been made by the owls themselves. These owls do an immense amount of good for the farmers of this section and I regret very much the destruction of this one family. ; The other photo I present is of a cave-cut cliff, wherein not one pair, but a colony of Pacific Horned Owls have nested for years. Photo by A. H. Bradford . Nestine Puace or Paciric Hornep Owt. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by H. H. Dunn Nest or SHORT-EARED OWL. THE “SNOWBIRD," Harry B. Tierney. CHILD: “Little bird, Have you heard From the King of Snow? From his palace in the sky, Where he dwells alone on high, Does he mean us joy or harm, When he sends the snow and storm? Is there wisdom in my tears, Is there reason in my fears, Tell me, Little bird.” SNoW-BIRD: ne “As you know, Birds of snow Love the old Snow King. 4 ; ‘ 4 4 4 | V4 14 4 4 4 4 ‘ ‘ 4 ‘ 4 4 1 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 In the snow storm we delight, Messages we bear each night, SSS = When the snow is falling fast, —e se When the robin’s day is past, From our Master, kind old man, And his happiness we plan, Fear not, He loves man.” Lc OO he 4 ett a OO EE PO Eos? 22 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. MN Se I — = FOUR ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO MEG MERRYTHOUGHT 156 WATERVILLE ST., WATERBURY, OT. My Dear Youne Foixs:— This is a great country of ours. I began to write something about the birds which are swinging on the weed stalks above the snow banks, cheerily calling a “Happy New Year to you,” in spite of the sharp pinches which Jack Frost is giving them, then I was reminded that some of our young folks are at that moment listeneing to the Mocking Birds and watching the sallies of the Loggerhead Shrike, as he darts after his prey. It reminds me again of Longfellow’s lines, “Tis always morning somewhere, and above the awak- ening continents, from shore to shore, somewhere the birds are singing evermore.” But wherever this may find you—in New England’s crisp, bracing winter air, or among roses and sweet singers in warm lands, we send you each one the same greetings-—Best wishes to every one of our boys and girls for a Happy New Year. Cordially your friend, Mra MerryeHouGHt. A BARRELFUL oF TROGLODYTES AEDON. In a certain oak, but a stone’s throw from the veranda, Jack nailed a tiny brown barrel but eight inches in diameter. In the head of the barrel was a bung hole not quite as large as a silver quarter, which you found in the toe of your stocking on Christmas morning. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 23 Jack waited, and waited, till finally upon one May morning, Sir Christo- phr Wren and his wee wife, Jenny, came to town; they were looking for a rent, and when they saw the barrel in the oak they decided that nothing could suit them better and at once proceeded to engage summer apartments. With an unlimited amount of chattering, the furnishing was begun. Twigs, hay, feathers were carried in. Over and over again did Jenny attempt to enter with a stick so long that it was forced from her bill to the ground below by the lintels of the small doorway. The English Sparrows made many an assault upon them, but once within the house, the Wrens were safe, and uttered cries of defiance against the foreign intruders. In the course of time the nest was completed, and patiently Jenny sat upon seven thickly speckled eggs—-all through incubation and until the little ones went out into the world to seek their fortunes. Sir Christopher sang a merry roundelay, and the yard seemed very lonely and quiet when our nine diminutive neighbors flew away, hundreds of miles to a winter home. That was a year ago. With the return of spring, back came our jolly brown couple. Meantime winter rains and Jack Frost’s freezes had warped the round house in the oak. The head of the barrel, which was next to the tree trunk had sprung away, leaving a gap of nearly an inch at the rear. Would Jenny and Chris approve of such quarters? They spent several days arguing, scolding and even quarreling over the situation, then disappeared, no doubt to search for a more up-to-date residence. But perhaps -desirable rents were scarce, or the love of the old homestead prevailed, for in the course of a week, to Jack’s great delight, they reappeared, and the story of the previous summer was repeated, disproving the tradition that one ray of light would addle the eggs of a wren. The middle of July brought a week of stifling heat, then the wisdom of the Wren’s choice was made evident. With a front door and a back door too, the babies received the benefit of every passing breeze. Father Wren would rush to the garden, seize a plump worm, or insect, return with it to the top of the barrel, and with palpitating wings burst into a paroxysm of song, then slip over the roof to the back door entrance, and pass down the choice morsel to Mother Wren within: with another outburst of song, away he would dash after more food. I would not dare say how many times an hour this performance was repeated. Occasionally Jenny, herself, would venture forth, but she always seemed to choose the circular front door for her exit and entrance. Should Father Wren chance to come before her return home, he would enter the back door, feed the children, and slip through the house out of the front door. He al- ways announced his arrival in an excited burst of song, as if to say, “I'm 24 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. back again! Was there ever such a nimble chap? Here’s the nicest worm yet!’ And upon the reception of his offering, he paused again to repeat a rollicking farewell. Sometime he would stay long enough to display his skill as an acrobat, gliding round, over, under and on top of the little house, defying every law of gravitation, pausing midway in his circuit to sing in an exultant manner. One day an English Sparrow darted down and seized a worm from the Wren’s bill just before he reached the nest, and with the greatest of impu- dence sat upon a branch close by and calmly devoured it. For nearly four weeks the untiring father brought innumerable tidbits to the voluble chatterers within the barrel. One morning they were gone. Will they return next spring? Jack thinks so, for now that the oak is dressed in white in place of its summer robe of green, he is busily plan- ing and hammering and next season there will be an up-to-date house with apartments to rent, securely fastened to the tree trunk, and Jenny and Christopher Wren will make glad again the summer hours for us. ENIGMA. My 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 is now with us. My 2-6-7 is a part of the head. My 4-5-3 is a tree. My 4-2-1 is a small piece of money. My 1-2-6-7 is not far. My 7-6-3 is uncooked. My 3-6-1 is pale. My 4-2 is yourself. My 6-4 is yes. Wuart is My Name? I am dressed in black and white plumage; my back of black bears a broad white stripe down the center. My head is black with nape of scarlet with a wide white line above and below my eye. My wings are spotted with white and my belly is pure white. I am about 9 1-2 inches in length, and lay 5 or 6 white eggs in a hole in a tree. I like the suet which you hung in the tree for me. GLEANINGS. The nest of the red-breasted nuthatch. The bark at their entrance is coated with fir-balsam or pitch from an inch to three or four inches around the hole. In one instance the pitch ex- tended down for twenty-one inches, and was stuck full of the red breast feathers of the Nuthatches. —Daviz. BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY With LUMIERE PLATES MEANS PERFECTION Try the “Sigma” for SPEED and Lantern Slide Plates for FINENESS OF GRAIN AND SNAP LUMIERE NORTH AMERICAN CO. N.Y. OFFICE 11 W. 27ST. WORLD’S Largest Collector’s Paper Have You a Camera or a Hobby? Send ten cents to the undersigned and yuu will re- ‘ceive for three months the oldest, largest and best collectors’ monthly for all kinds of Hobbies; Natural History and American Historical Discoveries; Coins, Stamps, Curios, Relics, Photography, Minerals, Sciences, Illustrated Souvenir Post Cards Rarities, and New Finds for all Kinds of Collectors. Over 15,000 Ads. past two years. THE PHILATELIC WEST AND CAMERA NEWS Superior, Nebraska, U.S.A, Greatest of its kind in the world. Fifty cents entitles you to a year’s subscription and a free fifteen-word exchange notice in the largest exchange department extant. Over 1,600 pages in 1904. This Illustrated 100-page Monthly was established in 1895, and has the largest circula- tion of any collectors’ monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. More ads. in the WEST than in all other American Collector monthlies combined. The best-paying medium for advertisers. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. 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The magazine is finely illustrated with colored photography, and is bright and crispy throughout. The Western Sportsman 268 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instructive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. How to Collect Animal Tracks. A simple, inexpensive method of presery- ing accurately the footprints of birds, mam- mals, ete. Clean, instructive pastime for boys, girls. sportsmen and naturalists. Send two cent stamp for particulars, or $1.00 for complete instructions. J, ALDEN LORING, Owego, N. Y. School Curiosities Just What is Needed in every School for Nature Study. Over fifty Curious and Showy speci- mens at less than one quarter of their list price. These are all good specimens, selected with special care to be of value in study, or for the collector’s cabinet. It contains Sea Urchins, Sea Horse, Horsefoot Crab, Resurrection Plant, Fos- sils, Corals, several varieties Silk Worm Cocoon, Sand Dollar, Star Fish, Saw- fish Saw, Sea Ferns, Sea Fan, Chinese Horned Nut, Shell Paperweight, a good variety of nice shells such as Angel Wings, Pink and Black Murex, Fan Shell, Crown Shell, Spider, Abalone, Spindle Conchs, anda box of small mixed shells, con- taining Olives, Bleeding tooth and such shells to the number of several hundreds. Five dollars will pay for this delivered to you by express or freight. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. North American Land Birds S. F. Baird, T. M. Brewer and R. Ridgway With more than 1000 Illustrations, including Col- ored Frontispieces: 64 full-page plates containing 545 heads of birds, printed in colors, and 593 wood- engravings. 3 Volumes, Large Octavo. Over 1800 pages. Cloth. Gilt Top, in Box. Price, $10. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 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Holland. Fully illustrated by color photography. The illustrations of the moths are natural size and the coloring is perfect. With this book it is easy to identify any moth ata glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4 prepaid. CHAS. K. REED,Worcester, Mass. THIS PAPER frock and Magazine Howse of Ae M. EDDY, Albion, N.Y. TEN ONE CENTS UTDOORS | votes COPY A Magazine of CountryLifle YEAR OUTDOORS is an illustrated monthly magazine of standard size, edited, pictured and printed in the best possible manner. It is a practical and beautiful magazine for all who love the life in the open, the country home, recreation, and every worthy outdoor interest, OUTDOORS is an inspiration and a delight to everybody. OUTDOORS COMPANY 150 FIFTH Ave., New York COLOR KEY TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with upwards of 800 drawings in colors so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least possible difficulty. In no other book has the problem of identification been so simplified. The book is equally useful in any part of the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. North American Birds Eggs By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breeding range of each species; loca- tion and construction of the nest; time of nesting; number, description and variation of eggs laid; with a full sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 3860 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. Both of above books and the American Bird Magazine for one year for $5.00. American Natural History By W. T. HORNADAY. Director of the New York Zoological Park, Author of ‘‘Two Years in the Jungle.” A POPULAR BOOK. Sparkling in style, full of ancedotes, personal exper- iences and observations. In scope and arrangement, scientific. In presenta- tion, non-technical. It isa book for the student, the teacher, and general reader. With 348 illustrations, picturing 375 animals, besides charts and maps. Size of book 10 x 7 inches. Royal 8vo, $3.50 Postpaid. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. The Condor A Magazine of Western Ornithology EDITED BY WALTER K. FISHER For 1905 THE CONDOR has been fortunate in securing cooperation of Mr. William Lovell Finley and Mr. Herman T. Bohlman whose superb photographs of wild birds have never been excelled, and rarely equaled. They will contribute to each issue dur- ing 1905 and the collection of photo- graphs will be notable in the history of ornithology. _ The first article, in the January issue, details the photographing of in aerie of Western Red-tails, and as illustrated by superb photographs, taken in a huge cotton-wood, 120 feet above the ground. Volume VII begins with the January issue and will be better than any pre- ceding volumes. Subscription $1.00 a year. Sample copy, twenty-five cents. Order of JOSEPH GRINNELL, Pasadena, Cal. Mail at tet ttt ta ttt +444 CANOEISTS Send 10 Cents for sample copy of -* CANOEING” + The only publication devoted EXCLUSIVELY to your favorite sport authority on all canoeing mat- ters, and is official organ of the American Canoe Association. _In Canoeing’s pages the pros- pective canoeist finds expert ad- vice on craft and equipment, worth many dollars to him when purchasing his first outfit. Boe. KEYSER, at 5 Beekman St., New York Canoeing is the one recognized i The Journal Of the Maine Ornithological aA JS octety Volume seven will consist of issues the first of March, June, September and December. There will be articles on Maine birds by the leading ornithologists of the state as well as copious bird notes of current interest. Subscription 5O cents a year. W. H. Brownson, Portland, Editor. Frank T. Noble, Augusta, Associate Editor. Address W. H. BROWNSON, 1-2 Exchange St., Portland, Me. THE YOUNG IDEA Normal Clubbing List for 1905-6 OFFERS: The Young Idea with other periodicals as follows: x The Young Idea, School Arts, Popular Educator or Primary Education, 2.00. 2 The Young Idea, School Arts and Garden Mag- azine, $2.00. 3 TheYoungldea(School Arts or Popular Educator), World’s Work or Country Life in America, $3.60. 4 The Young Idea (School of Arts or Popular Educator), Bird Magazine, $2.00. 5 The Young Idea, (School Arts or Popular Educa- tor), Birds and Nature and 10 Plates, $2.50. 6° The Young Idea, with School ae or Popular Educator or Primary Education, $1.3 7 The Young Idea, Holiday Macseine and Boys and Girls, $1.10. 8 The Young Idea, with Holiday Magazine or ‘Boys and Girls, 80c. 9 The Young Idea, The Journalof Geography, $r.65. 10 The Young Idea, American Primary Teacher and Primary Education, $2.00. 1x The Young Idea, Popular Educator and Educa- tion, 53.50. 12 The Young Idea, Popular Educatcr, Journal of Education, $3.25. The Minnie Stee Plan Books, Advanced, Set, $2. Maud Kingsley’ 5 sortine Studies in English, Set $2.80. Primary or We give rates on all the leading Magazines. For Nature Work, Character Study and Travel, we know of nothing better than The Young Idea. JAMES E. HUGHES Melrose Highlands, NATURE BOOKS A Birding on a Broncho, by Florence A. Merriam, Illus...... ...........0.. $5.20 A Bird-Lover in the West, by Olive Thorne Miller..............0ceeeeeeeus 1.25 Birds of Village and Field by Florence A. Merriam, illus.... ........... Jpn 2200 Birds Through An Opera Glass by Florence A. Mertiame muciswasy rere rs 75 Bird: Ways:by Olive: Dhorne Millers en ot cay: pare ener ria ait Aone ee) ea je Everyday Birds:by Bradford Torrey, Wlus-t). . oF toms certs oh. tee cs vcinmiaee 1.00 First Book of Birds by Olive Thorne Miller, illus............ ............. 1.00 Guide to the Birds of New England and Eastern New York by Ralph Hoffmann, TLS caer ep argc TN a Oo, see tela eaQibed raors SR acs King totin okage inp Als alae ee elms ied nae 1.50 net. fe rahock of Birds of the Western United States by Florence Merriam Bailegtalttis” fiat fT Oe Bek tr ota oar ici Me eer cee 3.50 net. In:Nesting- O OD ® © ® @ © ® ® © © © © ® O & <> > © © © & <> 2 © © © © © © © g ye © © ® © Chas. K. Reed, O Oo C8 § FHMOOOOOHOHOOHDOOOOHOOOOO Never before has the Art of Taxidermy had its practical methods and beauties portrayed as we find them interpreted in this work. It is a work of art from cover to cover. My price $2.50 post- paid, or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. Worcester, Mass. volume. States. Form- OXMO@ODODO@ODOODOOGDGS> POOOODOODOPODOGSOPOOO OOOOH © A POPULAR HANDBOOK .OF THE Birds of United States AND CANADA. BY THOMAS NUTTALL. A new edition, complete in a single ~ The best and most popular book on the birds of the Northern and Eastern The book has hitherto been made only in two volumes, and the price has been $7.50 net. In its new and handier form, it should find a place in every household. The illustrations of the birds faithfully rend- ered in colors (the most beautiful plates of the kind since Audubon) form an important feature. $3.00 postpaid. scribers to A. O. and GET IT FREE. CHAS. K. REED, Secure only 8 new sub- Worcester, Mass. 7 LOTONIN GANMOND-NAGION ‘AJENIga{ 10J ASO[OYYWUIO UBIeUIY 0} juswajddns “"SSEW ‘1o}SADIOAA “Joysiqnd ‘dday “HM “SVHD “sseippy "AGIND AuyIg Jo Adoo eB aatada1 Yd¥A [IM seq Plly} puew puodas ay} feulzesew siy} 0} uoNdiuosqns sivaX eB UdAIS 3q [JIM YJUOW Yove a1nzd1d pas0jOd }Sseq BY} Ul Spuss OYM duo BU "UdZOP B S}UID OI 10} Palojod aq 0} saidoo jeuolpppe jew [IM aM ‘siidnd 4194} Jo ug]ey IISIVAB 9Y}. JNO BULIG 0} BUIAJaS SB [Jam Sv ApN}s PJIq 10} S}UsWeINpUl jva13 o1v SSUIMEIP asa} JEU} PUY Sioyovey ‘pazulid si ainjoid ayy Jajje SYJUOUW OA} aNssI ay} Ul peysiyqnd aq [II }nse1 ay} pue “YyyUOW SUIMO]JOJ BI JO YJOI 9Y} UO asojD ]][IM UOIWWedWOD yYIVq “jOOYDS awos SuIpua}}e ssoyy 0} AjuO seztid preMe [IM 9M “UaIP]IYD [OOS Zuowlw Apnys piiq: ul }sesa}u! SuIsvasUI Jo asodind ay} Joj st uoIqyyed -W0D sIy} se ‘pu YyJUOW YIvA JO]OD 0} aiNyOId MoU B BAIS []IM SAA "noA 10} sprig ay} Ajquapt HIM 3ey} Yooq ay} ‘ACIND Auld jo Adoo v 10 FNIZVOVW CUId NVOIMAWYV 2} 0} UoRdiosqns s,1vad v ‘ae1j ‘Jad Avw nod pure QdyJO INO 0} [lew pu ‘49eq 94} UO pus}}e NOA }eY} [OOYDS PU Ssa1pP -pe ‘awmeu inoA ayiM ‘yno a1nyoId ay} ynd ‘ayqissod se as} dI}SIVIB yonw se yyM puv Ajyeinjeu se ysnf SGUIG ASHHL YOTOO - * 2% abe 3% es ( [4.4 Pha oe ea - ¥ WF : RARE DOOR AD SBA RAED DAR ADDO ROMA OAL OR DAE DAD BRAD RDS D4 The Latest and the Best BIRD GUIDE IN TWO PARTS BY CHE SIP Re AGREED iS: 5: Author “‘North American Birds’ Eggs and editor American Bird Magazine This new pocket Bird Guide is the result of years of study as to the needs of teachers and Nature students, for a convenient and reliable book that would quickly identify any bird that they might see. It not only NAMES THE BIRDS FOR YOU B but tells you about their habits and distribu- tion; in what places to look for them; de- senles their songs as accurately as they can be given on paper; describes their nests and eggs; and gives COLORED ILLUSTRA- TIONS OF EVERY BIRD EAST OF THE ROCKIES. Blank pages in the back of the book allow you to make any additional notes that you wish regarding any of the birds. It is complete in every respect and is BET- TER THAN A HUMAN INSTRUCTOR for it knows all the birds and is ready to tell you about them at any time. The pictures are drawn and colored from the bird themselves and are very TRUE TO SS; @® NATURE; if the female or young differ in plumage from the male, they are shown also. Regardless of price, a bird book cannot be found as complete and with the real value and utility of this one. It can easily be carried in the pocket, measuring but 3 x 5 1-2 inches;bound either in flexible sock cloth or leather. FINELY PRINTED ON THE BEST PAPER AND PACKED IN A NEAT BOX. Part { contains Water Birds, Game Birds and Birds of Prey, 230 pages. Bound in sock cloth 50c postpaid; five copies for $2.00. Bound in leather 75c; 5 copies for $3.00. Part 2 contains Land Birds, Song and Insectivorous Birds, 220 pages. Bound in cloth 50c postpaid; five copies for $2.00. Bound in leather 75c; 5 copies for $3.00. WE WANT AGENTS IN EVERY CITY, TOWN AND SCHOOL. GOOD DISCOUNTS. CHAS. K. REED, Pub. Worcester, Mass. THE DOG FANCIER Established 189r A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION The oldest, most popular and most prosperous amateur ‘kennel publication in America Contains each month appropriate reading matter and illustrations of great value to every owner of a dog. ADVERTISERS get excellent-results,,and the rates are very low. Covers the entire United States and Canada, and if he’s got a dog you are pretty sure to reach him through the THE DOG FANCIER. A sample copy will be sent free Subscription price, 50c a year Eugene Glass, Pub., Battle Creek, Mich. THE OOLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Taxider- my. Published by Frank H. Lattin, M. D., Albion, N. Y. The Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar “Bird” Publication in America. The best exchange and want columns. Question and answer columns open to Collectors and Students in every branch of Natural History. An entire year with free 25c. exchange notice cou- pon, only 50c. Sample copy on application. Address, ERNEST H. SHORT, Editor and Manager Chili, N. Y. The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illustrations, Colored Plates which show over a Thousand Species of American Butterflies with all their na- tive beauty and brilliance of coloring. This is a “Popular Guide to a Knowl- edge of the Butterflies of North Amer- ica.” It tells everything about butter- flies, and tells it in a way anybody can understand. Hvery one interested in Butterflies should own this book. Price only $3.00 prepaid. The Moth Book, by W. J. Holland. Fully illustrated by color photography. The illustrations of the moths are nat- ural size and the coloring is perfect. With this book it is easy to identify any moth at a glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 prepaid. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instruc- tive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. How to Collect Animal Tracks. A simple and inexpensive method of preserving accurately the footprints of birds, mamals, et. Clean, instructive pastime for boys, girls, sportsmen and naturalists. Send two cent stamp for particulars, or $1.00 for complete in- structions. J. ALDEN LORING, Owe- go, N. Y. 3 e e i School Curiosities Just What is Needed in Every School for Nature Study. Over fifty curios and Showy speci- mens at less than one-quarter of their list price. These are all good speci- mens, selected with special care to be of value in study, or for the collector’s cabinet. It contains Sea Urchins, Sea Horse, Horsefoot Crab, Resurrection Plant, Fossils, Corals, several varie- ties Silk Worm Cocoon, Sand Dollar, Star Fish, Sawfish Saw, Sea Ferns, Sea Fan, Chinese Horned Nut, Shell Paperweight, a good variety of nice shells such as Angel Wings, Pink and Black Murex, Fan Shell, Crown Shell Spider, Abalone, Spindle Coners, and a box of small mixed shells, containing Olives, Bleeding tooth and such shells to the number of several hundreds. Five dollars will pay for this de- livered to you by express or freight. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Learn to Mount Birds, animals fishes, etc. Sports- men, naturalists, teachers, and all outdoor lovers, should know how to properly pres- erve and mount Birds and animals. Rare and beauti- ful specimens are being tak: en every day, and they should be preserved. ha WE TEACH TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. You can learn from our correspondence course, easily, quickly, right in yourown home. Our school is endorsed by all leading taxidermists and the nature magazine, Write TODAY for full particulars, cata— log, and sample copy of the Taxidermy Magazine. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXID- ERMY, 8z K St., Omana, Neb. lilustrated Results in Taxidermy 140 Half Tones Representing Hundreds of Specimens A Guide to The Study of Positions Heavy Paper, Cloth Bound PRICE $1.75 Our Specialty Glass Eyes and Naturalists Supplies Frank Blake Webster Co., Taxidermist and Museum HYDE PARK, Wanted ‘MASS. A copy in good condition of “Our Birds in their Haunts” by Langille. Write stating lowest cash or exchange price. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. } 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE TRADE MARKS DESIGNS COPYRIGHTS &Cc. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific Aimericatt, A handsomely illustrated weekly. J.argest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co,2¢+2ro2da. New York Branch Office, 625 Iv St., Washington, Guide to Taxidermy | Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds Animals and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation for the amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. ~ CHAS, K. REED, Worcester, Mass. JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. : Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies 10c. The Flower-lovers. The only publication giving spec- ial attention to the curious and in- teresting facts about our wild flow- ers 1S The American Botanist It is written in untechnical lan- guage and is just the thing for those who would like to know about plants without studying botany, especially good for nature-study work. Send for a sample. WILLARD N. CLUTE &. CO., BINGHAMTON, N. Y. American Ornithology A Magazine Devoted Entirely to Birds. Published monthly by Cuartes K. Ruep, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. Edited by Chester A. Reed, B. S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mezaico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies ten cents. Vols. I, I, iis and V, $1.00 each. SPECIAL.—Vols. I, II, III, IV, V, and subscrip- tion for 1906, $4.00. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $1.25. Copyright, 1906 by Chas. K. Reed. VOL. VI FEBRUARY, 1906. NO. 2 We have made the following awards for coloring the December bird sup- plement: Ist., Courtenay Brandreth, Ossining, N. Y.; 2nd., Nellie Thiel, Renwick, Iowa; 3rd., Margaret Strauss, West Alexander, Pa. A few more were received this month than in the November contest and the average excellence remains about the same. A few showed that the artist was not acquainted with the Redstart and some said that they were colored from descriptions of the birds. Most of these showed how little idea one can get of the appearance of a bird from description unaided by illustrations. In Northern United States it is now the season when we can sit in our homes and build air castles in regard to the things we are going to ac- complish, or possibly short trips that we are going to make, when the birds come back. We hope you will realize all your expectations, and more, and send the results of your observations to American Ornithology. Others will like to know what you are doing and in return will relate their exper- iences. When you see anything unusual or interesting, do not forget that the Bird Magazine furnishes a medium whereby thousands of others may know of it. 2) Tuer GOLDFINCH. Whose wavy flight and cheery whistle Adorn the wastes o’ergrown with thistles; No field so foul with noisome weeds, But there the dainty Goldfinch feeds, And greets with song the fervent rays That flood high noon of August days. —CHAS. C. ABBOTT. 26 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Soe SS SS SS SS SS ae Se Se SS SSS Se SS SS SS Se MSS SS SS SS Se Se Se So ne ee A. O. U. No. 529. (Astragalinus tristis). The common Goldfinch is found throughout the United States and in Canada north to Labrador, Manitoba, and British Columbia. In the Rocky Mountains, from Northern Mexico to British Columbia, Goldfinches are found to average slightly larger than the eastern ones, and in the winter plumage they are paler and with more white on the wings; this variety is called the Western Goldfinch (A. t. pallidus). Still further west, from Lower California north to Washington, Goldfinches are found to be of the same size as the eastern ones, but darker in color and with the white areas as pronounced as in the Western variety; this sub-species is called the California Goldfinch (A. t. salicamans). But wherever they are found and by whatever name they may be called, they are always the same jolly golden-hearted, as well as golden-plumaged fellows, friends of all and enemies of none. They are always associated in my mind with thistles, for, since childhood, I have always delighted in sit- ting on a side hill watching these birds, gleams of sunshine they seem as the suns rays play on their beautiful coats, gathering load after load of light thistle-down to weave into their homes. In Massachusetts, at least, this thistle-down seems to be a staple building material; of perhaps half a hun- dred nests that I have examined, not one has been without it and in many it formed the bulk of the nest. I have often wondered if they deferred their home-building, for they do not nest until July or August, because of their liking for this material or whether it was from some other cause. No other bird habitually breeds so late; I have found Goldfinch nests with eggs after the first of September, and the young were still unable to fly when other birds were migrating. Do you know of any place where a trickling brook winds its way through clumps of alders? That is the place to look for Goldfinch nests, just such a place as you would expect to find Woodcock in the fall, where the ground is soft for “boring.” If you have a sportsman friend, ask him if he knows of any Woodcock “covers; during July and August these places might well be termed Goldfinch “covers.” If the place is small there will probably but one pair nest there, but if it covers considerable ground you may find as many as a dozen pairs nesting in peace and harmony. Their nests are firmly made of the softest material and very securely fastened in a crotch usually out of reach from the ground. A year ago last August I came across one of these nests, the first that I had seen for several AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by R. H. Beebe. Nest ano Eaes or GoLpFINcu. 20 28 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by C. A. Smith. Younc GoLDFINCHES IN NEstT. years, so I was anxious to see if the eggs looked as they used to. The nest was about ten feet from the ground and the alder was very small in diameter, woefully small when my weight was considered. By gathering together two of the neighboring alders with the one containing the nest, I had a founda- tion strong enough to enable me to slowly hitch my way up so that I could peer over the edge of the nest and view the six pale bluish white eggs con- tained therein. The nest was well made, but small even for a Goldfinch; about three weeks later it was filled to overflowing with little birdies, packed so tightly that one would hardly think they could breathe. Happiness personified is expressed in every action and note of the male finches when their mates are sitting upon the nests. With the breaking of AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 29 day each little black-capped head is withdrawn from beneath the feathers where it has reposed in slumber, their bills are pointed skywards, and, after a few musical and expressive “dearies,”’ their throats swell with the sweetest of bird music, rivaling that of the trained Canary. The morning chorus of the Goldfinches is one of the most thrilling of bird melodies and more than repays the loss of a few hours sleep to hear it. Their food consists almost exclusively of seeds of a great variety of weeds and small buds, and is insectivorous only when they are feeding their young, and then only to a small extent. In the fall the males change their bright summer garb and assume a sombre colored coat similar to that of the females; the young are also dressed in the same style. They are not migratory in the latitude of Massachusetts, and large flocks of them roam about the country feeding upon what weeds Photo by R. H. Beebe. YOUNG GOLDFINCHES., 30 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. project above the snow, and being especially fond of sunflower seeds. Many kind hearted persons plant a supply of these flowers so that the birds may have at least a few square meals when their natural food is scarce. In April all the males commence to assume their summer clothes again. At this time of the year large flocks of them may be found feeding upon the buds of birches or other trees, swinging from the slender twigs and singing sweet snatches of song between bites. Every once in awhile one or more of them will make a short detour, bounding off through the air in swinging un- dulations accompanied with their intermittent twitter, both being character- istic of their flight. A WINTER JOY, By JosEPHINE 1... Parsons, Ohio. 3 3} As a most delightful diversion from the monotony of winter days, we have near a convenient window a tree of strange winter fruits and blossoms. Or- dinarily an apple tree in winter is bare and uninteresting, yet our tree is a veritable banquet hall, gay with guests. From the lower limbs of this tree hang pieces of suet, and a lunch basket, and here the birds of winter hold high carnival. At any time of day, may be seen a merry company of feast- ers: little downy Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmice, Chickadees and Nuthatches. Tightly clinging to the balls of fat, they are the sport of the winds, which whirl them gaily as they feast. Titmice are dainty in their light vests, gray coats of chestnut lining, and little monkish hoods from beneath which peep sharp and roguish eyes. The Chickadees—those little balls of cheerfulness —flit light as thistledown. “There is no sorrow in their song, No winter in their year.” Unique of birds is the little Nuthatch. On the tree trunk, he crawls with equal ease, head upward, or downward, and takes his meals regardless alike of laws of gravitation, or of table etiquette. Presently with sharp, stabbing cry arrives a Hairy Woodpecker, and all the tiny birds quickly disappear. This bustler hammers, thrashes, shrieks, gobbles his hurried meal, and is off, just in time to dodge the onslaught of the warlike Blue- -jay—terror of ‘all the lesser birds. One can harldly toler- ate his harsh, tyrannical ways, yet how beautiful he is! Latest and happiest of surprises was the visit of a real Kentucky ‘Cardinal, which stayed only long enough to select a morsel to his liking, then hurried away. His appear- ance confirmed for us the numerous reports that this brilliant bird of south- ern sunshine is becoming resident even in Northern Ohio. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 31 Thus, with little outlay of time or effort we have drawn about us our feathered friends. Surely, any bird lover willing to make the experiment could as easily attract to his door the little winter birds, which are only too glad thus to supplement their often scanty winter larder. WHY I LIKE THE CHICKADEE. When you were a child, if you happened to live in the country, you were told that in order to catch the wild birds all that was necessary was to throw a little salt on their tails. I well remember thinking what an easy thing that would be, so I found a basket, filled it with salt and quietly sneaked off back of the barn, up the old lane to the back pasture. About night fall I came back cross and dis- gusted, but a wiser child. In those boyish days I wanted birds for pets. I did not care to kill, only to handle and to confine. How much greater is the pleasure, when the birds come to you of their own accord! It was a cold winter’s day and the snow was deep, yet I had taken a long walk across the fields and through the woods, reading the stories so plainly printed there. I entered a hemlock thicket in the midst of which was a small clear spot. Among the hemlocks the chickadees were busily engaged. I stopped as is my wont to watch the cheerful little fellows. I extended my hand and stood motionless; at first they did not notice me, then one or two of them flew toward me and quickly returned to the hemlocks. Finally one more bold than his companions actually alighted on my hand, eyed me cu- riously and went briskly about his work, evidently concluding that my hand contained nothing for him. Ever since that day the Chickadee has been my favorite. He has trusted me, and from that time my love for the little chap has been more than ever before. Netson A. JACKSON. Keuka Park, N. Y. THE MOCKING-BIRD, This is a beautiful day in my locality and the birds have been singing all the morning. Among the species of the Thrush family that live and rear their young in my neighborhood is the Mocking-bird. I feel that I must write and tell the readers of this magazine about a pair of these birds that have been carolling in the orchard and garden this sunny day. The peach 32 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. and plum trees are in bloom, and the bees are gathering honey from the frag- rant blossoms. Two Mocking-birds have been chasing one another in and out among the flowering branches, and singing and chirping all the while. These birds sing on the wing and it is indeed pleasing to see them flying here and there playing and singing. Spring is coming and they are showing more life than they did during the winter months. The music of this bird is sweetest to me, although the Wood Thrush sings more tenderly and serenely. The Mocking-birds have been singing more today than during the past days for it is sunnier. Now they chant softly and then they pour forth their whole hearts and souls in the richest of melody. One can listen for hours and then not tire. Their singing cannot be mistaken for that of any other bird. There is a richness and fullness about the notes that will ever charm. I am sure that several pair of them will nest in my orchard this spring. I~ find their nests every year. How I wish every reader of the magazine could come South this spring and hear the Mocking-bird. They will sing now every day unless it is unusually cool and rainy. Perhaps at another time I can write more an account of their nesting habits more fully. CLEMENT S. Bryan, Georgia. A MALDEN (MASS.) BIRD LIST. This is a list of birds which is based upon a four year record of the birds within one hundred yards of my house, which stands in the city, with houses on all sides nearer than a hundred yards‘and with about a twenty foot lawn in front. This list shows what can be seen in an unfavorable place and, therefore, may interest many of the readers who are thus situated in the city: *F lying over. 1. American Herring Gull.* 15. Chimney Swift. 2. Black Duck.* 16. Ruby-throated Humming-bird. 3. Canada Geese.* 17. Kingbird. _ 4. Brant Geese. * (1903). 18. Wood Pewee. 5. Bald EKagle-* (1893). “19. Least Flycatcher. 6. American Sparrow Hawk.* 20. Blue Jay. 7. Sereech Owl. (1889). 21. Common Crow. 8. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 22. Red-winged Blackbird. 9. Black-billed Cuckoo. 23. Baltimore Oriole. 10. Kingfisher.* 24. English Sparrow. 11. Hairy Woodpecker. 25. American Crossbill. 12. Downy Woodpecker. 26. Redpoll Linnet. (1899). 13. Plicker: 27. American Goldfinch. 14. Night Hawk.* 28. White-throated Sparrow. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 30 29. Chipping Sparrow. 47. Pine Warbler. 30. Junco. 48. Oven-bird. 31. Song Sparrow. 49. Water Thrush (Northern). 32. Towhee. 50. Maryland Yellow-throat. 33. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 51. Canadian Warbler. 34. Scarlet Tanager. 52. Redstart. 35. Cedar Waxwing. 53. Cat-bird. 36. Northern Shrike. 54. Brown Thrasher. 37. Red-eyed Vireo. 55. Brown Creeper. 38. Yellow-throated Vireo. 56. White-breasted Nuthatch. 39. Black and White Warbler. 57. Red-breasted Nuthatch. 40. Nashville Warbler. 58. Chickadee. 41. Yellow Warbler. 59. Golden-crowned Kinglet. 42. Myrtle Warbler. 60. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 43. Magnolia Warbler. 61. Olive-backed Thrush. (1902). 44. Chestnut-sided Warbler. 62. Hermit Thrush. 45. Blackpoll Warbler. 63. Robin. 46. Black-throated Green Warbler. 64. Blue-bird. When I have given a date it is to be understood that the bird has been ob- served but once and in the year given. Hoping this may find way into your helpful magazine, I remain, Yours truly, Gorpon Borr WELLMAN, 54 Beltran St., Malden, Mass. THE WOOD THRUSH. In the dark, muggy shades of the woodland, In the celandine and jewelweed lush, Sweetest, surely fairest of music, I hear the voice of the Thrush. “Full of mystery, unsolved, unsolvable, Voicing the infinite promise, Fraught with happiness, joy indissolvable, I hear the voice of the Thrush. In the cool of the morning, the heat of the noon, In the quiet of vesper hush, Unchanged, ever true, all sublime, I hear the voice of the Thrush. Full of love, to mate, to God, Singing of boundless content, Telling of great grief, yet greater joy, _I hear the voice of the Thrush. ==IN., IP. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 34 Photo from life by Alfred J. Meyer. Osprey Lreavine NEst. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 39 BIRDS OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. The Mountain Blue-bird of the Pacific slope in size and habits does not differ in the least from its relatives of Canada and the Atlantic seaboard, but, in his dress, the male differs quite noticeably. Instead of having a brown throat and breast, his throat is as blue as his back, having almost a greenish shade, and the breast and belly are only a little lighter in color, having no approach towards brown. The rest of his dress is the same as that of his eastern cousin. The female is very similar in color to one of the east, but is a little nearer the shade of the Turtle-dove. During the past spring I had an excellent opportunity to observe the con- duct-of a pair of Blue-birds very closely, for they came early and built a nest in a corner of an unfinished porch that had not been ceiled overhead. During the progress of their work they were watched very closely by a favorite house cat that had too much of the native instinct of its race to be broken of it, and after the nest was completed and four eggs were laid, the female was caught and killed. The mate then disappeared, and in preparing to ceil the porch, the nest was taken out, but before the work could be com- pleted, he returned with a second wife, and with much twittering tried to get her to assist in rebuilding the nest. But she seemed to feel that she had been deceived, and said as plainly as looks could say: “You stated to me what was false. You told me there was a nest already built with four eggs in it, while in fact there is nothing.” When she would go off and perch upon some- thing with an air of cold indifference, he would collect materials for the nest, and try to rebuild it. His work was soon stopped, however, by the place be- ing ceiled up. Meanwhile, the female had selected a corner under the raf- ters of another unfinished porch, much like that chosen by her predecessor, and had commenced to build, but this also had to be torn out, and the place shut up. This cut off all suitable places for building about the house, and because of the danger they were in on account of the cat, I almost hoped they would seek some safer locality, but so persistent were they in their search for some place about the house that would answer, that I took com- passion upon them, made a box and put it up in a safe place near where they tried to build the second time. So tame were they that within an hour after the box was in place, they were happily building again, and soon had a nest completed. Four eggs were deposited and in due time four little birds ap- peared. With much watchful care the parents were protected until the young ones were fully fledged, when one sunny morning they flew away to a great cherry orchard, where there was ample shade and an abundance of delicious food. The Jay of the coast country differs even more from his eastern cousin than the Blue-bird. He is larger, much darker in color, and in conduct is 36 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Mar Ma: i \ LATED tl I YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. -AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 37 2.010 2.9, 0 0.b0 00d hee > by Mae Se SO oe SCI SE NE NADL SPSL NSE NE Se Fe ee RESETS EERE CCE TOA EP RETR DUETS PEO EES Sat eet? 2, : favre oi ro oe oo case EOI Photo by S. P. Brownell. Se Young YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. : 2 e ON OIGIIIOOI sratate srelete eye Sar SP Re ep oe ee He ee ee ee HOES 38 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. much like the Crow. With his strong beak he will dig into potato hills, take out young potatoes and carry them away in such quantities that his ravages in some localities, near woodlands, become very annoying to farmers and gardeners, and his visits are looked upon here with about the same suspicion that those of the Crow are by the farmers of New England. But with all his predatory habits he is a very strong, erect, stately and beautiful bird, one that the naturalist never tires of observing. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, A. O. U. No. 402. (Sphyrapicus varius). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are one of our most beautiful woodpeckers. Adult males have a red crown, red throat, and black breast patch; adult fe- males have the red crown but the throat is white; young birds have the head and breast mottled with gray and blackish, the males often showing some red feathers in the crown. Young birds in the second year show ail the stages of plumage between their first dress and that of the adults. At different seasons of the year they are abundant in all sections of the United States east of the plains. They nest in the northern tier of states and in Canada, and south in the mountain ranges as far as North Carolina. From October until April they may be found in the southern half of the United States, usually spending the winte south of the snow line. Their habits are quite different from those of our other common wood- peckers, such as the Downy, Hairy and Red-head. They are quite sluggish in all their actions, fly slowly, and remain clinging to branches or the trunks of trees, motionless for long periods at a time. They are, however, adepts at hiding; they are very rarely found to be timid, but as you ap- proach they will sidle around the branch so as to be on the opposite side, and then remain motionless, knowing that their colors and markings blend well with the tree trunk so that there is little chance of their being seen by a. casual observer. At times they are quite noisy and their squealing “wheeu” is different from the notes of any others of the family. Their homes are made in hollow trees, and range in height from five to fifty feet from the ground. They dig their own holes, and usually select a rather solid limb or tree stub to bore into. The entrance is very round and the walls of the interior are smooth. The hole extends downward about a foot and is unlined save by a few small chips. The first of the four or five eggs that they lay, is usually deposited the latter part of May or early in June, and three weeks later these have been transformed into helpless, squirming youngsters, that in due course of time will attain coats like those of their parents. To acquire the perfect plumage of the adult probably re- AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 39 quires three years. In the fall is the most likely time to meet with these Woodpeckers, for then they are traveling about in bands of from five to seven, the young remaining in company with their parents for several months after they leave their nest. Now we come to the question of the economic value of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I do not wish it understood that I judge the value of a bird in a strictly economic sense, for I consider a beautiful or attractive bird or a good songster to be as welcome a tenant as a gourmand with a large appe- tite for insects. The Sapsucker is so named because he is supposed to, and does to a certain extent, drink the sap of trees, thereby retarding their growth or, as some claim, killing them. Quantities of material has been writ- ten upon this subject but, with very few exceptions, it seems to be based upon hearsay and lacks conclusive evidence. There is no doubt whatever that, at times, they do drink sap, but I very much doubt if they indulge in this prac- tice to an extent that would do any material injury to a tree. In the fall these birds are quite abundant in Massachusetts and I have always taken par- ticular pains to watch these birds at every opportunity, often spending an hour or more following one bird to see just what he was feeding upon, and I have never, during the many years that I have been in the woods, seen one one of them take one drop of sap from any kind of a tree. I have said be- fore that they were sluggish in their movements; they are the greater part of the time, but that does not apply when they are feeding for then they climb about the trunks and branches with as much eagerness as a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker ever did, and they seem to get just as many insects. I have often seen them dash out into the air and catch insects that were flying by, something that I have never seen any other member of the family do. He may be a sapsucker, but I know that he is an insect-eater. Personally I think that they are nearly as much value as insect destroyers as is the Downy, and I am not yet, in view of my experiences, ready to admit that they do any material damage. Most of you have probably noticed apple trees that had rows of holes ex- tending around, or nearly around, the trunk. I was always told, and fre- quently see it in print now, that these were made by Sapsuckers. Perhaps some of them are, but not all. Last fall I watched a Downy busily at work hammering on the trunk of an apple tree. He would pound away for about half a minute steadily in one spot and then hitch sideways about an inch, and repeat the operation; when he had completely encircled the tree, he dropped down about his length and made another ring around the trunk. The marks left on the tree were identical with those that I had supposed were made by the Sapsuckers. The Downy did not appear to find anything to eat, and I concluded that he was doing it in ley or that he wished to sharpen his bill. Whether the Sapsucker is injurious or not we are not sure, but we know that he is handsome, and I should like to see more of them avout our houses, as well as to more often hear their drumming in the woods, for besides being noisy with their voices, they like to play upon a resonant piece of wood w ith their bill. 40 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. THE INCONSTANCY OF MOTHER WREN,. Fine feathers do really make fine birds, according to the ethics of one little brown Wren. Early in the spring a pair of those musical birds selected a lilac bush close to my study window and began to build their summer home. Everything, seemingly, went merry as a marriage bell. Both birds worked upon the nest building and one speckled egg had been laid when one day a village boy possessed himself of an air gun, and anxious to show his prowess as a hunter, went out one morning to war upon the birds. Mr. Benedict Wren was among the victims, but luckily escaped with his life. He had, however, lost the greater part of his beautiful tail. Returning to the lilac tree, he gazed ruefully at his loss and tried in vain to arrange his remaining plumage in such a way as to conceal his lack of feathers. While in the midst of his toilet Mrs. Wren returned to the nest. She eyed her spouse suspiciously, while he evidently tried to tell her of his sad mis- fortune and narrow escape. Presto! what a change! Instead of offering consolation and sympathy, Mother Wren became violently angry and re- fused to accept any attention at all from her dismantled spouse. In vain he tried to appease her anger. He sang his sweetest song, he brought her a delicious worm, but every moment the little dame became more and more ex- ° asperated. At last, in high dudgeon, she flew off to some neighboring bushes and returned not again, leaving her disconsolate spouse, the nest and the one egg to fate. A few days after, I saw not far away, a new nest begun and learned the little bird had taken a new mate. I knew it must be she for on a bough not many feet away sat the forsaken mate, uttering now and then a plaintive chirp, but keeping an ever watchful eye upon his successful rival, who was now so busily attentive to Madam Wren. The nesting went on to completion. A brood of five were reared and a second one of three the same summer. The poor little cast-off did not long repine. In less than a week he re- turned to his favorite perch upon the lilac tree. The tree was then bursting into bloom. He would sit there hour by hour pouring out melody and sweet- ness as if to rival the beauty and fragrance around him. In time the missing plumage was replaced by new feathers. Indeed, his fall coat lacked but little the beauty of his spring attire. Long after the other birds had flown the little Wren kept his sad tryst in the lilac tree. I sometimes feared I should some morning find him frozen stiff on his perch, but one November morning I missed him and I thought I had seen the last of my little friend, but lo! early one morning the following March, just a few days after I had heard the Blue-birds and Robins for the first time, I heard a sweet warble in the old lilac bush. Looking out I recognized my old friend of last sum- AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 41 mer. I whistled and he replied with a soft twitter, as he had the season before. On a branch a few feet from him sat a demure little mate, preening her feathers, whom the dauntless cavalier had found somewhere in the sunny Southland, or had met on his journey thither. Early in April they began to repair the forsaken nest of last year, brooded and reared their young un- molested and with no mishap. As I look from my window a sunny morning I often wonder if some bright spring morning I shall hear again the merry notes of my little brown friend. Bertiz M. Puiiuies, Oxford, Maine. TWO BIRDS AND A GARDEN. Ten evergreens in a row, heavy of figure and foliage, deep and green in the brightest sunlight. Place given to shrubberies, flower beds, with inter- vening spaces of lawn—the garden wall, and beyond the usual surroundings of a rural neighborhood. This is my garden. You may watch for a month amid the forest, or even in the cheerful and well liked meadow resorts, and not see, nor hear, as many small birds as may be noted in a day from our open window overlooking a quarter of an acre with the furnishings just described. The Chickadee’s unchanging note, sounding out of the midst of a Febru- ary snowstorm, the eerie voice of a stray Whip-poor-will, heard in the soft darkness of a June night; the Meadow-larks long drawn note of chronic de- spondency coming for the most part from the fields beyond the garden wall, and sometimes nearer at hand; the Owl’s ill-omened utterances from the depths of the evergreens on a moonless November night; the fairy-like utter- ances of the Wren and Warbler tribe,—these and others go toward making up the number of different sounds which may be counted upon surely. There are, however, included in this description, a half dozen or so, which, unless some dire calamity befalls them, may be relied on to appear with as much certainty as the grass and tree foliage, when times and conditions are ready for them. Among these, always in the foreground of the recollection is the garden’s Robin. Just here it may be said, that when the early settlers gave this big Thrush the name by which it has since been known, because of the brick-dust colored bosom and partiality for the vicinity of dwelling houses brought to mind the amiable songster they had left over the seas; it remained for a closer ac- quaintance to show that this prominent feathered inhabitant of the New World was interested chiefly in the advantages the newly ploughed fields around the settlements afforded for his principal occupation of exhuming 42 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. earth worms, instead of any ideas belonging to the social or sentimental side of things. Possibly, too, in view of the difficulties of bringing to a stage of maturity the young of the Robin race, man, as compared with other foes, was judged among the lesser evils. The American Robin has some superior qualities of mind, evident to the observer in the expression of his face and figure, and in the tones of his voice; but not even his best friend can maintain that in cul- ture and breeding he is the equal of his old country namesake. It is not surprising, however, that the species found more favor than some other American songsters in the eyes of the New England settler. The Robin’s qualities of mind and morals resemble those of the Puritan to a de- gree hardly thought to be possible in a wearer of feathers. The type of virtue by which this bird is distinguished among his feathered neighbors is that of a description that commands respect, but fails often to inspire anything like a warm regard from those around him. His faults, even his best friends would be obliged to admit, are not those easily over- looked by him who, whether man or bird, would live in peace and charity with his neighbor. While considering this phase of Robin character it may not be out of order to make mention of the air of distinct disapproval with which this bird regards the doings of his more frivolous minded companions among the smaller birds. Next to his chief and most toilsome task in life, that of bringing up his family in the way they should go,—a way it may be observed he is firmly persuaded he has followed himself without a single deviation from the middle of the road, a favorite theme of his, apparently, is the ways of the rest of the supposedly sinful featherdom and animated creation in general, and he believes they are all united in efforts directed against the well being of such saints as him and his. From the time he deposits the first beakful of mud that forms the corner- stone of his family hut in the first spruce on the avenue, until his note of reprimand is given through force of habit, to the unresponsive stretches of the winter woods, it is chiefly the sunny side of his life his attention is given to. A considerable portion of the mental energy belonging to the particular specimen that supplies me with most material for thought concerning Robin manners and moods, is devoted toward suitable expression of his deep-seated and personal dislike of the garden’s Catbird. The Catbird, it must be said, has not a few shortcomings which cannot but call for unfavorable comment from those around him. One of these is his ill-concealed curiosity concerning his neighbor’s manner of life. At least the Robin is firmly persuaded that no other explanation can be given of his presence, when he comes upon him, as he frequently does to AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 43 my certain knowledge, silently inspecting the depths of the heavy boughed tree which contains his, the Robin’s domicile. Another grievance, apparent- ly, of the Robin, is the Catbird’s manner of using his vocal talents. It is doubtless trying to a bird like the Robin, who to all appearances, regards himself as a sort of feathered Sankey in the woodland choir, to have brought into unwilling notice, the unseemly and erratic manner in which the wearer of the Quaker-like gray frequently renders his part in the spring time chorus. He, the Catbird, may be frequently heard at any hour of the day, and not seldom at night, engaged in making a combination of sounds, not suggestive, like that the Thrush will favor his hearers with, of a poetical appreciation of the times and season, nor even to be tolerated for the sake of the feeling prompting it, like the tuneless gush of small notes constituting the songs, so called, of some of the weaker minded among the Warblers, but just appar- ently a line of experiments on the ever interesting subject of his own vocal capacity. Here it may be said that the Robin never objects to the presence of the Brown Thrasher that renders a solo from the top of the biggest tree in the avenue, every June evening. That is possibly partly on account of the claims of near relationship, and partly because the school of singing to which the Thrasher belongs is one from which the Robin has obtained all his own requirements in the vocal line, though in a lesser degree than his speckled breasted cousin with the finished education. In the Thrasher recitals he has a free demonstration of the methods practiced by that gifted family, and from this brown bird with the dreamy yellow eyes, he may frequently get “points” on effective tone coloring. The Catbird is possibly not less impressed than his neighbors with the performance of the chief songster of the place, but the use he makes of any idea he may get is in an entirely different line from the Robin’s efforts at psalmody,—hence another point of variance. The Robin has not, to all appearances, a very high opinion of his neighbor’s abilities as a vocalist. Some of his shortcomings, from the Robin’s standpoint, have been de- scribed already, but yet another productive of much ill-feeling has been the Catbird’s habit of practicing his vocal exercises at the least suitable times and seasons. Not only is he given to making his untiring effort at voice culture extend through the long hours of the June days, but he quite often keeps it up through the limited time allowed for sleep during the short sum- mer nights. Whatever may be said of the Robin’s faults, his capacity for hard work is unquestioned, and when at the end of a hard day’s toil in the interests of a young family, the toiler closes his eyes for a brief respite from carking care ere the coming of the early daylight, it is not a thing that tends to soothe a natural irritability of temperament, to find his neighbor has taken 44 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. that time, of all others, to exhibit, as no doubt he believes, his superior meth- ods of song. The garden’s Catbird has been in the habit throughout the past June of awakening just about the turn of midnight to begin these vocal exercises, con- tinuing them by sheer force of will power apparently when the tones of his voice betrayed the fact that he would be better for a period of somnolence himself. I rather sided with the Robin on the mornings following thesé nocturnal performances, when the latter was wont to devote all his spare time to inflict such punishment as would be felt and remembered the next time he was guilty of banishing much needed sleep from the neighborhood. To anyone contemplating the future ownership of a garden at all ap- proaching the description I have given, this information on the ways of its feathered tenants is offered in advance of what experience will teach. A. C. Tynpauu, Toronto. Photo by L. S. Horton. Younc Boso.inks. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 45 ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO MEG MERRYTHOUGHT 156 WATERVILLE ST., WATERBURY, CT. My Dear Youne Forks: My little friend Anna has asked me to tell you about the visitors—clad in black and white feathers—which come to her every winter. Anna lives in a country village, where she has few neighbors, and this pair of Downy Woodpeckers have helped many lonely hours to pass happily. As soon as the first cool days of fall are here, she places various kinds of food which the birds like upon the sill and in a box fastened by the side of a sunny window. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Downy Woodpecker have picnicked by the window daily all winter long. Anna talks to them and they seem to un- derstand English and talk back in their own limited language, and even peck on the glass when her red lips are pressed against the window pane. Other birds come and go, Chickadees, Tree Sparrows, and Hairy Wood- peckers, but Mr. and Mrs. Downy are loyal friends and can be depended upon day in and day out to call for their daily rations, saying “Thank you,” between bites. Next month Hans will tell you, perhaps, of his strange pet. Who else among our boys and girls will tell us of their successes, (or failures) in tam- ing the birds about them? Cordially your friend, Mre MerrryTHouGnHr. 46 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. ANSWERS To JANUARY PUZZLES. Enigma No. 1—A Winter Visitor—Tree Sparrow. Enigma No. 2—New Year. What is My Name? Hairy Woodpecker. EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, Tue Home or a KINGFISHER. I was walking along the bank of a small creek when I heard a splash, then a Kingfisher chatter, and I saw him alight on a small dead tree with a min- now in his beak. He then flew up the creek: he was flying on the right side when all of a sudden he turned to the left and flew right at the bank and went in a hole. I watched and very soon saw his tail feathers coming out first; he seemed to back out. He then whirled around and flew down the creek. I went and dug in the hole, which was about six inches deep, and found the bluish-grey birds with their pin feathers on. The little birds would cling to my fingers. I took them out of their nest and found they were six in number. The old bird sat on a small dead limb and scolded. I put the birds back in the nest and left them in peace. I went back in about two weeks and they were gone. ; Bonner Correy, Bandera, Texas. Tue Oxtp Man’s Sona. Once long ago, an old man, bent and gray, Had lived for years within the forest lone; When youth was his he journeyed far away, From home, and called the solitude his own. He used to wait the long cold winter through, Nor sulked at fierce blasts or snow or rain; The gloom would go, the fair days come, he knew, And then he’d sing when the spring birds came again: “I knew you'd come, you’d come to me, You'd come to let your music ring, So sweet, so charming and so free— I knew once more I’d hear you sing: And I was so lonely waiting here, But waited not in vain AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 47 For all the land must have your cheer— I knew youd come again.” We parted many months ago, And I felt lonely all that day, For autumn winds did fiercely blow, And all the sky was dim and gray. But then I thought ‘twas wrong to sigh, And strove to bear my pain, For when the stormy days went by, I knew you'd come again. Tis well I have such friends so true— You're sure to come in balmy spring: You're sure to speed the wild wood through And find this welcome place to sing. I could not bide without you here, Without your glad refrain That fails me not through ‘half the year, I knew you'd come again. So let us make the echoes ring. I'll join with joy the blithesome song; Through all the day let’s sing and sing Till evening’s shadows sweep along. I’ve smiled to bid the cold ‘good bye,’ The snow and winter rain: For spring has come with tender sky, And you are here again! BENS. PHILLIPS, Leiad Valley, California. A WINTER VisITOR. I come from the far thorn, and swing among the nipe trees, making @ pretty bit of coloring against the genre boughs or white drifts of wons. I am about the size of the despised English rawspor, and have a peculiar bake, crossed at thepit. My cato is of a ckirb red color with wormb wings and tail. My wife wears a dress of greenish leywol with brownish stint. We feed up- on the dees within the nipe cones, upon rothe seeds, risereb, and the buds of seert. When the cold tminer drives us from the north to hares your hospi- tality, you will find that we very bacolise, friendly little dibrs. My name is meanrica rollcissb. 48 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. QUERIES. 1. Why do Woodpeckers creep head upward around the tree trunks and branches? 2. Why is a Woodpecker’s bill so long and strong? 3. What color is always found on the heads of each of our five common Woodpeckers? (The male birds.) Upon what does the Woodpecker feed? 5. Where is the nest of the Woodpecker placed? 6. What serves the Woodpecker as a love-song? 7. To what family does the Woodpecker belong? Numericat ENIeMa. lJ oo a Ofaseree: 1-11-6-4- to remove the skin of a fruit. 5-6-11-8-1 to hold tightly. 9-10-11-12 part of a bird. 9-10-4-6 a beverage. 3-10-11-6 not far. 5-6-11-8-8 is on John’s lawn. 9-4-11-3 grown in John’s garden. 8-2-3 iniquity. 8-2-3-5 what our birds do. 6-2-3-5 a circle. 9-11-12-10 a form of cooking. 5-2-9-10 to sneer. 4-11-6 part of a birds head. 9-4-11-6 to carry. 8-7-9 to cry. 1-2-5 an animal. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 a bird. Ere long, amid the cold and powdery snow, as it were a friut of the season, will come twittering a flock of delicate crimson-tinged birds, lesser redpolls, to sport and feed on the buds just ripe for them on the sunny side of a wood, shaking down the powdery snow there in their cheerful feeding, as if it were high midsummer to them. THOREAU. The Perry Pictures (Awarded Four Gold Medals) If you want the Genuine PERRY PICTURES do not accept inferior imitations For Picture Study, Language, Geography, History, in Schools of all Grades. for 25 or more ONE CENT EAC assorted as desired 120 for $1.00 Catalogue of 1,000 tiny pictures, two Regular Size pictures and a bird pieture in three colors for a two-cent stamp in February if you;mention American Or- nithology. PICTURES IN COLORS. Birds for Bird Study, Animals.|Fruit, r etc. Portrayed in Natural Colors. FEB. 22 ae. een NOT ee Two Cents Each. Washington, Lincoln, stories with the for 13 or more; assorted as des.red. 648 Subjects. Arrange your course in BIRD STUDY for the Spring Monthsnow. Ifyou Birthdays in February. Send 45 cents for 45 pic- Study” tures relating to these beautiful — men—their portraits, framing, size, 22 x 28. do not know just how to teach it, write for particulars of our book on “Bird to be ready very soon. Longfellow, Lowell, Perry Pictures One Cent Size or ; Half-Cent Size. Send a dollar for a picture for Dickens THE PERRY PICTURES CO., Box 413, Malden, Mass- Are You Interested in PHOTOGRAPHY Then you should subscribe for FUR NEWS contains each month a department devoted to America’s Oldest Photographic Magazine T AX! DE RMY THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMES This Magazine gives a greater variety of in- teresting and yaluable photographic matter for a dollar than any other American maga- zine in its class. Beautifully illustrated. Sample Copy for 10 Cents The Photographic Times Pub. As’n 39 Union Square, New York which leading taxidermists every- where pronounce extremely interest- ing and complete. Illustrations of the finest examples of the art in each issue. : Many other subjects, such as Trap- ping, Roots and Barks, treated each month. , Published monthly. $1.00 a _ year. Address, Fur News, Dept. L., 10 Hast 14th St. New York. BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY With LUMIERE PLATES MEANS PERFECTION Try the ‘Sigma’ for SPEED and Lantern Slide Plates for FINENESS OF GRAIN AND SNAP LUMIERE NORTH AMERICAN CO. N.Y. OFFICE 11 W. 27ST. BURLINGTON, VT. LYONS, FRANCE WORLD’S Largest Collector’s Paper Have You a Camera or a _ Hobby? Send ten cents to the undersigned and yuu will re- ceive for three months the oldest, largest and best collectors’ monthly for all kinds of Hobbies; Natural History and American Historical Discoveries; Coins, Stamps, Curios, Relics, Photography, Minerals, Sciences, Illustrated Souvenir Post Cards Rarities, and New Finds for all Kinds of Collectors. Over 15,000 Ads. past two years. THE PHILATELIC WEST AND CAMERA NEWS Superior, Nebraska, U.S.A, Greatest of its kind in the world. Fifty cents entitles you to a year’s subscription and a free fifteen-word exchange notice in the largest exchange department extant. Over 1,600 pages in 1904. This Illustrated 100-page Monthly was established in 1895, and has the largest circula- tion of any collectors’ monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. More ads. in the WEST than in all other American Collector monthlies combined. The best-paying medium for advertisers. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. OUR MOTTO: “The best and lots of it.” Invest ten cents judiciously by sending it to L. T. BRODSTONE, Publisher Superior, Nebraska, U.S. A. Send five cents for membership card to American Camera Souvenir Card Club Exchange—over 6,000 members in all parts of the world—or fifty cents for one year’s membership to American Cureo Historical and Natural History Society. Try it. West Souvenir Post Cards, 10 cents the dozen. Many Colors. Try them. Bird and Nature Lovers If you want an up-to-date magazine on Natur Study and out-door life, sub- srcibe now for “The Western Sportsman” The Western Sportsman is a Ca- nadian magazine devoted to all forms of legitimate sports in Western Can- ada out-door life and nature study. If you want to keep posted on Can- ada, the country you are hearing so much about, the stamping ground of Earnest Thompson Seaton and the home of the big game animals. The magazine is finely illustrated with colored photography, and is bright and crispy throughout. THE WESTERN SPORTSMAN, 268 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba Bird-Lore A bi-monthly monthly magazine for bird-lovers. Edited by Frank M. Chap- man. Official organ of the Audubon Societies. AUDUBON DEPARTMENT Edited by Mabel Osgood Wright and William Dutcher. BIRD-LORE’S MoTTO: ‘‘A Bird in the Bush is Worth Two inthe Hand. BIRD-LORE for February contains a list of prominent ornithologists who have consented to aid students with advice and information, and nearly too Christ- mas Bird Censuses, representing localities from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Tatas Gen Te epee 2 ee Cematz ip tna Cal of Waste, ented to eyery subscriber to Vol. VIII, 1906, of BIRD- LORE. The original, printed on heavy plate paper, Suitable for framing, is nearly life-size. $ 1.00 a Year. 20 Cents a Copy THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 66 Fifth Avenue, New York City or Box 655, Harrisburg, Pa. FREE $1.00 worth of any of the following, to anyone who will send us a new subscription to BIRDS AND NATURE WITH $1,50 Sd : Grand Prize, Paris Expo’n, 1900. Gold Medal, World’s Fair St. Louis, 1904 AB C Book of Birds, by Mary Catherine Judd .............. 2.2... cece cece eee eee cee cece eens $1.00 Among Green Trees, by Julia HK. ROgers........... 0... eee tne ene ees 3.00 Birds and Nature any Pictures in Natural Colors, 7 x 9 $.02 each, $1.80 per 100, Complete set aR of 648 ..... BRP ace Seen popes yA ot aan A Sasi Sony SR oR icre hr cic ee ea val efeesey se areha eS aka ee npetR TAS SCTE 4 Bins anc) Naw, Ge AKEENeo cos coouse sone sacanubsopmocsouuu0d cobsUEDAbapapauoDUDoDoUUCOoUdDocodEuCORS 1.50 Birds and Nature (back numbers) $.25 per copy, $2.00 per year, complete set of 82............. 12.00 Birds and Nature (bound volumes) red half morocco binding, $3.00 per volume, Complete SELIM Svi@ MUTED Siecraen aes ytsacrsvave w haisec siete Sia a area there te versie] Av eiese siete false otetege eve le setstolsateloisiatels 19.20 Birds of Lakeside and Prairie, by Edward B. Clark.................. cece cece cece eect eee eeeee 1.00 Birds of Song and Story, by Elizabeth and Joseph Grinnell........................-.--- Re Oe ee 1.00 Constructive Work, by Edward F. WoOrst...........20.- cece cece eee eee cee nets eee n cence eneees 1.00 Diary of a Western Schoolmaster. by J. K. Stableton ................ 0... e eee e eee cee eee eee 75 Fairies That Run The World, by Ernest Vincent Wright ..............-....--. eee eee eee eee ees 1.00 Games: Birds, $.35; Industrial, $.40; Literature, $.40; Geography, $.40; History, $.40 Gems and Gem Minerals, by Olive Cummings Farringtou.......................0eeeeee eee 3.00 Industrial Pictures, (Lumbering Set, $.10). (Miscellaneous set, $.10 Jin-le Book of Birds, by Edw. B. Clark ........... 0... c ccc cece eee nett e eens pocosoedgeer .60 Photogravures of Eminent Authors, Poets, Musicians, Preachers, Statesmen and Christ, in groups, nine sheets 8 x 29, each containing 6 portraits, $.40 each, any 3 ..........-.--.. Rhinehart Reproductlons, Indian Pictures, in colors, size 7 x 9$.05 each for 5 or more, any 12 THOME Ain) OVP A OVS KOU aS eee RAC anda aeta See GooUlen Ob bop rEEb laden beeroenoncedaec 1.90 Shells of Land and Water, by Frank Collins Baker...................- 20sec eee cece ee renee eee 2.50 Song of the Lark, a colored picture, size 18 XK 24.......... 2... c eee eee ence eee eee eees 20 Goiden Pheasant, colored picture, Size 18 XK 24.1.2... cee eee ee eee eee eee eee eeeeees 43) Typical Forest Trees From Photo Engravings, 24 pictures, size 9 x 12...................-..-+e eee e ee 1.00 Wild Birds in City Parks, by Herbert Eugene Walter and Alice Hall Walter................... 40 Masterpieces of the World’s Greatest Modern Artists and Photogravures, 16 x 20, each ............- 50 Supplimentary School Songs, combined edition, by H. W. Fairbanks...................-.--+--- 40 Send $.10 for sample copy of Birds and Nature or a $.02 stamp for sample picture and illustrate catalogue. A. W. MUMFORD & CO., Publishers, 378 Wabash Ave., Chicago. Established 1887 COLOR KEY TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with upwards of 800 drawings in colors so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least possible difficulty. In no other book has the problem of identification been so simplified. The book is equally useful in any part of the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 3812 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. North American Birds Eggs By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breeding range of each species; loca- tion and construction of the nest; time of nesting; number, description and variation of eggs laid; with a full sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 3860 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. Both of above books and the American Bird Magazine for one year for $5.00. American Natural History By W. T. HORNADAY. Director of the New York Zoological Park, Author of ““Two Years in the Jungle.” A POPULAR BOOK. Sparkling in style, full of ancedotes, personal exper- iences and observations. In scope and arrangement, scientific. In presenta- tion, non-technical. It isa book for the student, the teacher, and general reader. With 343 illustrations, picturing 375 animals, besides charts and maps. Size of book 10 x 7 inches. Royal 8vo, $3.50 Postpaid. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. The Condor A Magazine of Western Ornithology EDITED BY WALTER K. FISHER For 1905 THE CONDOR has been fortunate in securing cooperation of Mr. William Lovell Finley and Mr. Herman T. Bohlman whose superb photographs of wild birds have never been excelled, and rarely equaled. They will contribute to each issue dur- ing 1905 and the collection of photo- graphs will be notable in the history of ornithology. The first article, in the January issue, details the photographing of in aerie of Western Red-tails, and as illustrated by superb photographs, taken in a huge cotton-wood, 120 feet above the ground. _ Volume VII begins with the January issue and will be better than any pre- ceding volumes. Subscription $1.00 a year. Sample copy, twenty-five cents. Order of- JOSEPH GRINNELL, Pasadena, Cal. 4+4++4+4 NAL CANOEISTS Send 10 Cents for sample copy of “CANOEING” The only publication devoted EXCLUSIVELY to your favorite sport authority on all canceing mat- ters, and is official organ of the American Canoe Association. In Canoeing’s pages the p1os- pective canoeist finds expert ad- vice on craft and equipment, worth many dollars to him when purchasing his first outfit. A Ed d pea E: i KEYSER, Seance 5 Beekman St., New York ; ; Canoeing is the one recognized i The Journal Of the Maine Ornithological aA Society Volume seven will consist of issues the first of March, June, September and December. There will be articles on Maine birds by the leading ornithologists of the state as well as copious bird notes of current interest. Subscription 5O cents a year. W. H. Brownson, Portland, Editor. Frank T. Noble, Augusta, Associate Editor. Address W. H. BROWNSON, 1-2 Exchange St., Portland, Me. THE YOUNG IDEA Normal Clubbing List for 1905-6 OFFERS: The Young Idea with other periodicals as follows: x The Young Idea, School Arts, Popular Educator or Primary Education, $2.00. 2 The Young Idea, School Arts and Garden Mag- azine, $2.00. 3° TheYoungldea (School Arts or Popular Educator), World’s Work or Country Life in America, $3.60. 4 The Young Idea (School of Arts or Popular Educator), Bird Magazine, $2.00. s The Young Idea, (School Arts or Popular Educa- tor), Birds and Nature and 10 Plates, $2.50. 6 The Young Idea, with School. Arts or Popular Educator or Primary Education, $1.35. 7 The Young Idea, Holiday Magazine and Boys and Girls, $1.10. 8 The Young, eee with Holiday Magazine or Boys and Girls, 8 9 Tie Young [dens The Journal of Geography, $1.65. x0 The Young Idea, American Primary Teacher and Primary Education, $2.00. iz The Young Idea, Popular Educator and Educa- tion, $3.50. 12 The vonne Idea, Popular Educatcr, Journal of Education, $3.25. The Minnie see Plan Books, Advanced, Set, $2. Maud Kingsley’ é Pounine Studies in English, Set $2.80. Primary or We give rates on all the leading Magazines. For Nature Work, Character Study and Travel, we know of ncthing better than The Young Idea. JAMES E. HUGHES Melrose Highlands, NATURE BOOKS A Birding on a Broncho, by Florence A. Merriam, Illus...... .. 5 See ena 2 $5.21 A Bird-Lover in the West, by Olive Thorne Miller......................... 1.25 Birds of Village and Field by Florence A. Merriam, illus.... ............... 2.00 Birds Through An Opera Glass by Florence A. Merriam..............-+..+. 75 Bird Ways by Olive Thorne Miller.......... .... Beit, RIC A PAL CREE oo Le25) Everyday Birds by Bradford Torrey, Mlus-) 20. 0 2 ee ee ice mene ene 1.00 First Book of Birds by Olive Thorne Miller, illus............ ...........4. 1.00 Guide to the Birds of New England and Eastern New York by Ralph Hoffmann, il) i Cone ce Un eer TN hn Oe ie MQM; Mana SiociL Gok Momo me ole 1.50 net. Handbook of Birds of the Western United States by Florence Merriam BEA SMe Kae Men An. Sete, Sandon DAB adniNaGin at yadld etdbic ss 6.2 3.50 net. In, Nesting, Timetsy Olive Phorme sMillep tote. eee oe oe tebe vere it 3 pep ee Land Birds and Game Birds of New England py Henry D. Minot, Illus...... 3.50 Little Brothers of the Air by Olive Thorne Miller....................-. -.- 1.25 Second Book of Birds by Olive Thorne Miller, illus............ .......... 1.00 net. True Bird Stories from My Note-Books by Olive Thorne Miller, illus...... 1.00 net. Upon the Tree Tops by Olive Thorne Miller.............. ----..--.--+---- 1.25 With the Birds in Maine by Olive Thorne Miller............ ... .......... 1.10 net. Woodpeckers by Fannie Hardy Eckstorm, illus... .........---..------.-5. 1.00 Bird Neighbors by Neltje Blanchan, postpaid.................-eseeee eee 2.00 Bird Vife*by Fo Me @hajmian. oes ee et ere re eee ee 2.00 Birdcraft by. Mabel ‘OSgood Wrights: 2-5. sa.%. “iat pas einer te teen 2.50 net. Bird World by J. H. Stickney and Ralph Hoffman......................-.- 75 ‘Ehe.Moth: Book-by W. J. Holland: 2. 2.5 4..5s. sas onan) eee eee 4.00 Bird Homes by-AteR:, DuG@mOre... bo. os. 5 rae eye ie ones ae eee 2.00 The Butterfly-Book by W J. Holland .--%. oo. (nico). = reper tei ee eee eee 3.00 CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. _A GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera ONLY $5.00 These Glasses are well made and espec- ially adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field vision of ordinary ones and magnify near- ly four diameters. : They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. na@s-Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman.............. $ 6 50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed................ 6 50 The Glass and both Books CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER MASS. Wal. 6, No. 3. MARCH, 1906. {ea copy, $1 a year. Z y | Yj) Wd, D. ONES Mil & eS Ue) a if CHAS. K. REED, PUBLISHER Vp ie iz_ NORCESTER, MASS. ib at a Tn — A a WW, —————— a LANTERN SLIDES We have listed below as fine a list of slides of birds as have ever been offered. Every one of them is photographed directly from life. 50 cents each, $5.00 per dozen or finely colored, $1.00 each, #£10.00 per dozen. Chippy Family (6 Chipping Spar- | Young.Field Sparrow. - Bluebird Feeding Young. rows). " Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Young Bank Swallows. Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrow. Young Bobolinks. Sparrows.) Grasshopper Sparrowon Nest. _. Seven Young Kingfishers. Woodcock on Nest. ~ -~~ Nest and Eggs of Bob White. Young Kingfishers. Nest and Eggs of Woodcock American Robin on Nest. Barn Owl. # Three Young Woodcock. American Robin Feeding Young. Barn Swallows (pair). Ruffed Grouse on Nest. Five Young Chickadees. Kingbird and Young. Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. Chickadee at Nestin Bird House. Kingbird and Nest. House Wren (male). Chickadee at Nest in Tree. Young Kingbirds. House Wren (female). Brown Thrasher. Young Goldfinches. Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, Brown Thrasher on Nest. Yellow Warbler and Young. Cedar Waxwing on Nest. Wood Thrush on Nest. Catbird on Nest. American Redstart (male) Feeding |§ Young Wood Thrush. Gila Woodpecker. Young. Pigeon Hawk. Wood Pewee on Nest. American Redstart (female) and Bluebird at Nest Hole. Young Spotted Sandpipers. Nest. Barred Owl. Flicker at Nest Hole. Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Screech Owl. Flicker leaving Nest. Young Four Young Screech Owls. Young Baltimore Oriole. Prairie Svarbler (female) and Nest. Young Blue Jays. Yellow breasted Chats. Red-eyed Vireo on Nest Blue Jays in Nests. Robin Feeding Young. Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. Blue Jay Feeding Young Young Red-wing Blackbirds. Wilson’s Thrushand Nest with Eggs. Loggerhead Shrike. Young Wood Pewee. Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. Phoebe on Nest. Young Robin. Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. Hairy Woodpecker. Young Green Herons Ovenbird and Nest. Chimney Swift. Young Shrikes. Black and White Warbler on Nest. Four Young Crows. Red-headed Woodpecker. Field Sparrow Feeding Young. Arizona Jays. Bush-Tit and Nest. Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. Rocky Mountain Jay. CHAS. K. REED. Worcester, Mass Methods in the Art of Taxidermy A POPULAR HANDBOOK By Oliver Davie, Author of “Nests and Eggs of North American Birds.” 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. BIRDS OF UNITED STATES of the AND CANADA. BY THOMAS NUTTALL. A new edition complete in a single velume. The best and most popular book on the birds of the Northern and Eastern States. The book has hitherto been made only in two volumes, and the price has been $7.50 net. In its new and handier form, it should find a place in every household. The illustrations of the birds faith- fully rendered in colors (the most beautiful plates of the kind since Au- dubon) form an important feature. Never before has the Art of Taxid- ermy had its practical methods por- trayed as we find them interpreted in this work. It is a work of art from cover to cover. Formerly published $3.00 : : : : postpaid. Secure only 8 new at $10. My price $2.50 post-paid or é Given Free for 6 new subscribers. subscribers toy A. O-and Gece eae Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. | CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. ‘“ATOldO GYVHOYHO “YOUR Jos ADOjoy} UIC uvdjrsuy 0} yuauetddns ‘SSUY “1o}S9010M “loYyst[qng ‘peey "H ‘SeYUD ‘Ssolppy GINS GUld Jo Adod & sATode1 Jove TIM ISeq PAY} PUB PUODES oY} ‘oUIzeseU Sy} 07 UOHdIIOsqns s,1vek BV UdAIS od T14 YjuoW Yove oinjoId paio[oo yseq oY} UI Spues OFM oUO ay, ‘USZOP B,.S}]UGO YT 1OJ poz0 “109 eq 0} Sotdoo [BUCH Ippe [TEU TIM oM ‘s[Idnd a1ey) Jo yueTe ons “18 OY} INO SULIG 0} SUIAJOS SV [Jam Sv APNIS pAIq TOF S]USUOONpUt Jeols O18 SSUIMBIP OSeT} 71ey} puy sieyovey, “pojJured st oinjzoid ayy To}Je SYJUOU OM} ONSST oY} Ul Poyst[qnd oq [ITM }[Nse1 oY} pue ‘y}UOM SUIMOT[OS OY} JO YIOT OY} UO ssO[O [TIM UONMedmo0. youd - ‘TOOTS SUIOS SUIPUG}}2 9SOY} 0} A[UO SazlId PABMY [ITA OM ‘TeIp{IYo [ooyos suowe Apnys paiq Ut JSO19}Ul SUISVAIOUL Jo osodind 9y} J0F st uOTTWEd “W109 STY} SV ‘puv YJUOU YOR AO[OO 0} dinjyord Mou vB OATS [[IM OM NOA IO} Sp1Iq oy) AJUOP!T TTA YVY} Yoo oy} ‘AGINY CUI JO Adoo ve 40 HNIZVOVIN auld NVOIMHWNV 9} 0} uondiiosqns s,1vek & ‘eaay “VaS Av NOK puv vdyo ino 0} [leu pur “yorq 94} UO pueqie nos 18q} [OOWOS pue SSoIppv “OWvU INOA 0711M 4nO aInjoId oy} yO ‘OIQISSsod se 038¥B1 019817 “1B YONU SB YM puv AT[VINQeU sv suf SGCUIG ASMHL WOTOD “PG, atid ee Sav ‘iinoss ais wl at nirdaty” we R Se sity iw ow Sa vite beridtet iaowisi Snlenetini ag Sect TE § ‘onli or ak auitited: = Ne acs patinatte SRO Ok “Tish naatin, f rm aw Wise aw sfrodhylist foie guiqotiot Hai 0: disor alt ey axoksS ta) out Seon te ee: foie ee el a “oun Sitti owl Bisa} adt of bataitdaeg oth Ittae ttone ai fina Meant - taitt, halt. RIG: ROT... asad. ad ots Foie att _ : oe his eeciwianh saad: fei 4at iit Sina sb qf9 it 30. skit ot Fix Hlasscisge' 38 dees eis ont": ne 3 id ¢, huni. bee boapaasodt aninh ie Shit dua gee px vin SA ie Poi need IO Te Pei: site fat 3 aoa eat, poh ‘F P- a1erap GORATH: Hap CANOEISTS Send 10 Cents for sample copy of “CANOEING ” The only publication devoted EXCLUSIVELY ters, and is official organ of the American Canoe Association. In Canoeing’s pages the pros- pective canoeist finds expert ad- vice on craft and equipment, worth many dollars to him when purchasing his first outfit. eB 1. KEYSER, gas 5 Beekman St., New York 444444444444 -4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4 WORLD’S Largest Collector's Paper Have You a Camera or a Hobby? Send ten cents to the undersigned and yuu will] re- ceive for three months the oldest, largest and best collectors’ monthly for all kinds of Hobbies; Natural History and American Historical Discoveries; Coins, Stamps, Curios, Relics, Photography, Minerals, Sciences, Illustrated Souvenir Post Cards Rarities, and New Finds for all Kinds of Collectors. Over 15,000 Ads. past two years. THE PHILATELIC WEST AND CAMERA NEWS Superior, Nebraska, U.S.A, Greatest of its kindin the world. Fifty cents entitles you to a year’s subscription and a free fifteen-word exchange notice in the largest exchange department extant. Over 1,600 pages in 1904. This Illustrated 100-page Monthly was eStablished in 1895, and has the largest circula- tion of any collectors’ monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. More ads. in the WEST than in all other American Collector monthlies combined. The best-paying medium for advertisers. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. OUR MOTTO: “The best and lots of it.’”’ Invest ten cents judiciously by sending it to L. T. BRODSTONE, Publisher Superior, Nebraska, U. S. A. Send five cents for membership card to American Camera Souvenir Card Club Exchange—over 6,000 members in all parts of the world—or fifty cents for one year’s membership to American Cureo Historical and Natural History Society. Try it. West Souvenir Post Cards, 10 cents the dozen. Many Colors. Try them. 7 fe : to your favorite sport Canoeing is the one recognized authority on all canoeing mat- ¢ . THE YOUNG IDEA Normal Clubbing List for 1905-6 OFFERS: The Young Idea with other periodicals as follows: zt The Young Idea, School Arts, Popular Educator or Primary Education, $2.00. 2 The Young Idea, School Arts and Garden Mag- azine, $2.00. 3 TheYoungIdea(School Arts or Popular Educator) , World’s Work or Country Life in America, $3.60. 4 The Young Idea (School of Arts or Popular Educator), Bird Magazine, $2.00. 5 The Young Idea, (School Arts or Popular Educa- tor), Birds and Nature and ro Plates, $2.50. The Young Idea, with Schoo! Arts or Popular Educator or Primary Education, $1.35. 7 The Young Idea, Holiday Magazine and Boys and Girls, $1.10. 8 The Young Idea, with Holiday Magazine or Boys and Girls, 80c. 9 The Young Idea, The Journalof Geography, $1.65. 10 The Young Idea, American Primary Teacher and Primary Education, $2.00. iz The Young Idea, Popular Educator and Educa- tion, $3.50. zz The Young Idea, Popular Educatcr, Journal of Education, $3.25. : The Minnie George Plan Books, Advanced, Set, $2.25. Maud Kingsley’s Outline Studies in English, Set 2.80. (ony Primary or We give rates on all the leading Magazines. For Nature Work, Character Study and Travel, we know of nothing better than The Young Idea. JAMES E. HUGHES Melrose Highlands, Bird and Nature Lovers If you want an up-to-date magazine on Natur Study and out-door life, sub- srecibe now for “The Western Sportsman” The Western Sportsman is a Ca- nadian magazine devoted to all forms of legitimate sports in Western Can- ada out-door life and nature study. If you want to keep posted on Can- ada, the country you are hearing so much about, the stamping ground of Earnest Thompson Seaton and the home of the big game animals. The magazine is finely illustrated with colored photography, and is bright and crispy throughout. THE WESTERN SPORTSMAN, 268 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba FREE $1.00 worth of any of the following, to anyone who will send us a new subscription to BIRDS AND NATURE WITH §$1,50 Grand Prize, Paris Expo’n, 1900. AB C Book of Birds, by Mary Catherine Judd Jin-le Book of Birds, by Edw. B. Clark ........0.. 00. ccc cece cee ccc cece cceeeeevecucesetuaecteeeers .60 Photogravures of Eminent Authors, Poets, Musicians, Preachers, Statesmen and Christ, in groups, nine sheets 8 x 29, each containing 6 portraits, $.40 each, any 3................ 1.00 Rhinehart Reproductlons, Indian Pictures, in colors, size 7 x 9 $.05 each for 5 or more, any 12 for $-50:0r. they, lomsetsescak ee was Sons eee cn ace due eee ee eee 1.90 Shells of Land and Water, by Frank Collins Baker.............. 0.0. cece ce cececccceccecceceacecucs 2.50 Song of the Lark, a colored picture, size 18 K 24.....0 0.0 cece cee ce cece cece ee ceceeeseees 20 Golden Pheasant, colored picture, Size 18 K 24.22.20... 2. eee ee cece eee cee een een e cece cseeeaes .20 Typical Forest Trees From Photo Engravings, 24 pictures, size 9 X12...............0. cece ee eee ee ee 1.00 Wild Birds in City Parks, by Herbert Eugene Walter and Alice Hall Walter...... 40 Masterpieces of the World’s Greatest Modern Artists and Photogravures, 16 x 20, each ... 50 Supplimentary School Songs, combined edition, by H. W. Fairbanks........................... 40 Send $.10 for sample copy of Birds and Nature or a $.02 stamp for sample picture and illustrate catalogue. A. W. MUMFORD & CO., Publishers, 378 Wabash Ave., Chicago Established 1887 e e e Special Combinations. Bird Guide (Part 1 or 2) and American Ornithology.................... $1.25 Bird Guide (Part 1 or 2) and American Ornithology and Egg Book...... 3.25 BirdvGuide (Part di ory2)) and) Eqo Bookss-- o-oo eee eee eee 2.75 Bird Guide (Part 1 or 2) and Field Glass.......................2--ee0ee- 5.00 Bird Guide (Part 1 or 2) and Field Glass and Egg Book.................. 7.00 American Ornithology and Color Key...................0-eeeee eee eens 3.00 American Ornithology, Color Key and Egg Book......................-- 5.00 American Ornithology and Field Glass......................--++++--ees 5.00 American Ornithology, Field Glass and Color Key or Egg Book.......... 7.00 These will be sent prepaid to any one or different addresses. When intended for a gift, if desired, we will send a suitable card with your name as donor. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. Learn to Mount Birds, animals fishes, etc. Sports- men, naturalists, teachers, and all outdoor lovers, should know how to properly pres- erve and mount Birds and animals. Rare and beauti- ful specimens are being tak en every day, and they should be preserved. WE TEACH TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. You can learn from our correspondence course, easily, quickly, right in your own home. Our school is endorsed by all leading taxidermists and the nature magazine, Write TODAY for full particulars, cata— log, and sample copy of the Taxidermy Magazine. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXID- ERMY, 8z K St., Omana, Neb. lilustrated Results in Taxidermy 140 Half Tones Representing Hundreds of Specimens A Guide to The Study of Positions Heavy Paper, Cloth Bound «= =PRICE $1.75 Our Specialty Glass Eyes and Naturalists Supplies Frank Blake Webster Co., Taxidermist and Museum HYDE PARK, MASS. AE eee ee 1 , colored plJates showing 50 Birds Eggs var. in natural size and colors with check-list A. O. U. No. and both common and scientific names of every known North American bird. All for only 10 cts. FRANK H. LATTIN, Albion, N. Y. 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE Parents TrRaDE MARKS DESIGNS CoPyYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. OOK on Patents sent free. Oldest peeney for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American. A handsomely illustrated weekly. Largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co,36+8raa~as, New York Branch Office, 625 F St., Washington, Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds — Animals and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, skins and mounted specimens; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation for the amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. ~ CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. : Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies [0c. The Flower-lovers. The only publication giving spec- ial attention to the curious and in- teresting facts about our wild flow- ers 1S The American Botanist It is written in untechnical lan- guage and is just the thing for those who would like to know about plants without studying botany, especially good for nature-study work. Send for a sample. WILLARD N. CLUTE & CO,, BINGHAMTON, N. Y. American Ornithology A Magazine Devoted Entirely to Birds. Published monthly by Cuartes K. Reep, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. Edited by Chester A. Reed, B. S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mezico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies ten cents. Vols. I, II, III, IV, and V, $1.00 each. SPECIAL.—Vols. I, II, III, IV, V, and subscrip- tion for 1906, $4.00. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $1.25. Copyright, 1906 by Chas. K. Reed. VOL. VI MARCH, 1906. _ NO. Q MARCH FIRST:—Only a month more and the great bird migratory wave will be fairly under way, and we shall envy our neighbor who, perhaps, has more time to be outdoors than we, but we will each accomp- lish as much as we can in the time that we have at our disposal. Do not forget your note book and pencil, and, above all, your field glasses. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” is an old adage;—A bird seen through the glass is worth three seen through the eyes,—is a better maxim for the present day, and is the literal truth, for a bird will appear three or more times as long as seen with the eyes. Make your notes and identify your birds on the spot. Do not trust to memory, a bird’s colors will often undergo remarkable changes in our mind, before you reach home. The White-winged Crossbill must be a better known bird than we had supposed, for with few exceptions all the colored supplements re-. turned were very natural. The winners were: Ist. Albert Paine, Union School, Johnsbury, Vt. 2nd. George F. Granger, Cobbet School, Lynn, Mass. 3rd. Elizabeth A. Paul, Kimball School, North Andover, Mass. We had pictures sent in from all the states but five, and curiously these were all Golf states where the Crossbill is unknown. © ween s aloe a - -» # SaSaRE'SAIVA SV V ‘SaCVAHUADDOT DNOO XK : = ‘oqeed “H U Aq o,OYd : ee AABADADABABDABDALAPAD AWAY ADAYA AWA AD. AD AP ABA NP AV AV AVAV AVP, =a — 2 3 iS ‘ATUGATY AOUNOJ MNVAT ‘aaoy} Spaiq AQuq 2T}7IT 90.49 TITAN P : Na ‘otoy} dn ysou Mou v WOTYSeT [[LAA ‘910 IY} ‘SSUTTISOU IAP] 99449 TITAN Ds aed oy, Avs oy} ownsurids uy ‘Sues, Sarpopaut a19Y AA NN fUlBOL VY} SOIpIIq OJ ~~ ‘SUBS SOIPAIG OA} ILIA ° 2 auLOY 9q [[IAi atoutr ON ‘Qavq puv SsoTfeoy] MOU WTO Uv JO NS ‘aiuq pur sso[pvo] ‘9013 WTI 33 FO ee qysoto SurAvMs v UT S ae agen } ysoat0 OY} UL SSUIMS QUT, “= -qsou Ss 1vod 4Svy VW S S \S S wy, is 5 AD AD. AADAD SD AD AD AD AD AD AD. AD. AD AV SD SD SAS dS as as as US AS TUS AS aS aS SUS AS AS ASUS as aS SAS AS AS GSAS US AS US AUS AS As AS \ ) A q x) dd. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by Jno. M. Schreck. Nest anp Eees or Surike. (Winner of 1st Prize in 1905 Competition.) \ i \ 52 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. FROM A BIRD DIARY. By Harriet L. Grove. Jan. 30, 1902. Such an event this afternoon! I was sitting at the sewing machine, when thump! joud against the window came something heavy, making me jump out of my chair, startled and alert. é A great bird, like a chicken, at first glance, flew away, as startled as I. Perhaps he was deceived by the reflection of trees and sky, which I after- wards noticed in the glass; perhaps in the act of catching a sparrow, for he was a hawk. Of course, I could not at ‘once find overshoes, and must get my glasses, but I thought I should find him. somewhere, for a loud cackling from the chicken pen indicated that something had been going on. School was just out; I asked some boys if they had seen a large bird fly. They turned to look, as I did, and there was the bird in an apple tree next door. Startled again at out’ attentions, he flew back toward his starting point, and I returned, going around to the chicken yard. No signs of life; the chickens, at first cackling and greatly disturbed, had gone within their house, out of danger, though the wire roof would have protected them. Rounding the corner of the house, I frightened the bird from a porch, where he had settled himself to-devour his prey; and, as he flew, I saw the remains of a sparrow, dangling’ from his hooked bill. To the front again, and after various circlings of bird and bird-hunter, the glass was at last on him where he clung to a vine, with outspread wings and showed his fierce, curved bill, bright eyes and yellow legs. Flying again, he settled upon a tree near by. There I viewed him more satisfactorily, and after running in for pencil and note book, drew a rough sketch of his back. Inclined to consider the bird: a Sharp-shinned Hawk, I have not yet quite satisfied myself as to the species. The hawk was whitish, streaked with brown beneath. The head was dark, almost solid brown on top, growing lighter and streaked on neck and upper breast. His back and wings were brown, white spots quite regularly placed on the wings. The tail was brown, just tipped with white and banded with three distinct chocolate-brown bands. A la Ernest Thompson Seton, I afterwards read a little history in the snow around the chicken yard, where the hawk had doubtless, been watch- ing for the Sparrows which fly in and out of the wires after food. There were many tracks, both in the open and where he had hidden, lying in wait for the unwary. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Dd: February 10, 1902. February opened with a snowy, fairy morning, each limb and twig covered with frost. There had been delightful sleighing. This morning I looked from an upper window down upon a plump, pretty creature in the grape vines. These, the Red-birds have been haunting all winter, after the dried grapes, many of which we left upon the upper vines. One or two birds have roosted there at night, fluttering out, if we opened the door, or pumped water from the well close by. Surely, never before have I noticed what a beautiful combination of col- ors is made of red and gray. The bird’s back, head and shoulders were a lovely, soft, green-gray, through which peeped a tiny red top-knot. Wings and tail were streaked with gray, the red as if showing through, with a pink- red effect. A little later, I watched a bright red male eating snow from the top of a lattice. Having read accounts of the male Red-bird’s change of hue in the winter, I was for a long time puzzled. But we see the bright cardinals in the midst of our Ohio winters. The gray-streaked birds are without doubt the females, one of which I both heard and saw sing, the throat quivering with the utter- anee of ~Wh’'t chee-eer? tlk! tlk!” .~ March 6, 1902. The day has been beautiful, with sunshine and a blue sky. Cardinals have been almost constantly singing. At dusk I heard the Robin’s cheery call, as if summer were here. In the afternoon we drove along the river; great blocks of ice lay upon the river bank like piles of stone slabs. The river was pretty, reflecting the blue. First, we heard a Song Sparrow; then a Meadow Lark sang and a Crow called. Next, a little flock of Juncos flew into an orchard, and across the way, a beautiful Blue-bird sang, swinging on an apple twig. About a wood pile and brush heaps flew some little chickadees; a little farther on a flock of from twenty to thirty Crows were holding some sort of a meeting in a tree top. It was, possibly, a political convention or election, and, judg- ing by the noise and excitement, a close contest. From an apple tree called a Robin, jerking his tail up or down every time he said “Quirk! quirk! quirk! quirk!’ Blue-bird, Crow,, Junco, Robin, Tree-Sparrow, Cardinal, Nuthatch, Meadow Lark, Chickadee, Song Spar- row, Tufted Titmouse and Downy Woodpecker, a round dozen, made our list for this date. March 20, 1902. How many Blue-birds everywhere! Today they are in pairs, and what lovely mates! It seems to me.that there is nothing daintier, more exquisite 54 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. than the Blue-bird. He is to the bird world what the anemone and blood- root are among early flowers. Meadow Larks kindly turned their warm yellow and black breasts to us. Little March lambs frisked in field and barnyard. One tiny black-legged lambkin leaped high off his four feet in his gambols, from the pure joy of living: I wonder if it compensates for the inevitable end. The innocence of the young animal world would incline every Nature lover to turn vegetarian. April 12, 1902. A ride in the chill wind. Back into the big wood I went, cold, shivering, feeling that I should see nothing. For a little while it seemed that my fears were to be realized, when, suddenly, the wood awoke. The sun came out. The wood was full of Robins. Every limb seemed to bear one. Then, as if by magic, a great flock of Juncos appeared—one by one, two by two, by threes and half dozens, flying northward through the stately wood, and sing- ing their little song on one note. A Kinglet, a White-breasted Nuthatch, Photo by Jno. M. Schreck. SuRIKE on NgEsv. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 55 Flickers, Sapsuckers, a Towhee Bunting, which sang from a brush heap; a Carolina Wren and a big Hawk were all within a small radius. Twenty- eight varieties made the list for April 12th. May 19th. Here am I behind in bird notes, but I’ve been “‘seein’ things,” if not writing about them. Lovely, entrancing May! Events of the bird world have crowded so fast that the diary is at loss to record them all, with the beauty of the fresh spring world, its blossoms, carols and sunshine. There have been early trips to orchard, wood, meadow, riverside and lake, where we caught under our glasses the latest Warbler or followed the Thrushes through bushy retreats. Rides and tramps and enthusiasm and knowledge have marked the month. On the eighth, having been invited to join a party of teachers, I arose at four o’clock, took a hasty lunch and, notified by telephone, sallied forth about five o'clock to meet some of the party at the corner. Our destination was about a mile away. Skirts pinned up, our feet protected by rubbers, we crossed the fields back of the house which was our trysting place. One of the company wore rubber boots; another having forgotten her overshoes, had a borrowed pair tied on. Along lover’s lane we trudged, a quiet but jolly party, armed with field and opera glasses, note books and pencils. Many were the birds we saw in the few hours before school time. Warblers, the Canadian, Chestnut-sided, ‘Black-throated Blue, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Red-start; Thrushes, Vireos,—a whole company of “early birds” to reward us. One funny occurrence was the unconscious lining up of the entire com- pany as one of our number stole ahead to locate a Water Thrush which she had previously seen about a certain spot. At her warning signal and wave of hand, the first one stopped, and each of the rest stole up softly on the line with her until the entire number stood in line of battle with leveled glasses. No wonder the little bird never showed himself. A large party is good for protective purposes but one or two will see more when the shyer birds are the objects of search. _ It is such a pity that one has other business in life besides bird hunting in the beautiful Maytime, when the birds pass through in migration that will not come again for a twelvemonth. ‘ = Perhaps some other amateur will be interested in looking over a list of birds dating up to May twenty-third, when illness put an end to temporary bird-hunting. 56 m 9 OO eR — oH OO OI OS a aS et Ee oo ee “I gf & w 7 WW ~F© WO W W W HH HE NI Oak 8 OH OO DH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. . Tufted Titmouse. (Jan.) . Cardinal Grosbeak. . Hawk, Sharp-shinned? Carolina Wren. . Downy Woodpecker. . White-breasted Nuthatch. . Blue Jay. . Song Sparrow. » Robin. (Heb) 27th): . Sparrow Hawk. . Junco. . Crow. . Blue-birds. . Meadow Lark. . Tree Sparrow. . Chickadee. . Turtle Dove. . Bronzed Grackle. . Buzzard. . Red-winged Blackbird. . Hairy Woodpecker. . Killdeer Plover. . Horned Lark, (Prairie). . Flicker. . Quail. . Golden-crowned Kinglet. . Field Sparrow. 28. . White-crowned Sparrow. Little Green Heron. . Towhee. . Kingfisher. . Goldfinch. . Red-headed Woodpecker. ; (Mar. 21). . Phoebe. . Shrike. . Marsh Hawk. . Vesper Sparrow. . Wild Geese. . Lesser Seaup Duck. . Chipping Sparrow. . Brown Creeper. 2. Yellow-bellied Sap-sucker. . Barn Swallow. . Hermit Thrush. . Fox Sparrow. . Cowbird. . Purple Martin. . Brown Thrasher. . White-throated Sparrow. (Apr 20)2 . Chimney Swift. . Ruby-crowned Kinglet. . Catbird. . Baltimore Oriole. . Summer Yellowbird. . Warbling Vireo. (Apr. 24). . Myrtle Warbler. (Apr. 24). . Yellow Palm Warbler. (Apr. 24). . Amer. Scaup Duck. (Apr. 24). . Wood Peewee. (Apr. 24). 0. Blue-gray Gnat-catcher. (Apr. 24). . Magnolia Warbler. (Apr. 24.) . Spotted Sandpiper. . Black and White Creeping Warblers. 4. Tree Swallows. ) King birds (Apr e . Grasshopper Sparrow. . House Wren. . Nighthawk. . Great-crested Flycatcher. April 29). . Rose-breasted Grosbeak. . Wood Thrush. . Great Blue Heron. . White-eyed Vireo. . Redstarts. (Apr. 30). . Coot. . Scarlet Tanager. <3 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 57 ~@7. Oven-bird. — 97. Yellow-breasted Chat. 78. Olive-backed Thrush. 98. Black-throated Green Warbler. 79. Indigo Bunting. 99. Bank Swallow. 80. Bachman’s Warbler. : 100. Parula Warbler. 81. Lark Finch. 101. Prothonotary Warbler. 82. Blue-winged Yellow Warbler. 102. Maryland Yellow-heart 83. Ruby-throated Humming-bird. | 102. Maryland Yellow-throat. 84. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 103. Worm-eating Warbler. 85. Black-throated Blue Warbler. (May 5.) 86. Least Flycatcher. 104. Hooded Merganser. 87. Nashville Warbler. 105. Water Thrush, Water Wagtail. 88. Little Blue Heron. 106. Wilson’s Thrush or Veery. 89. Bay-breasted Warbler. 107. Black-billed Cuckoo. 90. Canadian Warbler. 108. Cedar Waxwings. O1. Blackburnian Warbler. 109. Orchard Oriole. 92. Chestnut-sided Warbler. 110. Dickcessel. 93. Sora Rail. 111. Green-crested Flycatcher. 94. Black-poll Warbler. 112. Yellow-throated Vireo. 95. Red-eyed Vireo. Several unidentified birds. 96. Bobolink. (May 8). MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE CHICKADEES, S. Lovuisz Drapmr. The Chickadee is a happy, cheerful bird, coming late in the fall about our homes to remind us that we are to have bird friends through the long winter months. Last year the Chickadees came in November and ate the suet that I tied on a limb of a small Catalpa tree that stood near our kitchen window. I had read about the Chickadee becoming so tame that it would come on one’s hand, but did not think that I could tame them. They had been coming most every day for about a month after suet and, doubtless, had become used to me, because one day I was standing under a plum tree back of the house when a Chickadee came and began to eat meat off the bone I had in my hand. I was very much surprised and pleased to have them so tame. Jan. 11th, 1905, was the first time they came on my hand. Feb. 5th, 1905, I commenced to offer them butternut meats. I did not have to urge them to come after they had the first taste. I think they like butternut meats better han anything you can give them. 58 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by Isaac HE. Hess. LoGGrRHEAD SHRIKE AND NEsv. (Winrer of 3rd Prize in 1805 Competition). They came nearly every day last winter and sometimes six times a day to eat meats from my hand. When it was 15 and 20 degrees below zero they were very hungry birds. There were just two that were tame at first and we named them Punch and Judy. The smaller one we called Judy. One day I went out to feed them their meats and while Judy stood on my finger, I smiled and showed my teeth. Judy thought my teeth were butternut meats so flew up and tried to pick them out. Sometimes they would fly on my head and shoulders and take meats from my mouth. One rainy day one of the Chickadees was sitting on the limb of the tree and I went out and smoothed its back, it did not fly away. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY 59 When spring came the Chickadees went to the woods to nest. I saw no more of them until the 2nd of this month (December), when four came to the little tree and made their wants known. I have a supply of butternuts ready and feed them every day. I think two of them are Punch and Judy because they were just as tame as when they left me in the spring, while the other two are a little timid yet. I tied a half of a yeast cake box on the tree and filled it with sunflower seeds. They eat them but prefer butternut meats. People driving by will see the Chickadee on my hand and exclaim: “Oh! see that bird on her hand.” I have had them sing while on my hand. Any one can have the same exper- ience with these pleasant little creatures if they would only take interest in them and help to bring them through the cold winter. I am glad to wel- come my cheerful friends again and will try to act as a good hostess should to them. WINTER BIRDS, Lesure L. Haskin. The winter birds—with a good cause—have become so shy of man that it seems a wonderful thing when you find one which allows itself to be viewed at close range, and still more so when it permits itself to be touched or handled. There are, however, a few birds which seem to retain their primeval fearlessness, though their manners in allowing man’s approach are as differ- ent as their several modes of life. A few entries from my last year’s book serve well to illustrate the characteristics of these birds. October 28: While watching a flock of Goldfinches feeding among the weeds of an old corn field, a Northern Shrike pounced down and carried one of them off. I followed him to a clump of alders, where he hung his victim by the neck, in a crotch—and drove him away. After examining the body I replaced it and stepped back about three feet, almost immediately the Shrike returned and seized it, so close was I that every feather was distinct and the wavy lines on its breast, which are lost at a short distance, showed up beautifully. The Shrike seems to be one of the bravest of birds, for at such times he appears to have a perfect knowledge of the danger he is in and a dogged de- termination to carry out his purpose at all costs. November 26: Today I found another flock of Pine Grosbeaks in a stub- ble field—about thirty—ranging in color from the betautiful olive tints of the females, through the different shades of pink, up to the almost clear red of the old males. I followed them for nearly an hour, during which time they seemed entirely unafraid, allowing me to come within a few feet of' 60 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. them and only shifting their position when I walked directly at them, and then simply enough to clear a way through the flock. They seemed to have no fear whatever, finally allowing me to stroke their backs, raise their wings, and tap their beaks with a short stick. One can imagine where their homes must be—far up among the pines of Canada—-where there are no plume hunters or egg snatchers. To them I was simply a larger animal, and not a carniverous one at that. Let us hope that they all return safely next spring and do not adorn some ladies (?) hat. January 3: The birds come very often to their “table” these cold days, especially the Blue Jays, Nuthatches, and Chickadees. Although all of them are quite familiar, it is the Chickadees who are my best friends. It seems as though they could appreciate every advance and were willing to meet more than half way. Wishing to test the extent of their confidences I held out a piece of meat in my hand. At once one was there to get it. This I continued for a short time and by the help of bits of meat I soon had them lighting on my shoulders and head, and finally clinging to my lips to obtain a choice morsel held there. Their friendliness is the hardest of all to ex- plain. They are not like the Northern Shrike, neither are they ignorant like the Pine Grosbeak; one almost thinks that they were made too small to hold suspicion, and after all their confidence is their best protection, for no one who knows them would think of shooting them. Prairie du Sac. HOMEWARD BOUND By Epear Boyer. Last spring I resided in a little town that chanced to be directly in the course of the wild geese. Flock after flock passed over us, all going north- westward. And it was remarkable how each flock passed in almost the exact path of the preceding one. Once in a while a flock varied a few yards to the right or left of the common course. They seemed to follow their aerial road- way with just as much regularity and precision as we follow our own roads or streets. At intervals all during the day for three days flocks of from ten to fifty passed over, and throughout the night the noisy cries of passing birds awakened us. They were of a uniform color, except an occasional one, which, from our point of view, was apparently black, or heavily splashed with black on the under parts and wings. They were very noisy, and for a while after they had all gone, the quiet that prevailed was very noticeable. Stragglers continued to pass for several days, and after they were all gone I frequently saw and heard a lone goose as he wandered aimlessly about over AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 61 Photo by A. D. Wheedon. Youne Surikes IN NEST. 62 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. the river. Probably he had ben injured, although if such was the case he did not show it in his flight. Sometimes, when a goose is injured it will leave the flock and travel alone. I shall not soon forget that first day the geese began to appear. It was a dreary, drizzly day, towards the end of March. Hearing excited voices, I went out to ascertain the cause and found a group of villagers all gazing towards the southeast. I looked too, and made out, coming directly towards us, a long V-shaped flock of geese. But even before I saw them, I heard their loud, noisy “Ca-lac, ca-lac, ca-lac.” On they came, nearer and nearer, seemingly oblivious of our presence, passing over a hundred yards above us. Suddenly, four shots rang out in rapid succession, sharp, incisive, on the damp air. Picture the snowy birds, in sharp relief against the leaden sky, suddenly transformed from a perfect “V,’’ into a confused jumble of moving, flapping black and white. Only for a moment that was, however, then, like soldiers tried and true, they rallied once again, and, “Ranged in figure, wedged the way,” on to the northwestward, out of sight and hearing. “Homeward bound.” As I muttered the words and realized their significance, a feeling of pity possessed me for the unfortunate comrade left behind. When the shots were heard, and the flock suddenly became confusion, a bird was seen to drop behind and below the rest. Desperately he beat the air in a vain attempt to regain the lost ground. Fate had willed otherwise, and fate is inexorable. Down, down, he came, spirally, wildly beating the air with one wing, the other was useless. Eventually, he landed in a garden, exhausted. The lucky gunner secured him, and, only too prone to exhibit the result of his skill, held out for our inspection, by its flesh colored feet in one hand, its rusty breast resting on the palm of the other, as handsome a specimen of Chen hyperborea as I ever saw. Passively, the bird rested on his hand, its slender, rusty-white neck thrust forward, its head held low, its liquid black eyes appealing mutely. One wing hung limp its full length, showing to advantage, the black pri- maries, in deep contrast to the rest of the plumage. On the injured wing ap- peared a crimson stain that grew larger and larger. A motley group had gathered around, as groups will, in a small village, when anything out of the ordinary occurs. “That’s a regler ol’ Texas Goose; I seen lots of ’em in Texas,” said a voice. ‘Aw, that Goose never saw Texas; its a California Goose,” said another. “Yes, a California Goose,” wisely reiterated a third, and the bird’s identity thus being established to the apparent satisfaction of all, they dispersed, and the incident was forgotten. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 63 A MARCH DAY IN NEBRASKA March 16th was warm and summer-like and the birds showed their appre- ciation of the fine weather. We were awakened in the morning by the songs of the Robins and Bluebirds, and soon a flock of Blackbirds flew over, filling the air with their melody. The Grackles are not much as soloists but are very strong when singing in chorus. In the afternoon I took a walk. Passing along an orchard bordered by a hedge, I heard the whistle of Harris Spar- rows. ‘These birds are very numerous in spring, but do not condescend to spend either winter or summer with us. The Tree Sparrows, our most com- mon winter birds, are singing their low, sweet song. Reaching a strip of timber bordering a stream, a different lot of birds make thmeselves seen and heard. Chickadees are most numerous, thir calls resounding from every direction. The clear whistle of the Cardinal comes to my ear, and, from deeper in the woods, the ringing “‘pe-to” of the Tufted Titmouse. The drumming of Woodpeckers is heard from everywhere. The always present Downy and Flickers show themselves, and I think I hear the calls of several other kinds but I cannot find them. But what is that tiny bird running along the branches in the tree tops?—evidently a Nuthatch, and, presumalby, from its small size, the brown-headed variety, but it is too high to see distinctly. It is time to return and I choose a different route. By the railroad are some large ponds. Here the air resounds with the call of the Killdeer Plover and a single Mallard is swimming on the surface of the water. If I were armed with a shotgun I might easily take home a trophy, but I do my hunting with an opera glass. Crossing a strip of prairie, I hear the Meadowlarks singing their spring songs. These beautiful birds stay with us all winter but are usually silent until warm weather inspires them to pour forth their melody. E. D. Hower, Table Rock, Neb. A BIRD OF CHANGED HABITS, By Frank H. Sweer. The Wood Pewee is a small brown bird, about six inches in length, with no claim to beauty either in form or color, and is no songster. It is less in size than the common Pewee or Phoebe bird, and has a long, drawling note, very unlike the quick, sharp note of the Phoebe. It is one of the fly-catchers, and has the habit of selecting some post where it can have a good outlook for its prey. Here it sits, with wings and tail drooping, ready to dash after a passing insect, which it seldom misses. 64 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Then it returns to the same place to renew its watchfulness and dart again upon its prey. It is only a few years since this little bird left the deep, dark woods and came to make its home about our dwellings. In the woods it was shy and retiring—now it is one of our most fearless and familiar feathered friends. It would be interesting to know how it came to change its habits, and who were the first pioneers; but we cannot tell. We simply know that all at once the Pewees were with us. They no doubt learned from first comers that they would be safer near our dwellings. And we are glad to welcome the modest little creatures, even if they have no claim to beauty and are no musicians. But they have another accomplishment—they are skilled ornamental architects. They build a charming little nest, and ornament the outside with pretty colored lichens. One summer a pair of Wood Pewees built their nest on a small horizontal limb of an oak tree, not more than three feet from a second-story window and just on a level with the head of the occupant of the room, as he sat and watched them. They eyed him pretty sharply at first; but as there was a screen of green wire netting in the window and he was very quiet, they soon went on with their work, with him as witness. Both birds worked at the nest, but the female was the chief director. They laid the foundation on a small limb, letting it just over either side. The foundation consisted almost entirely of lichens, and they manufactured a kind of glue to hold them together. The glue or cement hardens, and does not dissolve in water. They next used small bits of sticks and fine roots, and a quantity of horsehair, which they wove in with much patience and skill. Unlike the little Chipping Sparrow, which fashions the interior of its nest exclusively of hair, they used other material among the hair. Sometimes a tiny feather or bit of moss or other soft substance would be glued fast to the hair. But their great achievement was in the decoration of the outside of their domicile, which was entirely covered with lichens, no single piece more than half an inch across. On damp mornings and in rainy weather the lichens expanded, showing their delicate colors and making the finest architectural display of all the feathered builders. The neat little nest was about three inches across, half as deep, and perfectly round. While the architects were at work, they kept up a low, murmuring noise. Whether the sound was in some way connected with the manufacture of the glue which they ejected from their mouths, or whether it was a kind of bird language, the watcher could not determine. Now, other actors appeared on the scene. A Red-eyed Vireo hung its hammock-like nest on a tree near by. It was on a limb reaching out toward : | : AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 65 the Pewee’s nest, thus bringing the two domiciles within a few feet of each other. The Vireo is a trim little bird, of a soft olive-green color, a trifle larger than the Pewee, and a loud songster. It has a very inquisitive dispo- sition, and seems anxious to know what its neighbors are doing. So this pair of Vireos took much interest in the Pewees’ affairs and often inspected their work while they were absent. Sometimes one and sometimes both Vireos would be peering at the Pewee’s nest, and more than once they were pun- ished by the fierce little proprietors when caught at it. The Vireos also built a model nest. They used long strips of the inner bark which had been left on grape posts when the outside bark had been pulled off. These strips were ingeniously woven together, and the nest was made fast to a forked twig with twine which they made out of the fibrous stems of plants. The lining was composed of fine, fibrous material and soft grass. It is a deep, compact structure, calculated to withstand heavy storms of wind and rain. The watcher obtained both of these nests after the young had left them. ite The Pewees had so recently come from the deep shady woods that they had not yet learned to adapt themselves to their new surroundings. They seemed to think the main thing was to select a horizontal limb suited for the foundation of the nest, regardless of shade; and, as they worked only morn- ings and evenings, they did not realize, until it was too late, that they were building where the sun would strike the nest in the very hottest part of the day. Bote The young Pewees were hatched in July and about three o’clock every afternoon the sun reached a point where it threw its burning rays directly upon the nest, and the parent birds saw that their naked, helpless little ones could not endure the terrible heat, and it was too smothering hot to brood them, so the devoted mother made a screen of herself by sitting on the edge of the nest toward the sun, and spreading her wings so as to shade her little ones. There she would sit each day for more than an hour, panting and pa- tiently waiting for the sun to pass, when the foliage would again throw its grateful shade over the nest and relieve her from her hot, tiresome task. NATURE'S EARLY GUESTS By Aenes L. Scorr, Mass. When winter has shaken off her apathy, and spring is ushered in with the tenderer signs that makes earth and heaven meet the tide of new life, we are conscious that Nature begins to hurry her budding promises for the coming of the singing birds from far countries, as they come to renew old romances, and to communicate to human souls their loveliness of songs. 66 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. We greet the month of April, for her bounty of hopefulness and resources invites us to come forth and enjoy the resurrection in Nature. The un- folding buds of the trees, the rising flowers, and the atmosphere surcharged with the music, from the many hosts in the pathways of the sky, and the glint of the bright plumage is like heaven’s kaleidescope. Those who live in the country, and are aware of the delights attending a ramble in the orchard and near the woods, watching the feathered guests, as they come to dwell in the trees, gardens, and orchard, are favored with the gift of deriving pleasure from the blessings of Nature. To one who is accustomed to the minute ob- servation of Nature’s Works, there are sources of happiness open to him, for to a certain extent, the air of heaven, the earth, the flowers, the trees, the birds, the insects, and the landscape are common property, and he can feast his eyes on these beauties without cost. These free bounties bring renewed hopes and makes life broader and fuller. Let the dwellers in the city pay a short visit to Nature in the country and see the sublimity in the budding trees, the spectacles of flowers, and hear the birds chanting in full chorus. To acquire the habit, and educating the power of observation of enjoying the visible beauties around them, will lift Photo by R. H. Beebe. Ager oe YouNG SHRIKE. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 67 them out of the soul suffocating atmosphere of artificial recreation, and in- spire them with a sense of freedom known only to those who live in commun- ion with Mother Earth. Before the flowers are yet conspicuous, we are greeted with the fervent songs of the Bluebirds, for he never fails to make known his presence. He is one of the earliest guests in the spring, and when he arrives he perches up- on some leafless tree or barn, and delivers his melodies with fervor. His plumage with the bits of heavenly blue makes him interesting and attractive. The male bird is endowed with a royal coat of blue, his breast of cinnamon- brown and white marks him a conspicuous bird, and his mate who is a modest-looking little quaker in her sober colors, but in her flight is seen the flashing blue in her spreading wings. On their arrival they may be seen diligently hunting among the apple trees and inspecting the holes. A pair of undemonstrative Bluebirds discov- ered a desirable cavity in an old apple tree in the orchard, and they began the task of home-making. So happy were the lovers, that they sang in ecstacy, and constantly flitted about for materials to build the nest. As ar- chitects, they are without artistic taste, but are very practical in making their home compact and comfortable with bits of dried straw and grass. The house-wife sat brooding over her nestful of pale greenish-blue eggs, her mate fed her, giving vent to his happiness by his sweetest songs. There is no resemblance of the little ones to their parents, for they are almost black, but before their flight they are donned with the bits of blue. The parent birds so jealously guarded the little family, that they looked upon me as an intruder whenever I made the attempt to see the little ones. One day thinking the parent birds were on their hunt for insects for the fam- ily, I climbed the step-ladder to look into the house-hold, when suddenly the mother bird flew into my face and demonstrated her wrathfulness in loud tones. Their domestic life was short, for there came a real tragedy in their lives. When the little birds were only four days old, a cat thief discovered the nest and stole the wee ones, leaving a desolate home. It was a sad day for me, as well as the birds, but I turned to the Robins for comfort, and found recompense, for in their excess of happiness, I saw much of importance. Very few are aware that there is novelty and enthusiasm in making the acquaintance with the Robin. He enjoys but little celebrity, though he is universally admired, but many have not given him justice. As a songster, the Robin is assigned to a high rank. His lively notes are heard at the’earliest flush of dawn, in the busy hour of noon, and in the stillness of the evening. As a musician, his delightful anthem is never tiresome. Mr. Parkhurst in his “Bird Calendar,” says he knows of “no bird that is able to give so many shades of meaning to a single note, running through the entire gamut of its 68 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. feelings. From the soft and mellow quality, almost as coaxing as a dove’s note, with which it encourages its young when just out of nest, the tone, with minute gradations, becomes more vehement, and then harsh with quickened reiteration, until it expresses the greatest intensity of a bird’s emotion. Love, contentment, anxiety, exultation, rage-—what other birds can throw such mul- tifarious meaning into its tone? And herein, the Robin seems more nearly human than any of its kind.” There is not an orchard in New England that is not enlivened by the Robins. They always come with an atmosphere of good-will about them. It is amidst the bare trees, upon the lawn, into the garden and fields, that they carol their simple strains, and impart brightness like sunshine to the sur- roundings. The Robin has many virtues, and his usefulness is indispensable to mankind, for they devour the noxious insects and grub-worms. It is worth the while to watch them searching for ground-worms on plough- ed ground, in the gardens and on the lawn. Suddenly you will see them stop, cock their heads from side to side close to the soil, listening for the peculiar sound that issues from the worms, and with a swiftness they pounce their bills into the soil and jerk the worms out. They swallow their prey with a keen relish, for their satisfaction seems to be expressed in the jerking of their tails and beating of wings. It was their greediness that caused me to wonder at their appetite, for the quantity of worms they devoured was amazingly large. One early morning after a rain, the surface of the soil in the yard was thickly dotted over with queer little thimble-like mounds, composed of soft beads of earth which the army of angle-worms had deposited at the opening of their holes. The rain had brought the worms out in uncounted numbers, and this harvest was ap- _ preciated by the Robins and the Bluebirds, for their crops were crammed al- most to bursting with the worms. The Robin has sprightly manners, is domestic in his habits, but as a builder he lacks taste and judgment. His nest is such a clumsy affair and so care- lessly constructed, that it is not creditable to his skill as a builder. Dry grass, weed-stalks and mud, and occasionally a few feathers are the materials, but alas, so poorly secured in the crotches of the apple trees, that often a rain storm brings the nests to the ground. They are so social, cheerful, and contented, that they are nice to have as neighbors near the house. The mornings invite us to go out in the orchard and revel in the pleasures of seeing and hearing the early birds, for to love the feathered inhabitants is to realize the keen enjoyment of life and liberty. To see and to feel the grandeur and harmony of Nature’s works, is to experience a wealth of happi- ness and luxury. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 69 ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO MEG MERRYTHOUGHT 156 WATERVILLE ST., WATERBURY, OT. My Dear Youne Foiks:— Hans has just reminded me that I promised to tell you about his pet of two summers ago. What was it? You may have three guesses. A Crow? No. A Grosbeak? Oh, no. A Cedar bird? Wrong again. His pet was a black- ish grizzled back, a chestnut-colored breast; its head was broad and flat, and its body thick, with large, fat and short legs, and it was nearly a foot and a half in length. You have never seen such a bird! Well, neither have I, nor indeed, has our little friend Hans, either, for Woochu, as Hans called him, was not a bird, but a Woodchuck, which burrowed a long tunnel by the side of the barn. Hans had no brothers or sisters, and few playmates, so he made friends of all sorts of wild things. One day he discovered Mr. Woodchuck’s front doorway in the barn shed, and in less than a fortnight had won the con- fidence of Woochu, and brought him daily rations of cabbage leaves, lettuce, and other dainties from the garden. By the end of the summer Hans and Woochu had become firm friends. Hans would go to the shed and make a curious whistling sound, soon two bright eyes would peep cautiously from the dark doorway of the underground home, then the dumpy, furry body and bushy tail would be seen and the woodchuck would eat like a dog from the hands of the little boy. Hans gave Woochu many a solemn charge not to enter the garden, and Woochu never did, perhaps because his wants were so well supplied without his having to forage for himself. 70 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. When cold weather came, Woochu took a long nap in one of his snug un- derground rooms, and many times through the winter Hans would ask his mother, “Do you think Woochu will come again next summer?” Mother would shake her head. But for once mother was wrong, for before the note of the first Robin was heard, Woochu appeared in the field and ere long came to be fed as of yore. : But one morning when Hans went to the barn he saw a large bird hovering overhead. It was of a buffy white color beneath, streaked with brown, and as it wheeled in the air above him, he could see its dark brown back striped | with white and grey with a rust-red tail. Sir Red-tail was one of those birds with whom he had not made friends. He hastened to see that his brood of young bantams were in a safe place, and then gave his familiar call to Woochu to come to breakfast. But no amount of whistling brought Woochu to his former haunts. After a week had passed and there were no signs of his furry friend, Hans felt sure that the Hawk had laid violent hands—or claws upon his pet. He afterwards learned that old Mr. Turner’s dog Jack was the culprit. Although Hans has had many pets since the disappearance of Woochu, he often goes to the shed at the rear of the barn and gives the old whistle, but not a woodchuck comes in response to his call. We shall be glad to print more letters like that of Clarence Abbott's, giv- ing accounts of birds you see in your walks. Our Bird Magazine goes into cold, tropical and temperate climates, and it will be of interest to “swap stories” about the birds in these different places, so send careful reports of your own birds and their doings, and we will compare Connecticut, Florida and California birds. Cordially your friend, Mere MerryTHouent. ANSWERS TO JANUARY PUZZLES. Pi, A winter visitor. 1. North; 2. pine; 3. green; 4. snow; 5. Sparrow; 6. beak; 7. tip; 8. coat; 9. brick; 10. brown; 11. yellow; 12. seeds; 13. pine cones; 14. other; 15. berries; 16. trees; 17. winter; 18. share; 19. sociable; 20. birds; 21. American Crossbill. QUERIES. 1. The tail feathers of the Woodpecker are pointed and stiffened to act as a prop, and it has 2 toes before and 2 behind, for clinging. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. © 71 2. The bill of the Woodpecker is very long and strong, and serves as a hammer and chisel to drill for insects which hide beneath the bark of brecss | 3. The male Downy, Hairy, Crested, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, the Sapsucker and the Flicker each have a.red mark somewhere upon their heads. 4. Woodpeckers feed upon grubs, beetles, nuts, seeds, and fruits. 5. The Woodpecker excavates a hole for a nest in a partly decayed tree, using the sawdust and chips for a lining to the nest. For warm winter quarters he drills a hole in the underside of a branch, where he is protected from winter storms. 6. The rolling tattoo which the Woodpecker beats upon a hollow limb serves for a love song. 7. The family name of the Woodpecker is Picidae. Numerical enigma, Pine Grosbeak. Extracts From Our Mair Baac. A Day With the Shore Birds of Long Island. On Washington’s Birthday, 1905, my brother, some friends and I spent the day at Rockaway Beach, L. I. The place consists of about ten fisher- men’s houses on a little promontory with a bay on one side and the ocean on the other. Between these is a large marsh, which fortunately, was entirely frozen over when we were there. Hundreds of Herring Gulls, immature and adults, were flying over the billows, generally low down, but now and then flying up high, only to return: again and disappear behind some wave in search of food. These birds ac- companied us in all our walk. There was not a place where we could not see them. Black-backed Gulls were intermingled with them, though not so num- erous. We also saw a few Ring-billed Gulls and one Bonaparte Gull. When the Gulls settled on the ground we noticed that they always got up facing the wind. Constantly, flocks of old Squaw Ducks and Scoters, of both varieties, would fly over our heads, and lots of land birds such as Crows, Snow Bunt- ings, J uncos, etc., were to be seen on the beach. We now left the beach and crossed the marsh, which was simply filled with Tree Sparrows, and we also identified an Ipswich Sparrow. As we were getting rather hungry, we asked a fisherman if we could eat: our lunch in his cottage. He seemed delighted with the prospect, and I hope it was not entirely from mercenary motives. After lunch we walked home along the other side of the promontory, by 72 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. the bay. When about half way home we heard a loud “honk, honk, honk !’’ and on looking up we saw a Canada Goose flying away a few yards above our heads, all alone. It must have gotten lost, and I am afraid it fell an easy mark to the sportsman. A little farther on we came across a dead Red- -legged Black Duck. Its head was off and its side was scooped out, showing the work of some Hawk. We reckoned the time wrong and got to the railroad station just as our train was leaving. As there was not another one for half an hour, we wander- ed over to a near-by field, and there, to our great delight, saw five Horned 2 Larks. With this bird we ended the day, and a good one at that. CiarRENCE C. ABBOTT. New York, N. Y. NumericaLt ENIGMA. My 1-2-3-4-5 -6-7 is a name familiar to bird lovers. ‘My 1-3-3 is something children do at school. '7-4-6-7 is mid-day. 5-6-7-5-4-7 is a sweetmeat. 1-7-6-7 is unknown. 1-7-3 is a word which connects sentences. 5-1-3 ae do not be this. 3-1-7 a boy’s nickname. 1-1-5 oe 5 a rich ruler. 5-1-7 a curse. 5-2-7 an article of food. DECAPITATIONS. 1. Behead a bird which nests’ beneath the eaves of the barn, and leave to roll about. 2. Behead a wading shore bird with a clear whistle, and leave one who loves. 3. Behead one of the Jerapt Sandpipers and leave a word expressing negation.- nat ie : A. Behead : a blue and white bird, ‘Aud jewe a response meaning yes. 5. Behead a game bird and leave to awaken. 6. Behead a bird family with short, stout bills and leave one-twelfth of | a fool. 7. Behead a wading bird with a long bill and very long legs, and leave to tip up. 8. Behead‘a sweet singer and leave Noah’s refuge. 9. Behead some large black birds and leave a plant (genum album) bearing an inconspicuous white blossom. 10. Behead a common Blackbird and leave a number of objects placed — side by side. SEN SAAR BARRA ROOD RONDO RAIORO DARGA ORDER RRR AGI < The Latest and the Best BIRD GUIDE IN TWO PARTS BY CHESTER A. REED, S. B. Author “‘North American Birds’ Eggs and editor American Bird Magazine This new pocket Bird Guide is the result of years of study as to the needs of teachers and Nature students, for a convenient and reliable book that would quickly identify any bird that they might see. It not only NAMES THE BIRDS FOR YOU » @ but tells you about their habits and distribu- iV tion; in what places to look for them; de- fh Sebo their songs as accurately as they can | if be given on paper; describes their nests and I; ms eggs; and gives COLORED ILLUSTRA- im) TIONS OF EVERY BIRD EAST OF THE ROCKIES. Blank pages in the back ‘§ of the book allow you to make any additional notes that you wish regarding any of the birds. It is complete in every respect and is BET- TER THAN A HUMAN INSTRUCTOR for it knows all the birds and is ready to tell you about them at any time. The pictures are drawn and colored from the bird themselves and are very TRUE TO ® NATURE; if the female or young differ in plumage from the male, they are shown also. Regardless of price, a bird book cannot be found as complete and with the real value and utility of this one. It can easily be carried in the pocket, measuring but 3 x 5 1-2 inches;bound either in flexible sock cloth or leather. FINELY PRINTED ON THE BEST PAPER AND PACKED IN A NEAT BOX. Part { will be ready first of April and contains Water Birds, Game Birds and Birds of Prey, 230 pages. Bound in sock cloth 50c postpaid; five copies for $2.00. Bound in leather 75c; 5 copies for $3.00. Part 2 contains Land Birds, Song and Insectivorous Birds, 220 pages. Bound in cloth 50c postpaid; five copies for $2.00. Bound in leather 75c; 5 copies for $3.00. WE WANT AGENTS IN EVERY CITY, TOWN AND SCHOOL. GOOD DISCOUNTS. CHAS. K. REED, Pub. Worcester, Mass. THE DOG FANCIER Established 1891 A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION The oldest, most popular and most prosperous amateur kennel publication in America Contains each month appropriate reading matter and illustrations of great value to every owner of a dog. ADVERTISERS get excellent results, and the rates are very low. Covers the entire United States and Canada, and if he’s got a dog you are pretty sure to reach him through the THE DOG FANCIER. A sample copy will be sent free Subscription price, 50c a year Eugene Glass, Pub., Battle Creek, Mich. THE OOLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Taxider- my. Published by Frank H. Lattin, M. D., Albion, N. Y. The Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar “Bird” Publication in America. The best exchange and want columns. 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It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 prepaid. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. Where to Fish and Hunt and Get Some =. MAINE WOODS is the name of a weekly newspaper that was formerly local and now covers the Hunting, Fishing and Outing news of all North Maine. Sample copy free. Subscription pricce $1.00 a year. J. W. Brackett Co., Phillips, Maine Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted, by Neltje Blanchan. Gives colored plates and the life histories of 173 of our game and water birds and birds of prey. You - can actually see the iridescent sheen on the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- paid, $2.00. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. School Curiosities Just What is Needed in Every School for Nature Study. Over fifty curios and Showy speci- mens at less than one-quarter of their list price. These are all good speci- mens, selected with special care to be of value in study, or for the collector’s cabinet. 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RAND & REED Worcester Mass. =~ Boys and Girls Magazine A Nature Magazine. Beautifully Illustrated Contains live, interesting nature stories. FIFTY CENTS A YEAR Send for sample copy Address BOYS and GIRLS MAGAZINE ITHACA, N. Y. The Gondor A Bi-Monthly Magazine of Western Ornithology J. GRINNELL, Hditor. Published by the Cooper Ornithologi- eal Club. Begins with 1906 its eighth volume and continues the series of photo- graphs from life by Messrs. Finley and Bohlman, which is of special interest to bird lovers and students everywhere. The Only Magazine of Scientific Standing Covering the West- ern Field. in addition to its Articles of General Interest. Contributors in the past have in- eluded Robert Ridgeway, Dr. A. K. Fisher, Louis Stejneger, L. A. Fuertes, J. Grinnell, F. S. Daggett, W. K. Fisher, Wm. Brewster, Dr. Merriams, Mrs. Bailey and others of recognized standing. Subscription $1.00 ber year. Sample Copy, 20 cents. Address H. T. CLIFTON, Bus. Moar., P. O. Box 404, Pasadena, Cal. “YOUTH” for Young Folk THIS TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION COUPON entitles you to six months of YOUTH for 25c To introduoe YOUTH to new subscribers we offer a speciai trial subscription of six months for 25c, if this coupon is enclosed. This ap- plies only to new subscribers. JOURNAL OF THE Maine Ornithological SOCIETY Published on the first of March, June, September and December. Devoted to protection of birds in Maine and the spread of knowledge relating to them. The official organ of the Bird Stu- dents of the state, and containing ar- ticles by the leading ornithologists of Maine. The Warbler papers will be continued during the year 1906. PRICE 50 CENTS A YEAR. Send for Sample Copy. Editor, W. H. BROWNSON, Portland. Associate Editor, FRANK T. NOBLE, Augusta. Send subscriptions to W. H. BROWNSON, City Building, Portland, Maine. BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY With LUMIERE PLATES MEANS. PERFECTION Try the “Sigma” for SPEED and Lantern Slide Plates for FINENESS OF GRAIN AND SNAP} LUMIERE NORTH AMERICAN CO. N.Y. OFFICE I! W. 27ST. Are You Interested in PHOTOGRAPHY Then you should subscribe for America’s Oldest Photographic Magazine THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMES This Magazine gives a greater variety of ¢in- teresting and valuable photographic matter for a dollar than any other American maga- zine in,its class. Beautifully illustrated. Sample Copy for 10 Cents The Photographic Times Pub. As’n 39 Union Square, New York BURLINGTON, VT. LYONS, FRANCE FUR NEWS contains each month a department devoted to TAXIDERMY which leading taxidermists every- where pronounce extremely interest- ing and complete. Illustrations of the finest examples of the art in each issue. Many other subjects, such as Trap- ping, Roots and Barks, treated each month. , Published monthly. $1.00 a year. Address, Fur News, Dept. L., 10 East 14th St. New York. AA GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera ONLY $5.00 These glasses are well made and espec- lally adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field of vision of ordinary ones and magnify nearly four diameters: They are in good strong leather case, ~ ; om silk lined. Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman.............. $6.50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed................ 6.50 The. Glass and both: Books 2%... oses21h sce oe ne eo Ee 8.00 TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with upwards of 800 drawings in colors so arranged that one may learn fa { bird’s name with the least possible difficulty. In no i other book has the problem of identification been so \ simplified. The book is equally usefulin any part’ of | the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. pee North American Birds Eggs By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breeding range of each species; loca- tion and construction of the nest; time of nesting; number, description and variation of eggs laid; with a full sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 3860 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. Both of above books and the American Bird Magazine for one year for $5.00. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. Vol. 6, No. 4. APRIL, 1906. {0¢ a copy, $1 a year. / Me) tle CHAS. K.REED, PUBLISHE WORCESTER, MASS __ (ll i Ce rr —— Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass., as second-class matter, Jan: 16, 1901. LANTERN SLIDES We have listed below as fine a list of slides of birds as have ever been offered. Every one of them is photographed. directly from life. 50 cents each, $5.00 per dozen or finely colored, $1.00 each, $10.00 per dozen. Chippy Family (6 Chipping Spar- rows). Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping » Sparrows.) eA Woodcock on Nest. Nest and Eggs of Woodcock Three Young Woodcock. Ruffed Grouse on Nest. Nest and Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. House Wren (male). House Wren (female). Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, Cedar Waxwing on Nest. American Redstart (male) Feeding Sparrow. Young. Pigeon Hawk. American Redstart (female) and Bluebird at Nest Hole. Nest. : Barred Owl. Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Screech Owl. Young. Four Young Screech Owls. £ ; ‘ Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. Red-eyed Vireo on Nest Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. Ovenbird and Nest. Black and White Warbler on Nest. Field Sparrow Feeding Young. Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. _ CHAS. K. REED, Methods in the Art of Taxidermy By Oliver Davie, Author of “Nests and' Eggs of North American Birds.” 90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. Blue Chimney Swift. Arizona Jays. Never before has the Art of Taxid- ermy had its practical methods por- trayed as we find them interpreted in this work. It is a work of art from cover to cover. Formerly published at $10. My price $2.50 post-paid or Given Free for 6 new subscribers. Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. @ Young Field Sparrow. Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. Nest and Eggs of Bob White. American Robin on Nest. American Robin Feeding Young. Five Young Chickadees. Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. Chickadee at Nest in Tree. Brown Thrasher. Brown Thrasher on Nest. Wood Thrush on Nest. Young Wood Thrush. young Blue Jays. ays in Nests. Blue Jay Feeding Young Loggerhead Shrike. Phoebe on Nest. Hairy Woodpecker. Four Young Crows. Bluebird Feeding Young. Young Bank Swallows. Young Bobolinks Seven Young Kingfishers. Young Kingfishers. Barn Owl. Barn Swallows (pair). Kingbird and Young. Kingbird and Nest. Young Kingbirds. Young Goldfinches. Yellow Warbler and Young. Catbird on Nest. Gila Woodpecker. Wood Pewee on Nest. Young Spotted Sandpipers. Flicker at Nest Hole. Flicker leaving Nest. Young Baltimore Oriole. Yellow breasted Chats. Robin Feeding Young. Young Red-wing Blackbirds. Young Wood Pewee, Young Robin. Young Green Herons Young Shrikes. Red-headed Woodpecker. Bush-Tit and Nest. ‘ Rocky Mountain Jay. - Worcester, Mass A POPULAR HANDBOOK of the BIRDS OF UNITED STATES AND CANADA. BY THOMAS NUTTALL. A new edition complete in a single volume. The best and mest popular book on the birds of the Northern and Eastern States. The book has hitherto been made only in two volumes, and the price has been $7.50 net. In its new and handier form, it should find a place in every household. The illustrations of the birds faith- fully rendered in colors (the most beautiful plates of the kind sincé Au- dubon) form an important feature. $3.00 postpaid. Secure only 8 new subscribers to A. O. and Get It Free. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. “dSOVNVL LATHVOS “Wy 1oy AZOOYNUIO Uvd}Jewy 0} yUaWatddns ‘SSE ‘OISOOIOM “LOTSITQNd ‘Peey "HM "SeYD ‘SSOIPPY ‘HCIND GUId Jo Adoo B dATODO1 YoRe [[TM }S0q plly} pue pUodes oY} {9UTZVSLU SITY} 0} UOTdILOSqnS S,1vak B USATS oq [IM YIUOM Yove vinjoId peaojoo yseq oY} Ul Spuoes OYM OUO OTL ; ‘UeZOP B $}U90 OT 10} pao -[00 9q 01 Ssoldod [BUOTIIPpR [lew [IM om ‘sTidnd a1eu) JO JUOTe} OTST} -1@ 94} JNO SUTIG 0} SUIAJES Sv [JEM SB APN}S Pllq 1OJ S}yWSMeONpUtT qwois O18 SSUTMBIP OSOT} Yeq} Puy Sioyovey, ‘poezuted st ainjord oy} JOY SYJUOUI OM} ONSST 9} UI Poyst[qnd oq [IM inset ey} pue “YUL SUIMO]IOJ 94} JO TIOL 94} UO SOTO [[[M UOT}edmo00 YoRy ‘[ooyos aWlOS SuIpus}}e esoy} 0} A[UO Seztid PrvML [[[M 9M “UsIpTIqo [ooyos Suowe ApNys PAlq Ul ISe1e1UI SuIsvaioul Jo esodind oY} 1OJ St molWed -WI0D S14} SB ‘puv YUOU YoOVe JO[OO 0} vinjoId Mou B OATS TIM OM nod OJ SP1Iq OYY AJTJUOPT [ITM Jey} yood ot} ‘ACIAD Guild jo Adoo & 10 HNIZVOVIN GUuIA NVOINANV 4} 0} UoNdiiosqns s,1vek & ‘aadJ 9e8 AeuL nOA pue dojo INO 04 [leu pue ‘Yoeq oY} UO pus}}e NOA Jey} [OOYS puw Ssoippe ‘oureuU INOA 991M “nO oINjoTd oY} Jno ‘QIQIssod Sv 0988} O1}ST} -I8 YONU Sv YIM pue ATfeanyeu sv isnf SGUIA ASHHL WOOO ¥GEU xvi VEEL So GE F ? Es PEA BS aot Fe z £5 ee ce tex bis ous ALY F POCKET SIZE ~Séin. X Ozin. BIRD GUIDE By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. Author of North American Birds’ Eggs, and Editor of American Bird Magazine. | This is an illustrated, pocket text book, that will =) quickly identify any birds seen east of the Rocky Mountains. EVERY BIRD IS SHOWN IN COLOR, including females and young, when they differ in plumage from the male. It not only names the birds for you, but de- scribes their habits and peculiarities; tells you where to look for them; gives songs, when they are distinctive and possible; describes their nests and eggs; and gives their ranges. These books are intended to take into the field with you, and are JUST AS SMALL AS POSSI- BLE, TO BE OF VALUE; they will easily fit any pocket. No detail is omitted, that is of importance or unusual interest to the student. No book, at any price, is as complete. A FULL PAGE IS maid Zo GIVEN TO THE PICTURE AND TEXT OF EACH Wu = SPECIES OF BIRD, EAST OF THE ROCKIES, New AM: : 434 in all. Ua is A. NY d \ Yj Ly Hach part is finely printed on the best paper, and packed in a neat box. Part 1:-—WATER AND GAME BIRDS; BIRDS OF PREY. 250 pages; flexible sock cloth; 50c. postpaid. Part 2—LAND AND SONG BIRDS. 220 pages. Bound in flexible sock cloth; 50c. postpaid. In flexible leather, 75c. each, postpaid. We want agents in every city, town and school. Good Commissions. CHAS. K. REED, Publisher, - Worcester, Mass. ‘ colored plates showing 50 Birds Eggs varieties in natural size and colors with check-list A. O. U. No. and both common and scientific names of every known North American bird. All for only 10 cents. FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. “- Special Offer for New Subscribers THE NEW BOY 128 East 23d St., New York A MONTHLY MAGAZINE of romance and activity for all kinds of boys, containing clean and interesting matter for boys —to stir his ambition, uplift and inspire him. The Best Boys’ Paper in the World SPECIAL 90 DAYS OFFER A BEAUTIFUL FOUNTAIN PEN 14 KR. GOLD FREE To all sending us 25¢c for 6 months subscription to the NEW BOY. THE NEW BOY Best 50c, a year paper in the world AGENTS WANTED SEND FOR SAMPLE Copy CONTENTS “My Four Years at Anna- polis.” _“New Boy in Europe, special representative traveling from London to Rome.” “Coney Island. New York’s Great Summer Playground.” “The Enchanted City” a fas- cinating serial story. “The Greatest Boy Swimmer” “The New Boy Activities League.”’ Original and Novel Depart- ments on “The New Boy Photo- grapher,”’ “The New BoyStamp Collector,’ "The New Boy Prin- ter and Amateur Journalist.” New Departments each month. Subscribe now. THE NEW BOY A Monthly Magazine for Boys 128 E. 23rd;St., New York Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted by Neltje Blanchan. Gives colored plates and the life histories of 173 of our game and water birds and birds of prey. You can actually see the iridescent sheen on the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- paid, $2.00. The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illustrations, Colored Plates which show over a Thousand Species of American Butterflies with all their na- tive beauty and brilliance of coloring. This is a “Popular Guide to a Knowl- edge of the Butterflies of North Amer- ica.” It tells everything about butter- flies, and tells it in a way anybody can understand. Every one interested in Butterflies should own this book. Price only $3.00 prepaid. The Moth Book, by W. J. Holland. Fully illustrated by color photography. The illustrations of the moths are nat- ural size and the coloring is perfect. With this book it is easy to identify any moth at a glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 prepaid. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies |Oc. Mass. 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE Parents TrRaveE MARKS DESIGNS CoPYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American, A handsomely illustrated weekly. J.argest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & C0,3¢18roadwy, New York Branch Office, 625 F St., Washington, D. C. vy \ SE AZ Ca a aa _\, Black Diamond Express Monthly PUBLISHED BY THE PASSENGER DEPARTMENT OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD An Illustrated Compendium of FACTS, FICTION, TRAVEL, HUNTING, FISHING. 1897 50 cents a year. 5 cents a copy. —— THE PIONEER OF ITS CLASS 143 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK 1906 -2 287 Va i) | £ Bp/BR STUDENT. TART MAGAZINE Teaches how. to sketch animals, birds etc. from Li ve) ( life by the ‘installment “GAME plan’; how to fiaish up Sy see sketches in pen and ink, crayon, wash, etc. Special numbers on Animal drawing,Birds. Scenery Sketching, Flowers, Foliage, and all lines of pen art work. Drawings by amateur artists published and criticized. Contains valuable news, suggestions and advice for all art students. Send 10 cents for sample copy or $1.00 for a yearly subscription. ART STUDENT’S MAGAZINE CO., 166 Art Bidg.. Kalamazoo, Mich. THE OOLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and Taxider- my. Published by Frank H. Lattin, M. D., Albion, N. Y. The Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar : “Bird” Publication in America. The best exchange and want columns. Question and answer columns open to Collectors and Students in every branch of Natural History. An entire year with free 25c. exchange notice cou- pon, only 50c. Sample copy on application. Address, ERNEST H. SHORT, Editor and Manager Chili, N. Y. at the Book THIS PAPER IS PRINTED and Maga- cmegoelets A ML EDDY, “2% NENG Browning’ s Magazine A Periodical of Fashions and Fancies Cents a Year Sample copy Free “«& & 7x5 CASH PRIZES in the Departments of Puzzles and Amateur Photography Address BROWNING, KING & CO. 16 Cooper Square New York City BOYS’ MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY, ONE YEAR, 25c. Howto Do and Make Things. Read it and Learn a Trade. PRACTICAL YOUNG AMERICA Allabout Photography, Carpentry, Print- ing. Boats, Good Stories, Magic, Poultry Pets, Taxidermy. Trapping, _ Puzzles, Stamps, Athletics, Hunting, Canoeing, Wood Carving, Fret Sawing, Thrilling Stories for Boys, Camping, Fishing, Dialogues, Recita- tions, Amateur Journalism, Model ;Engines, Boilers, Motors, Money-making , secrets, Stories of Adventure, Home Study. Every- thing boys want to know. Send U.S. quarter to-day, and be delighted. Boy Stories. No trash. Parents endorse it. Exciting stories. CAMBELL PUBLISHING CO., (Dept. 30) Des Moines, lowa Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instruc- tive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. American Ornithology A Magazine Devoted Entirely to Birds. Published monthly by Cuartes K. Reep, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. Edited by Chester A. Reed, B. S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One Dollar yearly in advance: Single copies ten cents. Vols. I, II, III, IV, and V, $1.00 each. SPECIAL.—Vols. I, II, III, IV, V, and subscrip- tion for 1906, $4.00. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $1.25. Copyright, 1906 by Chas. K. Reed. VOL. VI APRIL, 1906. NO. 4 On page 78 of this issue, we publish a few queries in regard to the English Sparrow. We wish as many of our readers as possible would answer these questions and send their plain, unvarnished opinion in regard to the sparrow question to Mr. Estabrook. Do not indulge in useless tirades or abuse but state plain facts that you know to be correct; again, do not let your sympa- thies close your eyes to their glaring faults, some of which are emblazoned on the fronts and sides of all city blocks and dwellings. “T would like to suggest that the readers of American Ornithology might find it very interesting to have a number of this magazine devoted to a dis- cussion in the form of a debate, upon whether birds have intellect or only in- stinct. Many interesting facts from personal observation would probably be handed in from all over the country, to illustrate both sides of this popular question. I think such a number would be a very valuable magazine, for many remarkable facts about bird life would be brought out, that otherwise would never be published.” We are entirely in accord with this communi- cation from Mr. S. D. Robbins, Belmont, Mass., and now call for accounts of any actions of birds that you may have observed, which would seem to de- note the presence of intellect or forethought. We will plan to devote part of the July number to this question, so you will have the opportunity to make further investigation, but all material will have to be in our hands before June 10th. The following showed the most skill in coloring the Kinglet supplement for February: Ist, Inez Henely, Grinnell, Iowa; 2nd, Leon E. Youngs, Port Crane, N. Y.; 3rd, E. R. West, New Albany, Ind. Rn ea. Photo by N. W. Swayne. Barn Ow.s. 74 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. A BIRD COMPOSER, By Grorce R. TuHompson, Cuinton, N. Y. It was a beautiful morning in Central New York, in the unusually warm and pleasant Spring of 1903. The writer was just leaving his house oppo- site the grounds, formerly owned by a nurseryman, of a neighbor who spared no pains to maintain one of the beauty spots of his village. Sud- denly from among the trees beyond the hedge a ringing bird song was heard, a single phrase only,—but so striking as instantly to command attention. Here was every inducement to stop and investigate, but nature study, the thing that seemed worth while, had to yield to business engagements, things of no consequence, but necessary in order to meet the endless procession of bills, the penalty of an attempt at civilized life. And so a trolley trip and a day in a city office followed instead of the more congenial ramble afield, not without a resolution, however, to identify the songster at the earliest chance. Several days of fair, warm weather followed. Early one morning,—it was Thursday, May 21, 1903,—through the open window of the sleeping room the song was heard, instantly recognizable when one had observed it before. Further sleep was out of the question. After hastily rising, a trial at the piano, while the song was fresh in memory, showed that the song- phrase was in D minor, thus: Here was a musical phrase worthy of Wagner in originality and of Verdi in sweetness, rendered with a brilliancy and tone quality not to be despised in the cornet soloist of a metropolitan orchestra,—all by a little bird, un- taught, save by nature, in rhythm, phrasing, tone-quality or motive. It was a bird morning and the air was full of song, but the repetition of this phrase at short intervals dominated the chorus. A search with an opera- glass in the shrubbery over the way was begun, with determination to solve the mystery. Clear and strong the calls came, while evergreens and shrubs among the trees were passed, and a wood thrush, hopping about on the grass among the robins, ordinarily enough to attract attention, was passed almost unnoticed. Soon the approach became cautious; the song was near. Finally an evergreen was carefully rounded and there, in a shrub thirty feet away, was the singer. He was not shy at approach; instead, he seemed to have the proper scorn of the virtuoso for ordinary folk. But what humiliation for the finder! With the belief that the commoner birds were known and that AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 75 this was something rare the search began, and here was an ordinary Balti- more Oriole! No, he was not ordinary, he had that song! Through the summer he was like a personal friend. The song marked him apart from his tribe. Sometimes in the elm near the swinging nest built later on, sometimes in the evergreens or in the maples along the street, he was ever ready to reply to a poorly whistled human imitation of his song by a ringing rendering of his own,—as if to say, “There sir, that’s the way!” Nesting time passed; the freshness of Spring became the heat of Summer; the songs became less frequent; after a faint revival in August they ceased altogether. Winter passed; Spring came again and the reappearance of the songster was eagerly awaited. Finally one calm Sunday morning in May, there it was again! No,—not exactly the same, but still the same song. He omitted the last two notes from the previous year’s song. Throughout the Summer he sang except in the moulting season of late July, but with less frequency, brilliancy and strength than before, and again he disappeared at the approach of Fall. In the summer of 1905 the writer had changed his place of residence and was able to observe the old locality only a few times. On one occasion the song-phrase was recognized while passing along the street. The bird is re- garded as a personal friend whose reappearance is eagerly awaited. SAPSUCKER SKETCHES, By Srepuen P. BRowNELL. Looking at the young sapsucker in the picture (see Feb. A. O. p. 37). one might reasonably conclude that it had bored the holes in the bark of the alder from which it is drinking the sap. But this bird is not the carpenter which has so fatally mutilated this tree. The holes were made by its in- dulgent mother. The young bird is reaping the fruit, or rather, drinking the sap of her labors. As with human kind, you cannot always tell from the money one has who earned it, or from the clothes one wears who paid for them; also among sapsuckers, we cannct safely conclude that the bird which sucks the sap. drilled the holes from which it flows. For several weeks iast summer a family of yellow-bellied sapsuckers (Sphyrapieus varius) came daily to a clump of alders, where I often spent the morning hours in study. We were engaged quite differently. I, tapping my head for ideas that would not flow; they. tapping trees for sap that read- ily exuded. And yet I hope they enjoyed my company as well as I did theirs. The family consisted of the parent birds and two young ones. During my observation of these birds. covering a period of about six weeks, I noticed a marked development in the plumage of the young. The white lines above 76 , AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. and below the eye, and the white patch on the throat, which show quite plain- ly in the picture, were hardly observable when I first saw them. The birds got so accustomed to.me in. my camp chair that even the old ones became quite tame. The most confidence, however, was shown by the young. So fearless these became that one of them permitted my little girl who was with me one day to reach her hand within a foot of it before it flew to another branch. ADULT SAPSUCKER. This family of sapsuckers, of which I saw so much last summer, acted in a very commonplace manner, much like common birds and common men working for a living. I was hoping all the time to see them performing some wonderful feats never witnessed nor described by any naturalist, and I would secure a monopoly of the birds’ peculiar mannerisms, write them up, get my story copyrighted and the method of observation patented. Next summer I will not spend my time watching the birds in the ordinary routine of their life, but will endeavor to find some individuals which will rise above commonplaces and open up to my expectant gaze a whole chapter of psychological phenomena. But, seriously, there were a few things that deeply interested me last summer, as I watched my bark-boring friends. Hoping that these may be also of ‘interest to some of your readers I will record them. And first, I became convinced from my observations of these birds that the sap of the trees is their principal food. My first impression was that they were after the ants, flies and butterflies which gathered about the exuding sap; and that the birds perforated the bark for the sole purpose of attracting the in- AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 77 Photo by S. P. Brownell. IMMATURE SAPSUCKER. sects. But more careful observation failed to confirm this belief. Not once did I see any effort made by the birds to capture the insects thus at- tracted. Nor were the hearts of the birds won, via their stomachs, by the suet which I offered them. Of this they ate very sparingly, taking it more as entremets than as a regular diet. This view was confirmed by their per- sistence in driving away a pair of downy woodpeckers which were quite anxious to feast on the fat, and incidentally to pose for a group picture in so doing. But vain were my attempts to drive away the sapsuckers till I could photograph the downies at their dinner. Again, I noticed that the mother birds bored the most of the sap cells. It would appear that her mate is not so indulgent to the young after they seem old enough to shift for themselves. Before the young birds leave the nest each parent shares equally the burden of support. On July 5th, 1902, in Nova Scotia, I watched a pair of these birds feeding their young. The nest was about thirty feet high in a dead birch. The old birds came turn 78 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. about with food for the clamoring nestlings. The food was probably wood worms, for they secured it from a piece of burnt woods, near by. In boring the bark of the alder bushes the mother bird always worked up- ward. I did not see her extending the perforated space from below. Per- haps in this she had no special purpose. But, if, as it occurred to me, her object was to secure the overflow of sap from the newly drilled holes by making them in such a position that it would run into the dried up cells below, we have another evidence of something very near to reasoning in- stinct in our feathered friends. | Had the new sap cups been drilled below the old ones, the overflow of sap would have run down the bark, and have been lost to the young birds upon their return to the tree. I was also interested in seeing that the hummingbirds and white-breast- ed nuthatches helped themselves to the food which the mother bird had so laboriously provided for her own progeny. ‘The hummingbirds, especially, were attentive to the flow of the sap. ‘Their well known fondness for sugar explains this predilection. In this sugar-making country, birds, as well as men, have learned the art of drawing sweetness from the trees. On several occasions I have seen sapsuckers tapping on the sugar-maker’s sap buckets as they hung on the maple trees. The first time that I ever heard this gave me quite a start, as the sharp blows of the bird’s bill on the tin pail suddenly disturbed the stillness of the forest. Probably they were gathering the grains of sugar formed on the buckets by the evaporation of the sap. With the nuthatches and hummingbirds, ants, flies and butterflies stealing their food; with downy woodpeckers to be kept away; with a strange look- ing box with a long trailing tube leading to a man on a chair, and its large glass eye staring at them as they take their morning meal, is it not a wonder that the young sapsuckers are able to preserve that look of complacent in- difference and kindly good nature which the camera has reproduced in the picture? Circular of Inquiry with reference to the Present Status of the English Sparrow Problem in America. 1. Are you familiar with Bulletin No. 1, The English Sparrow in America, published by the Agricultural Department in 1889; and do you agree with the facts there presented and with its conclusions? 2. Is the English Sparrow present in your locality? How numerous? Are they increasing or decreasing in numbers? 3. What is being done to exterminate them? Please outline methods which you deem effective. 4, What influence have you observed the English Sparrow to have upon native birds? AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY | | 79 5. Would public opinion in your lecality favor the adoption of effective measures to exterminate this species fr 6. Please state facts and arguments, pro and con, which decide this prob- Jem in your own mind. Everybody interested is requested to send replies to the above questions before June 1, if possible, to the undersigned. It is proposed to gather a concensus of opinion from all parts of this country and Canada. The data will be made public as soon as possible. Mar. 5, 1906. Signed, A. H. Estasroox, Clark University, Worcester, Mass. Newspapers please copy. Photo by EH. C. Lambert. Nest or CaTsirp. 80 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ANT-EATING WOODPECKER,. 407%. Melanerpes formicivorus. Male with a red crown and white or yellowish forehead; female with the white forehead separated from the red crown by a black band. Black band across the breast streaked with white. Young very similar but duller col- ored. Range.—Southwestern United States, from Texas to Arizona and south into Mexico. CALIFORNIAN WOODPECKER, | 40%. 9.5 inches. M..f. Bairdi. Like the. last variety but with the bill slightly heavier, and with black breast band nearly solid black. Range.—Pacific coast from Oregon southward. These beautiful birds are rarely seen far distant from the oak belts, and in suitable localities throughout the southwest and on the Pacific coast, they are fairly common. As they are sociable and often found in flocks, besides being noisy, they are, perhaps, the most often seen of any of the family. Except when working, they seem to be very restless and are continually flitting from tree to tree; but they will sit on the end of a dead limb and drum on the resonant wood for hours at a time, stopping every few minutes to listen for an answer, or to see if their music is being properly appreciated. All woodpeckers will store food away for future use, but this species seem to be a great deal more industrious in this particular than any other. Their food consists chiefly of acorns; these they will gather and tuck in holes that they have drilled for their reception in suitable dead limbs, or in the tops of telegraph poles. Sometimes trees will be found studded with acorns, row after row of holes being drilled closely together around the trunk. Acorns are put in these both for storage purposes and holding them so that they can hammer the shell open with their bill. Jay and squirrels try to, and - often do steal a great many of these stored nuts, but, while these woodpeckers are very sociable and peacefully inclined towards one another, they do their best to punish any marauder that they catch purloining their stores. Besides acorns, they catch a great many insects, often darting out from the trees and catching them in the air, true flycatcher fashion. They also eat a great many larvae and eggs of insects that they get from under the bark. They do some damage to fruit, in the season, for like all the woodpeekers of this genus, they are fond of it. However, the damage they do is slight com- pared to the good services that they render. About the middle of April they commence to excavate their home; they most often select an oak, but if there is a shortage of decayed ones, any tree AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. CALIFORNISN WoOoODPECKER. 81 82 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. of suitable size will answer. Both birds assist in the labor and they do a great deal of talking as they work. As in the case of most woodpeckers, the chips are carried to some distance before they are dropped, and only rarely is a nest found where there will be any evidence of work on the ground at the foot of the tree. Their four or five eggs are pure white, and glossy; they measure 1.00 x .75 inches. For perhaps a day after they are hatched, the young are fed upon regurgitated food, but after that they are fed upon solid food which the parents bring to them in their bills. If the trunk of the tree containing a nest and young, is struck a sharp blow, they will often com- mence a loud buzzing sound like a great hive of bees. This sound is also produced by the majority of other species. THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS, By Cart L. Kapp. With the advent of spring, those who are interested in ornithology, watch with eager interest for the advance guard of the vast host of migrating birds. March, though a period of unsettled weather, is, properly speaking, the month when the spring migration begins. But an unusually mild spell dur- ing the latter part of February, may possibly induce the Bluebird and Song Sparrow, two species numbered among our permanent residents (in Iowa), to prematurely welcome spring and inaugurate the season of song. Soon after this, if the conditions of the weather remain favorable, we may expect _the appearance of the Robin, Purple Grackle and others. Another unde- niable evidence of the approach of spring is seen in the preparations of the Great Horned Owl, another permanent resident, ‘for the construction of a nest early in March. As the season advances, and one sees the passing of countless feathered hosts, the summer residents dropping from their ranks as their summer home is reached; the transient visitants pausing for a time only and then contin- uing their journey, the old vexed question as to the cause of this bi-annual movement of the feathered tribes presents itself. So many are the difficul- ties and objections which present themselves, that a clear and concise so- lution of the problem seems impossible. I have discussed the question with many people who were well versed in bird study, as well as with many who take but little interest in the birds. So many were the theories advanced that, to present them all here, would be out of the question. But the most plausi- ble in the minds of many is that of food supply. Converse with some of the supporters of this theory and they will draw your attention to the fact that when the ice leaves the rivers and lakes, we AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo from life by A. D. Wheedon. Carsirgp Witt Foop ror Her Youne. 83 84 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. notice that the geese and ducks put in an appearance, but not before. Also at this time we may expect the so-called enemy of the fisherman, the Belted Kingfisher. With the advent of the insect season, we note the arrival of those species which are wholly insectivorous. Again, in the fall, when the temperature becomes such that the ground is hardened and the ice forms on the water, we find that all the species that derive their food from the water, leave, and those whose nature it is to probe in the soft mud about the edges of ponds and lakes, also leave as soon as the ground hardens. Now, while all these facts, for facts they are, together with many others which are presented by the supporters of the food-supply theory, are unde- niably true, there are many objections to be answered before it will be gen- erally accepted as the one and only cause for migration. For instance, if the food supply governs the migrations of birds, why is it that members of those species included in the list of permanent residents, that is, those species that are represented in northern localities all the year round, remain and vary their diet according to the season? Why do not other species learn to vary their diet and thus escape periling their lives in the long journeys to and fro? We see, many times during hard winters, flocks of English Sparrows clus- tering miserably together, and starving for want of food. Why does not this hardy little bird learn the lesson of migration as other species have learned it? Again, why is it that birds that pass the winter in tropical re- gions leave at the time when the tropical season is at its height, and the insect life is at its best, to come northward to a land where the last traces of winter have hardly vanished? : Mr. Frank M. Chapman, in “Bird-Life,’ makes this statement:—‘‘I be- lieve that the origin of this great pilgrimage of countless millions of birds is to be found in the existence of an annual nesting season. In my opinion, it is exactly paralleled by the migration of shad, salmon and other fishes to their spawning grounds, and the regular return of seals to their breeding rookeries. Most animals have a desire for seclusion during the period of repreduction, and when this season approaches, will seek some retired part of their haunts or range, in which to bring forth their young.” A little further on in this discussion of the same subject, he says:—‘There is very good reason to believe the necessity of securing a home in which their young could be reared was, and still is, the cause of migration. It must be remembered, however, that birds have been migrating for ages, and that the present conditions are the result of numerous and important climatic changes.” He also says that many species of tropical sea birds resort each year to some rocky islet, where they may nest in safety. This is not migration in. the proper sense of the term, but the object is the same that prompts the plover to travel to the Arctic regions, and the movement is just as regular. As in AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 89 the case of the warbler, they are annually affected by an impulse to hasten to a certain place. The impulse is periodic, and in a sense, common to all birds. There is a nesting season in the tropics, just as there is a regular nesting season in the Arctic region. . Why is it, then, since there is a nesting season in the tropics, that some of the species which migrate to the tropics do not remain there, and when the period of reproduction approaches, seek some retired spot where they can nest in safety? Because as the summer months advance, the heat of the tropical region becomes unbearable to those species which are used to a tem- perate clime. Photo from life by J. H. Miller. CaTBIRD oN NEsvT. 86 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Human beings, who are able, often go south to escape the inconveniences of winter weather, but they do not go south during the summer months be- cause those used to a temperate clime, suffer intensely from the heat of a southern sun. There is a certain season of the year, it is said, when par- tridges go crazy. It seems to be a temporary madness which incites them to fly miles away, in no particular direction and to no particular place. What the cause is, I do not know, but it has at least one good effect which is easily seen; it breaks up families. Were it not for this temporary insanity, these birds would remain, year after year, in the same locality, and thus become exposed to the danger of interbreeding, which would be fatal to their kind. The annual migration of other birds has naturally the same effect. Flocks of birds, such as the Robin, which have congregated in one locality ready to migrate, are joined by others from other localities. As the flocks mingle, members of the same brood become separated. It is my belief that the an- nual migration of birds is governed by several reasons. I do not see how it could be due to one cause alone, as food supply, for instance. The theories presented by different authorities, in my opinion, are all equally plausible, but are not sufficient to meet every case. My conclusion is, then, that the migration of birds is governed, not by one but by several reasons, viz.—the desire for seclusion during the period of re- production; the supply of food; climatic conditions, and the necessity of the breaking up of families. . irae [I doubt if any well versed writer upon the subject intentionally claims that . bird migration is due to one cause alone, but there is no doubt but what the most vital reasons are food supply and instinct (that word which is so often used by scientists to explain that which they do not know). All birds do, in- stinctively, most of the things that their parents did. A Blue Jay, raised from the egg, although it may learn any number of notes, will, in times of excitement, fall back upon the old jay calls, although he never before heard them. A Ruffed Grouse, raised from the egg, will strut and drum, during the proper season, the same as his parents did. A bird whose ancestors mi- erated will always migrate from instinct as well as because of a coming shortage in food supply. An ali-wise Providence created birds for beauty, song and utility, and probably instilled into the breast of each species, the instinct to migrate or not to migrate, whichever was best suited to the needs of the locality it inhabited. There is an abundance of food in the north for such birds as remain, such as insect larvae and eggs, seeds and dried berries. It is only when trees are covered with an icy coat or the snow with a hard erust, that our winter birds experience any real hardships. There is not, however, sufficient food in winter to warrant other species in staying here, even provided that they had the bill required to secure food in our winters. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 87 Likewise it would not do for our birds to remain in the south instead of returning at the proper time, for the north would have an insect scourge, while the south would be overrun with birds, for those from the Antarctic regions would be pouring in to escape their winter. I think that the temper- ature is the least important factor in the migratory movement, as far as the ability of the birds to stand it is concerned. Southern Chickadees are just as heavily plumaged as are the northern Hudsonian variety. The Laugh- ing Gull, that does not come north of Massachusetts in the summer, is just as heavily clothed as is Ross Gull which is not found south of the Arctic Circle even in winter. Our Black-capped Chickadee sings just as cheerily on a bright winter day, with the thermometer registering ten or more de- grees less than nothing as he does in temperate heat, or when it is above the - hundred mark in summer. The migration scheme, as it exists, is a perfect one; the bird life normally will balance the insect life. Man must not destroy this balance; even if we cannot see wherein a certain species is economically valuable, that is insuffi- cient excuse for exterminating it. I have never heard the saying about partridges going crazy at certain seasons, but we remember the story of Mr. Ernest Seton Thompson as to “Why the Chickadee Goes Crazy.” I think probably the partridge story has a similar origin; there may be “crazy” birds in some parts of the country, but a long acquaintance with grouse, or “partridge,’ and Chickadees war- rants me in saying that we have level-headed ones in Massachusetts. Ed. | Photo by R. H. Beebe. Youne CaTBIRD. 88 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. | Res bon Oe Photo by I. H. Hess. “When the wintry wood folds up her shroud Revealing spots so dear, And the snows upon the north-tipped slopes Begin to disappear.” fl j AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. THE MESSENGER, By Isaac E. Hass. When the wintry wood folds up her shroud Revealing spots so dear, And the snows upon the north-tipped slopes Begin to disappear— When the green springs upward to replace Earth’s carpet brown and sear— They’re bulletins: translated read, _ “Spring-time is almost here.” When the Red-bird plies his questionings “What cheer” to me “What cheer’’, When from the azure skies above Sweet bluebird notes I hear. And “honks” of wild geese speeding north Fall softly on my ear— They're peremptory messages; They tell me spring is near. When from the distant south there rings The clarion notes and clear, And comes the wild voice, hastening On wings ‘‘Killdeer,” “Killdeer”— I bid farewell to winter And we part without a tear; For spring’s authentic messenger Is come and spring is here. 89 90 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. MY PINE GROSBEAKS, By Cuayton E. Stone. In your magazine for December, 1905, I was quite interested in the arti- cle entitled, ““A Family of Chickadees.”’ . For quite a number of years I have taken considerable care to call the birds about my home that I might become better acquainted with them, and to study their habits. Each winter my yard is well filled with feeding places for my feathered friends. And, to judge from the number of birds that frequent these every day during the winter, I should think that they were very much appreciated by them. Jays, juncos, tree sparrows, downy and hairy woodpeckers, nuthatches, goldfinches and an occasional brown creeper and lots of chickadees. These have become so tame that I fed them from my hands, and they will often light upon my cap, and we are very companionable in many ways. But by far the most interesting of all my winter birds were my flock of pine grosbeaks, that were with me during the winter of 1903 and 1904. While riding along a pine-bordered road in my town (Lunenburg, Mass.), late in November (the 27th), I was surprised to hear the call of one of these wanderers from the north and a moment later three of them, one red and two yellow, were perching on the top of a low pine, not thirty feet from me. During that winter they were very abundant. I had a flock of a dozen or more of them that stayed about my farm all winter, until late in March (the 30th), and during that time they became very familiar and friendly. A tub, in which I had flowers in summer, was about four feet from my doorway, and this I converted into a dining table for the birds, and hardly a day passed all winter that the grosbeaks did not make it a visit. Of all the different species of birds I have ever met with I think the gros- beaks have the least fear of man. While feeding, there would be as many as half a dozen within two feet of me and they would take food from my hand. One partially red male, with a few broken feathers in its back, would allow me to stroke it as you would a cat. (The bird nearest me in the picture I enclose is the one I speak of). While the grosbeaks were with me I ex- perimented with them to find out what kind of food they liked best. Grain such as corn, oats and wheat, they cared nothing for; crumbs and scraps of meat they would not touch; they ate a few bird, cucumber and sunflower seeds, but fresh cut apple they: would gorge themselves with, a bird eating as much as an eighth of a fair-sized apple at a single meal. Aside from their dining table, I never met with birds that were more erratic in their feeding habits. They would feed upon the buds of one species of tree or shrub in one locality, while in another, not ten rods distant AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 91 from it they would not touch the same species, but would feed exclusively on some other. This would apply to individual trees of the same species. Two apple trees, side by side in my yard, were frequented by many birds, one a sweeting; they feasted on its buds. The other a Gravenstine, with much larger buds, they seldom touched. Maple and ash buds seemed to be a favorite food with them, as were also the seeds of white and yellow pine. Many thought that their extensive budding of fruit and shade trees would do a great deal of harm, but I have yet to learn of any amount of damage being done to any of them. Perhaps it was a benefit, for in their budding of the trees they saved the labor of thinning the fruit. At any rate, they are and always will be a welcome visitor to me, and I only wish they would come our way more frequently than they do at present. They are such a cheery sight in our yards during the long, cold New Eng- land winters. nee Pine GROSBEAKS. Y2 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. “THE RUFFED GROUSE ON SNOW SHOES.” W. C. KNow Les. Deep snows cover the wintergreen patches and the last red berry has been plucked from the bitter-sweet vine. What will the grouse do for the next meal? = Several times during last winter two or three of these brown birds came flying through the dusky twilight with that familiar whirring sound of the woods, and alighted on the topmost branches of the door-yard apple trees. They were after apple buds and ate with great rapidity. We could hear them feasting long after it was too dark for us to see, until they flew away to the woods and the warmth of the hemlock trees. They returned before daylight for their breakfast. The grouse does not depend wholly upon buds for food, for he can walk the snow drifts with great ease. In fall a fringe of hard bristles grows on both sides of each toe. This bristly growth prevents the bird from sinking into the snow bank and enables it to burrow for food to some extent. In April, these comb-toothed shoes will disappear and the bird will go barefoot all summer. Look for the tracks of the grouse on the snow and see for yourself how this shy wood bird walks on snow shoes. A DRUMMER BOY. My interest in the partridge was aroused by reading William Long’s story of the ‘Ol Beech Pa’tridge.” This is the story of a bird, which roamed for years over a certain tract of land, claiming it as his own, and from it, driv- ing off every other cock partridge that dared approach the region of his two favorite drumming logs. He was the target of many a hunter, and many a noble dog tried to hold him, but in vain. As a last resort, a small boy set a trap for him, but through the curiosity of a blue jay, the Ol’ Beech Pa’tridge’s life was spared. Due to the large number ef devotees of the hunt, the woods in this region, have been largely depopulated of these birds. So it was to me a matter of joy and interest when an opportunity was presented of observing the partridge. — Tired from a long walk, which had just lead through an old wood lot densely covered with a low growth of bushes and brambles, I sat down to rest. At my feet trickled a little brook, and opposite rose a gentle slope covered with hickories, seemingly an ideal place for birds. As I looked about, my eye rested on a stump, and standing on it, though scarcely discernible on account of the blending of color, was a cock par- tridge. The bird strutted about on the stump with drooping wings, his fine AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 93 tail spread and ruff raised, apparently looking to see if he was observed.. No one was looking, he concluded, and so he stood erect and preened him- self. Then the woods resounded with his drumming. He seemed to pro- duce the sound by striking his wings against the side of his body. This, he did very slowly at first, then, after a short pause, he gradually increased the the speed until the sound died in a continuous whirr. Ten consecutive times I saw this partridge drum, and every time he went through the same preliminary movements. After watching for a time, I made my presence known, by going nearer, only to see him hop from his stump and disappear in a great flurry. About fifteen minutes later, as I stood on the edge of the woods, some distance from this spot, I heard the sound of his drumming, which seemed to come from a long distance. All summer, I thought of this persistent fellow, drumming on his stump to call a mate. Always there came the wish that the ruthless hunter would spare his life, and that he might secure a loving mate. Este Space JACKSON. y/ 4 fess o UR FOUR YO ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO MrG MERRYTHOUGHT 156 WATERVILLE ST., WATERBURY, OT. My Dear Youne Forxs:— Just now there is a great stir in Bird Circles, has it reached your town? Many of the birds are donning fresh coats of brighter colors than those which they have worn during the winter months: each feather is combed and preened and oiled. The members of the May-day Choral Society are mak- 94 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. ing ready for the delightful symphony which shall announce to us the coming of the birds, flowers, and summer in all its sweet witchery of green. Hundreds of miles, over land and sea, they will come in great companies ; each one will reach here in due time to add his own sweet strain to the uni- versal chorus. Year in, and year out, they have never failed us, nor will they do so this year. With unerring instinct, they will return from the lands of the palm and from the islands of the south. Even the tiniest among these birds of pass- age, is nothing daunted by the four thousand miles which stretch before him. During this month and May most of the wanderers will return, and how gladiy we shall welcome back each tiny tourist. Every one of our boys and girls will want a season ticket, and they will have to be in their places early to miss none of the bewitching melodies. I should be glad to have you write me your opinion of the English Spar- row. Do you think he has been slandered—and do you agree with our Texas friend? Cordially your friend, Merc MerryTHovucnt. Rout or Honor. Charles D. Robinson, Waterville, Maine. Huldah Chace Smith, Providence, R. I. ANswers To Marcu Puzzuszs. Decapitations. 1. Swallow-wallow;- 2. Plover-lover; 3. Knot-not; 4. Jay-ay; 5. Grouse-rouse; 6. Finch-inch; 7. Stilt-tilt; 8. Lark-ark; 9. Ravens- avens; 10. Crow-row. Audobon. Enigma GLEANINGS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, An INTERESTING Brirp. The English sparrow’s habits and traits will bear close study. I have watched them carefully for about a month. Some folks say they are noisy and their chattering is disagreeable. Well, when it is cold and a north wind is blowing hard hadn’t you rather hear their chattering than no song? I had. Many a morning when it is cold, the first thing I hear when I get out- side the house is their chattering. There is a Red Haw bush in our yard, and a vine grew in this bush AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 95 which had a kind of black berry, which is called shetal berry. The spar- rows seem very fond of it, and I have seen as many as twenty of these birds eating these berries. Some people say that they drive off other birds. I saw two mocking birds and some sparrows eating the berries, and they were not quarreling. I have also seen other birds such as snow birds, mocking birds, and chickadees, and they seemed to be getting along very peacefully. I think there is too much blame put on this bird. Bonner Correy, Bandera, Texas. VILLANELLE—THE Lark’s Sone. There is no song I love so well, No song that thrills with soulful grace As this from out the blossomed dell; So sweet, so clear, it yields a spell Ss Of bliss that time does not erase— There is no song I love so well. No notes like these doth ever swell To calm my wild and struggling pace, As these from out the blossomed dell, So heaven-like, it soon doth quell The aching throbs of sorrow’s trace. There is no song I love so well. You've found no ditty to excel— No song that wins the smiling face As this from out the blossomed dell; No dearer sound has ever fell To bless me in some lonely place. There is no song I love so well As this from out the blossomed dell. BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, Seiad Valley, California. MicGrRaTION QUERIES. What birds migrate? When does migration take place? Where do the migrants go? Why do they take these long journeys? How do they know the way? Dow ew 1 What changes take place in the plumage before migration, and why? 96 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 7. Can you tell any changes which take place in song or food at this 8. Do the migrants travel by night or by day? 9. Do different families travel together? 10. Do the birds return to the same nesting places? 11. Do they return at the same time each year? 12. What. bird travels the greatest distance? 13. What dangers do they meet? DovusLe BEHEADINGS. 1. Behead twice our most common bird and leave an Indian weapon. 2. Behead twice a beautiful singer with a long tail and leave a thin slice of meat. 3. Behead twice a bird with a speckled breast, and leave to move forward with violence. 4. Behead twice a bird with a red breast and leave an inclosed place for coal, apples, etc. 5. Behead twice a common game bird which lives in flocks, and leave not well. 6. Behead twice one of the wagtails and leave a deep, dark hole. 7. Behead twice a large water bird with a mournful cry—and leave a preposition. 7 8. Behead twice a small goose and leave an industrious insect. 9. Behead twice a sacred bird of ancient Egypt and leave a form of the verb to be. 10. Behead twice a tropical bird and leave a letter of the alphabet. 11. Behead twice a tiny member of the flycatcher family and leave very small. GLEANINGS, APRIL. The swallows circle, the robin calls: The lark’s song rises, faints and falls: The peach boughs blush with rosiest bloom; Like ghosts in the twilight, the pear trees loom. The maples glow, and the daffodils Wear the same hue that the west sky fills; The moon’s young crescent, thin and bright, Shines in the blue of the early night: And over all, through all, April bears A hope that smiles at the winter’s fears. Sara ANDREW SHAFER, IN THE OUTLOOK. Boys and Girls Magazine A Nature Magazine. Beautifully Illustrated Contains live, interesting nature stories. FIFTY CENTS A YEAR Send for sample copy Address and GIRLS MAGAZINE ITHACA, N. Y. Learn to Mount Birds, animals fishes, etc. Sports- men, natyralists, teachers, and alloutdoor lovers, should know how to properly pres- erve and mount Birds and animals. Rare and beauti- ful specimens are being tak en every day, and they should be preserved. WE TEACH TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. You can learn from our correspondence course, easily, quickly, right in yovr own home. Our school is endorsed by all leading taxidermists and the nature magazine, Write TODAY for full particulars, cata— log, and sample copy of the Taxidermy Magazine. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXID- ERMY, 81 K St., Omana, Neb. lilustrated Results in Taxidermy 140 Half Tones Representing Hundreds of Specimens A Guide to The Study of Positions H P ; Cloth Bond «= PRICE $1.75 Our Specialty Glass Eyes and Naturalists Supplies Frank Blake Webster Co., Taxidermist and Museum HYDE PARK, BOYS MASS. TRATED MONTH LY JOUR. NAL &r BOYS Q The Penn Publifning Company Philadelphia Ee ee aS Es tke OO Dene: 10 Cents a Copy. $1.00 a Year The new seria] story inthe April issue by James Otis, author of “Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus” is alone worth the price of subscription. Butit is only one of many features. 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Gold Medal, World’s Fair St. Louis, 1904 s/ Sin\swipia leis eieie)¢)seleiein\a\sjs)a,e\<)ain\nils) als) ef=\s\abalel je sisi's/sle\aiaielenetanetevenete teins lates alwialele eras aieccaiein ce ienauia es ee ae .20 Birds of Lakeside and Prairie, by Edward B. Clark.............. cesses ccecceccncnce ccc 1.00 Birds of Song and Story, by Elizabeth and Joseph Grinnell... 2.222000000.0 1.00 Constructive Work, by Edward BH. Worst. )0...00. 0.00.02... ). ene i 1.00 Diary of a Western Schoolmaster. by J, K. Stableton ...................--seeee see 15 Fairies That Run The World, by Ernest Vincent Wright .......................-.-o le 1.00 Games: Birds, $.35; Industrial, $.40; Literature, $.40; Geography, $.40: History, $.40 Gems and Gem Minerals, by Olive Cummings Farrington...........0.0..0.00 0s sc ceecececeecee.. 3.00 Industrial Pictures, (Lumbering Set, $.10). (Miscellaneous set, $.10 Jin-le Book of Birds, by Edw. Ke a sic bois wi adiacsicieldcctsieias deca nihi anes Sain, Se a -60 ins, Preachers, Statesmen and Christ, in groups, ontaining 6 portraits, $.40 each, any 3 ................ 1 in colors, size 7 x 9 $.0) each for 5 or more, any 12 et she) aay stele on aeiataletcya teal oE they .00 ye Wibrelelatshate wvateyetseisl an ce euch eee ae 48 Typical Forest Trees From Photo Engravings, 24 pictures, size p-G V Een a yee 1.00 Wild Birds in City Parks, by Herbert Eugene Walter and Alice Hall Walter................... 40 Masterpieces of the World’s Greatest Modern Artists and Photogravures, 16 x 20, 62 Ch. 6 eee 00 Supplimentary School Songs, combined edition, by H. W. Fairbanks..................00000002. -40 Send $.10 for sample copy of Birds and Nature or a $.02 stamp for sample picture and illustrated catalogue. A. W. MUMFORD & CO., Publishers, 378 Wabash Ave., Chicago . Established 1887 Guide to Taxidermy THE DOG FANCIER Full of valuable information, Established 1891 COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT - Birds 4 Animals and Fish contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eggs, A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION The oldest, most popular and most prosperous amateur kennel publication in America Contains each month appropriate reading matter and illustrations of great value to every Owner of a dog. ADVERTISERS get excellent results, and the rates are very low. Covers the entire United States and Canada, and if he’s got a dog you are pretty sure to reach him through the THE DOG FANCIER. A sample copy will be sent free Subscription price, 50c a year Eugene Glass, Pub., Battle Creek, Mich. skins .and mounted specimens ; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- ee id (if well 4 Sota? Sota? end your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrappe thologists i Oologists postage will be ro cents), we will bind them in an at- and Taxidermists’ sup- tractive cloth cover, stamped with AMERICAN OR- Have Your Magazines Bound. plies, valuable infor NITHOLOGY in gold and bird in color, and return ation for the amateur, tO eN ee) e ad FOR 75 CENTS PREPAID. recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. _ Address American Ornithology, ~ CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass Worcester. Mass. 4444444444444444444444 CANOEISTS 4 Send 10 Cents for sample copy of ¢ “CANOEING” The only publication devoted EXCLUSIVELY to your favorite sport Canoeing is the one recognized authority on all canceing mat- ters, and is official organ of the American Canoe Association. In Canoeing’s pages the pros- pective canoeist finds expert ad- vice on craft and equipment, worth many dollars to him when purchasing his first outfit. Editor and Publisher eccress FT. KEYSER; 5 Beekman St., New York 4444444444-4444 4444-44444 4-4-4 WORLD'S Largest Collector's Paper Have You a Camera or a Hobby? Send ten cents to the undersigned and yuu will re- ceive for three months the oldest, largest and best collectors’ monthly for all kinds of Hobbies; Natural History and American Historical Discoveries; Coins, Stamps, Curios, Relics, Photography, Minerals, Sciences, Illustrated Souvenir Post Cards Rarities, and New Finds for all Kinds of Collectors. Over 15,000 Ads. past two years. THE PHILATELIC WEST AND CAMERA NEWS Superior, Nebraska, U.S.A, Greatest of its kindin the world. Fifty cents entitles you to a year’s subscription and a free fifteen-word exchange notice in the largest exchange department extant. Over 1,600 pages in 1904. This Illustrated 100-page Monthly was established in 1895, and has the largest circula- tion of any collectors’ monthly in the world, and in size has no rival. More ads. in the WEST thanin all other American Collector monthlies combined. The best-paying medium for advertisers. Rates small, results large. It will pay you to write us about it. OUR MOTTO: ‘The best and lots of it.” Invest ten cents judiciously by sending it to L. T. BRODSTONE, Publisher Superior, Nebraska, U.S. A. Send five cents for membership card to American Camera Souvenir Card Club Exchange—over 6,000 members in all parts of the world—or fifty cents for one year’s membership to American Cureo Historical and Natural History Society. Try it. West Souvenir Post Cards, 10 cents the dozen. Many Colors. Try them. T4444 444444444 4+444444444444444 4444444444 THE YOUNG IDEA Normal Clubbing List for 1905-6 OFFERS: The Young Idea with other periodicals as follows: t The Young Idea, School Arts, Popular Educator or Primary Education, $2.00. 2 The Young Idea, School Arts and Garden Mag- azine, $2.00. 3 TheYoungldea(School Arts or Popular Educator), World’s Work or Country Life in America, $3.60. 4 The Young Idea (School of Arts or Popular Educator), Bird Magazine, $2.00. 5 The Young Idea, (School Arts or Popular Educa- tor), Birds and Nature and ro Plates, $2.50. 6 The Young Idea, with Schoo! Arts or Popular Educator or Primary Education, $1.35. 7 The Young Idea, Holiday Magazine and Boys and Girls, $1.10. 8 The Young Idea, with Holiday Magazine or Boys and Girls, 80c. 9 The Young Idea, The Journalof Geography, $1.65. 10 The Young Idea, American Primary Teacher and Primary Education, $2.00. iz The Young Idea, Popular Educator and Educa- tion, 53.50. 12 The Young Idea, Popular Educatcr, Journal of Education, $3.25. The Minnie George Plan Books, Primary or Advanced. Set, $2.25. Maud Kingsley’s Outline Studies in English, Set $2.80. We give rates on all the leading Magazines. For Nature Work, Character Study and Travel. we know of nothirlg better than The Young Idea. JAMES E. HUGHES Melrose Highlands, Bird and Nature Lovers If you want an up-to-date magazine on Nature Study and out-door life, sub- scribe now for “Western Sportsman” The Western Sportsman is a Ca- nadian magazine devoted to all forms of legitimate sports in Western Can- ada out-door life and nature study. If you want to keep posted on Can- ada, the country you are hearing so much about, the stamping ground of Ernest Thompson Seaton and _ the home of the big game animals. The magazine is finely illustrated with colored photography, and is bright and crispy throughout. WESTERN SPORTSMAN, $1.00 a year. 10Oc. per copy. Free Press Bldg. Winnipeg, Manitoba Reduced facsimile of the reproduction of Ernest Thompson Seton's drawing of the Bob-white. Pres- ented to every subscriber to Vol. VIII, 1906, of BIRD- Lore. The original, printed on heavy plate paper, Bird-Lore A bi-monthly monthly magazine for bird-lovers. Edited by Frank M. Chap- man. Official organ of the Audubon Societies. AUDUBON DFPARTMENT EJited by Mabel Osgood Wright and William Dutcher. BiRD-LORE’S MoTTo: “A Birdin the Bush is Worth Two inthe Hand. If \ou are interested in birds, you will be interested in BIRD-LORE. Each number contains two or more colored plates, accurately figuring the male and female of several species of birds together with numer- ous photagraphs of birds from life. The general article and notes from field and study are interesting, stimulating and h~ipful; the book reviews, editorials, and Audubon Department informing, and, in short, the magazine is indispensable to everyone who would keep abreast of present-day labors in the field of bird study and bird protection. Each number of BIRD-LORE contains a four-page teachers’ leaflet. illustrated with a colored plate. All teachers subscribing to BIRD-LORE will receive, suitable for framing, is nearly life-size. $1.00 a Year. 20 Cents a Copy free of charge, two extra copies of each of these leaf- ) lets, two colored plates, and six facsimile outlines for coloring, for use in their classes. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 66 Fifth Avenue, New York City or Box 655, Harrisburg, Pa. FOR HOME AND SCHOOL Beautiful Easter Pictures Also pictures for teaching History, Geography, Language, Picture Study, Etc. THE PERRY PICTURES for 25 or more, assorted as desired One Cent Each 77.5 1-2x8, ’ 2000 Subjects. BIRD PICTURES IN NATURAL COLORS. Size 7x9. Two cents each for 13 or more. A cent and three-quarters in lots of 100 or more. Send two-cent stamp for Catalogue, or two two-cent stamps for Illustrated Catalogue of 1,000 tiny pictures. Or 25 cents for 25 Art Subjects, Or 25 Historical, Or 25 on the Life of Christ, OR $1.00 for our Beautiful Art Set of {20 pictures all in the Beautiful Boston Edition. The Perry Pictures Co., Box 413, Malden, Mass. BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY With LUMIERE PLATES MEANS PERFECTION Try the “Sigma” for SPEED and Lantern Slide Plates for FINENESS OF GRAIN AND SNAP LUMIERE NORTH AMERICAN CO. N.Y. OFFICE 11 W. 27ST. BURLINGTON, VT. LYONS, FRANCE P A O T 0 ij RAPH Y contains each month a department Then you should subscribe for devoted to America’s Oldest Photographic: Magazine TAXIDERMY T H EK which leading taxidermists every- where pronounce extremely interest- PHOTOGR APHIC ing and complete. Illustrations of the finest examples of the art in each TIMES ee Many other subjects, such as Trap- : ? : ; : ping, Roots and Barks, treated each This Magazine gives a greater variety of in- teresting and valuable photographic matter month. , for a dollar than any other American maga- in its class. ifully ill ted. ces neduultully Wustrate Published monthly. $1.00 a year. Sample Copy for 10 Cents ‘Address, The Photographic Times Pub. As’n RURNEWeu Dept Ie 39 Union Square, New York 10 East 14th St. New York. A GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for | Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera ONLY $5.00 These glasses are well made and espec- lally adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field of vision of ordinary ones and magnify nearly four diameters: They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00-each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman.............. $6.50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed................ 6.50 The Glass andehothwBooksee are ele ere eee eee 8.00 SE COLOR KEY TO North American Birds. By FRANK M. CHAPMAN 3 A complete bird dictionary, with upwards of 800 drawings in colors so arranged that one may learn a mt bird’s name with the least possible difficulty. In no ft WY other book has the problem of identification been so A Mg 4s simplified. The book is equally usefuljin any part of \ i the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. North American Birds Eggs By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breeding range of each species; loca- tion and construction of the nest; time of nesting; number, description and variation of eggs laid; with a full sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 360 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. Both of above books and the American Bird Magazine for one year for $5.00. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. Vol. 6, No. 9. MAY, 1906. {0c a copy, $1 a year. Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass., as second-class matter, Jan. 16, 1901. , E BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY With LUMIERE PLATES — MEANS PERFECTION Try the “Sigma” for SPEED and Lantern Slide Plates for FINENESS OF GRAIN AND SNAP LUMIERE NORTH AMERICAN CO. BURLINGTON, VT. N.Y. OFFICE 11 W. 27ST. LYONS, FRANCE Are You Interested in PHOTOGRAPHY Then you should subscribe for America’s Oldest Photographic Magazine THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMES This Magazine gives a greater variety of in- teresting and valuable photographic matter for a dollar than any other American maga- zine in its class. Beautifully illustrated. Sample Copy for 10 Cents The Photographic Times Pub. As’n 39 Union Square, New York FUR NEWS contains each month a department devoted to TAXIDERMY which leading taxidermists every- where pronounce extremely interest- ing and complete. Illustrations of the finest examples of the art in each issue. Many other subjects, such as Trap- ping, Roots and Barks, treated each month. , Published monthly. $1.00 a year. Address, Fur News, Dept. L., 10 East 14th St. New York. “SLIHM 808 “AVI. JO} ASO[OYUIO uUvoliowy oO} JUStME[ddng ‘SSUIN ‘1OJSOOIOM ‘AOYSTTQN ‘pooy "y "SeYO ‘sSouppy ‘"ACIND AUId JO Adoo vB aATODOI YORI [ITM S0q PIIY] PUL PUODES oY} fOUlZBSVUL SIY} 0} WOTJAIIOSqns S,1vok BV WdATs Z Mi) oq [JIM Y}UOUT Ove 941n}01d posO[OD Jsoq OY} Ul Spues OFM OUO OTL Hf} ‘U9ZOP B S}]UND OT 1OJ poo -[09 Oq 0} SOIdOd [VUOTIIPPe [TEU [[IM OM ‘sTIdnd Joy) Jo JUeTB, O19S1) -I8 OY} INO SULIq 0} SUIAIOS SB [JOM SB APNIS PJIq 1OJ S}UeWOONput COIS O1L SSUIMBIP OSdY} JBY} Puy Sioyovey, ‘pojured st einjord oy} IO]Je SYJUOU OM} ONSST OY} UL poysIpqnd oq [IM }[NSset oY} pue “YGyUOUL SUIMOTIOJ OY} JO YIOL 9} WO OSO[O [[IM UOT}WeduI0D Yoey “[OOT|OS aUIOS SuIpue}}e ssoy} 07 ATUO Sozlid PALME [[IM OM “TOIP[IYo [OOyos Suowe Apnjs palq Ul S010} UT SuIsvo.1oul jo osodind 94} 10J st wot}T}ed -W09 SITY} sv ‘puv [UO Yo AO[OO 0} OANJoTd MoU B OATS [IM OM nod IO} SP1Iq Ot} AJJUOPT [TA yey Yood ey} “AGIND GuUId Jo Adoo B 10 HNIZVOVIN AYIA NVOINAWV oY} 0} uondt1osqns sivok @ ‘oory “Jos ABUT NOA pue ooyjo Ino 0% [TeU pue “yoRq ey} UO pudsz}e NOX }eYy} [OOYOS puv gsolppe ‘oweU INOA 9}IIM “NO ainjzoTd oY} yNo ‘OIqISSod Sv 09S¥} O1}ST} -1B YON Sv YIM pue AT[Vinjyeu sv ysnf SGUld ASHAL WOOO BX re tan Z ote ——_ of en3 sidt ae bag diaour eae on Zone ebilta ofits wi fenoini r pita aistbwoity. Bort, of ‘giao “aes pases 4 Pe ene Sirol aif Fo, ast od} Fits) _586tD. Bey shee: float Todos L us p einomn owt avert of} at Poitatand of iftwe =sigaot oft bite ,ahie = = ses Ss is! oe eons -gesds. Jag est lg noT : eae a oa ot 3u0 nghid pe eatr woe: an flow=en ghirle bud 1 ‘Gasmoubak gs el aes roe “e = =o 3 oft galap> feneiibhe flimt tiw ow cafigia tied} to Jantar olsit — S an a ite 3 eS : > et ae = F Fe des @ jsaeo ai ol fp - og Uiw Odors tise FS ot51g paseteS daad od\ at aba: odv pao.odt cS SE ae pe 4 or = ea t Seen Tesi bos hirajoe 2 seve omisee mar eit 3 aaljahoede eins # nav J eee <2 : alae Aer : Sora, y 5 ~ an ete a : ad: iD ie cnc avisQo1 Hoss ‘Hiv tend rages 8 — : a i ears = eee Aa por nen 4 aut “puieitd ras bes a5 2 waombbaé CS ze a ee pe a ee eee ised Bint Ey Rese é ; = aon ee x tet €a) QecloftiniOseasiiomé of itoatiqaua —*— 2 se 2 send Some ee, ee ee, ke 1 Colored plates showing 50 Birds Eggs varieties in natural size -and colors with check-list A. O. U. No. and both common and scientific names of every known North American bird. All for only 10 cents. FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. Special Offer for New Subscribers THE NEW BOY 128 East 23d St., New York A MONTHLY MAGAZINE of romance and activity for all kinds of boys, containing clean and interesting matter for boys —to stir his ambition, uplift and inspire him. The Best Boys’ Paper in the World SPECIAL 90 DAYS OFFER A BEAUTIFUL FOUNTAIN PEN 14 KR. GOLD FREE To all sending us 25c for 6 months subscription to the NEW BOY. THE NEW BOY Best 50c, a year paper in the world AGENTS WANTED SEND FOR SAMPLE Copy ‘CONTENTS “My Four Years at Anna- polis.” “New Boy in Europe, special representative traveling from London to Rome.” “Coney Island. New York’s Great Summer Playground.” “The Enchanted City” a fas- cinating serial story. “The Greatest Boy Swimmer” “The New Boy Activities League.”’ Original and Novel Depart- ments on “The New Boy Photo- grapher,” “The New BoyStamp Collector,” “The New Boy Prin- ter and Amateur Journalist.”’ New Departments each month. Subscribe now. THE NEW BOY A Monthly Magazine for Boys 128 E. 23rd St., NewYork The Amateur Naturalist A MAGAZINE for THOSE-who STUDY NATURE Not restricted to any one branch but pub- lishes the things you want to know about plant life, birds, animals, insects. minerals, electricity, etc., and the interesting things in astronomy. chemistry, geology and the other natural sciences, While aiming to be scientifically accurate the facts will be stated in language interesting, plain, and from a popular standpoint. Published monthly. Subscription, 50 cents per year. Sample copy may be had for the asking. CHAS. D. PENDELL, Publisher Ashland, Maine The Moth Book, by W. J. Holland. Fully illustrated by color photography. The illustrations of the moths are nat- ural size and the coloring is perfect. With this book it is easy to identify any moth at a glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 prepaid. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. JAMES P. BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies 10c. 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE ATENTS TRADE MARKS DESIGNS CopPpyYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest aFeney for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific Aimericatt. A handsomely illustrated weekly. largest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co,2¢*8r20=, New York Branch Office, 625 F St., Washington, D.C. 2, ie i BIRD GUIDE ‘POCKET SIZE ~Stin. x 3tin. By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. Author of North American Birds’ Eggs, and Editor of American Bird Magazine. 434 in all. Each part is finely printed on the best paper, and packed in a neat box. Part 1—WATHR AND GAME BIRDS; BIRDS OF PREY. 250 pages; flexible sock cloth; 50c. postpaid. Part 2—LAND AND SONG BIRDS. 220 pages. Bound in flexible sock cloth; 50c. postpaid. In flexible leather, 75c. each, postpaid. We want agents in every city, town and school. Good Commissions. CHAS. K. REED, Publisher, - Worcester, Mass. This is an illustrated, pocket text book, that will quickly identify any birds seen east of the Rocky Mountains. EVERY BIRD IS SHOWN IN COLOR, including females and young, when they differ in plumage from the male. It not only names the birds for you, but de- scribes their habits and peculiarities; tells you where to look for them; gives songs, when they are distinctive and possible; describes their nests and eggs; and gives their ranges. These books are intended to take into the field with you, and are JUST AS SMALL AS POSSI- BLH, TO BE OF VALUE; they will easily fit any pocket. No detail is omitted, that is of importance or unusual interest to the student. No book, at any price, is as complete. A FULL PAGE IS ss —_A_e GIVEN TO THE PICTURE AND TEXT OF HACH SA \ E=\{ SPECIES OF BIRD, EAST OF THE ROCKIES, a \ A! BY LZ_== Boys and Girls Magazine A Nature Magazine. Beautifu:ly Illustrated Contains live, interesting nature stories. FIFTY CENTS A YEAR ; Send for sample copy Address and GIRLS MAGAZINE ITHACA, N. Y. BOYS Learn to Mount Birds, animals fishes, etc. Sports- men, naturalists, teachers, and all outdoor lovers, should know how to properly pres- erve and mount Birds and animals. Rare and beauti- ful specimens are being tak- en every day, and they should be preserved. -WE TEACH TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. You can learn from our correspondence course, easily, quickly, right in your own home. Our school is endorsed by all leading taxidermists and the nature magazine, Write TODAY. for full particulars, cata— log, and sample copy of the Taxidermy Magazine. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXID- ERMY, 8z K St., Omana, Neb. lilustrated Results in Taxidermy 140 Half Tones Representing Hundreds of Specimens A Guide to The Study of Positions H Paper, Cloth Bond == PRICE $1.75 Our Specialty Glass Eyes and Naturalists Supplies Frank Blake Webster Co., Taxidermist and Museum HYDE PARK. MASS. “oY Olt Be 10 Cents a Copy. $1.00 a Year The new serial] story in the April issue by James Otis, author of "Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus” is alone worth the price of subscription. Butit is only one of many features. Special six months trial Subscription to New Subscribers 25 CENTS The PENN PUBLISH’G Co., Philadelphia, Pa. JOURNAL OF THE Maine Ornithological SOCIETY Published on the first of March, June, September and December. Devoted to protection. of birds in Maine and the spread of knowledge relating to them. The official organ of the Bird Stu- dents of the state, and containing ar- ticles by the leading ornithologists of Maine. The Warbler papers will be continued during the year 1906. PRICE 50 CENTS A YEAR. Send for Sample Copy. Hditor, W. H. BROWNSON, Portland. Associate Editor, FRANK T. NOBLE, Augusta. Send subscriptions to W. H. BROWNSON, City Building, Portland, Maine. American Ornithology A Magazine Devoted Entirely to Birds. Published monthly by Cuartes K. Reep, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. Edited by Chester A. Reed, B. S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mezico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies ten cents. Vols. I, II, III, IV, and V, $1.00 each. SPECIAL.—Vols. I, II, III, IV, V, and subscrip- tion for 1906, $4.00. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $1.25. Copyright, 1906 by Chas. K. Reed. VOL. VI MAY, 1906. NO. 5 For the next three months, material in abundance can be found for the camera hunter, on every hand. The photographing of adult wild birds, out in the woods and free, is quite a difficult matter and requires much time and patience but the results are well worth all the effort that is required. We are always glad to receive photographs of nests, young birds or adults for inspection with a view to publishing in American Ornithology. All pictures that we can use we will pay for at the rate of 50c. each, and for exceptional ones we will pay up to $2.00. We wish all who may try this fascinating sport the best of success. One of the best and most interesting works on natural history we have ever examined is the “Library of Natural History” in 5 vols. It is very complete- ly illustrated from photographs, most of them being from living animals; it will therefore especially appeal to all interested in the camera, as well as to all nature lovers. All our readers should send ten cents at once to the University Society, 78 Fifth Avenue, New York City, for their very hand- some booklet concerning this library and four colored pictures which they will mail to you if you mention the bird magazine. Taking everything into consideration, the following three colored the Orchard Oriole supplement with the most skill. Let’s see how many can correctly color the Bob White that is with this issue. 1st. Chas. Richard Heard, 65 Broadway, Hagerstown, Md.; 2d. Roy E. Wilhelm, Dows, Iowa; 3rd. Elizabeth A. Paul, 876 Forest St., Andover, Mass. < 3 ] “ISHN] NO asnowy aaaday “IOUT “H “£ Aq Os] WoIy 004d ‘(WOT] eduIOD GOGT UT ezlud pug Jo JouUTA\) 98 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 2 an Photo by C. H. Morrell. ./ Nest anv Eecs or Rurrep GRovuSsE. We are very glad to present to our readers, the following article and illustrations concerning the drumming of the Ruffed Grouse, by Dr. Hodge. This gentleman, by the way, is the first that has: ever-secured pictures of this interesting performance, and, as far as we know, is the first to have successfully raised these birds from the egg, kept them alive and had them lay for him the following year. We hope in a future number to have Dr. Hodge tell you about the domestication of the grouse, but we are especially glad at this time to show you this photographic proof of how a “partridge” really does drum, because of the very many conflicting stories that have been circulated. When I described my experience with drumming grouse in the Bird Magazine several years ago, I was surprised at the numerous criti- cisms that I received from various persons styling themselves as “hunters,” “sportsmen” or observers of Nature. Most of these were positive that the bird either struck the wings together over the back or else pounded on the log. One of the latest and most ridiculous explanations, accompanied. by numerous “fake” pictures, was that the drumming of a grouse was performed without wing motion, the sound being produced in the throat. The follow- ing pictures and observations readily explode any such ideas. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 99 Photo by C. A. Reed. Rurrep GRousE. (This is the same bird that is figured in the following drumming pictures). Bt ING OF THE RUFFED GI By C. F. Hones. The day was April 14, when my grouse cock first drummed for me. I had raised him from an egg taken from the woods the May before; and when he began to strut and show off his fine new feathers in September, I thought he ought to begin to drum any minute and told him so in so many words. I kept on telling him so nearly every day for all the intervening months, but he would just feed out of my hand and strut and look at me as much as to say: “I'll drum all right, when I get good and ready.” On the above date hope and patience had about given out. I went to the cage to see him about it at five o'clock in the morning, and there he was g, wasting his time, as usual, strutting around before his favorite little hen. “Tl just take her away from you and see if you'll have sense enough to drum, then, you old loafer;”’ I said. No sooner said than done, and I had hardly time to turn around, before he sprang on a bit of stone wall, straight- ened up like the true “drum-major” that he was and the soft morning air began to throb as if it were alive. He was drumming ai last! I was glad to have a bird that would drum and not be afraid of me so that I could see exactly how it is done and get some photographs of the curious performance. How many of my readers have heard a grouse drum? How many have seen him drum? How many know just how he does it? Well, to one who knows it, this is one of the most thrilling sounds in nature; and I 100 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. te Photo by C. F. Hodge. Grouse DRUMMING. hope we may all hear it more often rather than have our woods stilled for- ever by its loss. Audubon told us how the grouse drums over sixty years ago, but not many people seem to have heard his story about it, and, perhaps, some who read it did not believe that Audubon had seen it just right. He claimed that the bird stood up straight and made the sound by striking his sides with the wings—at first slowly and then more rapidly, until the beats fused into a continuous “roll of muffled thunder.” The Indians had, however, named the ruffed grouse the “carpenter bird,” because they thought he “pounded on a log.” ‘I suppose they teld the Pilgrim Fathers that the grouse drummed by pounding on a log, and they told all their boys and girls the same story, and when a story gets started, it is hard to stop; and so, even yet, although Pe Se 7 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 101 we have photographs which show that the wings do not come within several inches of the log, and though the bird has often been seen drumming on a rock or on the ground, even, a great many people will still insist that the grouse “pounds on the log.” Others have claimed that they could see the wings strike together over the back, others, that the bird drums by stamping on the log with his feet, others, that the wings strike the breast, still others that the sound is produced in the throat and without any wing motion. Professor William Brewser thinks that the wings strike only the «zr, and he has had excellent opportun- ities for observation. I tried to get some photographs with the camera look- ing directly down on the drummer, in order to show just how far forw-rd the wings came. He did not seem to like this arrangement and went over to the stone to drum, so that I did not succeed in securing this most decisive picture. However, a number of my negatives show the blur of the rapidly whirring wings coming up to the feathers along the sides; and, with all respect for Professor Brewster’s view, for the present I am inclined to agree with Audubon, that the sound is made by the wings striking the soft feather cushions of the sides. ere, Photo by C. F. Hodge. Grouse DrumMING. (Wings at their fullest extent). 102 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by C. F. Hodge. Grouse DruMMING. (Note how far forward the wings come ). I hope all my readers may hear the grouse drumming this spring; and, when they do, they may possibly get a good look at the drummer, if they will follow the directions given by Mr. Jones, of Oberlin, Ohio. While the grouse is drumming, run silently as fast as you can toward the sound, but stop stock still the instant the sound ceases—behind a tree, if possible. When he drums again, run up nearer, and so on, until you are standing behind a tree within a few feet of the bird. Do not try to “peek,” until he begins to drum again, then take a good look. Mr. Jones says that he was able to rush up and actually catch the bird in his hands while he was too much absorbed in his drumming to think of flying away. I hope if anyone of you do this, you will promptly let the bird go, and tell us the story in The American Bird Mag- azine. It will be a fine story, I am sure. JIM; A TRUE STORY, Dewey Austin Cope. Jim was a crow. Enterprise and curiosity must have distinguished him from the time he broke his shell and opened his insatiable bill, but his life AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 103 in the nest, however strenuous and noteworthy, must be left to imagination. His first notable effort was the attempt to fly in his pin feathers. Naturally, but to his great indignation and disgust, he tumbled ignominiously to the ground, where he began using such language as no crow of good morals would utter. This outcry led to his being picked up by an Italian laborer who was passing. Whether the man feared to introduce such an example of American free speech among his children, or felt that he could neither ap- pease the appetite nor correct the temper of the youngster, does not matter; the Italian promptly presented Jim to a lady whose house he must pass on his way to work. She accepted the foundling, and at once attempted to silence his noise by the offer of whatever food was at hand. Photo by C. F. Hodge. Grousr DRUMMING. He was named “Jim’’ at once—the name seemed to have come with him, and no one remembered who first used it, though probably the “Jim Crow” of tradition had something to do with the original suggestion. Jim prompt- ly accepted the name, his new owner, (whom he seemed to recognize as his special good genius) and also frequent samples of everything in her pantry. Although he could not yet fly, he refused to be still for a moment. He wobbled and toddled about on his queer little feet, lifting up his strident voice, while busily examining every part of the house to which he could gain access. 104 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. While Jim recognized his hostess as a familiar comrade, he showed no fear of other human beings. But in liberty alone lay his pursuit of happi- ness, and he resented any attempt to curtail it or control his movements. He very condescendingly acknowledged as equals all who spoke to him, by promptly answering each remark and attempting to continue the conver- sation. You always felt yourself at a disadvantage with him, as he seemed to have the use of two languages to your one. If he did not understand all you said, he never let you suspect it, and you could only blindly resent his evident impudence in his own tongue, which seemed far better suited than your own to vituperation and contemptuous rejoinder. Jim cherished no ill will; in fact, on the whole, he approved of the human race. He would snuggle up to the feet or the gown of an acquaintance, and gurgle to himself in a charming little way at times; but if any one responded to his advances by picking him up, ever so gently, or even stroking his back, his dignity was aroused and he would “swear,” bite and scratch like an angry cat. After a long time, his accepted patroness found that there was one portion of his sacred person which she could touch with impunity. If she gently scratched the base of his cavernous beak, he would close his eyes and cock his head sidewise, with a most beatific expression, for at least twenty seconds. The first weeks of his life were spent in and about the house, where he carefully studied, with general approval, the belongings of his hostess and her husband, whom he had soon come to regard with favor, as one of her properties. When it became necessary to turn a peach basket over him, or shut him out of doors, his angry remonstrance was so appalling as to be promptly successful. When old enough to begin to fly, the door of the chicken coop, where he spent his nights, was left open. Soon he began to go into the neighboring woods at nightfall, but no one was able to find out in what tree he made his roosting place. On a few occasions, when the wind was very high, lie was heard to come back in the night to the shelter of his coop or the piazza window. Daylight always brought him back to the door, clamoring for entrance and for breakfast. Later, he began to follow his friends to the village, where he made many new acquaintances, whose attentions he enjoyed, though he never tolerated the slightest hint of patronage or superiority. - In walking out with you, he invariably followed on behind, like a little dog, until he tired of running, or failed to keep up; then he would fly on ahead for a few rods and wait gravely, or walk back to meet you. Soon Jim began calling, alone, on people at a distance, usually taking the afternoon hours. Until it grew dark, he would stroll about the piazzas of his acquaintances, but usually started home at nightfall. On one occasion, how- ie eee AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 105 ever, he stayed so late that the family honored by his call felt sure he would be caught by some cat or dog, and so with infinite pains, the young ladies caught him and carried him home in a covered basket. This indignity was fearfully resented, and on his arrival he seemed actually to appeal to his hostess to let them know how needless was their trouble and anxiety, and as- sured them, by his own frantic explanations and demonstrations, that the frequent statement, “birds cannot see or fly in the night” was entirely er- roneous. Jim’s life and habits were a very interesting study, but his intellectual processes and fastidious tastes were even more remarkable. His early inter- est in the possessions of others developed, as his strength increased, into a desire to appropriate and hide the objects of his fancy. Forbidden things had the greater charm, and mischief was his delight. Matches were a be- setting temptation, wherever discovered. He would recognize a box of them, quietly take possession, and before he could be prevented, scatter them far and wide: and no threat or punishment availed against this habit. Unim- portant trifles, or surplus food, were hidden in the grass, or covered with paper. But he had a permanent collection of what he considered real treas- ures, such as scissors, spectacles, thimbles, or any shining thing he could earry. It was a lasting grief to him that the nickel trimmings of the stoves. could not be transported to his museum, though he never really gave up the hope, and would return to the charge day after day, pecking and tugging at some small bright knob or strip, and seasoning his efforts with low but earnest crow expletives. His treasure house was a hollow tree some rods away from the road. The opening was very high, and no human being could get the stolen articles out, nor, apparently, could Jim obtain them again. But he would drop them in shouting in unholy exultation if pursued, and laugh his glee as he recounted his successes to all the neighborhood. A treasure once secured, he laid claim to ever after, fighting and using scandalous epithets to any one who tried to take it. I once held out a coin toward him, as I sat near. He was cautious and suspicious, and would not come to my knee to take it. I dropped the hand containing it to my side, and went on conversing, pretending not to see him. He edged nearer and nearer, snatched it, ran off a few feet and hid it among the weeds. Soon I went and picked it up and sat with it in my hand, till he went to look for it. Finding it gone, he bravely demanded it again, hopping on my lap and shoulder and scolding loudly until he was permitted to take it, when it was immediately buried in a new place. When it was taken from there, he con- tinued the fight for nearly an hour, demanding the penny with the most vir- tuous indignation whenever it was disturbed. But Jim had a good side to. his character, as well as a thievish and mis- 106 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. chievous one. His desire for wealth and laid up treasure was a very human one, and perhaps no more dishonestly shown than by many members of the human race. And like some among them, he showed his lovable traits most often to the ladies. If one of his feminine friends was sewing or knitting, he would alight near her or in her lap, and with grave and preternatural in- tentness, watch the work, asking many questions in his gentlest voice, and occasionally catching a thread to draw it for her. A number of art students sketched in the woods about his home that sum- mer, and Jim became quite a connoisseur. He would sit on a branch over- head, closely scanning every line or brush-mark, now and then bestowing a gentle word of criticism or approval, and regarding all such properties as brushes, pastels, paint-tubes, etc., with a wary eye which betokened an ul- terior motive. From the box of a water-colorist, he one day secured a small sponge, which was recovered, however, as he charitably bestowed it in the yard of a neighbor at some distance. Like many other thieves, he deeply resented any reflections upon his honesty, and when the owner of a particu- larly attractive pastel box had “shoo-ed” him away fiercely for the fourth time, he walked off with an air of the most virtuous scorn, loudly and con- temptuously assuring her that her miserable pastels were not worth a mo- ment’s notice from him. The most remarkable example of his hopeful intelligence occurred when one day a very old lady, to whom he had become attached, as she never tried to interfere with his movements, was braiding a straw basket. Jim flew to her knee and watched her work with profound attention, occasionally ques- tioning her softly, and lifting the braids and the straws to examine them. Suddenly, he seemed to comprehend the situation. She was building a nest! Away he flew to the woods and out of sight, but very soon returned, proudly carrying a small stick. This he held out to her and gently urged upon her by pretty movements and coaxing notes. A bystander tried to take it, but he angrily resisted, calling names no gentleman likes to be called. Very grace- fully and proudly he gave it to the old lady, however, chuckling and gurg- ling in his sweetest manner, and remaining to watch the disposition of his gift. When she laid it down, unused, he scolded mildly and again urged it upon her. But by and by he gave it up and went away, talking to himself. evidently saying, “What stupid nest builders these featherless bipeds are!” Jim Crow’s confidence in the good intentions of the human family in- creased. Though they might be too familiar with his person, and too fond of their own things, and their own ways, he must have felt that everyone re- garded him as a friend. And without fear as a check to his curiosity, that quality grew apace. And at last these very things led to his untimely fate. Two of those ardent young sportsmen who occasionally come out from the ae AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 107 city eager to “bag” something that has once been alive, to prove their prow- sse to admiring friends, made their appearance one fall day, yearning for blood. It makes little difference to such, what they hunt, or where they shoot their “game.” Jim’s curiosity was strong, as he saw these strangers stealth- ily making their way through the fields. He went out to follow them in his usual manner, first keeping behind, they flying ahead. Their unfamiliar ways interested him; he alighted on a tree over their heads, to see what they would do next. A little less thirst for gore, a modicum of common sense, and they would have known that this fearless, well kept bird was “‘somebody’s darling,’ And that was the end of Jim’s busy, happy, progressive life. It is needless to add that he was mourned by the entire village. 3210 Summer St., Philadelphia, Pa. THE PRAIRIE HORNED LARK, By Epear Boyer. One of the most interesting birds of this locality is the Prairie Horned Lark. He is one of our common species, and I have known him since my earliest boyhood rambles. In those days, when I had occasion to mention him in my note book, I designated him as the “Ground Sparrow.” That was before I had ever seen a bird book. Bird literature was not as plentiful then, as now, and I found it necessary to invent names of my own for the birds, sometimes. The Lark is a resident here. In the winter they roam about in flocks, fly- ing rapidly across the sky high over head, and uttering as they go, a clear whistled “T-t-t-to-o-o.” As spring comes on the male begins singing his little insect-like ground song. Sitting contentedly on a clod out in the field, heard, but not seen, he sings over, and over, “Te, te, te, tc,-olc-o-le-te.”’ I had the good fortune to find the home of a family of these little birds near my own home last summer. It was on a day in April—the 26th—that I was walking along a wire fence that separated a meadow from a freshly ploughed field. It was a typical April day. We had had a shower the night before and there was that pure, refreshing, buoyant quality in the air, such as we have only on an April day. The earth was soft, black and spongey, and little clumps of clover were appearing fresh and green, all over the meadow. In the sky Tree Swallows reveled, turning, wheeling, and darting after one another, and all making their way steadily northward. It was on this morning that, as I walked along the fence, I flushed a male Lark. He seemed decidedly ill at ease and, as I watched him, I became aware of the presence of the female too. Where she came from, or how she 108 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. got there, I don’t know, but she was there, and her unconcern seemed so af- fected, in such decided contrast to her spouse’s evident nervousness, that I became suspicious. Retreating, as I had come, till I was at a safe distance, I watched them. She flitted lightly through the wire fence, alighting on the ground. He followed. He always followed her. For several minutes she ran about, half concealed among the clods, where she pretended to be. eat- ing. The male always kept his eyes on me, uttering every now and then, his ground song and constantly flitting here and there in a restless constrained manner. Once he even forgot himself so far as to alight on a fence post. It is seldom that they seek a higher perch than that offered by a clod. I had watched them for some time when the female flitted back into the pas- ture, where she alighted. After taking a very circuitious route she disap- peared behind a clump of clover. When she did not reappear after a reason- able length of time I began to grow restless, myself. All this time the male was standing near her hiding place uneasily watching me. I walked for- ward to within four feet of her before I flushed her. I found a little hole freshly excavated. I have often wondered if the Lark excavated the hole for its nest, or appropriated a natural one. ‘The evidence now before me showed that she dug the hole either with bill or claws, or more probably with both; the ground being moist and soft she could easily do it. The sit- uation was on a hillside sloping to the east, and the surplus earth had all been placed on the lower side of the hole, whether to raise that side to a level with the upper, or just because it was easier to throw the dirt out on the lower side, I cannot say. The cavity sloped slightly back into the hill- side, and was at the base of a clump of clover, which in a week shaded the nest from the sun. I concluded the hole was just about the proper size and was not mistaken, for when I moved to my former place of observation, she immediately began lining it with grasses, all of which she secured within a radius of ten feet of the nest. She rarely took wing in fetching the material, but usually moved at a brisk walk or trot. As material was plentiful, the building of the nest progressed rapidly. The male did not assist her at any time. Instead, he watched me constantly. He had complete control of himself now, and neither moved nor uttered a sound. After watching them for some time I continued my walk. I returned to the nest again May Ist. As I approach- ed, I heard the song of the male but could not locate him. I stepped up to within six feet of the nest before the female flew off. It contained two gray- ish eggs, heavily speckled with brown. As I inspected them the birds watched me silently from a distance. I came back again seven days later and found the nest empty. The birds were nowhere to be seen, but I could hear the distinct notes of several different males in the vicinitty. The nest AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 109 was a good one, well lined with soft grasses and beautifully cupped. It was about two and three-fourths inches in diameter, and one and three-fourths inches deep. I was very much disappointed. I had looked forward to the time when I might take a peep at the little ones. But, though I was dis- appointed here, I was more fortunate at another time. On the 8th of June, while cultivating corn, I noticed that whenever I passed a certain place far out in the field, that a pair of Larks flew nervous- ly about,or hovered in the air near me, frequently uttering a note that was as near a wail as I should think a bird capable of producing. I suspicioned that a nest of ‘young birds were somewhere in the vicinity,an d kept a close lookout for them. And after a time I was rewarded, for in the row next me, I spied a young Lark just learning to fly. Just at an age where he had all the sprightliness of an adult bird, but with none of the fear for man that characterizes all adult birds. I could not resist catching him up. He sat confidingly on my hand and inspected me fearlessly. And in him I found a good example of protective coloration. His general appearance was gray, but closer inspection showed him to be black, above, mottled with buffy white and brown. Eyes and bill black. Throat grayish brown. His coloring just matched his surroundings, the brown, black and gray clods of the ploughed field. : The most interesting thing about the Lark is his flight - song, or song of flight, rather, for the song, itself, is not impressive, in fact it could hardly be termed a song, but it is in the manner of its delivery that the interest lies. It seems that the inspiration that carries the little bird so forcibly toward heaven, would burst his little body. I quote from my notes: “Up, up, up, he mounts, by stages, at each stage poising his outspread wings to give utterance to a little jumble of notes, until reaching a dizzy height, where he is a mere speck in the blue, he describes circle after circle, all the while giving vent to a weak twittered warble that is scarcely audible to us so far below. Suddenly, as we watch and listen, with strained eyes and ears, the notes cease, and with reckless abandon, he comes, like a meteor, straight down, down, down, until it seems that he will be dashed to death under the force of his drop. But catching himself easily, with a graceful flitting of wings, and alight- ing in almost the exact spot from which he ascended, the little Lark runs modestly away, a brown and gray atom, lost in the brown and gray of the boundless prairie. Kansas City, Mo. 110 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. “Oh! I’ve found the cutest secret Where our Catbird loves to sit.” AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ipa AP aT ath ESTHER'S SECRET. By Isaac E. Hess. O! I’ve found the cutest secret Where our catbird loves to sit; No one knows ’bout it but me yet *Cause I just now ’scovered it. Our two catbirds came here one day— O, my! how I wished they'd stay; *En they did—until last Sunday, "Member then, one went away. Hav’nt seen her since ’till just now, And I must’nt make her stir. Was afraid old Tabby somehow Knew what had become of her. . Can you guess what she’s been hiding, O, so cute with not a sign, All this long time she’s been biding In our honey-suckle vine? Philo, Illinois. 112 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Photo by F. R. Miller. Younc Prairin Hornep Lark. THE COMING OF THE BIRDS. Harry C. Frerrero.r. This is the season when the birds, which had gone south last autumn, are again going over that long, tiresome journey northward. Hour after hour, day after day, for many weeks in succession, numerous flocks of migrants swarm across the sky, while the oft repeated cries and signals float earthward by day and night, which tells us of their flight. Most of the smaller tribes fly low, or at a medium height; some slowly, others more swiftly; while the larger and more daring, as the Wild Ducks and Geese, and various other large birds, fly as high and sometimes higher than the eye of man can reach. Probably these latter birds resorted to this mode of flying because of previous experiences with shotguns, which were being used for sporting or millinery purposes, and were constantly thinning their ranks. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 113 WHY THE BIRDS MIGRATE. There has been of late much discussion about the migration of birds. It is considered one of the greatest wonders and mysteries of nature. It may be readily believed that it is done rather to find a sufficient supply of food, than to seek warmer climates; for only those birds that are not able to live upon the scanty food that winter yields, do migrate; while those that can live almost wholly on nuts, seeds, worms and all kinds of insects, can spend the winter safely with us. It is further evidence that in spring, when the ground is bare, they come north, where they are able to hunt their accustomed food. Even till late in the fall, hungry southbound migrants can be seen flitting about in the woods in quest of food, or picking at the remaining apples in our orchards. In the spring, they again stop for a hasty lunch, as they hurry on to their former homes in the northern states and Canada, there to spend the short summer in rearing their young, so that they, too, may be able to accompany them south next autumn. SOME OF OUR WINTER BIRDS. Before the birds have all left us in the fall, we begin to notice other strange birds which we have not seen since last spring. These are the winter birds, which teach us how to cheerily pass the dreary winter days. Almost the first of the winter birds is the Chickadee or Black-capped Tit- mouse. He also wears a black necktie to match his black cap, and, attired in a gray suit, he looks real handsome as he jumps from limb to limb, oftimes hanging with his back downward, as he explores the under side of a limb for insect’s eggs and larvae. It is also said to be a great destroyer of the canker- worm. It can be seen at almost any time throughout the winter, singing its jingling warble, and usually ending with its well-known notes, “Chick-a-dee- dee-dee.” Another is the White-breasted Nuthatch, similar in size and color to the Chickadee, but lacking the black throat, which renders the latter so con- spicuous as it jumps from bough to bough. The Nuthatch is easily identi- fied by its peculiar motions around the trunk of a tree. It moves up and down a tree with perfect ease, as well as along the under side of a limb, sometimes giving a quick movement of the wings to save itself from a fall when it loses its grasp. It makes a loud rapping noise with its bill as it tries to get at somé insect that has secured itself beneath the bark of a tree. Nor is this the only way in which it procures its food. It is fond of small nuts, seeds, and other hard grains and sometimes flying to a corn-crib, will seize a kernel, and flying to a tree, will secure it like the former, in a-slit of the bark, and thus being fixed, as it were, in a vise, will pick away at it to its heart’s content, to get at the inside. The Nuthatch usually stays with us all summer, making a nest. of grass, straw, etc., in a hole in a tree. Another interesting, but less acrobatic bird is the Downy Woodpecker, 114 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. - Prarrizg Hornep Lark. (Natural Size). hee \ : Nye? AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 115 - whose habits are as pleasing as those of the Nuthatch, although it moves in quite a different way down a tree, coming down backward, and not head foremost like the Nuthatch. The Downy is similar in color to its cousin, the Hairy Woodpecker, but what readily distinguishes the two is their size, the Hairy being more than twice the size of the Downy, and its note is also con- siderable louder. The Hairy seldom leaves the woods in winter, yet it is quite as busy there, as the Downy is in our orchards and near our houses. These two species of Woodpeckers have a very acute voice, it being simply a short, sharp “twit,” which accompanies their actions. Their only song is the same note rapidly repeated in a monotonous tone. _ A rather shy winter bird is the Brown Creeper, which is about the size of a wren. Like the Woodpeckers and Nuthatches, it also hunts its food upon the trunks and limbs of trees, but unlike either of them, it only moves upward and downward; when it wishes to begin down again it simply flies down to the lower part of the same tree or to another one. A few rare winter visitors are the Pine Grosbeaks and the Red-polls, which can only be seen here when the winter becomes too severe for them in Canada. But two birds that are sure to be seen every winter are the Slate-colored Junco and the Snow Bunting. These birds seem to delight in the snow, as they frequently walk all over it, picking off the seeds attached to the stalks that rear themselves above the snow. BIRDS THAT STAY WITH US THROUGOUT THE YEAR. At the commencement of spring, most of the winter birds will leave for colder regions, not to be seen again until the beginning of next winter, but there are some that stay with us all the year. The most intimate of these is the happy-go-lucky English Sparrow. It is the bird that will approach nearest to man, yet the least movement will alarm it and cause its instant flight. The Crow approaches near to us in winter, probably rendered bold by searching for food, while in autumn it leaves the woods only to go in nearby fields, where it can find plenty of food. In winter they collect in large flocks, sometimes half a mile long, passing from one place to the other in the evening and returning in the morning. The familiar Downy Woodpecker, as well as his cousin, the Hairy, are also our constant companions. Certain species of Hawks and Owls remain here the entire year, but in summer they retire to the woods far from the abode of man. All these birds can be seen only occasionally during the winter, except the English Sparrow and the Crow, which can be seen every day. OUR FIRST SPRING BIRDS. As the winter wanes and the snow disappears from the ground, and the sun sends forth warm rays to warm up the earth, then the birds begin to appear. Some of them appear to be in a great hurry, stopping only for a hasty lunch to refresh themselves, as they hurry on to their favorite homes in the New England states or Canada, but a great number of them stay with us, and thus become our happy companions of the summer. 116 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. Usually our earliest arrival is the Bluebird. Indeed, none seems to be earlier than he. He often comes as early as the latter part of February or the first week of March, before the snow is fairly off the ground, and he is likely to be caught by the rude spring winds or in a belated blizzard; yet he seems not to care, for on his arrival he will warble his cheering well-known notes. Almost on time with the Bluebird, or only a few days later, comes the Song Sparrow, which, with the Bluebird, forms one of the two earliest and most enduring of songsters. The latter on his arrival, flits through the orchard, while the former more restlessly frequents the an and mingles with its Sparrow cousins. A week later proclaims the arrival of that harbinger of spring, the Robin, which begins to give forth its chirping notes from the tops of our trees. On fine days in March, Downy will awake one morning to hear the voice of his cousin, the Flicker, as he sits on some dry resonant limb and drums away until a mate responds. The sombre-clad Phoebe sits on some bridge pier, barn roof, or near last year’s nest, calling to some mate, which he thinks may be near, yet she may be miles away; but in a few days she happily finds her lover seated by the bridge, and the reunion makes their hearts overflow with joy. Swallows fly above our barns, twittering and chattering all the while, and performing va- rious aerial arcs, angles and circles. Flocks of Crow Blackbirds haunt our evergreens, wheezing and creaking away, as if discussing over suitable sites for their homes. Numerous flocks of Wild Ducks and Geese, high overhead, are moving swiftly to their natal regions in the far north. SOME LATER ARRIVALS. No doubt, for certain reasons of their own, some birds will not migrate northward in the early spring, but rather wait until the warm days of April and early May. In this season comes the chattering, ever inquisitive House Wren, which soon on its arrival, begins to investigate every nook and corner in search of some hole in a wall, tree, bird-box or other sheltered place. It will often dispute with the Sparrow over the possession of some coveted site, until at last victory crowns its efforts, then from its tiny throat it pours a song of triumph. The Baltimore Oriole, carelessly swinging on some swaying limb, sings his mournful cadence time and again, while his mate hustles about upon the same tree, looking for a convenient nesting site. The Flycatchers arrive when the insects, their favorite food, are flying about in the sunshine, and flitting from limb to limb, they catch them with great dexterity. The Red-winged Blackbirds flash patches of bright flame amidst the dark coloring of their plumage in our swamps, while the more sombre Marsh Wren, not near as noisy as her cousin, Jenny, haunts the same vicinity. The Thrushes and Catbirds are seen again in our woods and in a short time are courting their mates with the most musical of notes. The Indigo Bunting sits on some high limb and tunes forth his song of sadness. With the coming of the Cedar Waxwings, which generally arrive late in the season, the migrations are about ended. Everywhere is activity, partners are being rapidly but carefully chosen, homes are made, and the bird’s chief aim of life begins. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 117 CANADIAN WARBLER. No. 686. Wilsonia canadensis. Length 5 1-2 in. About the tenth of May, there appears in Massachusetts, and states of like latitude west of the Rocky Mountains, a beautiful little warbler with a bright yellow breast, a black patch at the side of the head and a necklace of black spots across the throat. This is the male Canadian Warbler; his mate is duller colored and often with no traces of black on the throat, but either sex can be identified in any plumage by the yellowish white eye ring, uniform bluish gray back, wings and tail, and yellowish underparts. They are one of the most active of the warbler family and take great de- ligh in catching insects in the air; because of this habit they are often known as “Canadian Flycatehing Warblers.” They usually keep close to the ground and are always met with in the vicinity of water. They are not shy, but are very inquisitive and like to peer out at you from the underbrush. In company with a great many other varieties of warblers you will find these birds darting about among the fragrant apple blossoms in the spring; they eatch myriads of insects that are always to be found about these flowers. They are at home among laurel and make a striking picture as they dash about among the beautiful blossoms. Their notes are in perfect keeping with their dashing manner,—loud, ringing, gurgling warbles, reminding you of murmuring waters, the song most nearly resembling that of the Water Thrush. They are usually found most abundantly in just such places as you find these latter members of the warbler family, and they also nest in similar places. I can always find them nesting in a certain laurel swamp near Worcester, but their nests are hard to find. They are built on the, ground under the twisted laurel roots or in the moss at the bases of decayed stumps, often be- ing so embedded in the moss that the eggs can only with difficulty be seen. The birds usually scold vigorously when you are in the vicinity of their homes but they are very careful not to disclose the hiding place of their treasures. If you remain in the vicinity and watch them, the female will fmally apparently leave the neighborhood, but will soon come creeping carefully back,along the ground, keeping every possible bit of shelter be- tween her and yourself, until finally she settles upon her nest. It is only by keeping the closest watch upon her movements that you will be able to find the nest and you may consider yourself very fortunate if you do then. Their nests are made of fine rootlets and grasses lined with the finest of black root- lets or horsehair. The eggs are pure white with specks of reddish brown, most numerous about the large end and often forming a conspicuous wreath. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 118 CANADIAN WARBLER. (Male and female natural size). os: AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY 119 el, 7 y Ni Hy HM) i en SS EE: il eS Hl i EE LE ZEEE UR YOUNG FRIENDS ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO MrG MERRYTHOUGHT 156 WATERVILLE ST., WATERBURY, CT. My Dear Youne Forxs:— Gladsome May is here, more charming than ever, and Dame Nature wears her prettiest gown, and the most delightful concerts are a daily oc- currence. Examinations, promotions and graduations close at hand, fill the thoughts of many of our boys and girls, but you will be unable to resist the charm of home choosing and making among the birds, I am sure, and will spend many pleasant moments in watching the courtship and home building about you. Will Robin come back to his old nest this year? Will the Wood Thrush, with the two extra notes to his song, return to the ravine? Shall we find the Maryland Yellowthroat nesting in the thicket near the great oak, and the pair of song sparrows which have not failed us for three summers, nest in the garden again? We must take the time to greet these and many other returning friends, with the babies of last year who now match in size the veriest patriarch of them all. We are glad to welcome and give our protection to each of them. Don’t you think that Maryland Yellowthroat has too conservative a name? Surely some of the other states has as strong a claim on him as “My Maryland,’ and many of our ornithologists call him the Northern Yellowthroat, which seems to me a better name for him. What do you think about it? Cordially your friend, Mera MerrytTHovcnt. 120 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. ANSWERS TO APRIL PUZZLES. MicraTION QUERIES. 1. Migrants—The warblers, vireos, thrushes, wrens, swallows, finches, buntings, sparrows, blackbirds, larks, and some others. 2. Migration occurs in the spring and fall, largely in April, May, Sep- tember and October. 38. Some go, upon the approach of winter, to warm climates, to Florida, Central and South America, and to tropical islands; others come from their summer homes in the far north to spend the winter in the northern states. 4. Migration is governed partly by the food supply, largely by some in- stinct produced from food supply and other conditions among their ances- tors centuries ago. 5. They possess a sense called orientation, the sense of direction, and are guided by outlines of rivers, large bodies of water, mountain ranges, light- houses, etc. 6. In the spring the birds put on the perfect plumage, and are in the best voice, ready to court their mates. In the fall sober colors are assumed again, affording greater protection. 7. In the fall the songs become infrequent, the seed-eating cedar birds become flycatchers, the bobolink becomes the rice bird, and many birds change their habits with the passing of summer. 8. Migration is chiefly by night. 9g. As arule, they travel in large families, closely related families travel- ing together. 10. They often times return to the identical nest of the previous year. 11. Yes, the time of return rarely varies more than five or six days. 12. The Humming-bird, which travels 4,000miles to its summer’ home. 13. Danger of storms, fogs and birds of prey. Many lives are lost by the flying against the lighthouses in’ foggy times. DovusLze BEHEADINGS. 1. Sparrow-arrow. 2. Thrasher-rasher. 3. Thrush-rush. 4. Robin- bin. 5. Quail-ail. 6. Pipit-it. 7. Loon-on. 8. Brant-ant. 9. Ibis-is. 10. Ani-I. 11. Pewee-wee. GLEANINGS. The more things thou learnest to know and enjoy, the more complete and full will be for thee the delight of living. . LuBKE. ROLL OF HONOR. Charles D. Robinson, Waterville, Me. Minnie L. Smith, Evansville, N. Y. Vu Le Black Diamond Express Monthly PUBLISHED BY THE PASSENGER DEPARTMENT OF THE i ~3REn= LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD = An Illustrated Compendium of FACTS, FICTION, TRAVEL, HUNTING, FISHING. 1897 THE PIONEER OF ITS CLASS’ 1906 50 cents a year. 5 cents a copy. 143 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK a ——_— TX RE | Browning’s Magazine — : A Periodical of Teaches how. to sketch £ animals, birds etc. from i i "S Pye life by the “installment Fashions and Fancies Saw plan”; how to finish up oO aR sketches in pen and ink, pe D5 Cents a Year crayon, wash, etc. f Special numbers on Animal drawing, Birds. Sample copy Free < Scenery Sketching, Flowers, Foliage, and all lines of pen art work. Drawings by amateur artists published and criticized. Contains valuable news, suggestions and advice for all art students. Send 10 cents for sample copy or $1.00 for a yearly subscription. ART STUDENT’S MAGAZINE CO., {66 Art Bidg.. Kalamazoo, Mich. CASH PRIZES in the Departments of Puzzles and Amateur Photography Address BROWNING, KING & CO. ! 6Cooper Square New York City BOYS’ MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY, ONE YEAR, 25c. How to Do and Make Things. Read it and Learn THE OOLOGIST A monthly publication devoted to Oology, Ornithology and ‘Taxider- my. Published by Frank H. Lattin, M. D., Albion, N. Y. The Oldest, Cheapest and most popu- lar “Bird” Publication in America. The best exchange and want columns. Question and answer columns open to Collectors and Students in every branch of Natural History. An entire year with free 25c. exchange notice cou- pon, only 50c. Sample copy on application. Address, ERNEST H. SHORT, Hditor and Manager Chili, N. Y. THIS PAPER 18 PRINTED anc‘Mtaza: ing House of A. M. EDDY, “wey.” a Trade. PRACTICAL YOUNG AMERICA All about Photography, Carpentry, Print- ing. Boats, Good Stories, Magic, Poultry Pets, Taxidermy. Trapping, Puzzles, Stamps, Athletics, Hunting. Canoeing, Wood Carving, Fret Sawing, Thrilling Stories for Boys, Camping. Fishing, Dialogues, Recita- tions, Amateur Journalism, Model Engines, Boilers, Motors, Money-making secrets, Stories of Adventure, Home Study. Every- thing boys want to know. Send U.S. quarter to-day, and be delighted. Boy Stories. No trash. Parents endorse it. Exciting stories. CAMBELL PUBLISHING CO., (Dept. 30) Des Moines, lowa Game of Birds A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds in colors, true to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instruc- tive game. 35 CENTS POSTPAID. We will send this FREE for one new subscriber to American Ornithology. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. A B C Book of Birds, by Mary Catherine Judd Among Green Trees, by Julia E, Rogers Grand Prize, Paris Expo’n, 1900. FREE $1.00 worth of any of the following, to anyone who will send us a new subscription to BIRDS AND NATURE WITH $1,50 Gold Medal, World’s Fair St. Louis, 1904 chal aie sclaveton ce wieloce a hielo ele Matera ete She Ok REE ee ee $1.00 ote A Nes Dard ake Wieticlae eee een te bk Gee rrr 3.00 Birds and Nature Study Pictures in Natural Colors, 7 x 9 $.02 each, $1.80 per 100, Complete set of 648 Birds and Nature, one year Birds and Nature (back numbers) $.25 per copy, $2.00 per year, complete set of 82............. 12.00 Birds and Nature (bound volumes) red half morocco binding, $3.00 per volume, Complete set of 8 volumeS................... Birds of Lakeside and Prairie, by Edward B. Clark Birds of Song and Story, by Elizabeth and Joseph Grinnell.. Constructive Work, by Edward F. Worst.................... ; Diary of a Western Schoolmaster. by J. K. Stableton Fairies That Run The World, by Ernest Vincent Wright ... Games: Birds, $.35; Industrial, $.40; Literature, $.40; Geography, $.40; History, $.40 Gems and Gem Minerals, by Olive Cummings Farrington................2cc2ccccecceceeceeceee® 3.00 Industrial Pictures, (Lumbering Set, $.10). (Miscellaneous set, $.10 Jin-le Book of Birds, by Edw. B. Clark .......... Photogravures of Eminent Authors, Poets, Musicians, Preachers, Statesmen and Christ, in groups, nine sheets 8 x 29, each containing 6 portraits, $.40 each, any 3 ................ 1.00 Rhinehart Reproductlons, Indian Pictures, in colors, size 7 x 9$.05 each for 5 or more, any 12 for $.50 or the 47 for...... _cisjn loses aiaslayassibin oigiorels siniaie inlelololelereiele ot eh mle ete aa eee aoe ene 1.90 Shells of Land and Water, by Frank Collins Baker................0... 00 cceeceec eee ccecceeee nesses 2.50 Song of the Lark, a colored picture, size 18 K 24.0.0... c nce e een eseeescnees 20 Golden Pheasant, colored picture, Size 18 XK 24... 1... ec eee ec cnc nee renee see eeeeteece 2D Typical Forest Trees From Photo Engravings, 24 pictures, Size 9 KX 12.............. 20.0. e cece ee eee 1.00 Wild Birds in City Parks, by Herbert Eugene Walter and Alice Hall Walter................... 40 Masterpieces of the World’s Greatest Modern Artists and Photogravures, 16 x 20, each ............. 50 Supplimentary School Songs, combined edition, by H. W. Fairbanks.........................-- 40 Send $.10 for sample copy of Birds and Nature or a $.02 stamp for sample picture and illustrate catalogue. A. W. MUMFORD & CO., Publishers, 378 Wabash Ave., Chicago Established 1887 Guide to Taxidermy Full of valuable information. COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE AND MOUNT Birds Animals and Fish Also contains. a com- plete list of all North American Birds, with prices of their eg¢s, skins and mounted specimens; also an ex- haustive line of Orni- thologists’, Oologists’ and Taxidermists’ sup- plies, valuable infor mation for the amateur, recipes, etc. Bound in cloth, 35c, postpaid. ~* CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass Established 1897 $1.00 a year, 12 issues The Plant World An _ Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Popular Botany. Official Organ of the Wild Flower Preservation Society of America. EDITED BY FRANCIS E- LLOYD It Will Keep You In Touch With Modern Botanical Thought For Sample Copy Address The PLANT WORLD, Teachers College, N. Y. City Have Your Magazines Bound. Send your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrapped postage will be ro cents), we will bind them in an at- tractive cloth cover, stamped with AMERICAN OR- NITHOLOGY in gold and bird in color, and return to you FOR 75 CENTS PREPAID. Address American Ornithology, Worcester. Mass. OOOO O OO FORESTRY 1 AIN DE IRRIGATION A Monthly Magazine devoted to the perpetuation of natural resources through wise use President Roosevelt says: “The preservation of our forests is an imperative business necessity z The forest and water problems are per- haps the most vital of the internal ques- tions of the United States.” 68 pages, well illustrated. The magazine of authority in its special field. SUBSCRIPTION, $1.00 A YEAR FORESTRY & IRRIGATION 510 Twelfth St., N. W. WASHINGTON. D. C. Entertainment Supplies We furnish Schools, Churches and Societies with Everything needed for effective presentation of Entertainments, Plays, So- cials, Fairs, Etc. Bows and Arrows, Fairy Wings, Crowns, Tableau Lights, Japanese Lanterns, Parasols, Fans, Spangles, Tally Cards, Favors, Etc. GRAB BAG NOVELTIES Sample dozen 30c. and 60c. postpaid. “SHADOW CIR- CUS”—The Funniest Parlor Game ever invented—Postpaid 60c. Plays, Drills, Operattas of all publishers. B&-CATALOGUE FREE. Address HINTS PUBLISHING COMPANY 53-57 Bible House, New York. -©©©>© © © 2 © ©O_©@— © THE YOUNG IDEA Normal! Clubbing List for 1905-6 OFFERS: The Young Idea with other periodicals as follows: zt The Young Idea, School Arts, Popular Educator or Primary Education, $2.00. 2 The Young Idea, School Arts and Garden Mag- azine, $2.00. 3 TheYoungldea(School Arts or Popular Educator) , World’s Work or Country Life in America, $3.60 4 The Young Idea (School of Arts or Popular Educator), Bird Magazine, $2.00. 5 The Young Idea, (School Arts or Popular Educa- tor), Birds and Nature and 10 Plates, $2.50. 6 The Young Idea, with Schoo! Arts or Popular Educator or Primary Education, $1.35. 7 The Young Idea, Holiday Magazine and Boys and Girls, $r.z10. 8 The Young Idea, with Holiday Magazine or Boys and Girls, 8oc. 9 The Young Idea, The Journal of Geography, $1.65. 10 The Young Idea, American Primary Teacher and Primary Education, $2.00. tz The Young Idea, Popular Educator and Educa- tion, $3.50. 12 The Young Idea, Popular Educatcr, Journal of Education, $3.25. The Minnie George Plan Books, Primary or Advanced, Set, $2.25. Maud Kingsley’ s Outline Studies in English, Set $2.80. We give rates on all the leading Magazines. For Nature Work, Character Study and Travel, we know of nothing better than The Young Idea. JAMES E. HUGHES Melrose Highlands, Bird and Nature Lovers If you want an up-to-date magazine on Nature Study and out-door life, sub- scribe now for “Western Sportsman” The Western Sportsman is a Ca- nadian magazine devoted to all forms of legitimate sports in Western Can- ada out-door life and nature study. If you want to keep posted on Can- ada, the country you are hearing so much about, the stamping ground of Ernest Thompson Seaton and the home of the big game animals. illustrated and is The magazine is finely with colored photography, bright and crispy throughout. WESTERN SPORTSMAN, $1.00 a year. Free Press Bldg. {Oc. per copy. Winnipeg, Manitoba AA GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera ONLY $5.00 These glasses are well made and espec- lally adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field of vision of ordinary ones and magnify nearly four. diameters: They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman.............. $6.50 The Glass and North American Birds Eggs by C. A. Reed................ 6.50 The: Glass and. both. Books. s 3.6.22 .e ee bec oe ale ve ee ee ee 8.00 TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with upwards of 800 drawings in colors so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least possible difficulty. In no other book has the problem of identification been so simplified. The book is equally useful.in any part of the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 3812 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. North American Birds Eggs By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breeding range of each species; loca- ‘ -@ tion and construction of the nest; time of nesting; number, description and variation of eggs laid; with \ a full sized illustration of the egg of nearly every species, and a large number of full-page illustrations of nesting sites. 360 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. Both of above books and the American Bird Magazine for one-year for $5.00. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. ae Send two-cent stamp for Catalogue, or two two-cent stamps for Illustrated Catalogue of 1,000 tiny pictures. Beautiful Also pictures for teaching History, Geography, Language, Picture Study, Etc. THE PERRY PICTURES One Cent Each for 25 or more, assorted as desired Size 7x9. Two cents each for 13 or more. and three-quarters in lots of 100 or more. FOR HOME AND SCHOOL Easter Pictures Size 5 1-2x8. 2000 Subjects. BIRD PICTURES IN NATURAL COLORS. A cent Or 25 cents for 25 Art Subjects, Or 25 Historical, Or 25 on the Life of Christ, $1.00 for our Beautiful Art Set of 120 pictures all in the Beautiful Boston Edition. The Perry Pictures Co., Box 413, Malden, Mass. Edison’s No. 75 Rotary Mimeograph THE PRINTER IS QUICK—THE ROTARY MIMEOGRAPH IS QUICKER {000 copies of tpyewriting or hand- writing for about 20 cents. Adapted to printing circular letters, price lists, changes in prices, quotations, descrip- tions, notices, schedules, statements, office and factory forms,music, drawings, sketches, and anything typewritten or handwritten, where either small or large quantities are desired. INEXPENSIVE, PRACTICAL, RAPID, CLEAN PORTABLE, SIMPLE, DURABLE NOISELESS, PERFECT WORK 50 copies per minute. No experience required Every copy as perfect as an original Turn Crank aad Feed the Paper, Machine does rest A. B. DICK COMPANY 161-163 W. Jackson, Boulevard, Chicago ' Branch Depot: 47 Nassau St., New York Catalog sent on request The Gondor A Bi-Monthly Magazine of Western Ornithology J. GRINNELL, Editor. Published by the Cooper Ornithologi- cal Club. Begins with 1906 its eighth volume and continues the series of photo- graphs from life by Messrs. Finley and Bohlman, which is of special interest to bird lovers and students everywhere. The Only Magazine of Scientific Standing Covering the West- ern Field. in addition to its Articles of General Interest. Contributors in the past have in- cluded Robert Ridgeway, Dr. A. K. Fisher, Louis Stejneger, L. A. Fuertes, J. Grinnell, F. S.. Daggett, W. K. Fisher, Wm. Brewster, Dr. Merriams, Mrs. Bailey and others of recognized standing. Subscription $1.00 per year. Sample Copy, 20 cents. Address H. T. CLIFTON, Bus. Mgr., P. O. Box 404, Pasadena, Cal. THESE FOUR PICTURES | S IN COLORS is FREE To every reader of this periodical who loves na- ture and animals and outdoor life, we will send without charge four beautiful pictures, which sell at retail for 50 cents each. These pictures are won- derful examples of the art of color photography, being printed on heavy plate paper by the most im- proved process. Framed at moderate cost they will make splendid decorations for den or cozy cor- ner, or they can be used just as they are in any part of the house. The subjects represented are such as will appeal to nature lovers generally. Exact:size of pictures, 103 x 73 inches. WHY WE MAKE THIS OFFER The object of this offer is to acquaint you with our new ‘Library of Natural History” which has re- cently been published, after years of labor and at enormous expense. It is the oniy work of its kind in existence illustrated from actual photo- graphs, of which it contains over 2,000, besides many full-page plates showing birds and animals in their natural colors. Every living creature on the earth —animal and man—is described and pictured in this library. In many cases special expeditions armed with cameras and dry plates had to be sent to foreign lands to secure the photographs from which the illustrations were made. The work isnot tech- nical or dry, but teems with the most interesting and instructive stories of animal llfe, told by fam- ous naturalists and explorers. Over 2,000,000 copies have already been sold in Germany and England. NO OBLIGATION Your application for the picture imposes no Obli- gation to purchase the library. We will forward the pictures, together with a description of the books, by mail postpaid. You will not be bothered by agents or canvassers; this Society transacts all its business by correspondence. As an evidence of good faith, enclose 10 cents (stamps or silver) for postage and wrapping. This will be refunded if you request it after examining the pictures. Mail the accompanying coupon promptly, as the supply of pictures is limited, and this advertisement will not appear again. The University Society, New York. Please send me, postpaid, the four pictures you offer, together en a description of the ‘‘Library of Natural Hls- : : tory.” enclose zo cents for postage and wrapping. which you agree to refund if 1 am not perfectly satisfied. REGUEAR Eales 50°C ENTS Eee It is nnderstood that the sending of this coupon does no: f in anyway bind me to buy anything. (Bird Mag.) INA 61, 55 oer Saree nee EO oa ochicta he a The UNIVERSITY SOCIETY You need not send cowpon if you mention this Gis) ANI, ac, Magazine. ! NEW YORK CITY ~ Vol. 6, No. 6. JUNE, 1906. 10¢ a copy, $1 a year. Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass., as second-class matter, Jan. 16, 1901. \ ) BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY With LUMIERE PLATES MEANS PERFECTION Try the “Sigma” for SPEED and Lantern Slide Plates for FINENESS OF GRAIN AND SNAP LUMIERE NORTH AMERICAN CO. N.Y. OFFICE 11 W. 27ST. Are You Interested in PHOTOGRAPHY Then you should subscribe for America’s Oldest Photographic Magazine THE PHOTOGRAPHIC TIMES This Magazine gives a greater variety of in- teresting and yaluable photographic matter for a dollar than any other American maga- zine in its class. Beautifully illustrated. Sample Copy for 10 Cents The Photographic Times Pub. As'n 39 Union Square, New York BURLINGTON, VT. FUR NEWS LYONS, FRANCE contains each month a devoted to TAXIDERMY taxidermists department which leading every- where pronounce extremely interest-— ing and complete. I[lustrations of the finest examples of the art in each issue. Many other subjects, such as Trap- ping, Roots and Barks, treated each month. , Published monthly. $1.00 a year. Address, Fur News, Dept. L., 10 East 14th St. New York. “IMO GANYOH ‘oung oJ ASOlOYUIO uUvdoIIeuULy 0} JUsWETddng ‘SSRI ‘IOISOOIOAA ‘IOYSI[QnNg ‘peey *"y ‘SeYyuD ‘ssoIppy ‘ACIND AUId Jo Adoo & 9ATOOeI YORE [ITM }S0q DAIy] PUv PUOdDES OY} feulzeSvUI SITY} 0} WOTJdIosqns S,.1vek @ UOATS eq [ITM Y)UOW Gove ainjzoId peio[Od 4Sseq 9Y} UL Spues OYM OO OL ‘MezOp & §}UI0 OT OJ po10 Pn of, -[00 9q 0} Soldood [BUOTIIPpPe [leu [[TA OM ‘sjtdnd afoy} JO JUS[e} OTIS} x by Ui AKU PATTER) Yd {vols Oe SSUIMBIP OST} JY} PUY Sioyovey, ‘poyured st oinyord oy} -I18 94} JNO Suliq 0} SufAsos sv [[oM se ApNjs PAlq 1JOJ S}UeMeonput UY TY, 1o}Je SY}MOU OM} ONSST OY} Ul peystiqnd oq [ITM }[Nse1 94} pue “YJUOUT SUIMO]TIOJ 9} JO OL 9} WO 9SO[O [IM UOT}WeduI0D YOR “[OOTIS auIOS Sulpus}e oSoy} 0} A[UO Sozlid pAvmMe [ITM OM “HoIpTIqo [ooyos Ssuowe Apnis parq Ul JSO10}UL SUISBOIOUT JO asodaind 94} 1OJ St wOT}ed - -W09 SIq} SB ‘pue TWO YoVe 1O[OO 0} oANnz0OTd Mou B OATS T]TM OM c ce | OA 10} Spilq ou} eS AJVUOP!T TIM Jey} Hood 9y} ‘adIND GUIA JO Adoo & 10 ANIZVOVN A GUIA NVOIMANV 94} 0} Uondtsosqns s,1e0k & ‘gery “Jos ABT NOs pue soo ino 0} [Tew pue ‘yovq oy} UO pusz}e no eq} [OOS pus d ADL Her SS if Ssoippe ‘oweU INOA 9}11M “nO oiNzoTd oT} qno ‘atqissod SB 9}SB} 01781} 418 YONW sv YIM pue AjeInyeu se ysnf SCUIA ASHHL UO'lOO ae ee s ait on . ros a whe “Sip oe - e Some A GOOD FIELD GLASS The BEST for Bird Study and Equally Good for Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera ONLY $5.00 These glasses are well made and espec- lally adapted for the use of the bird stu- dent as they give about twice the field of vision of ordinary ones and magnify nearly four diameters: They are in good strong leather case, silk lined. Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions for our magazine at $1.00 each. Or if you prefer we will send you a pair prepaid on receipt of $5.00. Try them a week and if not perfectly satisfactory return them to us and we will refund the $5.00. Is not that fair? The Glass and Color Key to N. A. Birds by F. M. Chapman.............. $6.50 The Glass and North American Birds Hggs by C. A. Reed................ 6.50 nen GlassHan de both Books ery eae cena eae Seek MINIS Sadly a elcehane dye coausretekedeueee 8.00 TO North American Birds By FRANK M. CHAPMAN A complete bird dictionary, with upwards of 9800 drawings in colors so arranged that one may learn a bird’s name with the least possible difficulty. In no other book has the problem ‘of identification been so simplified. The book is equally useful in any part of the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 312 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. North American Birds Eggs By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. A complete illustrated book of all eggs. It gives the habitat and breeding range of each species; loca- ; tion and construction of the nest; time of nesting; / q number, description and variation of eggs laid; with \ | a full sized illustration of the egg of nearly every Sea ee ae species, and a large number of full-page illustrations ; of nesting sites. 360 pages, cloth, $2.50. Postpaid. Both of above books and the American Bird Magazine for one year for $5.00. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 1 Colored plates showing 50 Birds Eggs varieties in natural size and colors with check-list A. O. U. No. and both common and scientific names of every known North American bird. All for only 10 cents. FRANK H. LATTIN, ALBION, N. Y. Special Offer for New Subscribers THE NEW BOY 128 East 23d St., New York A MONTHLY MAGAZINE of romance and activity for all kinds of boys. containing clean and interesting matter for boys —to stir his ambition, uplift and inspire him. The Best Boys’ Paper in the World —> SPECIAL 90 DAYS OFFER A BEAUTIFUL FOUNTAIN PEN 14 KR. GOLD : FRE To all sending us 25c for 6 months subscription to the NEW BOY. ‘ | THE NEW BOY Best 50c, a year paper in the world AGENTS WANTED SEND FOR SAMPLE Copy CONTENTS “My Four Years at Anna- polis.” “New Boy in Europe, special representative traveling from London to Rome.”’ “Coney Island. New York’s Great Summer Playground.” “The Enchanted City’ a fas- cinating serial story. “The Greatest Boy Swimmer” “The New Boy Activities League.” Original and Novel Depart- ments on “The New Boy Photo- granher,” “The New BoyStamp Collector,” **The New Boy Prin- ter and Amateur Journalist.” New Departments each month. Subscribe now. THE NEW BOY A Monthly Magazine for Boys 128 E. 23rd St. NewYork The Amateur Naturalist A MAGAZINE for THOSE who STUDY NATURE Not restricted to any one branch but pub- lishes the things you want to know about plant life, birds, animals, insects. minerals, electricity, etc., and the interesting things in astronomy. chemistry, geology and the other natural sciences, While aiming to be scientifically accurate the facts will be stated n language interesting, plain, and from a popular standpoint. Published monthly Subscription, 50 cents per year. Sample copy may be had for the asking. CHAS. D. PENDELL, Publisher Ashland, Maine The Moth Book, by W. J. Holland. Fully illustrated by color photography. The illustrations of the moths are nat- ural size and the coloring is perfect. With this book it is easy to identify any moth at a glance. It is by far the best work on moths ever published. $4.00 prepaid. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. JAMES P, BABBITT, — DEALER IN — Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. TAUNTON, MASS. Bargain Lists free upon application. : } Large iilustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- plies |Oc. 50 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE PATENTS TRADE MARKS DESIGNS CoPYRIGHTS &c. Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communica- tions strictly confidential. HANDBOOK on Patents sent free. Oldest arency, for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American, A handsomely illustrated weekly. Jargest cir- culation of any scientific journal. Terms, $3 a year; four months, $1. Sold by all newsdealers. MUNN & Co,3¢+2road=. New York Branch Office, 625 FB St., Washington, whe “YOUTH” 10 Cents a Copy. $1.00 a Year The new seria) story inthe April issue by James Otis, author of “Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus” is alone worth the price of subscription. Butit is only one of many features. Special six months trial Subscription to New Subscribers 25 CENTS The PENN PUBLISH’G Co., Philadelphia, Pa. JOURNAL OF THE Maine Ornithological SOCIETY Published on the first of March, June, September and December. Devoted to protection of birds in Maine and the spread of knowledge relating to them. The official organ of the Bird Stu- dents of the state, and containing ar- ticles by the leading ornithologists of Maine. The Warbler papers will be continued during the year 1906. PRICE 50 CENTS A YEAR. Send for Sample Copy. Editor, W. H. BROWNSON, Portland. Associate Editor, FRANK T. NOBLE, Augusta. Send subscriptions to W. H. BROWNSON, City Building, Portland, Maine. Boys and Girls Magazine A Nature Magazine. Beautifu:ly Illustrated Contains live, interesting nature stories. FIFTY CENTS A YEAR Send for sample copy Address and GIRLS MAGAZINE ITHACA, N. Y. Learn to Mount Birds, animals fishes, etc. Sports- men, naturalists, teachers, and all outdoor lovers, should know how to properly pres- erve and mount Birds and animals. Rare and beauti- ful specimens are being tak- en every day, and they should be preserved. BOYS ren WE TEACH TAXIDERMY BY MAIL. You can learn from our correspondence course, easily, quickly, right in yourown home. Our school is endorsed by all leading taxidermists and the nature magazine, Write TODAY for full particulars, cata— log, and sample copy of the Taxidermy Magazine. THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF TAXID- ERMY, 8: K St., Omana, Neb. lilustrated Results in e by Taxidermy 140 Half Tones Representing Hundreds of Specimens A Guide to The Study of Positions H Paper, Cloth Bond «= PRICE $1.75 Our Specialty Glass Eyes and Naturalists Supplies Frank Blake Webster Co., Taxidermist and Museum HYDE PARK. MASS. American Ornithology A Magazine Devoted Entirely to Birds. Published bi-monthly by Cuarues K. Reep, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. Edited by Chester A. Reed, B. S. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mezico, One Dollar yearly in advance. Single copies ten cents. Vols. I, II, III, IV, and V, $1.00 each. SPECIAL.—Vols. I, II, III, IV, V, and subscrip- tion for 1906, $4.00. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $1.25. Copyright, 1906 by Chas. K. Reed. VOL. VI JUNE, 1906. ‘NO. 6 Change in Dates of Issue. Commencing with this number, American Ornithology will be issued bi- monthly, that is every second month instead of monthly, as at present. This will not mean that the subscribers will lose anything, for on the contrary, they will be gainers, as the magazine will be increased in number of pages, and we expect that the editor will be enabled to give more attention to the preparation of each number. So remember that the next number of the bird magazine will be out August 1st, then October and December. We have on hand some excellent material and beautiful illustrations for the coming numbers but we would like more short articles descriptive of un- usual events in the bird world. If you see anything that interests you, write it up and send it to us; you may discover some new trait of bird life that no one has ever seen before. For coloring the Tanager supplement in April magaine we have awarded prizes as follows: Ist., Miss Mary Ward, Oconto, Wis.; 2nd., Hugh Ander- son, Goderich, Ontario; 3rd., Wellington Calvert, Markham, Ontario. SS \'s . SS SQW \\) PAssENGER PIGEON. (One-half nat. size.) 122 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. PASSENGER PIGEON; WILD PIGEON, A. O. U. No. 315 Ectopistes migratorius. Length 16 in. The beautiful Wild Pigeon is becoming one of the birds of the past. We now rarely see any items or stories about the birds for they are so scarce as to have been forgotten by all but ornitholégists. The writer’s personal ex- periences with these pigeons has been limited to two single birds seen in Worcester about 1885, and to several barrels of them from the west, seen in the Boston markets about the same time. To one who has never seen any considerable number, the stories that are told by our fathers and grand fathers are almost incredible. It is a fact much to be regretted, but, as far as we know, not a photograph is in existence showing any of the immense flocks or extensive nesting grounds that we are told of. Probably the best account and most reliable one of pigeon nesting is that contained in Ben- dire’s work, given by a Mr. Stevens, a veteran pigeon-netter of Michigan. A large part of this account follows: “The largest nesting that he (Mr. Stevens) ever visited was in 1876 or 1877. It began near Petosky, (Mich.), and extended northeast past Crooked Lake for 28 miles, averaging three or four miles wide. The birds arrived in two separate bodies, one directly from the south by land, the other following the east coast of Wisconsin, and crossing at Manitou Island. He saw the latter body come in from the lake at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It was a compact mass of pigeons, at least five miles long by one mile broad. The birds began building when the snow was twelve inches deep in the woods, although the fields were bare at the time. So rapidly did the colony extend its boundaries that it soon passed literally over and around the place where he was netting, although when he began, this point was several miles from the nearest nest. Nesting usually starts in deciduous woods, but during their progress the pigeons do not skip any kinds of trees they encounter. The Petosky nesting extended 8 miles through hardwood timber, then crossed a river bottom wooded with arbor-vitae, and thence stretched through white pine woods about twenty miles. For the entire distance of 28 miles every tree of any size had more or less nests in it and many trees were filled with them. “Pigeons are very noisy when building. They make a sound resembling the croaking of wood frogs. Their combined clamor can be heard 4 or 5 miles away when the atmospheric conditions are favorable. Two eggs are generally laid, but many nests contain only one. Both birds incubate, the females between 2 o'clock p. m. and 9 or 10 o'clock the next morning. The males feed twice each day, namely, from daylight to about 8 o'clock, and again late in the afternoon. The females feed only during the forenoon. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 123 The change is made with great poe arty) as to time, all the males being on the nests by 10 o'clock a. m. “During the morning and evening no females are ever caught by the net- ters; during the forenoon no males. ‘The sitting bird does not leave the nest until the bill of its incoming mate nearly touches its tail, the former slipping off as the latter takes its place. “Thus, the eggs are constantly covered, and but few are ever thrown out despite the fragile character of the nests and the swaying of the trees in high winds. The old birds never feed in the vicinity of the nests, leaving all the beechmast, etc., there for their young. Many of them go 100 miles each day for food. Mr. Stevens is satisfied the pigeons continue laying and hatching duringthe entire summer. They do not, however, use the same nest- ing place twice in one season, the entire colony always moving from 20 to 100 miles after the appearance of each brood of young. “Five weeks are consumed by a single nesting. Then the young are forced out of their nests by the old birds. One of the pigeons, usually the male, pushes the young off the nest by force. The latter struggles and squeals precisely like a tame squab, but is finally crowded out along the branch, and after further feebly resistance, flutters down to the ground. Three or four days elapse before it is able to fly well. ““At least five hundred men were engaged in netting pigeons during the great Petosky netting of 1881. Mr. Stevens thought they may have cap- tured on an average, 20,000 birds apiece during the season. Sometimes two carloads were shipped south on the railroad each day. Nevertheless, he be- lieved that not one bird in a thousand was taken.” And so, through the gluttony of mankind, these noble birds, like the Great Auk, have literally been swept from the face of the earth, it only being a question of a few years when the remaining few will have disappeared. Thousands of them were shot, but this was too expensive a method for their capture and it was found that by setting large nets worked with powerful springs, baiting them, and using live captive pigeons as an additional lure, hundreds of pigeons could readily be caught at a swoop. Others invaded their roosting places at night, and torch in hand, struck them down in their sleep, or while dazed by the light, with clubs. It is a shameful record but not less so than the warfare that is constantly waged on the Bob-white and the Prairie Hen for market purposes, and upon numerous song birds, NIELS terns and grebes for the milliners. As shown, the adult male Passenger Pigeon has a blue-gray head (includ- ing the chin) and upperparts, while the underparts are of a peculiar brown- ish hue, something like the color of a Robin’s breast but with a bluish cast. The female is browner and duller above and paler colored below; young 124 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. birds are like the female but have numerous markings of blackish and buffy on the back. Their nests are very shallow,frail platforms of twigs, similar to those of the Mourning Dove, but more shabby; the one or two eggs are pure white, larger and comparatively longer than those of the Mourning Dove. Individ- uals or small flocks of wild pigeons are reported most every year, but it is more than probable that over ninety per cent. of such reports are erroneous. They were reported in Oregon last summer, but investigation proved that the birds seen there were only Band-tailed Pigeons, which often occur there. The Carolina Wren exhibits great diversity of taste, both in its choice of location for a nesting site, and in the constructive material used. I have known instances where nests were built (1) between the logs of an old pine- log cabin, (2) under the projecting eaves of a barn, (3) on a ledge inside a barn, (4) in an old tin bucket hanging in an outhouse, (5) under fallen logs, (6) in old stumps, but in all probability the most novel site chosen by the wren or any other bird was under the tail of a sparrow hawk in process of mounting. The hawk was placed on a slight elevation, and in the space be- tween the tail and the bottom of the case the nest was built. All the material used in its construction was found in the workshop wherein the nest was built, with the exception of a few feathers for lining material. It was constructed of dried grass, lichens, one piece of newspaper, tow, the fallen blooms of the Red oak, and lined with hair and feathers. Under the pro- tection of the tail of this hawk, Madame Wren raised successfully two broods of 4 each and commenced on the third, but before the young were able to fly, I regret to say they were destroyed by a barn rat. The rat finally paid the penalty. In other nests have been found the following constructive material :—dead oak leaves, the flower of the red and white oaks, pine needles, broom straw, or sedge grass, mid-ribs of oak leaves, shavings, with horse hair and feathers for lining. In two instances the outer portion of the nest was constructed entirely of fine straw. A youngster who happened to be spying about my premises one day caught sight of two wren’s nests and inquired why I didn’t pull them Eng- lish sparrow nests out o’ there? The reason was duly explained and a cau- tion administered for him not to molest them in any way, and he didn’t. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 125 He has such a loud, clarion voice, with such a martial tone in it, that his song almost sounds like a call to arms, though I suspect that it is only an in- vitation for all the sleepy-heads to wake up, and all the pessimists to remem- ber that life is worth living and that there is much good in the world. It really is a good thing for us morally, and in every other way, too, to have such a voice in nature as that of the Carolina wren. There are pensive songs in the bird realm, and they often fit our mood, but they do not cheer us. The Carolina is saying to all sad and brooding people, “Cheer up! Cheer up! The world is full of joy; come out doors and be happy!” Are any of you interested in comparative ornithology? Well, I must tell you about wrens and wrens. Not all wrens are alike, and it is interesting to study the various species in different localities. In the neighborhood of Atchison, in Northeastern Kansas, the little house-wren was the house wren in truth. You could scarcely visit a country home without finding at least one pair at your elbow, and many of the houses in town where the residences were not too thick, had their pair of these wrens. Two pairs nested in my yard in the city, for I set up boxes for them. In that part of the country the Carolina wren is not a house wren, but prefers to dwell in the woods and other lonely places, where he hides his nests in the holes of logs and stumps. However, the house-wren takes the notion into his head to nest in wooded places, too, as well as about the houses. In Colorado I did not find the Carolina at all, but the Western house-wren was often seen, though for the most part in out-of-the way places. Northeast- ern Arkansas and the Eastern border of Indian Territory are the home of the sweet-voiced Bewick’s wrens, which in that region, are pre-eminently the wrens of the country and village homes, taking the place of the house- wren technically so called. In the Gulf States that I have visited, both the northern and southern parts, I found the Carolina wren a tenant of the woods, seldom, if ever, making so bold as to set up his household goods in the close neighborhood of human residences. I lived in Springfield, Ohio, a number of years. You will notice that it is located southwest of the center of the state. There Bewick’s wren was a house bird, his sweet aria ringing around almost every rural home, and also in the suburbs of the city. I never found more than one house-wren in that vicinity, so far as I can recall, and he had taken up residence in an old or- chard quite a distance from any house. The Carolinas of that locality avoid- 126 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ed the houses almost entirely, and “took to the woods” in a literal sense. April of 1903 found me in Northern Indiana for a brief stay. In the vil- lage of Middlebury I was surprised to hear the dulcet air of Bewick’s wren —surprised because I did not suppose he ever went so far north. When I went over to the city of Elkhart—fourteen miles from Middlebury—I miss- ed Bewick’s wren altogether, and listened to the gurgling song of the house- wren, and that a block or two in from the suburbs. Why this difference is wren preferences in the two places? You will be interested in knowing about the wren status here in Eastern Ohio, while I have taken off my hat for a while and am at home among the birds. Here everything is different, wren-wise. I have never seen or heard Bewick’s wren in this part of the state, and only once have I heard the song of the house-wren. This was in New Philadelphia. But the Carolina wren is here, and here in sufficient numbers to satisfy the most exacting student of his habits. . Having the whole country to himself, so far as wrens are concerned, the Carolina’s manners differ here from his ways in every other place I have ever known him. Here he is the house-wren, and the only house wren we have. He likes human society. A country home where there is an old barn or other old building fills his palpitating heart with delight; and he does not fight shy of the town, either, but blows his Huon’s horn as unafraid as if no “humans” were near, builds his nests in all sorts of pockets and crevices, and rears the little wrens in the way such pretty little children ought to go. It is useless to ask why the Carolinas are house wrens here and woodland birds in other parts of the country. However, you will also find these wrens in solitary places about here, often in the depths of the woods, or in the se- quested hollows, or on the bushy hillsides. Wherever he is found he is the same cheery, clear-voiced little body. Do you ask why some Carolinas pre- fer town while others prefer the country? You might as well ask why peo- ple differ in the same way. Nature is wise and provident, knowing that these insect-eating birds are needed both in the city and the country; also abowt country homes and in the sylvan depths. I used to give the palm for constancy in singing to the song sparrow, but I must take the honors from him and give them to the Carolina wren, for all through the severe winter of 1903-04, the song sparrows were silent, while my hardy wren regaled us with song on many a day. A friend heard a Car- olina sing on the morning of our coldest day—January 4th—when the mercury in our thermometers registered from twenty to twenty-five degrees below zero. Why, Carolina is a regular Viking. All through the spring, summer and autumn I listened to his songs, and when winter set in, he kept up his rehearsals, so that I have heard him singing every month of the year. AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 127 Best of all, his voice does not become rusty and squeaky out of the usual song season. In the coldest weather it sounds strong and cheery, and the articulation is almost, perhaps quite, as distinct as in the vernal time of song. Even when our bird is moulting he sings as loudly and clearly as when he is in the best of feather. JI doubt whether this can be said of any other bird in the United States, unless it is the water-ouzel of the Rockies and Sierras. Do not understand me to say that the Carolina sings as often in the autumn and winter as in the spring, yet he does sing quite often even then, and when he breaks into song, his tones are as strong and clear as at any other time. So far as I am able to tell, he sings all his tunes in the winter; and you and I know that he has quite a repertory. Yet there are some people who cannot appreciate Carolina’s stirring songs. One day while I was sitting at luncheon with some friends, one of these birds burst into a loud aria, which came through the open door. “‘Lis- ten to the song of that wren!” I cried, with not a little fervor. “‘Do you call that a song?” asked Mrs. Nonappreciative, who was sitting at the table. The idea that any one should question the musical quality of Carolina’s voice! Why not ask whether Nordica ever sang? A few days later I was delighted with some other people. We were playing a game of croquet, when suddenly every mallet was held poised in air on account of a ringing bird song close at hand. Every player stood spellbound. “What bird is it?” all of them exclaimed in great excitement. “The Carolina wren,’ I explained. “There it is on the edge of the roof.” And the accommodating little feathered artist stood there while we watched him, and gave us several of his choicest selections. “Oh! isn’t it sweetr” cried one of the ladies. “It’s thrilling!” another declared. “It made me thing of Roderick Dhu calling his clans to arms!” said one of the gentlemen, who was well read in Scott. “It is a genuine bugle call.” : ) That-is the kind of people the naturalist dotes on—people who have a nice ear for nature’s music. 128 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ‘. THE CAROLINA WREN, By Emma E. LavucGuuin. The songster of these frosty winter mornings and days is the saucy little Carolina Wren. He begins the day with a cheery note, and later bursts in- to an ecstacy of song. No bird-song can equal his in pure, bubbling, rip- pling melody. At no season of the year is he quiet. His song may be heard during any month of the year, and his vivacity is not affected by weather. I have heard him singing during a rain shower in the summer, and in zero weather in the winter. Occasionally, in extremely cold weather in this lati- tude (40 degrees), a Carolina Wren will be found frozen to death, but as a rule he is hardy enough to withstand the cold. One spring, in May, I watched a pair of Carolina wrens for several weeks. They had made a nest inside a wash-house, just over the door. Instead of going to the nest through the door, which was nearly always open, they went in through a broken pane in the window, or through a small hole just under the roof. Occassionally the little brown mother bird went in through the door, but her mate never entered that way. When I first began to watch them, the female was sitting and so was rare- ly seen. Her mate would begin to sing very early in the morning, and would sing all day, getting quite hilarious by four o’clock in the afternoon. When ready to sing he would drop his tail, stand up very straight and open his mouth wide. With one look at the sky his inspiration would come, and then the air would be filled with clear, entrancing music. His favorite perch was on the comb of the roof near his roof entrance, but he was too restless to stay there long at a time. An ash tree nearby and a young maple were also popular perches. A porch which was nearly always occupied by people was not ten feet from the ash tree. Occasionally he would drop down to a grindstone, not far away, or to the pump, and play hide-and-seek with us, only there was no seeking on our part, for he would be sure to peep around every minute to see what we were doing. One day tiny lives began to stir in the nest and then there were busy times. The mother wren darted out and in quietly, like a little brown mouse. Not so did Mr. Wren. He became livelier than ever. | He was a good worker but stopped often to express his happiness in song. Sometimes he 3 would sing ‘“wheetle-chew, wheetle-chew,” with the falling inflection until he would begome so excited the song would be changed to “chew-wheetle, chen-wheetle,’ repeated rapidly several times with the rising inflection. Then he would suddenly remember his fatherly cares and dart away, to re- AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 129 Photo by H. K. Murray. Nest aNpD Eaes or Carotina Wren; Burtt on a WINDOW SILL. turn in a minute with a delicious morsel for the nestlings. After a moment’s rest he would be on his roof perch again, and this time, perhaps, the song would be “sweetliard, sweetliard” with the rising inflection. Nearly every day I would think I heard a new bird song; only to find on investigation that the Carolina wren was the singer. Woe be to any bird which approached his nest after the birdies came! He was there like a flash, scolding in characteristic wren-fashion, for his temper is very short indeed. Even a brown thrush, as large as he is, had to fly be- fore the furious attack of the wren. One day the wrens were seen carrying grass and straws to their nest. Knowing of the little birds, I thought they could not be building a new nest, and I was curious to know what they could be doing with this material. Pro- curing a ladder, I climbed to the nest amid the serious and oft repeated pro- tests of the owners. I found that the young birds, five in number, were getting to be too large for the nest, and so the old birds were building a sec- 130 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. ond story to their dwelling--that is, they were enlarging the rim of the nest. When completed, it was nearly three times as large as the original nest had been. One morning, soon after this, I was awakened by a great commotion -among the wrens. Hurrying out, I found the five small wrens on the ground. I have often wondered whether they left the nest of their own accord or were pushed out by the old birds. There had been a rain in the night and everything was very wet. I thought it was really a very bad morning for the youngsters to make their entrance into the outside world. If the old wrens pushed them out, they certainly showed a lack of the good bird sense they are usually accredited with. The old birds chattered and scolded, and coaxed the young ones to fly, but were compelled finally to feed their babies there on the ground. By noon they had been coaxed to the grindstone, a few feet away. That even- ing they managed to get into a low tree, and the next morning they were gone. We missed the cheery singer and sometimes heard him in the dis- tance, where we supposed he was bringing up his family according to strict bird rules. In December of that year, I went back to that delightful country home for a few days. The morning after my arrival a Carolina wren was singing on the very spot on the roof where I had seen one so often in May. I am sure he was the same bird. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 131 Photo by H. C. Lambert. Nest or Brown THRASHER. 132 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. THE BIRDS OF GODFREY RESERVATION. By A. A. Rrinewa tr. Nature knows no law of man, But roots and climbs where’er it can, And thus its myriad forms are sent In pesterous, sweetest lavishment. So now, where once the Indian basked And forests yielded all he asked, The many birds by creation given Have installed on earth a part of heaven. Here rabbits find some safe retreat From baying hounds in pursuit more fleet; Here the woodchuck burrows beneath the mound And fashions his castle under ground; Here the mink steals silently out, then in, To save from the hunter his precious skin. Man surely cannot help imbibe This spirit of the feathered tribe, Where hawks sail past on silent wing; Where owls hoot and nest in spring; Where blue jays clamor the whole year round, And where the Robin’s nest is found; Where woodpeckers bore in the trees and stubs And build their nests and feed on grubs; Where juncos frolic in March winds gay Ere they fly for the woods of Canada; Where warblers glean from tender leaves; Where the nuthatch to the gum tree cleaves, And probes .with pointed bill the sheath . To rouse some insect housed beneath; Where catbirds build their nest and sing ; Where long is heard the clarion ring Of the wood thrush, bell-bird of the shade, Wherein a mud-walled nest is made ey In the fork, perhaps of a maple tree, And of which all with exclaim with me, AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. 133 How appropriate the place select, And how robin-like the architect! Where footmen, as they trod along, Will pause to hear the veery’s son Where city folks in wonder hush And pause to hear the hermit thrush; Where in friendly frolic you will oinenn see The titmouse gay and the chickadee; Where the bluebird, harbinger of springtime, starts The cheery welcome of our hearts; Where the thrasher loud his notes prolong, While the waxwing lisps the faintest song; Where sparrows all in brown coats dressed Are with the sweetest song notes blessed; And where, safe anchored to a limb, So frail and yielding, long and slim, Hangs suspended, from the shrike The vireo’s nest so basket-like; Where the chewink scratches among ‘the leaves And where the dove his love song grieves; Where the phoebe all his tribe will pone To catch their food upon the wing Where one can hear, by careless Thee The horned and the meadow lark; Where the goldfinch, kinglet, aadliae All their brightest plumage show; Where oreg tesla, rose, and cardinal too, And the gnatcatcher dressed in gray and blue Show their varied, keen delights In selecting nesting sites; Where blackbirds nest and orioles pair; Where swifts and swallows sail the air; Where oft is seen, but seldom heard, Our ruby-throated Theanine bird ; Where the careful listener een hears Jenny wrens and tanagers; All by their gladsome ways and glee Aid in this bird-land minstrelsy. Ft. Wayne, Ind. 134 AMERIGAN ORNITHOLOGY. SNE SSE SESE SNE SSE SSE SSE SSE SS SIE SNE SNE SIE SI SSS ee a en et ee APP AS SS SSO SSS SSS SS Se Se ai A Se Sa 7S A WREN FAMILY ZS Sie , Iie- See AT Me AS Se = eg S275 71S ~ K > aI S “as we By ErRNEsT SEEMAN. we