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American Ornithology. 


For the Home and School. 
EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B. S. 


Vol. 3. 


WORCESTER, MASS., 
CuHAs. K. REED, PUBLISHER, 
1903. 








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INDEX. 


Pwiitens sie inevitable EndcOk aie: < s6s:.. 2 Seeded eens give we oe lS 
ERENT ISS OO ELS ISLE SI el pete pas isis. ccfeise sere) sie) gio Shstusedia se eye's we Kale, ase p Oral RS 
ESOC Soeiiiee Se Mt Sy kVA Tiare s «seis sls ciwtehaps ae soe w silsie wa) wolliei’n «eyo memes PAL 
Mar lid ea tege tla @ CORO Sip lesan com ersashel cit le wepale, GA wise wee cy ad seuhe «2 TY 
PNG elke Cem AG tele Mens oricicNelinvcl. aa eset de eile wuwnaga wis s dove chy Se & wel eed pow QAR 
RUG eae NOSE UNE OES C aint oderedebeia: irs sity s leit oe cami lebe cy o* waryuma eietee waren QUAL 
Bird Census, A.-- aren ats SD 
Bird Chats-.----- 36, 78, 116, 151, 190, 299, 257, 285, 314, 342, 370, 404 
BaOMehnatsnwithe Oli YOUNG TheEMGs. a 5* «> foals. o cate je eee ce cle se oh 402 
Birds in ae ens Posie Soho Grae Ue diorc.o crcl Semoroueton yao od KONO 
Bird with the ee cae Toeeee The. ete e ee ee ee ee ee ee ee - 140 
Bit from Sparrowland ne SistteyelesEtetiolca em cheep eeeiericrame witecereneretcinene noe ua 
Bittern, American. - Sigedevicn Medco catteMopetcnen eae: enone ae hans or wie pis ere) eee ka cee OU) 

oF Least: pov eCoO Baa GD SoC HO OO SO UC moO OL OOOO MC mOO no oO 0D 6 a(Hl) 

3 Cory-:- 12s Aa NS MOAR a ties SOR a a AI ORL 8 OS AL 
Blackbird; Red-winged-. AOR ECRALG ch, OURO MRCS acH ROS ENeT nC oma atta. Beer UU ee 
a s Fer austeh sa OU Sh eigen ie AEG ORE roe ns. seas Pus th emake meee 

any Ata COLOUR Clee ous coos renediie tosses cuane aepetictol Say cove cee eucmeay al (VG 

«“ “ Ayo AM COR AR igi An RIE Ie att Air 
SOWIE SS MIG ere cyte eines -2 5 oe wie ele ieee ce ee ie ee tees ee OO 
Bunting, Black-throated... ---------. eee ee eee ce ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee 136 

ie 3 BRAD a eae Ra RES practi A tity Seated cy Ms Mg RE) 

a Ieee Glevetatse aire er caer ace eral cuslle as ebeme aster cmeremenetnepie st statis cine sienec aces CHE 
(Ceirsriaal oc colon wo co DO OM OD OO ODEO OD CODOUH OOOO ON Oo doo ODoOGD OoOD0bC 265 
aR Ree Gees 6 sik Eh GN eee ek Leersaels .k, SOE 
Caglailoinélos ooo toon oc god na oO GOGO DOOD ODDO Sno ODDO Oo GO OdOd oD OO CDOS AY 


6c 


66 


IV AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
Chachalaca: - » + +392 
Chat, allo breiated- . .-360 
Chickadee’s Trials, ie ia Oe 
Curlew, Eskimp.-- ek CaS 
7 Hudsonian.---- eo4e 
eG i ocnDODeS Oe 
iG Long-billed.. -. Se eden Vo eee 
Day in May, INGE 66-06 OOS COON POO BoOOCR OO BD OO aH oO OOOO OOOO Do OOO 213 
DWowdtcher osc ee Re Pee PADRE SRI eS. << Ell 
Long- fillet ac6n 
Dovekie - tees - 241 
Suen on es Coe Floor. ee 
Feathered Neighbors, Our. - 325 
Flamingo, American: - . 393 
Bilteker ROw- oe ace ce ess ere oes a eee ool earn cae elton ee AS 
lyeateher, acne throated: - 332 
Arizona crested . 332 
ve Crested: - +c rere te cette et rte nett e teen cee e eee n ee cees 332 
« Denbyccs oe eee OE oobik, haw ote ee eee 304. 
« OMmACC OG ee eee re one 2k eee 332 
= Shi GIETETSUGSGL © 20-6 spac aan seas sonrpeyanasrcascacascecs: 332 
Forest Friends Ly ipa ns ner aR ER Ce Ce OPTS EA MOOR ICICEO ERO CiGa OrGiclo OiD.a.d 6 6.c.c 187 
Free Lunch for Birds, A.-- ++ ++ ++ sess rece reece LEG) a 
Gamnet -1o:22 ede sees nsec aes seine eniene cc elec lelelet ieeeeee 5 
Garden Notes From WOusianal <2: eke Lee 269 
Goldfinch, IAWMENICAM 2 ot Sabcce malas 6 sole cele woe eit cheesy eee oe ee eee 
IM GIZ OMG. occ eee ea we a ee yeveamel cheese tenes eee eee PBS 
eS WirkanSasias:< coco cts 5 she cars. aceite oo vonenetoten a elt gene ac ZA} 
ae [Gani Ger scstsc.c Ge hae esi ore ee ene dene eee eee ena eee 21 
7 Mexi@aty © ce 2 do sheloui cee Ss to peta enn dt cee ote on 
a Westerns «iiss sis Seah aoe see ene 215 
(Exorehyabes.e Sbtcovabehlanecoda ecco daoo coon ee Eyes DeAosouaconsos: ; 139 
Me Marbled 2s 6 ses See Se eo oie Oke eee 139 
~ Pacific: o Sof hee. ot eee 139 
(Galles tei «iva teech cuts s Sai omeneee ie renee eee Tage, NICU Cake Oe 3 
Great Destruction of Bird Life by the Elements..-............... 274 
GUTOUSE; Sage vie cco soe. salgme's © cep lepetel a io tate utenteen on entisin We onli ehcsex ae eee 392 
Hairy Woodpecker, A:----.-- ree .401 
Heron, Black-crowned Niehtssi.-\a-ie cierto ae ty iene eee 229 
. Little Blues: .. 3%... ss os ce sete cee ee cc eae 365 
How a, Mockinebird earns ‘ay (anemone lene ey ene 303 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Vv 


MMS CAT Ge steels cet we sient nse se es te Osu e eee mest ee ene GIO 
Identification Charts 20, 21, 60, 61, 100, 101, 138, 139, 174, 175, 214, 
215, 248, 249-276, 277, 304, 305, 332) 333, 360, 361, 302, 393 


Jay, A [BI mRMATAIZAOGIS 6 che, Riscece COL eee ala earen anes oc an Ae ams gem 334 
“STR hay ec atey ah GEST ah a ca Ree GIR peo 175 

1) 0 TB ial aralin (eCave| >: cogs Saal cia ge ape a or Sd RU ee ra a aLF/5) 
"(GREE a Eee a el a neo a 175 
AG rodeiaGleas © OUCH se dled oe eos eco ge hiccslecs Fc iupeln wit ele a bie emcee 304 
pe NGPA TRIBES: SiS AE Sica alba iat lien aati rea HN torte ha A ME RN ALC a rk 304 

: (C'S ISIGINAC RS: ieeccnate tale Ai peat a entail tno Sie ene OpGieET 9s Anis Menem Siac Mor a 304 

TSS MEU STASI... ay eS Re EP PR MP eee AE an 169 
MenmMnodets GoldenacrowMed nc 58 Qua. sie ws aoc cise ot ae a ere eee 100 
Gta daicline rere it tes een Mae Se CR a yeas nee PME Re ea ste ts ie sSi8hil 
TETBVONE <5: Be hohe tea TOE Tes Ene MGT epee ROR eS cr Se RE gE a 61 
TL GO eRaAS OUP, SIL Fy oye yas rte irs cee ce in ree As Aer vier ee er ee aa ws 138 
Martin Colony, Extracts from the Story of..... SOR AHA SecA rescore Ae Wie 
Mieckimealyirdelcearns ed bune: ElOWrdiat. 05 cs ete oe es Eee 303 
IM TOURING 6 8 0 Bids a Eee tom cs ne OR ue Re Setar so aaa rc am ee 278 
ivaCatmeneGolGienGS sik. 6 os: om Bake ate SAN OG Alo age Miers ee © Sens) ge Sided 367 
COI AOOMB ITs KEGLUS =< cma oioher ee cbobole- sei. «Reon io oceoer Seals: Sicueaosiels one 237 
Mieanimeclesslire Northern. «st. nok «kis alse 6 oe ou ees f ci vsew casi 347 
AN hoaliar iemmthTe MVE SLOT cana a. b.5 che cho cos ene eis aL A ee eyae wake Prac s bela GR 327 
aula clamlararimilliyae MIN este eee ane Ses c, Al nasi orca ders sila Sa xpau & us ackeqecbee SEE 46 
Midwrrniendsrtan trom EVOMme. «= «+ + sacs nts siete od foes selon Soames 5 B99 
COP VONSs) TA RGHEM ON IIa Sears), eee eae pee Tea ee A Ue Une een 
a atl one meeetence se traces cc rete er CN eee Re ey We tls Se eee 20 

” Oe olaccs 236. ET TREN Cook AEST Ne DOA AREAS A OT 170 

; nll Oceanian GS Naren ealn eee MURR ecu, ea orate OU) 
Fe TELOOC lapse > ohare A epee me ete ere es ihr Oe gern bee APO Sem ee 20 

ic (CONSIDERS! ais. SEi SNeOER tate an eI PO OSG hn Ae ia NU 214 

mA SHORES SiS, Ree A TORO IR CON CARN 7c onan Osi Aa er 20 
(Diwae WY IRC ETe TPR irar HS) 2 as es = MCE RETO ar, Ee ier sc cn, See 4? 
Ovleplacimne eer cecil sistscerersyec «Seles sab dats aoe ace Coe wien meee s 250 
JPSiPSiie.  Aeesscotoesor so oa DUET aE pee DOD GH Oe Sas eean eto = Jdasio Spemec nes wots 245 
IP salseinir, IRiiGespyae) eay6lac dep opammenoess 9686 dcncc™ 7 s0d0ndbe coNseCeEnace el 392 
iP novelas Doran INaeir @fece coue usedec sc poses sonc on 4 14000 sobe daopeMmapms a 228 
iGnneir, Bilavelz-lovilihigéleiseocoreooene are. cadets 65502. 0c cada anoamocm enced: 139 
a Co Ge his ang ie tee hn I ROSS Ou he rela ds Retin. ea 139 
Practical Jokes Among IBhRGIGaceoconson cose paoeoce aan oe eons e od eDUODos0N0 244 
Teun Shim’ 2. © a oSlelbto.crote soko 6 te ene aR nee ee A 277 


f IBIGHRAEGle coccoccocovandoCdnO don OO MoD adoDTOOUSaD BO nUDOOBEO TODO IS ODOD DOE DUI 


VI AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Putin Lanse billed: -<2-<.5. 2-9 e aren ee ea ee 277 
“Ea rtierel aac. Sonne MinGri Sense owe von dodomoueudtoodev Ios Son 7 GE ous soc: O77 
IRA OUR ets. GAN cle cie- bbs cous ge gee are een aceon ee er 359 
Redstart, American: : +--+: 1s ttt rete terete eee teen eee eee cen eeeee 100 
RCAC WSS or oe oe NG Leo eile Dore Date i de ce 77. WAS. 180s 
Robins and Red Squirrels---------------/+ 22+ +222 --2- tee: hen ee 267 
Robin Sited, Umustal--2-9--.- 6-2 - 182 
Sandpiper, Ce aul saeco lovin who ae OR ot 7k 61 
Qiottedens ius sede es cat arsenate Gio. 07, rr 95 

ot all PERM encc Ocal on Dern REN OTOC LOMO OSeee sc Ios on co s+ 225 61 
RECOIL” OR] Ae eee eses ois esa ollie ne Seda tte, Siero ee 196 
Secrets of Meadow Bro Oketic tet iene ene ee 23 
September Canoe Trip---+--:-++:s+eeeteeet eee rete tel) 82% 5 2.5 - 358 
Sinike, LoceechGada: <7 ecs- oe eo ate er 107 
Gnow Bird's “Song: so. fig. ag se eae ese ee eer 143 
Sparrow, Bilack-chimmeds =. <= see ehe ey cite eyo nee lcce = eite ol ela es -eee 138 
: Ci gee eee 
a4 English. - sale cschdcaveug ps Ge RR lve Seca ao een errr 
i Fees ee a. win ohinhieslafielle tatietohs sevettsvenione panera Poheeeye one kene me Rememmme 
oe SUA a i ea Oe CORRODE TG Madioxtoeamienat cunia alicio"G 00.000 Syne 
Oe rai aGescs see tL on eee a 
Sprine ODSErvVatiONnS: 2. oe 6 oe 26 ls ae eee) letels) wie © 6) oat ctel «on loool eee 
Stilt, Black-necked.--- +. 12 ee eee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee e 28] 
Smimerr Elomaes ame Adasen ccc so. chet chetenelte it helenenene) ecirelet orem ene tetas enone 206 
Swallow, Barns + <= 6 0+ 20 0 eee ees wee wee we oe oie we ool oa iedeen aS 
Tanager, l@robhichehaiekeerecertoec oer oatiomcrrogia oS cosmo cooo 0 ILO 
Tern), Arctic. < 22 a. baie 86 cv cle ee cles oo ee wei ee wie ne Sm hot cielo ele (a eiicle 
“Black... re or alelier one dia "4a eee OS Ree eoeie. ae eee Oe ee Se 
Thrush, et wet uoiiois "eokiste Fectyate talento te corer Chemie Ree otMene HER 
Dwarf % wif sive aop Sa 6: da ESOL pcre soe 
os Eastern = Fo OOO OOOO OO UO BGO OU OMDO GOGO GOD Do oH 333 
re ACH (oh cee een en ere rin MN ry MAE SSSI Clo sc sacle 
ie Wilson. - aia Gp ca7eh.g:'9 to0d by nue ov ete he tees gemeMNalS onslaoh ate Setar a tet re 
Three- toed, Neen re oe ety Orns Oe omen o oo 6.0 0 6 174 
‘i ABCETR seca sed Ki coaeeeoee pe me eo ee, Se halite one eee 174 

e i Al€skan. hos 2 ee eee 174 
Towhee, Green-tailed’.\0 Sk a. <5. sedi ee setety ees wise is, cue cleats etaiele eames 
res AY ever mt: hacked emer as Atseccd Aivic.b onc somo OOM Od eo oo ca ood) 
anos a (ct: tear Gee OtICAG Glace tid-o, 4 choiiso Oe BORO Domi co oo Gp cd 


ec 


AMERICAN ORNITUOLOGY. VII 

Turkey,Rio Grande-------+-+.+++--- ae CHG) 
Two arched nests and their occupants .-.-.-..... atl 
Vireo, Yellow-throated.-.-.------ ne BBO 
WWirrmbler, BACIMVAT =~ 205+ ie  e e  e pie ee we ewe oe ve Ou 
of Bay-breasted:--.----- E05 WOWsOb100 G fog o-oo oa O ojoLO 6-00 Do el 

- Blackburnian.......- a7 S100 

ce Black-throated Blue .- Son SRI 

me Blineananeredle oes 65 So SOL 

3 CGenulean™--- - Sil 

us (COMMPBGHIGDEo 6.00 5.6 io coop noe Op dou a bobo Su mamoe ooo all 

a Golden-winged.---- -- 222+ eect e eee eset ee eee eee eee 21 

= IGARICHING SER eee oe ie ero oaa ttre ter tern Men ae are ha ee 101 

= LUCY- settee reer e cette tee e tee ten ee tence eet e eens 214 

os Mie Gillineayg etascbaccomteces codeeusddsbescvacescom (oocce saad 21 

oe Mourning + ---+eess terete eee cee Be poke ee arr ene as | 

ae CN ee Note Goth clors 5 5 ecorsimiata a ats ee Wy aOR Mabesclere galerie aR 100 

fp Pilleollaviecle osteo suo aduo eb coon cent eccctagoudsiceses0tecagan codds 215 

a Deities Ree aa seo used ea rrer ethene oes ey tame hah at a LS near ok 101 

a PYEOUAOMOUIY< sococwgosoungs6 Fado oe Se moousonedooS ot - 100 

ve JOR AG een i Mecs Cece emotes ee eee crs ike ec ents crane hast pean eras ic Penh A ice Dae 63 

st \Willeyowrale once oaceeccn cs ichGion se capac s:o ones ncn mns Enso Go Avene ero laaans cea 215 
Water Thrush, Is TILE Ells haves ic: GL SOE OR OU SERE GSO MEN are rae me Rae Es a Ea ir ea IO A Lie 300 
Warning, IBOMGiNBiles Joos eoscuae coc coon com od cor iaomoeos odda oo 360 
“ (Weare ee Serie Caio oh os San orm ee oie Sea SU bs cus ae Sle el eee 360 
WwshiatatieMmeihGls) SAY ae 26. le oe ee 210 
WiOOGCock  AMeBICAM= =<... 2 2 ee ee ee ee ees 83 
Woogoechkar, Ameenliings ¢od6cugesccnecods cusp ousuconcduaasoce 305 
a (Clantistrovn an ele ea pan eae cee eee CBE E a Bos recy ea ae mnt nn Mie maaan ale 305 

fe JDO is ore poco w ene oe Soom to ooo Shp ob Catone coe 92 

3 @OlGeMomEOMte Ciasss eee) sescees car arte) seane a econo stiecrans: (sich ne tajeaye gall 

oH DE RE SSS? Ph Rae Sign eR Ei erage eR a aNd 305 

if (Gilles Wig 8 oh Sic as eine Recor eer ic on iain oe ee een TS 305 
[GROVE TINEC So ee oo be eee Go abies ole ale 2 ane Saabs 174 

“© Bitileertier Gl 5 eeere age a ese epee ie eae 174 

BeMREDC Geico rie... aera Se Sayer ess es Si ooh 305 

i ReGHaGaclegls Sea nee rasan Shots cata. 5 Site eee eres ae 173 

: Les, 2 2 i Me ROR matt Gn 305 
Mieodlandwapartimentelouse; As... .tcsmaccwasgess +12 ss est sess ae 379 
Wein, Reig los °o: ots clo 2 ee am eee gE ent era 249 
BONO. is BEES 5. GEE RE ce et oka ae 5a HE) 


VIII AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Wren, FIOUSE:~ <6. 5 6 ye + Se nies sie er os HOS Cy MI & WME ereh seen 249 
se t NVVE=\< hac meee eee Mer ee RL Sie ea Aan ay a ae By che Bu gas 4 3 eg Easy) 

re Parkas oe cco cae eae cathe ORO SS ES 249 

eo Winter ss 2b ofan ecatn aie ue ee eee er 249 

ce ANE Ste Trt Walt be Ts Gece eet ested asec ie ere e noone SS ees aaa 249 

as NABOW Vin Scone hao ose eee) iets nS Keene ee ee 249 
Yellow-legs, Summer......... Veg OO eee aaa ak ae ot |e 394 

POEMS. 

UNGGEAT ETAT co ee a ee Oe ae ha ES eee Ne 319 
Cat ird se ee ees Ooo hoe I ceca eee 298 
Catloind?S"S omens cients ie em oe Re ee ieee 299 
Doria IB Wme (Sise@eyanl. soos ce sc cour edocs s wi fats g dle gt SoS ae 97 
asl toe BagdsS 62 slieacikee hae eens WU Rie Ge Been ee 195 
Nature Our Comiborter acu: cise cooreeece 2 wie sees ee ee aoe 263 
Spiine2ssOpeninen Waly ire ie ae rete ee ee 144 
Spring Some Awake ia es bie Sa once toe oe oe oe 168 
Ashe Binds Ate (G@me es lied sie cued Diag Ake re NEE ge vara 29 
aihes Blidte ities ise. Se eee ere ee oem ae ene rami nae OSs eee 42 
Mines Niorthermy N tela tnealle caeneneeew wens oie ete tenner 348 
Ahk thew Bind SiS ayyiec eee sense oe ele! tceers Vee bps ohe) aye Gr ois ee er 291 


AMS Wilaveinyeercl MMPS coco coon dob ooo cass eo ocuS oe ooo oO FU Coco oS 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
LIST Da ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Rusty Blackbird Egg.- 
(qnale). 


of «6 


Gannet --- 


"8 Egg...... 
Albino Crow- see 


Spee ey eee ee denelie les. el 6 (else) (6) .e) ee) ©) (8. .0)/e).y (©) |s, (p10) (ele! 1e| a) 6 ©, | «) Sie) es 6 


Louisiana Tanager Ege: 


Grasshopper Sparrow: on INGSE (Grom Wis. ws Sustains eyntin| eiavel ma) he, oye 
Nest of Grasshopper Sparrow (in situation)..-...-......- 
NeSOe ODA nite Mini Sit MAtiOn)) a= elem ea cl e-ere- 2s ~ 


Color Chart (yellow and orange).----- 


(sielil@ipaisocr tne kee teaicker Arcee si hae ep ais oscil s 


Bob-White on Nest (from life)....... 

A Quiet Pool in Meadow Brook.-..-.-. 
American Gold Finch.. 

The Tail of a Mouse, Misdiation (from life) -. 


Going. 2 es Meet oe Re ee tte ey? 


c¢ ee 


GOlinene as Rates erencren tient acme eee 


ce ee 


Gone 

Our Woods in Winter ....- 
Slate Colored Junco.- 
White-breasted Nae e. 
Pygmy Nuthatch.. . 
Brown-headed Nathatch. 
Red-breasted Nuthatch. - 
Color Chart (Bitterns) -- : 

(Shore Bion 


Nest and Eggs of Prairie WWeanbler Ga SitiatiOn) ies: ostomet lee 


Prairie Warbler Ege... 


Prairie Warbler Gaal). fom life. FS Oo DOE es o-oo e ere 


Young Prairie Warbler. - 
Prairie Warblers.---- 
ce m9 
ef (a3 os 


Flicker Row.. bre 

Seven Young ieee Sac do08 5 
California Bush-tit (om fi) ee 

Egg of American Woodcock.-.--- 
Woodcock at Rest (from life) .- 

Bill and Wing of Woodcock. - 

Nest and Eggs of American Woodcock. 
Young Woodcock (from life) -- $3 be 
Woodcock on Nest (from Hise. 

Young Woodcock (from life)....---- 


Downy Wyoodlngeleairess csovee se uourucc ecb es so scne os bos ee 


Nest and Eggs of Spotted Sandpiper..--- 


(Game iey. OG OL RSS Gon < SO pee 


ee ed 


x AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Young Horned Grebe (from life)....-. 
Nest and Eggs of Flicker. . 
Color Chart (yellow and | orange) 

*s (yellow) -- Etiom. tat 
Bi-colored Blackbird - 
Nest of Red-wing Bienes 
Red-winged Blackbird - 

ee ce Boe. ae 

Tri-colored Blackbird -. oe 
Where the Blackbirds Nest.--- 
Nest of Redwing (in situation) -- 
Coming Home at Eventide. 
Are They Hungry ? (from life) - 
Cedar Bird 
Contentment 
Disturbed x, me 
Discussion : 
Nest and Eggs of Cedar Bird.-- 
The Happy Family (from Bie) =e 
Ripe Cherries (from life) -- 
Cedar Birds (from life) -- Boy 
The Swan Family Crom life) - 
California Wren-tit- 60100 98 


Nest and Eggs of Black-throated Se 
Color Chart (Brown) -- 


Black-throated Bunting . 
American Robin. 

Maryland Yellow- fae 
Loggerhead Shrike (from life) 


Chipping Sparrow Egg.. 
A Chippy Portrait (from life) 
Chippy at Nest 
The Homein the Pine “ 
All Hungry “s Bey eemrtenn re machit ere 
An Antidote for Hunger (from life)..--.- 
The Chippy Family eno Seger tans 
A Long Reach se emienctey 
Preparing Breakfast tc, 
Egg of Baltimore Oriole. . seen 
Baltimore Oriole (male nia female) 
Young Red-head------.--- . 
Egg of Red-headed Woodpecker: 
Color Chart De 

(Jays) -- : 
Red-headed Woodpeckers: oct see cee 
Young Robins (from ike) Maceo TAa.0 o 
A Noisy Situation “ Msi Naa 
Robin 


66 


ce 


..98 
..99 
++. 100 
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Bee aK! 
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Sud izil 
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£25128 
--124 
ae OS 
-- 126 
a. E28 
Rs LAS) 
- 130 
celal 
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134 


piste kOh7. 
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Bora JOS) 
po 4K6) 
Beli ae2: 
-- 145 
-- 148 
= eet) 
eS, 
-- 158 
Brig co) 
-- 160 
soem Gl 
-- 162 
res al (6 
ie R64 
7 nes 
-- 170 
teen 
veoh AS 
--173 
-- 174 
A io. 
ear 
LoS? 
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Bos Si: 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Robin, from life 
The Last One ce io 
Robin i * 


ce ce 


A Forest Friend Ets ie ae 
Watching the Movements (from life).........-..-- 
Father Owl, the Gray Beard (from life).--....--- 
Meal Time 5 Sie ees 
There’s a Hawk in the Sky 
A Family Group 

Seven Weeks Old and Ready for Bycincca 
Where Robin Greeted Us -- 


c¢ ce 


6 ce 


A Flicker Sought his Mate Among the eer eee 


The Home of the ingusiet and ° SEED Ne 
Meadow Lark.-.- . . See 
Color Chart (Sioa sae NE ape 

eee Vellow: ic cto: 
Egg Of Barn Swallow.---- 
Barn Swallow: - 


XI 


34) 22 ESS 
oe A85 
a ALS 
Aen toy 
--:188 
7 
.--199 
a9s'¢200 
ee 2Oe 
-- 204 


-- 207 
-- 208 
-- 209 


eek as 
ore 2G: 
-- 215 


1. 2 OG 


Nest and Eggs af Barn Seaton -219 
Black-crowned Night Heron. - Sone ans oat 
6 6 xs 66 Peete. 299 
Night Heron Leaving Tree..-----.--- -:--224 
Young Night Heron:--------+::-:-:::;:: 548 BAS) 
Double nest of Phebe-------------- ieristenions ae Oey 
Great Blue Heron (from life)....--- 22235 
California Vulture eg FD eRe Praha Cocke is ame P ahataursa gee Cacleh pe OO 
Sandhill Crane me Bh eee ee nes Nn ERMC eS Seersg pe Moe tc dae eee 238 
Enon Pelicans oa ‘s Bt amet eal cele ate tact, a SONA eee Bete) 
Dovekie - eee 
Ee IS ee ie aN NE Ce eye eT Od eae MOPAR ET 1 »- 243 

Color Chart T Waders) .. avr uar si Women oes Biase iu bteuiate Ge vere’ enentemasetet wusawlers 248 
(Wrens) -- a odenione: due? PUSReL EL Uel en miertale: Gupue pucieie .- 249 

Egg of Barred On a eee See RES Sou ena tee sete ateWwane. Gua we aera cts 250 
Barred Owl (from life) eae attach caicck saat igh tes ener AeT Cee SAEED SC ene EG a aeaare aC eee 251 
s a ate Neteller gates san cia Sek GLCLG GP SARE SHC SOS ES anos 252 

2 *e See “Nene RRE GGA rola ale ta Tourer bora he neice tania a pope REE Tones xa pie 253 

66 6 66 66 ; ..254 

(a9 c¢ cé ce oe --255 
Cardinal - oe : .. 2: 264 
ae ---265 

Nest of @ardinal: -- 266 
Young Broad- winged Hawk. aon 
Young Green Herons. . --22/0 
Egg of Golden- feoated. Wosdnecker:. Slao ai Seno oe SOTA 
Golden-fronted Woodpecker... --+ +--+ ++ esse eter cree cette eres 272 
Young Broad-winged Hawks.- Sop bus a3 SS 59596 oe Le 
Color Chart (Blackbirds) -. .-276 
re > (Puffins)..-.- rate teeta teeta ee owns eie : ee Ti 
Egg of Black-necked Stilt----- iy ahd aye ARNE waueemeniay catelleie Mauer a eeiera| Shes, dnecs- AW Ol 
iaekeniecked eSfiltsenie veces dnc eis cle oe inn me rn te ie ne is 22? 


XII AMERICAN ORNITIIOLOGY 


Catbird’s Nest- 
Catbird.. 
oe gg- Ae 

Catbird’s Nest nd Eggs. 
‘On Her Nest-- . sees 
Four Catbird’s Bggs a mindk Owner. 
Young Catbird-- ee 
Catbird- : 
Catbird on PNeSe.. 
Nesting Site-- 
Nest in Sirsa ods. oc 
Loon.- ON eo aoe 
Color Chit (Blyeateheray 

2 (Woodpeckers) - : 
Green Heron.-- ae 
Egg of Arctic ern. see eee 
Arctic Terns- 
Hudsonian Curlew. 


geg- ons 

Night Hawk on Nest ae ie) 9. 
Nest and Eggs of Night Hawk... 
Young Long EaredOw!l.-.- oo 08 
Color Chart (Bivcatchene: 

ee (Maman: 
J-J’s First Home.- 2 < Se 
J-J- : 
Petes Bae ee knt Aa outa Me Pkes, peer Pe pe ee ae 
Gambel White- Crowned Sparrow . . 


Egg of Black Tern. - 
Black ‘Terns. sees 
West and Beeson Black Mem :-- A ica geswes nN tc 
Color Chart (Brown, Yellow, Red: : ; ; 
( x Blue) -. : 
English Sparrows: - Oe 
Egg of Little Blue elcroar eenitme rit 
Little Blue Heron. Sr uese 
Bluebird. - te Se rere 
Downy Woodpecker: 


“eo “ce 


«ec ce 


House Wren. - vee 
Downy Woodpeckers (young) -. 


«ec «é 46 


Kittiwake Gull--.-- 


Yellow-leg:--- 
| fe=2 eee Ome 

St. Michael’s, Alaska.: - erreteaae 

Green Heroa Nest --.-.--.----- 


1 2m 
+2298 
«eb ned OER 
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RASS 
...296 
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2 2S 
- -299 

. *)300%= 
---301 
22308 
- - 304 
«312305 
= 312 
ase) 
Boal 
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- ++ 324 
- 328 

- - 330 
oon 
- -332 
sere SS 
Se oS 
OSS. Se BSG 
3387 
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-- 355 

- -356 
esi 

- -360 

Ha Goll: 
-- -363 
505 
Sage 
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6880 
BEERS (5) | 
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- -383 
#2 382: 
Brie sis) 
«|». is ROM 
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- +395 
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2-400 
- - 403 


Vol. 3, No. 1. JANUARY, 1903. 10¢ a copy, $1 a year. 


i Y 2 al LA? Rea 
i h YA a X y ae see 


Y 





Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan, 16. raor. 








of 
North American 
Birds, 


By OLIVER DAVIE. 
The Best Book on Eggs Published. 


Finely Illustrated, 
Fifth Edition. Extra Cloth. 
Thoroughly Revised, 600pp. 


Regular Price $2.25 


We will make a Special Price to 
our Subscribers 


$1.50 postpaid. 





Methods in the Art of Taxidermy *STUDER’S* 
Author BR acacia cane Birds:” BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA 


90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. J 7 
| Over 800 Birds Finely Colored 





Only $18 by Express prepaid 


We have only a few copies at this price. 








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 This elegant book was published 
from cover to cover. Formerly published at $r1o. 


My Price $2.50 Prepaid. to sell at $40. 
CHA.S. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 





YOU WILL WANT ———— 


¥Y our Magazines Bound 


Send your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrapped postage will be 10 cents), we 
~will bind them in an attractive cloth cover, stamped with AMERICAN ORNITHOL- 
‘OGY in gold and bird in color, and return to you, 


For 75 Cents Prepaid. 


Send your magazines flat, well wrapped in paper, and with no writing in the pack- 
age. The postage is 1 cent for each 4 oz., or about.1o cents for the r2 numbers and 8 
cents additional if you register the package. 

Send us two new subscriptions at $1.00 each and we will bind Vol. Il and return prepaid free. 


BOUND VOLUMES. 


Vol. I, neatly bound in cloth, with handsome cover design in gold and color, $1.50 
‘postpaid (not bound $1.00). This volume contains 250 pages, over 175 illustrations, 
a great many photographed from the living birds. 

Vol. II, neatly bound in cloth, with handsome cover design in gold and color, $1.50 
postpaid (not bound) This volume contains 386 pages, over 200 illustrations, and 11 
-color charts, identifying over too birds in natural colors. 


Vol. | and I] and Subscription for 1903, $2.50. Address, 


American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. 


Field Glasses for Bird Study. 


These Glasses are well made and espec- 
ially adapted for the use of the bird 
student as they give about twice the field vs- 
zon of ordinary ones and magnify nearly four 
diameters. The bird in the small circle be- 
low is as you would see it with the eye, 
and in the large circle as seen through 
these glasses. 








Eee nese glasses in a neat silk lined 
leather case, with strap, will be sent to 
any of our readers for 


$5.00 A PAIR, Prepaid. 


We will send you these prepaid as a 
premium for ten new subscribers. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER. MASS. 











The American Bird Magazine for 1903 


An Illustrated 48 Page Monthly Magazine 
Devoted to Bird Life in North America. 





Bird Histories. We shall continue our present policy of presenting the 
histories of a number of birds each month. As far as possible these will 
be written by the recognized authority concerning each bird. Description, 
nesting habits, and other interesting habits and traits of character will be 
accurately given. The birds will be illustrated to the best possible advan- 
tage; the egg will be shown natural size; the nest and eggs in natural sit- 
uation will be shown when obtainable. These will form, serially, a com- 
plete history of the birds of North America. 

Bird Articles. Vivid, interesting accounts of nature trips will be given 
by careful observers, and will furnish entertaining as well-as instructive 
literature. 

Ilustrations. The present high standard of our illustrations ‘vill be 
maintained and we hope to even better them. Our series of PHOTO- 
GRAPHS OF LIVE WILD BIRDS have attracted wide spread attention. 
For 1903 our series will be BETTER and there will be MORE OF THEM. 

Color Charts. As a means for identifying birds, our color charts have 
been very highly commended by ornithologists all over the country. 
They will be continued during 1903. 

Reviews. We shall give careful reviews of new books devoted to bird 
life and also to bird articles in the leading magazines. We hope and ex- 
pect that this feature will be a very beneficial one to our subscribers. 

_ Information. Weshall endeavor to answer all queries in regard to birds, 
bird photography, or photography in general. All subscribers may feel at 
liberty to ask questions as freely as they wish. 

Department for Young Folks. This will still continue to be conducted by Meg Merry- 
thought on the same lines as during the past year. We hope that they may continue 
to receive enjoyment and profit from it. 

The Chippy Family. This photograph is pronounced, by hundreds who are in posi- 
tion to know, to be the best ever taken of an ENTIRE FAMILY of LIVE WILD 
BIRDS. A colored LIFE-SIZED reproduction of this photograph, on heavy enameled 
Paper 12x20 in., is given to each subscriber during 1903. The small cut at the top of 
this sheet is a reproduction in miniature of this picture. It represents four young Chip- 
ping Sparrows and the two adults. The female, at the right, has just fed three of the 
little ones, while the male, at the left has just come with a large green worm to feed 
the other. Remember the original is LIFE-SIZED and colored, making a beautiful 
picture for framing. 

The subscription price of American Ornithology is $1.00 a year, 12 Numbers. 


Vol. I, $1.00 unbouud; $1.50 bound incioth. Vol. II, $1.00; unbound; $1.50 bound in cloth. Vols. I and II, 
unbound, and subscription for 1993, $2.50. Vols. I and II, bound, and subscription for 1903, $3.50. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, WORCESTER, MASS. 


PREPARING BREAKFAST. 


This seems to be the most appropriate name for the companion pictore to 
the “Chippy Family.”” This photograph was taken from the same group of 
Chipping Sparrows only a few minutes later. We have had this made to 
correspond in size to the ‘‘Chippy Family”’ and printed in color on the same 
size paper, 12X20 inches. 

In a number of respects, this new engraving is a more interesting one than 
is the ‘‘Chippy Family.’’ The self satisfied appearance of the two end 
young birds and especially the appealing attitudes of the two middle little 
fellows will ‘“‘take’’ with everyone. The female bird, at the extreme right 
has just brought an unusually large green worm. The male had just fed the 
right hand young one and was preparing to leave when she came; she made 
him take one end of the worm and then while he pulled down, she lifted up- 
ward with all her strength until the worm separated. The pieces were then 
fed to the eager little ones. 

These two companion pieces will make a unique addition to the walls of 
any house. They are more valuable than the creation of any artists imagina- 
tion; they tell the true story of the every day occurances in the life of one of 
our best known and most useful birds. 

CHIPPY FAMILY is given as a premium with every subscription. 

Preparing BREAKFAST is for sale at FIFTY CENTS EACH or will be 
given FREE to any of our subscribers who secure for us a new subscription. 

THESE TWO REMARKABLE LIFE-SIZED ENGRAVINGS AND SUB- 
SCRIPTION TO AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY FOR $1.25. 





American Ornithology. 


A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 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. Vol. I, $1.00, 
postpaid. We can supply back numbers. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION,. 
Sle2 5. 


——COPYRIGHT, 1903 BY CHAS. K. REED——— 





VOL. Ill JANUARY, 1903. NO. I. 








We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Chester Barlow, at Santa 
Clara, Cal. As editor of the Condor and an energetic worker in the 
Cooper Ornithological Club as well as to his many personal friends, his 
loss will be keenly felt. He was one of the founders ofthis society and 
instrumental in bringing it to its present excellentstandard. He passed 
away in the twenty-eighth year of his life. 


We are pleased to receive the many congratulations and compliments 
for our efforts the past year. Unless the unforseen happens, we expect 
to show a marked improvement in the coming volume. We trust that 
our subscribers will do what they can to assist us by their observations. 





We notice that nearly all of our subscribers who are returning their 
magazines to be bound have paid 18 cents or more for postage. These 
require but 9 cents. The postage rate for the public on returned mag- 
azines is one cent for each four ounces. Many stamp clerks appear to 
be unaware of this rate. 





ANOTHER ART PICTURE. 


The reproduction from the life photograph which we have been giy- 
ing as a premium, has been so favorably commended that we have pre- 

3 oe . . 6615 a Su ce ayy . 
pared the companion piece. It is called Preparing Breakfast’’ and is 
of the same group of birds. It is fully the equal of the “Chippy Fam- 
ily,’ in fact nearly everyone considers it better. Read our advertise- 
ment on another page in regard to obtaining this picture. 





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VOL. III. JANUARY, 19035. NO. 1 








RUSTY BLACKBIRD, 


A. O. U. No. 509. (Secolecophagus carolinus ) 
RANGE. 


Eastern North America, chiefly east ofthe Plains although occasional- 
ly found west to the Rockies, andthroughout the Dominion of Canada to 
Alaska. They breed throughout Canada, but only rarely in the United 

States and then only in the higher portions of the northern New Eng- 
land States and New York. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 9.5 in.; extent, 15 in.; tail, 5 in. Eye cream color. Bill and 
feet black. Adult male in summer—Entirely black with metallic green- 
ish reflections. Female—Smaller than the male. Sooty black with 
the metallic reflections confined to the wings and tail. Nearly all the 
feathers of the upper parts edged with a rich rusty brown and the under 
parts paler. A light line over the eye. In winter, males, females, and 
young are all very similar in plumage to the summer female. 


NEST AND EGGS. 





Rusty Blackbirds build large bulky nests, the foundation of which is 
moss held together with mud and upon this a nest proper of twigs and 
erasses. They are located at a low elevation from the ground and in 
a swampy place generally near some small pond. They lay four or five 
eggs, late in April or early in May. These are of a light blue ground 
more or less heavily blotched with various shades of brown, these 
blotches often entirely obscuring the ground color. 


Photographed from life by Chester A. Reed. 


f 
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AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. — 





RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 3 


HABITS. 


Rusty Grackles are among the earliest of the migrants who pass 
through on their way to the breeding grounds. They rarely fly in large 
flocks as do most of the Blackbirds and Grackles, ten or twelve general- 
ly sufficing for each company. These small flocks later subdivide and 
generally only two or three pairs will remain in the same locality to 
nest. Bendire says: “Its food during the summer months consists 
principally of insects of various kinds, such as caterpillars, moths, 
grass-hoppers, etc., small mollusks, worms, wild berries and small 
seeds. In winter this species feeds more on grain and may be seen 
occasionally about barns and stock yards and in corn and rice fields, 
usually in small flocks by themselves, but sometimes in company with 
other Blackbirds. Their mode of flight resembles that of the Red- 
winged Blackbirds, and when feeding, while moving along, the rear- 
most fly over the others and alight again in the front ranks. Their 
notes are much more musical than those of the Grackles or other Black- 
birds. The ordinary call note sounds like “‘tchack, tchack,’’ several 
times repeated; another is like “‘turulee, turulee,’’ uttered in a clear 
tone, and varied occasionally with ‘‘trallahee, trallahee.”’ 

“These birds are very much attached to their summer homes, return- 
ing to them from year to year, and rarely more than two or three pairs 
nest in one locality; in fact they are as often found singly. One egg is 
deposited each day. Incubation lasts about two weeks and the young 
are able to leave the nest in about sixteen days. They are mouse col- 
ored at first, and are carefully attended to by both parents, who are 
devoted to them.’’ 





GRACKLES, 
BY ELIZABETH POLYHEMUS. 


Hushed and dreamy was the Indian Summer day—intensely blue, the 
sky—gorgeous the trees in their dresses of vivid reds and yellows. 
Suddenly all this was changed. There was acreaking clatter that made 
one think of old chain buckets, and wind blown, swaying tavern signs, 
or the shrill squeak of sled runners on a zero morning. The chestnut 
trees that a moment before were one mass of golden yellow, now 
looked as though draped in mourning, so thickly were they covered 
with Blackbirds, ‘““Rusty hinges,’’ the children call them. There must 
have been a thousand in the flock that had stopped for a lunch of chest- 
nuts on their way south. 

They evidently were very hungry and the nuts were large and plenti- 
ful so for a time they did nothing but eat. The Blue Jays, usually so 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





FEMALE’ RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 5 


pert and noisy, hovered near in speechless wonder, and the gray squir- 
rels came running down the trees, not frightened, only crowded out. 
Perching themselves on the fences and rocks, they furiously twiched 
their tails and chattered. No frost or strong blast of wind ever caused 
the nuts to fly from the burrs as did the busy Grackles; they clattered 
to the ground like hail. The squirrels, seeing this rushed in and began 
digging holes, anywhere—everywhere. Carrying the nuts in their 
mouths they dropped them into the holes and with their fore paws 
quickly covered them up. As soon as the birds saw what the squirrels 
were up to, they came down in a body, drove them off, and continued 
their own feast. 

I noticed that they did not hop about, but walked in a grand dignified 
manner. For hours they loitered around while people curiously and 
admiringly studied their manners. I had never before heard such chat- 
tering, so fast and shrill. It was more like an afternoon tea than any- 
thing else. I listened hard but could not understand what it was all 
about. It may have been pure gossip about the queer people they had 
seen on their travels or possibly they were electing their officers to take 
_ charge of the southern flight. Towards evening they spread their rud- 
der tails by which they seem to steer, and following their leader, flew 
away. 





GANNET, 


A. O. U. No. 117. (Sula bassana.) 
RANGE. 


Found along the coast of the North Atlantic. Breeds from the north- 
ern border of the United States northwards. South in winter to the 
Gulf of Mexico. 

DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 36 to 40 in.; extent, about 6 feet; tail 10 in. Bill grayish- 
blue and about four in. long on the upper part, Eye, white. Feet, 
gular-sac, and lores, blackish. Entire plumage, white except the prima- 
ries which are black. The head is more or less washed with yellowish. 

Young—General plumage a dark brown, most of the feathers having 
a white base thus causing much mottling. 

NEST AND EGGS. 


Gannets breed in great numbers on many of the high rocky islands of 
the North Atlantic. One of the best known places on the American 
coast being the Bird Rocks in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where there 
are thousands of them. They build a large nest of seaweed and in this 
lay a single egg. This is of a pale greenish-blue color and is thickly 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





GANNETT. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 7 


covered with a white chalky deposit. The greater number of the Gan- 
nets breed during June. 





HABITS 


Gannets are among the most powerful and active of all the marine 
birds. Their flight is very swift and accomplished with rapid wing 
beats or sailing, with equal celerity. As they are coursing about at 
varying heights their eyes are fixed upon the water below, for their food 
consists almost wholly of the smaller fish that swim near the surface. 
When one is sighted in a favorable location, they partially fold their 
wings, and straight as an arrow dart after their prey. The water is 
dashed into foam as they plunge head foremost beneath the surface, to 
reappear almost immediately a few yards away and bearing a shiny fish 
in their beaks. Sometimes they soar to a great height and wheelround 
and round, seldom setting on the water, exceptto sleep. They traverse 
long distances and often go a great ways from their breeding grounds 
in search of food. Their wings are long and pointed and both the mus- 
cles and bones are very strong. Each beat of their wings sends them 
forward for an astonishing distance. A bird that appears as a mere 
speck on the horizon will come up, pass on, and disappear in an incred- 
ibly short time. They are entirely maritime birds andif ever found in- 
land it is because they have become exhausted and blown out of their 
course by severe storms. 

Except in the winter when single individuals may be seen along the 
coast, Gannets are gregarious and nest and fish in great flocks. The 
only nesting places in America are supposed to be on two or three of 
the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At present there 
are estimated to be about two thousand Gannets in the flock that regu- 
larly return to these islands. There were formerly a great many more 
but thousands were killed off by fishermen either out of wantonness or 
for bait, to be used in their cod-fishing, and thousands more of their 


8 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


eggs were either taken or destroyed. A large colony of Gannets still 
nest in Iceland and it is claimed that on several small islands off the 
coast of England and Scotland there are colonies estimated at two 
hundred thousand. They nest on the narrow ledges on the face of the 
high cliffs. It is a thrilling sight to see these great white birds sitting 
as closely as possible on every available ledge, nearly all facing to- 
wards the high rocky walls. Many of them are simply resting but more 
are setting on a single white egg. Some of them build quite bulky 
nests of sticks and seaweed, while others havebarely any. These birds 
float high in the water owing to the buoyancy caused by air cells be- 
neath the skin. These they are able to inflate or deflate at will. Their 
food is largely of small herrings which swim near the surface and can 
easily be seen as the birds soar aloft. They do not dive from the sur- 
face of the water as do loons, ducks and cormorants. 


THE INEVITABLE END OF AN ALBINO, 


A pair of black Crows resided in the town of Whitinsville, Mass. 
Many other crows lived there too, but these two are of special interest. 
Early in May they found a large pine tree, standing alone in a field; the 
branches were very dense and from the ground it was impossible to see 
anything in the top. Here they carried sticks and roots until they had 
formed a large and satisfactory nest. 





A PARTIALLY ALBINO CROW. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY . 9 


The four eggs that soon occupied it apparently did not differ from 
those of other crows; neither did the young when they emerged from 
the shells. As they grew older and began to show signs of sometime 
having the glossy black crow plumage, it was seen that something was 
wrong with the wings and tail of one of them. The feathers, which 
should have been as black as night, werelike snow. At this unheard of 
occurance, the parents were at first very anxious, but soon, when his 
feathers grew out so beautiful, they were very proud of him and during 
the first days of his flight he was guarded from danger as crows seldom 
are. 





ALBINO CROW. 


(Showing the symmetry of the markings.) 


Everything went well with him until fall. He had moulted and his 
beautiful plumage was still more beautiful. His body was of that iri- 
descent black that is the joy of a crow’s heart, while his wings were 
evenly marked with snow white. He was regarded with reverence and 
awe by the rest of the flock, with which he associated. One morning a 
farmer’s boy caught sight of this strangely marked bird, and before 
night it was noised about town that a white crow was seen on such a 
place. This news was received with unbelief until during the next few 
days, several other residents had verified the report. 


10 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Day after day for over two weeks, every man and boy in this town 
and many neighboring ones, who owned or could borrow a gun, was 
out seeking to slay the “‘white crow.’’ The name became a by-word in 
the town; the crow seemed to bear a charmed life; and the tale of his 
hair breadth escapes read like a fairy story. One man using his wits 
together with the gun, concealed himself in a corn shock, at about four 
o’clock one morning, in a field where the flock of crows daily fed. All 
unsuspecting the flock settled in the field. The white one was with 
them. The charm was broken. So ended the career of this remark- 
able bird, except as his stuffed skin is shown to admiring friends; not 
because he was a crow, not because he had ever done harm to mankind, 
but becaesu he was a freak and a marked bird. 








LOUISIANA TANAGER. 
A. O. U. No. 607. (Piranga ludoviciana.) 
RANGE. 


The United States west of the Plains and south of British Columbia. 
In Winter, migrating to Guatemala. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 7 in.; extent, 12 in.; tail 3 im. Eye, brown. Feet eblue= 
gray. Male—Whole head scarlet or crimson, this extending well down 
on the breast and shading into the yellow of the under parts. Back, 
wings, and tail, black. Under parts, rump and two bars on the wing, 
yellow. Female—Upper parts olive, brightest on the crown and rump. 
Under parts greenish yellow. Wings and tail grayish brown with 
olive edgings. Two bars of white or yellowish across the wings. 
These distinguish it from the Scarlet Tanager, of which it is other- 
wise the exact counterpart. The young male resembles the female and 
in the transition to the plumage of the adult they assume all the inter- 
vening stages of plumage. 


NEST AND EGGS. 





The Crimson-headed, Western, or Louisiana Tanager builds a thin 
frail nest of strips of bark, sticks and grasses. This unsafe house is 
preferably located in an evergreen tree on some of the lower branches. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 1 


They lay from three to five blue green eggs which are specked with 


brown. 
HABITS. 


The shores of Lake Tahoe, wherever the destructive timber cutters 
have not penetrated, are covered with a magnificent growth of pine, 
cedar, tamarack, and two species of “‘silver fir.’”’ These latter, often 
reaching a height of two hundred feet, straight as a spire, the trunk 
surrounded with level whorls of dense branches, are favorite nesting 
places for several species of birds, the Purple Finch, Olive-sided Fly- 
catcher, Blue-fronted Jay, and on the lower half dead branches, the 
Western Robin. In one such tree I found three nests. The layers of 
branches, so dense that one cau not see through them, seem to divide 
the tree into quite separate compartments, and a fledgling would be in 
no danger of falling from one floor to the other. There these three 
families were established as in the flats of a New York skyscraper; 
near the summit, at least one hundred and fifty feet from the ground, 
the Flycatcher; not far below, a family of Finches, aad near the source 
of supplies on the ground, a Robin. 

Only the Jay climbs to his house, mounting as it were by a spiral 
staircase close to the trunk; the others fly in at the windows. 

One day I was engaged in watching these three families, when I saw 
a flash of scarlet and gold, and heard a sweet song, of five distinct 
phrases, slightly hurried towards the end, but otherwise closely re- 
sembling that of the Black-headed Grosbeak, out of the “Dusky hol- 
lows of the tree, veiled by their sunlit ’broideries,’’ a scarlet head was 
peering at me, or so [ thought. SoonI saw a flash of wings barred 
with yellow and white, in sharp contrast to the black of the back, and a 
brilliantly colored male Crimson-headed Tanager, in full nuptial plu- 
mage, flew to another tree, where he again poured out his song. 

This movement was repeated and I found that he was circling about 
me, always looking in one direction. Before long I found that I was 
not the center of attraction, for he flew to a small pine tree behind me, 
alighted on a slightly pendant limb about twenty feet from the ground 
and stooping over, seemed to be feeding young. ‘There I found the 
nest, the center of his thoughts, towards which his song was directed 
from morning till night, for he never seemed to go out of sight or hear- 
ing of it. The nest was a very frail structure of yellowish root-fibres 
and twigs, quite inconspicuous from its position in a tuft of pine 
needles. 

The position at the end of a slender bough, was well chosen as a pro- 
tection against the chipmunk, one of the two most dreaded enemies of 
nesting birds in the Sierras. I had seen a more accessable nest robbed 


12 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


by them the year before, after a long and desperate siege, in which the 
parents bravely defended their home and drove down the mauraders 
time after time as they attempted to reach the nest. All the nests that 
I found this year were at the end of small boughs in moderately small 
trees standing somewhat alone, and always in the neighborhood of a 
bare, dead tree, where the female liked to take her exercise during the 
period of incubation, in full sight of her precious charge. Here she 
would sometimes linger, uttering her anxious cry note of “‘puttery”’ 
always trying to scold away the observer till the male came and drove 
her back to the nest. I never saw him share in the task of incubation, 
but otherwise he was a model of gallantry and devotion. After flitting 
about in a circle from tree to tree, where the sight of his brilliant 
golden breast and scarlet head flashing among the dark green of the 
firs, and the cheery note of his song, must have enlivened the long 
hours for his quiet, yellow and green mate, he would fly to her and they 
would exchange some words of endearment in an undertone, that 
sounded like ““coy-coy”’ or ‘‘qui-qui.’’ Once she could not bear tohave 
him leave her so soon again and called him back. He immediately 
returned and brought her a fly which he caught on the way. This love 
talk seems to be developed from the baby talk of the race. The young 
beg in the prettiest manner, saying or rather singing, “‘kyriot-kur-i-e, 
kuri-e-e’’ 1n such musical tone that it sounds like a fully developed song 
of some other species. This is gradually shortened and softened into 
“coo-ee,”’ “coy,” or ‘‘qui,’’ and then used as the confidential language 
of the mated birds. Day after day I watched the little cavalier with 
his pretty attentions to his lady, not attempting to get a nearer view of 
the light blue eggs, specked with brown, which I could almost see 
through the bottom of the slightly built nest. On July 21st a change 
came. When her mate appeared with an insect, the female slipped off 
and disappeared, instead of waiting to be fed. The father, for so he 
now was, paused on the edge of the nest, admiring his new born off- 
spring, and then very carefully administered the worm. | After this 
there was very little time for singing. Both parents kept very close to 
the nest, not feeding so often as some birds do, but keeping a very 
sharp lookout for enemies. On the ninth day as I neared the nest tree, 
the female came to meet me, talking excitedly, and kept this up for 
about an hour, but never went near the nest. Later in the day I found 
the whole family re-united in a grove of tamaracks very close to where 
I was camping, and here for some weeks, I could watch the pretty 
ways of the young birds at my leisure. The male very rarely sang 
now, but the note of the young ones, as they sat high up in the pines, 
constantly begging, was almost as musical as a song: Like little 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ANA \ 





13 


14 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Tommy Tucker they sang for their supper. What a contrast to the 
barbaric group of young Robins. The young seemed remarkably well 
fledged and able to fly well for their age. They were colored very 
much like the mother, with olive and pale yellow. 
Although this bird breeds in high wooded mountains chiefly in the 
transition belt which extends along either side of the boreal of the cen- 
tral peaks, all along the Sierras and most of the Coast Range; it is 
often seen throughout the state at the migration season, on its way to 
and from its winter home in Guatemals. On May 14th I saw the males 
in full plumage in the forests of Mendocino County, apparently pre- 
ceding the females to their breeding haunts. So they must be among 
the late arrivals. In the Sierras, nests had young in them the last week 
in July. I have also found a nest with young on July 10th, at a greater 
altitude, near Lake Independence. ANNA HEAD. 


TWO ARCHED NESTS AND THEIR OCCUPANTS, 


OMETIMES even the most common of our birds 
prove the most difficult subjects for the nature 
photographer. The two that figure with this arti- 
cle seemed possessed with the intention to cause 
as much trouble and inconvenience as they possi- 
bly could. 

Probably nearly all of our readers have heard 
the elusive little song of the Yellow-winged Spar- 
row; that is those who live within its range. Per- 
haps too, many may have heard without noticing 
it, for itis a song that would attract the attention 
only of sharp ears; a squeaky twitter of the insect 
from which it gets its name of Grasshopper Spar- 
row. Hardly more noticable than the song is the bird that utters it; a 
small dry-grass colored bird whose beauty of markings is only revealed 
by a close inspection. 

As their colors are designed to protect them from observation, so are 
their habits so calculated as to mislead anyone who would search for 
their nest. The continued presence of a pair of “grasshoppers” in a 
large field that I often passed, finally tempted me to hunt for the nest. 
Fortunately the search was commenced early in the day, for it proved 
to be an all day’s task before success awarded our efforts. 

A single largestone, lifting its head above the earth, adorned the 
center of the field. This was a decided convenience for the birds and 





Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW ON NEST. 





16 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


doubtless was a factor in their choice of a location. One of the birds, 
presumably the male, seemed to be continually on guard, for no matter 
at what time of the day I had passed, a small speck on the highest 
point of the stone showed that he was on duty. No sooner would we 
show ourselves above the stone wall, than he would utter the peculiar 
trill and commence to travel excitedly back and forth over the top of the 
tock. Within from fifteen to twenty seconds his mate would appear be- 
side him as suddenly as if she had come from within the rock. 

Not having the slightest idea as to which direction from the lookout; 
the nest was, ail search for it was in vain. Upon our approach both 
birds would fly to the opposite wall, where perched at some distance 
apart, each in turn would venture remarks congratulatory to each other 
on their success in fooling us. Time after time we concealed ourselves 
behind the wall and with powerful glasses watched every movement in 
the hope of seeing one of them return to the coveted spot; the result 
was the same every time we tried this plan,—we got left. As soon as 
we had seated ourselves behind the wall both birds would return to the 
observation rock. For five or ten minutes they would remain there 
still scolding but not as frequently, then one of them would quietly slip 
off into the grass and return to the nest without our being any the 
wiser. As we found later, not only did she walk all the way to the nest, 
but even started from the rock on the opposite side. We finally did 
locate it by remaining in concealment for a little more than two hours, 
when having left the nest for food she returned without the usual cau- 
- tion and flew to a certain spot in the grass. After waiting for about 
fifteen minutes longer, a quick rush to the spot where she disappeared, 
flushed her from the nest before the male had an opportunity to warn 
her. ° 

The nest was about twenty-five yards from the lookout, faced towards 
the north and was artistically roofed over with dead grasses. What 
forethought these little birds show in building their home so that the 
hot rays of the sun can never strike upon their little ones. What acon- 
trast was the nest of the Bay-winged Sparrow or Grassfinch which was 
but a short distance from this one. This Sparrow’s nest was ina patch 
where the grass was considerably shorter than elsewhere and had no 
protection of any kind. On some of the hottest days during the sum- 
mer this bird was compelled to brood the young nearly all day long to 
protect them from the scorching heat, she herself, with feathers all 
tuffled out being a picture of misery, while her neighbor sat comfort- 
ably in her snug little home. This nest of the Yellow-wing when found 
on June 15th, held four eggs; the next day it had five, which was the 
complete set. I only called on her occasionally for two weeks, but had 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





NEST OF GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. 


17 


Photo by C. A. Reed. 


18 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


planned to try a picture of her when she had commenced to set close 
just before the eggs hatched. How easy it is to make plans and how 
little it takes to upset them. 

Commencing with June 29th daily visits were made to this nest. The 
disposition of the female seemed to have undergone an entire change 
for instead of now leaving the nest as soon as anyone appeared she 
trusted entirely to color protection. In order not to startle her too sud- 
denly I walked by her several times without appearing to notice her; 
then gradually longer and longer pauses were made when opposite the 
nest until at length she allowed me to stand and look at her from a dis- 
tance of about five feet. Not a movement did she make but her bright 
brown eyes snapped with excitement and anxiety. At the first sight of 
the camera which was then brought up she left the nest with a rush. 

The next day after two trials the camera and tripod were placed for 
an instant before her, but she would not wait to be focussed upon. 

The several trials that were made each of the next two days were 
equally without results except that they served to lessen the fear of the 
Sparrow to such an extent that on two occasions the apparatus was all 
ready and the slide being drawn when off she flew, leaving the operator 
to pick up his traps and trudge homewards, still not discouraged (but 
almost.) 

Success is the reward of perserverance and the next day I obtained 
the longed for portrait of a Grasshopper Sparrow as she sits on her 
treasures under her own roof. ‘This picture as shown here is enlarged 
‘about three times from the original and is life sized. 

Extending from one end of the above field for a mile or more is a 
succession of patches of open land and small growth. It is an ideal 
place fora great many birds to nest in, and«is one of two localities 
where I spent all the time that I could spare last summer. Frequent 
calls of the Bob White proclaimed that they too found it to be a very 
agreeable place. Nests of these game birds are much more often found 
by accident than by any continued search, as. the sitting bird will not 
leave the nest until almost trod upon. A careful overhauling of what 
appeared to be the most likely place for a quail’s nest to be located 
failed to reveal any trace of one. 

It was found finally when I was least expecting it. I was just step- 
ping up on a wall with a complete photographic outfit in hand when out 
from under my uplifted foot dashed a quail with a whir, which to say 
the least, startled me. Hastily stooping down, I looked upon a nest 
filled with white eggs, fifteen of them, all of which are shown in the 
accompanying half tone. The nest was in back against the wall sur- 
rounded and almost concealed from view by the tall grass; ivy leaves 
from the vines creeping along the wall also drooped over to help hide 
the opening. These latter were moved to one side in order to photo- 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 19 





Photo by C. A.Reed. 


NEST TOF BOB WHITE: 


(Showing fifteen eggs. 


20 AMERICAN OKFNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart, No, 12. 


Brilliant Orange and Blackbirds. 


No. 503, Audubons Oriole, (/cterus audubonit.) 


Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and Mexi- 
co. Length, 9.5 in. Under parts clear yellow; upper 
parts greenish yellow; head, neck and _ breast, black; 
wings black, greater coverts tipped with white and 
primaries edged with white; tail black, the feathers. 
being edged with white and the outer ones tipped also. 
Female not noticably different. 


No. 504, Scott’s Oriole, (icterus parisorum). 


Southwestern United States from western Texas to 
southern Califorma. Length, 8 inches. The lesser 
and middle coverts yellow; greater coverts broadly 
tipped with white and the inner secondaries edged with 
the same. Tail black, except the basal portions of the 
outer feathers which are yellow. | Female:—Above, 
olive grayish, becoming brighter on the rump; top of 
head and back streaked with dark. Wings dusky 
with two distinct white bands. Tail yellowish olive 
with the two middle feathers and ends of the others 
caer Under parts more or less bright yellowish 
olive. 


No. 505, Hooded Oriole, (/cferus cucullatus.) 


Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and south 

\ to British Honduras. Length 8 in. Bill and feet 
blue black, the former slender and decurved. Coverts 
tipped with white. Tail entirely black except slight 
white tips to the outer feathers. Female:—Grayish 
= Olive above. Tail and under parts dull yellowish. 
* Wings dusky, and coverts edged with white. 


No. 507, Baltimore Oriole, (/cterus galbula.) 


United States east of the Rockies and southern 
Canada. South of the U.S. in winter. Length, 7.5 

inches. Black and orange. Middle and greater wing 
~ coverts tipped with white. Middle tail feathers, 
black; the others for the most part, orange. Female:— 
Very much paler, the black being nearly all obscured 
by olive. Young male like the female except that it 
lacks all traces of black on the head and throat. 


No. 508, Bullock’s Oriole, (/cterus bullock1). 


Western North America from Manitoba and British 
Columbia to Mexico. Length, 8 inches. Sides of 
head and narrow frontlet, orange, leaving the chin and 
throat black. Edge of secondaries and whole of 
middle and greater coverts, white. Two middle tail 
feathers black; the others orange except for the black 
tips. Female:—Upper parts olive gray. Breast, tail, 
sides of head and forehead, yellow. Two white wing 
bars. Other under parts gray. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 21 


No. 531, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, (Spinus law- 
rence.) 


California west of the Sierra Nevada. Length, 5 
in. General color, grayish whitening on the belly. 
A black mask covers the top of head, face and chin. 
Patch of clear yellow in middle of breast. Wing 
coverts, edges of primaries and rump, yellowish. Fe- 
male somewhat paler and the black mask is lacking. 


No. 642, Golden-winged Warbler, (Helmin- 
thophila chrysoptera.) : 


Eastern U. S. from southern New England and 
Ontario southwards. Length, 4.75 in. Upper parts 
blue gray. Coverts and crown bright yellow. Large 
white spots on the three outer tail feathers. Female: 
Back and crown more or less greenish yellow, and the 
black obscured or entirely lacking. 


No. 678, Connecticut Warbler, (Geothlypis < 
agilis.) 


Eastern North America, breeding north of the 
United States. Length, 5.5 in. Whole head and 
neck all around, pure ash darkening on the breast to 
almost black. Upper parts greenish; lower yellow 
shading to greenish on the sides. In the fall the head 
and neck above are greenish and the throat is paler. 
A conspicuous white ring around the eye will dis- 
angus it from the next species. Female somewhat 
paler. 


No. 679, Mourning Warbler, (Geothlypis phila- 
delphia.) 


Eastern North America, breeding from northern 
U.S. northwards. Length, 5.5 in. Similar to the 
above. Noeyering. A decided patch of black on the 
breast and remainder of throat showing traces of the 
same through the ash. Young birds lack the ash on 
the head to about the same extent as the last species. 


No. 680, Macgillivray’s Warbler, (Geothlypis 
macgillivrayt). 


Western North America from the Rocky Mts. to the 
coast and from British Columbia southwards. Length, 689: 
5.25 inches. Similar to the two preceeding. A white 
spot on both upper and lower eyelid (not a continuous 
ring). Black line from base of bill to eye. The ashy 
feathers of the throat with black centers, this produc- 
ing a mottling. The female is considerably paler. 








22 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


graph the nest and eggs. A small piece of paper was pinned to the 
ground at just four feet from the nest. The next morning, with the 
camera allin readiness I walked along the wall and when opposite the 
nest, with the piece of paper as a guide made a snap shot of the female 
on the nest. She looks quiet enough in the picture but at the click of 
the shutter dashed out of the nest as though shot at with a gun instead 
of a harmless camera. 

While this picture is a good ways from being an ideal one, it is the 
best that could be got under the circumstances, and in live bird work 
one has to consider himself fortunate if he can get a picture of the bird 
regardless of the surroundings. 





Photo from life. 


BOB-WHITE ON NEST (female). 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 23 
SECRETS OF "MEADOW BROOK." 


HE scene of the following observations and records 
was situated on the outskirts of the borough of Lans- 
downe, Penn., and consisted of a long stretch of 
beautiful meadow land intersected by a winding 
brook, and a portion of which was covered with 
briars and medium size trees; also two or three large 
oaks and beeches. 

The date of my first visit to this locality was in 
the early spring of the year 1901, and from that time 
on I repeatedly roamed over the district looking out 
whatever there might be to see and learn. To those not accustomed 
to observing the many natural attractions around them, ‘“‘Meadow- 
Brook” would probably mean nothing more than a field, a stream of 
water and some trees, but to those whose eyes and ears are trained in 
such matters, and who are looking for what nature has in store for 
them, a great many things of interest and instruction were to be found. 

The writer will now record a few of his observations in the order in 
which they occurred. The first stroll was taken in the latter part of 
February and of course there was not so much to be seen this early in 
the season. However, the cheering song of the Song Sparrow was 
heard and Snow Birds were plentiful amongst last year’s weed patches. 
On March 5th I was delighted to hear the soft warbling of a number of 
Blue Birds—dear heralds of returning spring—which had evidently ar- 
rived but recently. They were flitting here and there and probably 
looking for a suitable site for the nest to be built later on. «On March 
12th I observed Rob- eee 
ing and Black Birds “Soe 
in the vicinity and 
welcomed them as 
long absent friends 
just returned. March 
24th Pewees were in 
the neighborhood and 
evidently had been 
in the habit of sum- 





































mering there. A vis- Ay aa ui 

it on April 5th found WS Wing SV 

the Red-wing Black . Seal ee / a 
Birds again in the IQUE | t] / i/ 
Swampy portion of \\" SS y | | ty ; 
the meadow, and they a A ee 


24 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


would continually mount some reed or tussock WHETE it was wet and 
boggy, and taunt you with “Yer can’t cum here.”’ ee. 

April 9th was the last occasion on which I observed Snow Birds and 
they probably started on their northward journey soon afterward. A 
stroll on the morning of April 28th, revealed Chipping Sparrows, Barn 
Swallows, Cat Birds and Field Sparrows. May 5th (a perfect, warm 
spring day) I saw a pair of Kingfishers following the course of the 
stream and frequently uttering their harsh clatter; Chimney Swallows 
circled high overhead; Gold Finches sang in the willows; King Birds 
were perched like sentinels on the fence posts and other objects of van- 
tage, looking for passing insects; Towhees were scratching away in 





A QUIET POOL IN ‘‘MEADOW BROOK.”’’ 


the dry leaves on a sunny bank; one White-throated Sparrow was ob- 
served, and many Maryland Yellow-throats were calling from amongst 
the new, green skunk cabbage leaves. It was one of those mornings. 
when each little creature seemed to be overflowing with the happiness. 
of life and trying to out-do each other in volume and variation of song. 

On the following day (the 6th) the sweet song of the Wood Thrush 
resounded through the wooded portion of the meadow, and on the 10th 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 25 


and llth respectively, Great-crested Flycatchers, and a Brown Thrasher 
were added to the list of,new arrivals. On May 12th it was my privi- 
lege to make my first acquaintance with the American Redstart, a little 
gem of color flitting among the new green leaves of a spreading beech 
tree. He was extremely active and was soon lost to sight among the 
higher branches. On the same day I was greeted with the various 
mocking cries of the Yellow-breasted Chat, and several of them re- 
mained in the locality allsummer. An early morning walk on the 19th 
of May discovered a Green Heron obtaining his breakfast from the 
brook, and upon my approach he flew to a near-by willow and there 
stood in motionless watchfulness. A large number of other birds were 
to be seen in and around “‘Meadow-Brook”’ at various times, but it is 
the writer’s intention to confine this article to those things closely con- 
nected with this particular locality. Aside from those mentioned, I 
noticed the Yellow Warbler on one or two occasions, and the Maryland 
Yellow-throat nested there in numbers. 

Now for a few words concerning the nest building which occurred in 
“Meadow-Brook.’’ The list was headed by a Robin, whose nest was 
found on April 26th, placed in a small maple tree along the creek; con- 
tained three fresh eggs. The next find was the nest of a Song Spar- 
tow, placed in a pile of brush (April 28,) containing three fresh eggs. 
Upon calling there again on May 15, the nest contained four little ones. 
On the original walk, April 28th, it occurred to the writer to look under 
a road bridge which we were passing, and we were delighted to find 
the nest of a Phoebe Bird placed on one of the girders or wooden sup- 
ports. It contained six white eggs well advanced. On May 2nd I dis- 
covered the nest of a Blue Bird, but could not see inside owing to its 
being deep down in a hollow scrub tree. A pair of Flickers also nested 
in a tall maple near an old tumble-down spring house. The upper por- 
tion of the trunk was decayed and a round hole near the top told where 
the nest was. May 14th, while walking through my favorite district, I 
noticed a Field Sparrow jump out of a bunch of tall grass almost under 
my feet, and investigation revealed a beautiful little nest with four un-1 
form eggs in it; the bird was then setting. The following day I found 
another Song Sparrow’s nest containing five eggs—four uniform and 
the fifth much lighter and differently colored. May 22nd, while walk- 
ing by a thick clump of briars, I was attracted by the sweet and vari- 
able notes of a Brown Thrasher, and upon searching the briars care- 
fully I found a newly completed nest with one egg. Four days later 
four eggs were deposited; nest composed of sticks, grass and small 
roots. A short time afterwards I came upon the nest of a Cat Bird in 
a tall bunch of alders by the old spring house before mentioned; nest 


20 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


composed of sticks and roots, also large pieces of white tissue paper. 
On the 26th of May the nest contained four eggs. About the same 
time two other Cat Bird nests were found in the vicinity; all composed 
of the same materials and containing about the same number of eggs. 
The song of the Cat Bird is extremely sweet and beautiful at this sea- 
son of the year, almost rivaling that of the Thrushes and other noted 
vocalists. 

On June Ist, noticing a Yellow-breasted Chat come out of a bramble 
patch on the hillside, and acting in a suspicious manner, I made a short 
search and soon found a newly completed nest and one egg. June 
11th a second Field Sparrow’s nest was found on the ground among 
some low maple saplings; this nest also contained four eggs. During 
June a third Song Sparrow’s nest was discovered on the groundamong 
some tall grass and cat tails. Aside from birds, nests and eggs above 
mentioned, Meadow-Brook’’ was a paradise for wild flowers. The 
dearly loved blue violets head the list, first appearing about the 20th of 
April and blooming continuously until the latter part of May. There 
were several varieties, the deep purple of the warm, dry banks, the 
paler blue of those growing in the wooded portions of the locality, and 
the light blue, long-stemmed ones that grew in the marshes. The very 
small white and vellow varieties were also noticed in the wet places. 

Spring Beauties made their appear- 
ance about April 23rd, and were espec- 
ially numerous on the hillside, looking 
as if a large white sheet had been 
spread on the grass. Dog-tooth vio- 
lets first made their appearance about 
April 28th and bloomed in profusion 
for a time, being especially numerous. 
under a large spreading beech tree; 
what a pretty sight, all those delicate 
yellow bells hanging on their graceful 
. stalks over the spotted leaves, which 
were so thick as to form a carpet of 
green. May 8th the Indian Turnip or 
‘““Jack-in-the-pulpit,’’ made its appear- 
ance, followed about May 12th by the 
large yellow Buttercup and white Daisy, 
which bloomed in company and count- 
less numbers throughout the season. 
This is one of the pretty sights of the spring time; hundreds of white 
flowers nodding with every gentle breeze, and intermingled with the 











AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 27 


golden cups of their companions, 
while underneath was spread a car-¢ 
pet of rich green and bright yellow— 
the Dandelions and grass. 

During the first three days in June, 
I found a number of beautiful wild 
Blue Flags or Iris in the swampy 
part of the meadow, also a large 
patch of Hawk Weed in full bloom 
and pretty Ground Ivy by the road 
side. The wild Phlox or Willow 
Herb also grew in great pro- 
fusion and the blooms were so | 
thick and so bright in color as: 
to give the whole marsh a pur- z= = 
plish appearance from a dis-: Z 
tance. All through July the 
Primrose was conspicuous, al- 
so Lobelia, Toadflax and Blue- 
eyed Grass. On July 27th I AM. GOLDFINCH. 
came across a cluster of tall spotted Wood Lily stalks on which were 
a large number of flowers; one stalk in particular, was thetallest I ever 
saw, measuring nearly eight feet. The well-known spotted Touch-me- 
not and the Monkey Flower were to be found throughout July and 
August, and about August 5th the Golden Rod first made its appear- 
ance and through the Autumn months certain portions of the district 
were literally covered with beautiful waving plumes, intermingled with 
the white and purple Aster and other late flowers. Thus the season 
wore on, each month in turn bringing its own individual beauty and 
changes. 

















A favorite resting place 
was beneath one of the large 
(, oak trees close by the brook. 
“ The ground here was covered 
Wy \with last year’s acorns, from 
7, many of which sprouts about 
an inch long were protruding. 
How wonderful; within each 
tiny acorn were the possibili- 
ties of a sturdy oak; surround 
them by their proper environments, and the embryo will burst the con- 
fines of its shell and push forth—perhaps into a great trunk—which 
shall for ages cast its shadow across the plains. 





28 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


During the latter part of September and through October, “‘Meadow- 
Brook’’ was beautiful with the splendor of Autumnal dress. The maples 
were crowned with crimson and golden verdure; the leaves on the 
blackberry briars showed a marvelous blending of brown, red and green; 
large clusters of Indian Turnip berries shown among the decaying 
leaves like beacon lights; the common poison vine had turned a rich 
scarlet, and the sassafras and spice bushes were multi-colored. One 
large oak tree especially should be mentioned. The trunk was very 
straight and tall, and around this a number of poison and wild ivy vines 
had climbed—in spiral fashion—all the way to the top. At this time 
the vines showed a most beautiful blending of different shades of red 
and yellow, while at the top, serving as a crown for this varigated col- 
umn, were the green leaves of the oak. Viewed from a distance, the 
effect was truly striking. 

The rapidly approaching winter soon caused the transient birds to 
wing their way southward; the many varieties of flowers to wither and 
die; the royal robes of Autumn to drop from thetrees. So amid scenes 
such as this, my observations in ““Meadow-Brook’’ were completed for 
the season in question. 


Their song is silenced, yet the echo stays; 
The vision lingers, though the colors fail. 
So summer’s dear memories leave their joy always, 


Though deserted their haunts, why need we wail. 
BERTON MERCER 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 29 


THE BIRDS ARE GONE. 


Chill are the winds of Autumn, 
Sadly the dead leaves fall 
To fade and be forgotten; 
The common fate of all. 


Dusky is all the landscape, 
Dreary and gray the dawn, 

No music greets the morning 
For all the birds are gone. 


Gone is each pretty songster 
To some far distant clime, 

Gone with Nature’s robes of green 
And joys of summer time. 


My dear friends; are they all gone? 
The birds I loved so well, 

Shall I hear their songs no more 
O’er meadow, wood and dell? 


It seems but yesterday eve 
I heard the Robin sing, 

Watched the Kingbird’s wayward flight 
The Swallows tireless wing. 


Heard the Thrushes melody 
Within the pleasant wood 

While I, ‘neath the screening leaves 
In silent rapture stood. 


O’er the grassland decked with flowers 
The Meadow-lark’s clear call 

I heard, like a fond farewell 
In sweetest cadence fall. 


The Song Sparrow’s merry lay, 
The Warbler’s lisping notes, 

And all the woodland music 
From countless tiny throats. 


All joyless now is Nature, 
Her choir no longer sings, 
Gloomy and unresponsive, 
A harp with broken strings. 
HATTA WASHBURN. 


30 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


THE 
Woe 
OF 
A 
MOUSE. 


MEDITATION. 





GOING 








GONE 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


GOING 


Photos from life by Dr J. B. Pardoe. 





31 


32 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


RAVIRWS 


Country Life in America (Doubleday, Page for) Dec., contains an 
article that will prove of both value and interest to ornithologists. It 
is A Skimmer of the Seas,’’ by Frank M. Chapman. The continued 
abundance of these birds is accounted for by the author as follows: 
““Marvelously graceful in the air, the Skimmer is so grotesquely ugly, 
when at rest that not even the milliner considers it available for alleged 
decorative purposes; consequently it has been spared when the more 
beautitul terns that formerly nested on the beaches with it have been 
destroyed by countless thousands. Skimmers, today, therefore, are 
numerous in favorable localities on the coast from Maryland to Texas.”’ 
It has been a common report for vears that Skimmers did not sit on 
their nests during the day time except in stormy weather., The several 
photographs that the author secured of Skimmers on their nests gives 
optical proof that the common report was in error. The illustrations 
include a number of remarkable photos of flying Skimmers. 





The Condor, Novemhber-December, contains the following leading 
articles: ‘Birds of the Little Sur River,’ by Joseph Grinnell; “‘Hol- 
boell Grebe in Montana,’ by P. M Silloway; Part II on “Land Birds of 
the Redwood Belt of Northern Calif.,’ by Walter K. Fisher; ‘Birds 
collected in Norton Sound, Alaska,’ by Richard-C. McGregor; “The 
Least Tern at San Diego. Mr. Walter K. Fisher has assumed the re- 
sponsibilities of editor upon the decease of Mr. Chester Barlow. 


Ernest Thompson Seton’s plea for detailed records of observations 
‘made afield;.F. A. Lucas’ account of birds’ weapons, and Frank M. 
Chapman’s instructions to students as to the best ways to study birds 
are the leading articles in Bird-Lore (The Macmillan Company) for 
December. ‘The illustrations include one of Ernest Thompson Seton 
in his Manitoba camp, the first group in a series of the prominent orni- 
thologists forming Bird-Lore’s Advisory Council, and a remarkable 
view of a colony containing 2,000 Flamingoes’ nests. 


Messrs. Dana Estes & Co., announce that the fifth revised edition of 
the “Key to North American Birds”’ by Dr. Elliott Coues, so long and 
patiently awaited by the public, will be ready in the spring of 1903. 
The reason for the unusual delay in its publication may be briefly stated. 
When Dr. Coues died in 1899 he left the manuscript wholly finished, 
but the copy was rendered hard to decipher without the exercise of 
most intelligent care by reason of innumerable interlineations, erasures, 
abbreviations, ‘riders,’’ and detached notes, written in a minute and 
sometimes difficult handwriting. It was evident that had the Doctor 
lived he would have cast his material, although entirely completed as 
he left it, into a form which would present fewer difficulties to the com- 
positor. His sudden death left the copy in such shape that the task of 
revision and preparation for the press required double the amount of 
work that had been anticipated. The publishers, however, have had 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 33 


the good fortune to obtain the services of a thoroughly equipped orni- 
thologist, who has read the proof with the most painstaking care, which 
has been ably supplemented by the efforts of a number of professional 
proof readers. The result is a book which Dr. Coues would have been 
proud to own as the crowning work of his life. The publishers an- 
nounce it as being absolutely authoritative and definitive, and express 
confidence that it is entirely free from errors of statement or form. 





ANSWERS TO QUERIES. 


In this new department, we shall endeavor to answer questions of an 
ornithological nature. The time at our disposal for correspondence is 
very limited and we have been wholly unable to answer the host of 
queries that have come in the past. Our subscribers may feel at lib- 
erty to ask questions as freely as they wish concerning birds, bird pho- 
tography or photography in general. 

We have received inquiries from a great many sources concerning 
the outfit used by the editor in his bird work, Perhaps a detailed de- 
scription of the required apparatus will satisfactorily answer all 

questions in this line. The most important part of an outfit, of 
course, is the camera and the most important part of the camera is the 
lens. A 4x5 camera is the most suitable for all work pertaining to 
birds, or their nests and eggs. Anything larger means that you are 
simply carrying useless weight and bulk. A good 4x5 negative will 
easily enlarge to a 16x20 if necessary, and if you can not get a good 
picture on a 4x5 plate you certainly could do no better on a larger one 
and the expense would be greater. 

As to the make of the camera, you can suit yourself on that; the past 
season I have used mostly a home made one. Itis not a very hand- 
some affair, but I did not make it to look at; it was made to accommo- 
date the large lens that I was using. In selecting the camera of your 
dealer, notice particularly the bed of the camera and the extension; see 
that when the bellows are fully extended there is sufficient strength to 
hold the lens without undue vibration. 

The ordinary lenses, provided that they are double, supplied with the 
camera are all right, only I should make arrangements with my dealer 
to fit a 5x7 lens in the 4x5 box. ‘This lens usually has a focal length 
of about 8 in., and it will be absolutely necessary to have a camera with 
a draw, or bellows length of at least 13 in. A longer draw than this 
will be better but will also cost more. 

The past season I used a 9 1-2 inch focus, Extra Rapid Universal 
Lens made by the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. As this has been sat- 
istactory in all respects, I shall probably use the same lens next season. 


34 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


It is the best of what are called rectilinear lenses, and is rated to cover 
a 6 1-2x8 1-2 at an opening of f6. It will cover the 4x5 plates on which 
I use it at an opening of f4; consequently it will take a fully exposed 
picture in one quarter of the time required by the ordinary trade lens; 
this value is most appreciated on a cloudy day when a snap shot is or- 
dinarily impossible. Still higher in price are the Anastigmats that are 
advertised so extensively. While these may be better for some classes. 
of work, than the rectilinear, I do not think that they are any more 
adapted to bird photography than the cheaper ones. I have tried sev- 
eral makes and could not get any better work and I have never seen 
any photos taken by any one else, that are any better because taken 
with an Anastigmat. A single or achromatic lensis not suitable because 
of its lack of covering power at full opening and slow speed. I have 
tried very few lens shutters, but the Unicum has always proved satis- 
factory. It is easily released from a distance and you can tell by using 
your field glasses whether the plate has been exposed or not by the 
position of the setting lever. A number of times when at an excep- 
tionally long distance from the camera, the shutter has failed to release 
at the first pressure on the bulk and a second was necessary. Anauto- 
matic shutter is not satisfactory for this purpose as, not only can you 
not tell when the exposure has been made, but it requires a strong pres- 
sure and can not be operated from a distance with any certainty. 

A stout three fold tripod will be found best for holding the camera. 
I have painted the legs on mine a dull brown, so that it is very incon- 
spicuous when set up in the woods and does not need to be concealed. 
A ball and socket clamp for attaching the camera to the tripod will be 
found very handy when photographing birds and is almost indispensable 
when photographing nests and eggs. For taking pictures of birds and 
nests in trees, it will be found that in nearly all cases the camera can 
be fastened in the tree by tying each leg of the tripod to a branch of the 
tree; this will make the camera nearly as firm as though setting on the 
ground. Fifty feet of camera tubing will be found sufficient for the 
majority of cases, although I have on a number of occasions used a 
hundred. A linen thread may be used for the purpose of releasing the 
shutter, but it is not as reliable as the tubing as it is apt to jar the end 
of the camera or to get tangled up in the branches so that it cannot be 
used at all. For other purposes a spool of black linen thread is one of 
the most convenient articles you can carry with you. By using this 
you can in nearly every case manage to shade the young birds from the 
sun while you are waiting for the adults to return. The thread can be 
attached to the branch that naturally furnishes shade to the little ones 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 35 


so thata oradual pull will draw it to one side and let the sun shine on 
the nest at the time you want it. 

A large mirror can also frequently be used to advantage; it should 
not be less than a foot square. A pair of field glasses and note book 
and pencil will complete the necessary outfit. 

The camera should be carefully focussed on the nest and then 
branches or leaves that are out of focus should be tied back; nothing 
mars a picture so much as a branch in the foreground and not in focus. 
For photographing adult birds feeding the young an exposure of 1-100 
or 1-50 of a second should be used; even then if they are moving very 
rapidly you will get a blurred picture. With the diaphragm set at f8, 
they must be in the bright sun to get a good picture with this speed. 
A bird brooding the young or incubating will allow you to use a smaller 
stop and expose for 1-2 or a full second in which case you can get a bet- 
ter depth of focus to the picture. Of course the sun must not be al- 
lowed to strike the lens and it should be at the side or back of the 
camera. 

Photographing birds nests is a simple matter but care should be tak- 
en to secure a position that will show the nest and its contents to the 
best advantage and not have any near objects to blur the picture. 


All nests on the ground should be taken with stop 64; if the nest is 
in the bright sun this will require one second exposure. It is much 
better though, to shade the nest and give it a longer time. Nests in 
trees should be taken with a small enough stop to put in focus the prin- 
cipal parts of the picture; if the background can be fused into an even 
gray it will give a better effect. 

In regard to the kind of plates to use for bird work: If you have 
done photography and have been successful with the kind you have 
been using, my advice is to continue using the same. Nothing will in- 
terfere with the work of a photographer so much as the continued 
changing of material. Learn how to use one brand and stick to those. 
I have settled upon the Cramer Crown plates and use them for every- 
thing. I have experimented with these and a number of other makes 
and found them to be very reliable. 

Remember, all who would undertake to do this work, that the wel- 
fare of the birds is of the first importance; the life of one bird is worth 
more than dozens of photographs. Bird photography requires a great 
deal of time, patience, and care; is expensive and you must incur many 
disappointments, and much discomfort for every successful picture. It 
is not something to be taken up merely to pass the time. Try for re- 
sults of value. 


36 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


IRD CHATS wm 


MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 












My DEAR Younc Forks: 

We give a cordial greeting to the new comers which gather with us 
in this corner the first month of the new year. May 1903 be a very 
happy year to you everyone, new friends and old. I think we have all 
enjoyed our little talks together during the first year of our acquaint- 
ance, it has been a pleasure to come into touch with so many bird 
lovers among the children. 

See what a goodly array of names are on our Roll of Honor this 
month. Stafford Francis rightly heads the list, for he has solved every 
puzzle which has been given through the year. Mary Agnes Johnson sent 
the answer to one of the November enigmas in rhyme. We give it 
below, as it was received too late for insertion last month. We would 
again remind you that your letters have to wait a month to be printed, 
as the magazine is made up a month before it reaches you. 
I know you will enjoy Leroy Noble’s account of the thrushes which 
made themselves at home in his grandmother’s door yard, and would 
all delight in such charming friends. We have had occasional calls 
from wood thrushes, but cannot coax them to stay with us, for, alas, 
our neighbors pets are cruel cats: 

What do you think of Gerald Thomas’ Goldfinch? Is it possible 
that such a dainty fellow would get intoxicated? Naturalists often 
secure butterflies and moths by putting out dishes of sugar and rum, 
which the insects sip, and become an easy prey, but have our feather- 
ed friends such weaknesses? Whom will tell us more about it? Do 
not hesitate to write about your birding experiences and share them 
with the rest of our circle. 

Cordially Your Friend, - 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 37 


ROLL OF HONOR:—Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H. Leroy. B. 
B. Noble, Cromwell, Conn. Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, 
S. D. Joseph Shirrefs, Elizabeth, N..J. Joseph C. Nelson, Hannibal, 
Mo. Clair McMorran. Spokane, Wash. Gerald B. Thomas, Liver- 


more, Ia. Mary Agnes Johnson, Kansas City, Mo. Fred T. Morrison, 
Montclair, N. J. 


ANSWER TO ENIGMA IN NOVEMBER NUMBER, 
Thanksgiving Turkey. 
Turnkey, one in charge of a prison’s key. 
Green is the most restful color one ever sees. 
Hank, is thread all bound together, 
Treat, is an unusual pleasure. 
Greatheart leads us to higher things, 
Veery Thrush, very sweetly sings. 
Vikings, from old Sweden came, 
Striving, we may win great fame. 
The turkey now is fat and sweet, 
That we Thanksgiving day will eat. 
Mary AGNES JOHNSON, Kansas City, Mo. 


ANSWERS TO DECEMBER PUZZLES, 


Enigma. Wren. 





QUERIES, 

1. The tailor-birds make a pocket-like nest, by sewing together the 
edges of leaves, using their sharp bills for needles, and fibre of plants 
for thread. 

2. The Anis, a species of cuckoo found In the Bahamas and the 
greater Antilles, build but one nest, in which several females lay and 
share the task of incubation. 

3. The Crested Flycatcher lines the hollow where he nests, with 
east off snake skins. 

4. The Humming bird, Pewee, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher shingle . 
their homes with gray lichens to match the surrounding wood work. 

5. The cradle of the Marsh Wrens is a globe of sedge and grasses 
hung from reeds in the marshes, with the doorway on one side. It 
builds seven nests each season, perhaps as a method of protection. 

6. The Burrowing Owls make borrows, in which they lay a half 
dozen white eggs. 

7. Bank Swallows breed in large colonies, making tunnels about 
one and a half feet deepin a bank of clay. The Kingfisher excavates 
a hole’ sometimes eight feet deep, in a bank of sand, gravel or earth; 
it often takes the bird two weeks to make the hole. 


38 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


8. The Eider duck (and some other birds) plucks the soft down 
from her own breast to make a warm feather bed for her babies. 

9. The Hornbill imprisons the sitting mother in the hollow of the 
tree where she nests, plastering up the opening with mud, leaving only 
a small opening, through which he feeds her till the eggs are hatched. 
She has to stay at home. 

10. The Nighthawk and Whip-poor-will, ““camp out’’ upon a rock 
on the ground, and the lazy Cow-bird places its egg in the nest of 
other birds. 


FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 

One day this summer as I was walking in the garden where there 
are many sun-flowers, I noticed a Goldfinch eating the seeds. I moved 
slowly towards him in order to get a better view of him. To my sur- 
prise he did not appear to be frightened, but kept on feeding. I walk- 
ed still nearer and raised my hand, and as he did not offer to leave, I 
picked him up. I took him into the house where he perched on my 
finger and looked curiously around, but appeared not at all frightened. 
After a time I took him out of doors and after a moment he flew away 
and perched on a sunflower again. I have heard of birds getting 
drunk on different things which they eat, and I have wondered if the 
Goldfinch could have become drunk on the seeds which it was eating. 

GERALD B. THOMAS. 


On my neighbor’s chimney a lightning rod runs up the side of the 
chimney. On this a Chimney Swift impaled itself in attempting to go 
down the chimney. It showed that the bird flew downward with such 
force that the rod stuck up about a foot above the dead bird. 

JoE C. NELSon, Mo. 


THE BROWNIES, 

In the summer of 1901, a pair of wood thrush built a nest in a dwarf 
apple tree about ten feet above the ground. The tree stood in the 
garden about twenty-five feet from the house veranda. The birds 
raised one brood of three, and became quite tame during the summer, 
and foraged daily on the lawn for worms, etc. 

In the same yard, Blue Jays had nested in a tall evergreen. ‘The 
thrushes seemed to consider the Jays their enemies; and when they 
found one of the young jays under an apple tree near by, tried to kill 
it by darting down from the tree, and striking it. May 7th of this 
summer (1902) the Wood thrushes song was first heard, perched on a 
limb of a tree in the same yard, soon after its mate was seen. These 
were supposed to be the same that nested in the dwarf apple tree last 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 39 


summer, as they seemed familiar with the grounds and quite tame. 
Later they began gathering material for a nest. The latter part of 
June, three young thrushes were hopping and flying about the yard. 
We had not succeeded in locating the nest. 

At times both birds would appear greatly excited, and fiercely chatter 
and scold. Generally a cat could be found prowling about. When it 
was driven away they became quiet. About four o’clock one morning, 
the scolding was heard, and later, one of the young birds was found 
dead, where it had been dropped by a cat. At one time they were 
fiercely scolding in an apple tree which stood in the same yard, inves- 
tigation proved that it was on account of an owl, which was found 
sitting on a limb of this tree. 

As soon as the owl was driven away they became quiet. July 7th 
the old birds were seen feeding the first hatch for the last time. A 
new nest had been built in the same dwarf apple tree where they had 
nested in 1901, but some four feet higher, near this apple tree stood a 
shrub, in which a pair of catbirds had built a nest. The thrushes and 
catbirds seemed to be on very friendly terms; but whenever the cat- 
birds tried to eat curdled milk from a dish that was set out for them, 
the thrushes seemed to take pleasure in driving them away, just for 
fun. A catbird would light on the edge of the dish, get all ready to 
take a mouthful of the curd, and down would dart the thrushes, never 
striking the catbird, but coming just near enough to frighten it away 
from the dish. The thrush would fly back on the tree and await the 
catbirds return, and the same thing would happen over again. You 
could almost see laughter in the eyes of the thrush. The thrushes 
never ate the curd. July 14th, the male thrush stopped singing about 
the yard, A little later, the song of a thrush could be heard at times 
in the distance. July 27th, three young birds left tne second nest. 
During this season the old birds had become so tame, that they would 
feed about within two or three feet of members of the family. They 
would come to the foot of the stairs leading up to the veranda, when 
called “Brownie, Brownie’’ and pick up the crumbs as thrown to them. 

One day the male bird brought all three of the little ones to the foot 
of the stairs, and fed them by turns, as food was thrown to them. At 
other times, the young birds would be scattered, and the old birds 
would go back and forth carrying food to them. It was a habit of the 
old birds to come daily to the foot of the stairs for a part of their food. 
Early in August the second trio of young birds were missed, and a day 
or two after the old birds disappeared. We are wondering if they will 
come back next season, and nest in the same yard. 

LeRoy B. NoBLe, Cromwell, Conn. 


40 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


PUZZLES, 


What is his name? We see him in the Middle States in spring and 
fall, and if the branches are thick in the evergreens where he so often 
is found, hunting for tiny spiders, insect eggs, and such food, we are © 
very apt to learn of his presence by his voice, so you must try to guess 
his name now from his notes. In fall these are the smallest of little 
chirps just talking to himself, and sometimes a less pleasant, scolding 
note, that reminds one of a wren’s call. But when spring comes, he 
remembers a lovely warbling song, as rich as an orioles, though not so 
loud, unfortunately we do not hear it very often, for before summer 
comes the singer is off to more northen woods to nest. 

ISABELLA McCLEmMmon, Englewood, N. J. 


A WINTER ENIGMA. 


There are two birds that sometimes come to us in winter, whose 
names together contain 25 letters, the first name from 1 to 11, the 
Second trom 2 to 25. Lhe first bind is a most os ls Onelen liye oemiae 
11 little fellow, and he and his friends 18, 6, 19 before us as we walk 
through the 20, 10,13. 45-or thy o1t.8, 42°23, Used 7 22- Oi el eee seis 
they never minded 4, 9, 2, 8,17, 22. Most of their plumage is 4, 21, 23, 
15, 25' in 2, 25,20) 15, 23, 2.4 time: but it looks rather souleumntencz 
The second bird many folks think eruel, for he 1, 9, 8, 20 on a 5, 3,6, 
11, 16, watching for small birds, and when he catches one, the strong 
16, 3, 13, 24 in his bill helps him to tear the flesh. But 2, 13, 4, Nat- 
uralists 8, 16, 23, 2, 24, that the birds he is able to catch are the weak- 
est or sometimes sick ones, and it is 5, 17, 20, 15 for them not to live, 
for their little ones would be weak also, and Mother Nature likes 
strong healthy children. So let us not say that any bird is bad till we 
know a great deal about him, for generally we find that he is much 5, 
i/o seco. lo, tian we are-lon LO. Sos mule naming: 

ISABELLA MCLEMMON. 


Where can these quotations be found? 1. Surely in vain the net is 
spread in the sight of any bird. 2. A bird of the air shall carry the 
voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. 3. Gavest 
thou the goodly wings unto the peacock? Or wings and feathers unto 
the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them 
in the dust, and forgeteth that the foot may crush them, or that the 
wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, 
as though they were not hers. What time she lifteth up herself on 
high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. 

















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» xy 
soft aug Ns 


THE WARBLER 


A 16-page, bi-monthly magazine devoted to the 
study and protection of North American Wild 


Birds. Edited by 
REV. H. C. MUNSON, Buckfield, Me. 


Published by the 
Mayflower Pub. Co., Floral Park,N.Y. 


SUBSCRIPTION PRICE 
Only 30 Cents for Three Years. 


First number issued January, 1903. The 
“WARBLER” as a department of the Mayflower 
Magazine has made hosts of friends, and is now 
-able to walk alone. Address 


THE WARBLER, Fioral Park, N. Y. 


Western Field 


The American Sportsman’s 
FAVORITE - MAGAZINE. 


LIVE, 
SNAPPY, 
AUTHENTIC, 
UP-TO-DATE. 


100 Beautifully Illustrated Pages Each 
Edited and Published by practical Sportsmen. 
$1.00 the year. $1.00 the year. 
Send for sample. 


WESTERN FIELD CO., 


4 Sutter St., Cor. Sansome, 








Issue. 


San Francisco Cal. 


THE MINERAL COLLECTOR. 


PUBLISHED MONTHLY. $1 A YEAR. 

The onlv magazine in the country devoted entirely 
to Mineralogy. Nowin its eighthyear. Send-1o0 cts. 
for sample copy. Exchange page free to subscribers. 

ARTHUR CHAMBERLAW, 


73 W. 65th St., New York City. 





LOVERS 


of outdoor sports, games and recrea- 
tion will find 


THE NATIONAL SPORTSMAN 


The handsomest, most interesting and 
up-to-date illustrated monthly magazine 
published. Copy of latest number sent 
to any address on receipt of ten cents in 
stamps. Send forcash offer and premium 
list for new subscribers. Subscription 
$1.00 per year. Address, 


Ghe National Sportsman, 
63 Kilby St., BOSTON, MASS. — 





36 CAT PICTURES. 


SIZE 5 X 8, SUITABLE FOR FRAMING, 
Sent postpaid for 50 Cents. 


Cat Journal Je 


The only publication in America of its 
kind. Its reading matter is devoted 
entirely to cats. 


| $1 PER YEAR, SAMPLE COPY 106. 


‘ A sample free with all 50 cent orders 
| for pictures. 


Address the CAT JOURNAL, 
No. 16 Ave.A, Palmyra, N. ». 


















THE DOG FANCIER. 


ESTABLISHED 189. 
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 DOG FANCIER. 


A sample copy will be sent free. 
Subscription price, 50c a year. 


EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, 
Battle Creek, Mich. 





Wholesale Bargain. List. 


My new and wholesale List of Natural 
History Specimens ready to send out. 
Write for it at once. +52 Minerals 75c; 
24 Showy Minerals, 50c; 44 Curios, 6oc. 
All prepaid for $1.25 net. We offer best 
lot specimens for least money to be had in 
the country. W. F. WEBB, 416 Grand 
Ave., Rochester, N. Y. 


MEN OF TOMORROW & 


A monthly for boys and young men. 

* Published by Men of To-day to interest 
and stimulate the Men of To-morrow to think, 
act and live nobly. 

Its Departments are 

Especially Interesting 
as the following willshow. ‘‘The Boy Collec- 
tor,”’ ‘‘Eye Spy ’’ ‘‘The Camera,”’ **Boys Out- 

x doors,’”’ ‘‘Bovs Reading,’’ and many others of 
equal interest. 5 

* Send ten cents for three months. 

$1.00 for one year to 


Men of Tomorrow, Box G, Albany, N.Y. 


® MARINE SHELLS 
“=> and CURIOS 


Twelve shells and curios for soc, all good specimens. 
Collections of showy shells from 25c to $1.00 by mail 
and safe delivery guaranteed. Illustrated Catalogue 
and nice shell for roc (stamps taken). J. H. Holmes, 
Dunedin, Fla. 3 


The A. O. BINDER 


Will Your Keep Copies in Perfect Condition. 


OUR BINDER will hold from one to twelve copies 
as firmly as if bound in a book. 


Handsome cloth cover with neat and attractive de- 
sign and lettering in gold. 


75 Cents, Postpaid. 
American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. 









FOR 
SQUIRRELS FOs. 
Gray Squirrels, $3 pair; Flying and 


small Red Pine Squirrels, $2 pair. 
Mention A. O, and send for large illustrated catalog: 


Schmid’s Emporium of Pets, Washington, D. C. 


Chapman's A full year only $3.00. A speci- 
Handbook men of my money saving combina- 

tions Books, Magazines, Tools, 
and Specimens and Supplies for Bird 
Ameriean Students, Teachers, Collectors, Tax- 


: idermists and all Nature lovers. I 
Ornithology can supply your every want. Let me 
quote My lists and bulletins are free for the asking. 


BENJAMIN HOAG, Stephentown, N. Y. 


BIRD LIFE. 


Popular Edition in Colors. 


A Guide to the Study of our Common 
Birds by F. M. Chapman, representing 
100 Birds in their natural colors. 12 mo. 
cloth, $2.00 postpaid. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, 
D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illus- 
trations, Colored Plates which show over 
a Thousand Species of American Butter- 
flies with all their native beauty and bril- 
liance of coloring. This is a ‘‘Popular 
Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies 
of North America.’’ It tells everything 
about Butterflies, and tells itin away any- 
body can understand. Everyone interest- 
ed in Butterflies should own this book. 
Price is only $3.00 prepaid. 
Given as a premium for 10 new subscribers. 


Bird Homes, by A. R. Dugmore. With 
the nests and eggs of birds in natural col- 
ors, also a number of half-tone illustra- 
tions. Postpaid, $2 oo. 

Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


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 sheeen on 
the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- 
paid, $2.00. 
Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird Neighbors, by Neltje Blanchan. 
Has 52 colored plates, and describes 150 of 
our song birds and other more common 
feathered neighbors. With the aid of 
these life-like plates there can be not the 
least doubt as to the identification of a 
bird. It is a sufficient commentary on the 
volume that there have been nearly 20,000 
copies sold since it appeared. Postpaid, $2. 
Given as a premium for six new snbscribers. 


In Bird Land, by Leander S. Keyser. 
16mo 269 pages. $1.00. It is very evi- 
dent that the author is a man of unusual 
observant powers, and possesses a true 
feeling of sympathy for all feathered crea- 
tures. The book is a poet’s as well as a 
naturalist’s.—The Journal of Education, 
Boston. 
Given as a premium for three new subscribers. 


Birdcraft, A Field Book of Two Hund 
red Song, Game and Water Birds. By 
Mabel Osgood Wright. With Eighty 
Plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Small 
4to $2.50 net. Postage 19¢. 


Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird World, by J. H. Stickney and 
Ralph Hoffman. A charming bird book 
for young people. With 1o full-page illus- 
trations by Ernest Thompson-Seton, and 
colored plates from nature. Square 12mo. 
Cloth. 214 pages. 

Given asa premium for three new subscribers. 

Any of the above books will be sent prepaid on 
receipt of price. 


Chas. K. Reed, Worcester Mass, 


JAMES P. BABBITT, 25000 Fegei, Gals, Rheaante an 
— DEALER IN — Pet Stock read THE FAN- 
CIERS’ WORLD. Why don’t 


Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- you? Each issue is a volume of interesting and 





1. OE F ractical literature. Superbly illustrated. Sam- 
mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. ple copy free. THE FANCIERS’ WORLD, 6348 
TAUNTON, MASS. Star Ave., Chicago. 
Illustrated catalogue and bargain list : 
erenianplication: The Chicago Book Co. 


Can supply you with any volume from a vest 
pocket manual to a Bible. Natural histories of birds, 


G U ide to Taxid ermy BPS a specialty, Write us before buying 
THE CHICAGO BOOK CO., 


One hundred pages. Full of valuable 
Pag Dept. 25 3692 S. State St., CHICAGO. 


information, with complete instructions 
how to prepare and mount 
i i Ento- 
BIRDS, ANIMALS, Are you interested in Botany, nto 
mology, Ornithology, Oology or in 





and FISHES any Branch of Nature Study. 
also a complete list of all North American We are headquarters for Naturalists’ Supplies, of all 
Birds, with prices of their eggs, and skins kinds. Send stamp tor Illustrated Catalogue. 
and mounted specimens; also an exhaus- CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


‘tive line of Ornithologists’, Oologists’ 
and Taxidermists’ supplies, valuable in- 
formation for the amateur, recipes, etc. 


35 CENTS, POSTPAID. 
they arein, and your lowest cash price for one or 
Chas. K. Reed,Worcester,Mass. | jon. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 


SCHOOL CURIOSITY BOX 


ONLY $3.00. 





WANTED: Copies of Bendire’s Life Histories of 


North American Birds, both volumes. State condition 





























At Regular List Prices these Specimens would cost over $15.00. 
Just what is needed in Every School for Nature Study. 


Over fifty curious and showy specimens 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 of specimens. It contains Sea Urchins, 
Sea Horse, Resurrection Plant, Fossils, Egg of Skate or Sand Shark, Coral 
six varieties, Sand Dollar, Silk Worm Cocoon, Sawfish Saw, three_varieties 
Star Fish, Sea Fern, Chinese Horn Nut, Tarpon Scale, Golden Sea Fern, 
Native Lodestone, twenty varieties of Shells, Box of several hundred small 
mixed Shells, Electric Stone, Yellow Sea Fan. I will deliver this Collection, 
carefully boxed at express or freight office for only $3.00. 


SPECIAL PR EMIUM:—For twelve new subscribers to American 
Ornithology at One Dollar each, I will send this collection prepaid by express 
or freight. 








CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. « 
A 


ESS 





Natural Curiosities. 





Tarantuia Spider, finely lin in os 50 


Sea Urchin - .IO 
Sea Urchins, with spines. - S475 
Sea Horse, fine specimens - (25 
Sawfish Saw - - 2 5SO 
Sand Dollar - - - -10 
Silk-Worm Cocoons - - -10 
Chinese Horn Nut - - -10 
Angel Wing Thermometer, fine - .50 
Shell Scarf-pin - -  .10 
Sea Beans - - 3 for .10 
Sea Mosses, mounted on card 3 for .10 
Starfish - - - eto 
Horsefoot Crab - - - 225 





“OUR PET’, 
Mineral Collection. 


of Fifty Large Specimens such as usually sell for 5 
cents each will be mailed prepaid for only $1. Con- 
tains the following: 

Actinolite, Asphaltam, Alabaster, Albite, Aragonite, 
Azurite and Malachite, Asbestos, Catlinite, Crinoidal, 
Limestone, Calc Spar, Chalcopyrite, Cookerite, Chal- 
cedony, Chert, Cannel Coal, Calcareous Tufa, Den- 
drites, Dolomite, Elzolite, Fluor Spar, Gypsum, Gar- 
netiferous Granite, Hematite, Lingula Sandstone, 
Lodestone, Limonite, Milky Quarts, Muscovite, Mar- 
molite, Mica Schist, Magnetite, Moss Agate, Magne- 
sife, Opalized Wood, Obsidion, Oolite, Porcelainite. 
Porphyry, Petrified Palm, Prehni. e, Pink Calcite, 
Quartz, Ripidolite, Rose Quartz, Satin Spar, Serpen- 
tine, Steatite, Selenite, Tin Ore, Talc, Varisite, Wil- 
liamsite. 


Ores and Minerals. 


Twenty-five good specimens, 
prepaid. 


#2°00, 


Given as a premium for five new subscribers. 





OREGON ARROW POINTS, 6 Nice Ones for 25 Cents. 





HORNED TOAD 


Finely Mounted on Orange Wood, 75c. 


Given as a premium for two new subscribers 








GLASS PAPER WEIGHT, Filled with Beautiful Shells, 50c. 


Given as a premium for two new subscribers. 





Siempre Viva or Resurrection Plant. 


Place this curios, dry and withered- 
looking bulb into a plate full of fresh 
water and in a few hours it will open out 
into a beautiful green plant. When de- 


sired, remove from the water and allow 
it to dry. It will then return to its former 
condition ready to be opened again at 
pleasure. 15c, two for 25c. 





Ostrich Egg, large - = 2S fie25 
Emue Egg, large - - 2.00 
Rhea Egg, large - - 3.00 
Sawfish Thermometer - 50, 1.00 
Trap-door Spider, Hnely mounted 

in box - - .50 
Trap-door Spider nest - - .50 
Scorpion, mounted in box - 50 
Centipede, mounted in box - .60 





SEND STAMP FOR COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE. 





CHAS. K. REED, 


75 Thomas St., 


WORCESTER, MASS. 


Y, 
Y 
Y 


WS. Gy, D0 Vy 09 ’:» 29H. .-F-”F"F Or’ NY, 



















7 Y 

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ig THE TYPE YOU SEE ADVERTISED EVERYWHERE 7 
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NOTABLE NEW BOOKS. 


BIRDS OF LAKESIDE AND PRAIRIE. By Edward B. Clark. With 16 illus- 
trations in color. Price, $1.00. t 


This book contains sketches of bird-life in the great middle west by one of the country’s 
nature. The author takes his readers afield with him and puts them if close touch Si rece, cee 
woodland and prairie. , 
“Mr. Clark has found an astonishing variety of birds and is a mighty hunter—with the opera glass.” —CHI- 
CAGO INTER-OCEAN. : 


THE JINGLE BOOK OF BIRDS. By Edward B. Clark. 16 Colored plates. 
Price, 60 cents. 


This book is both for the children and the elders. The lines are not jingles merely, but jingles whi 
a well-rounded purpose and much of pith and point. The color scheme of the cover is Bel poate 
“The ‘Jingle Book of Birds’ is a very pretty possession.’-—CHICAGO EVENING JOURNAL. ‘ 


; De C BOOK OF BIRDS. For children large or small. By Mary Catherine 
udd. 


With nonsense rhymes for little ones and prosy sense for older ones. 26 Colored plates. Price $1.00. Miss 
Judd in this has prepared a book that will be a delight to every child and will be intensely interesting to ever 
adult lover of pirds. y 

**No better child’s book can be found.’’—CHICAGO RECORD-HERALD. 


BIRDS OF SONG AND STORY. By Elizabeth and Joseph Grinnell. 16 col: 
ored plates. Price, $1.00. 


These authors are well known as lovers of birds and as interesting writers on bird life. 
made the feathered kingdom a subject of out-door study for many cae but they have Perera tau 
great field of general literature for the purpose of finding all that it holds pertaining to our bird friends 
“The book, from beginning to end, can be read with pleasure and profit by old and young alike ; 
fascinating piece of natural history.’’—PASADENA DaILy NEWS. : 


A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, 203 Michigan Ave., Chicago. 


It is a 


oe He at Ht LE ewe 110000 A RE a 
We 


BIRD GLASSES 


Like almost anything else are of various grades of excellence and 



















also like other things it does not pay to buy the cheap kind. 
Better spend a little more at first and get the 


Bausch & Lomb Zeiss 





























This glass is used by the : 





and only true stereoscopic image. 









Armies and Navies of the great nations and by expert ornitholo- : 


gists everywhere. 


Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. 


ae ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
if NEW YORK. CHICAGO. 











ul Wei ih aim m0) am 48 1h 019111111 RH Ltt eli ditd ANE a Tih: Ht dt Hit 111110 1 A 








ita Hina 14020 1 yA e091 m8 (AU HE 1 mere MMR 1a ea a 


Vol. 3, No. 2. FEBRUARY, 1905. 10¢ a copy, $1 a year. 


itl ECORV LF 
PMERICALse « 
PRY VE 


Md 
Yy i a 


EXUy 
AOD 


SCS 


7 


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Entered at the Post Office at Worc@ster, Mass~as Secohd-elass matter, Jan, 16, 1go1. 





WARARARARARARARAABARRDLWLYLWLIHLILLOWwF3 


» | 
IGRAFLEX 
) _ oe Back. 


Inimitable 














































































8 No focusing scale, Pictures as you see them, 
g No judging distances, 
Bul one lens, While you see them, and 


One shutter and 
» 


One operation. : 
Touch the Button—that’s all. At the desired moment. 


Simplicity, Portability 
Accuracy, Speed 


% 4x 5, 15 inches Focal Capacity. 5 x 7, 21 inches Focal Capacity 


) Equipped with the Graphic Focal Plane Shutter. 
? Get the little book of your dealer, or 


) 
, The Folmer & Schwing Mfg. Co. 


Q 404 Broadway, New York. 





RAAA 





BIRDS ARE COMING 
ARE YOU PREPARED TO STUDY THEM? 
HAVE YOU 


A GOOD FIELD GLASS? 


It is easy to own a nice pair. 





Send for a few copies of our Bird 


<a 
— 

: , 
come 

= 

—- 


Magazine and show it to your friends. 
If they like birds they will subscribe. 

We will send you a pair of THESE 
GLASSES FREE for getting ten sub- 


scriptions (new or old) at $1 each. 








JUST SEE THE DIFFERENCE. 


How much plainer you can see the 
markings of the bird in the large cir- 
cle. That is with the glass, and without 
the glass you see itin the small circle. 
Don’t miss owning a pair of these when 
the birds arrive. 


These Glasses are well made and 
especially adapted for the use of the 
bird student as they give about twice the 
field vision of ordinary ones and magnify 
nearly four diameters. 











They are in a good strong leather case, silk lined, with strap by which 
they can be carried suspended from the shoulder. 

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 
ey return them to usand we will refund the $5.00. Is not that 

air: 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 





North American 
Birds, 
By OLIVER DAVIE. 


The Best Book on Nests and Eggs 
Published. 


Finely Ulvustrated, 
Fifth Edition. Extra Cloth. 
Thoroughly Revised, 600pp. 


Regular Price 52.25 


Given as a premium for four subs. to A. O. 


Our Price $1.50 Postpaid. 







Studer’s Popular Ornithology 


The Birds of North America 


OVER EIGHT HUNDRED BIRDS FINELY COLORED 


The original drawings for the work were made from nature by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an artist of 
superior capabilities; who has made ornithology a life-study. Revised by John Graham Bell, Esq., Audubon’s 
companion in the field, and a well-known ornithologist and taxidermist. The systematic table, arranged ac- 
cording to the classification adopted by the American Ornithologists’ Union. was prepared by Frank M. Chap- 
man, Esq,, Assistant Ornithologist at The American Museum of Natural History, New York, includes all the 
additions to and corrections of our North American species which have been made to date, with an index to page, 
plate, and figure, of each species, according to the A. O. U. number. 

There is no more attractive study than ornithology, the department of zoology which treats of structure, 
habits, and classification of birds. The graceful forms, movements and habits of the feathered tribes have been 
celebrated in all ages by poets and artists, and have furnished the instructors of mankind with lessons of wis- 
dom. But this admiration is not confined to the poét, the artist, or the sage; itis universal. Wherever human 
beings are found, the forms, the plumage, the songs, the migrations, the lovers and contests of birds awaken 
curiosity andwonder. No similar work containing so many beautiful and faithful pictures of living birds, and 
so much descriptive information, is now extant, or has ever been published, in this or any other country. 


This Elegant Book was Published to sell for $40.00. We have a few copies which 
we Offer at $18.00, express paid. 


Do a little canvassing among your friends who are interested in birds. You can 
easily secure forty subscribers to A. O. at $1.00 each and get this elegant book free. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


‘ 


















 d @ 

THE TYPE YOU SEE ADVERTISED EVERYWHERE 

Columbia Disc Graphophones are superior to all others. Our flat, indestructible records are com- 
posed of a material controlled exclusively by us. They are the sweetest, smoothest and most brilliant 
records ever heard. Until you listen to them you can form no accurate idea of the progress that has 
been made in bringing disc records to the point of perfection. Their excellence is fully equalled by 
their durability. 
The Disc Graphophone is made in three types. 

SELLING AT 
$15, $20 @ $30 
7-inch records, 
5Oc each; $5 per doz. 
10-inch records, 
Bleach; $SlOprdoz s = 
Columbia High Speed Moulded Records fit all makes a d types of talking 
machines using cylindrical records and are superior to all others. 
bia Ph h C 
Columbia onograp O. 
CRAND PRIZE PARIS 1900 
Boston: 164 Tremont St. Philadelphia: 1609 Chestnut St. San Francisco: 125 Geary St. 
Chicago: 88 Wabash Ave. New York: 93 Chambers St. Baltimore: rro E. Baltimore St; 
e e 











JAMES P. BABBITT, ? 5000 Begee Cat BHoseerie oad 
— DEALER IN — Pet Stock read THE FAN- 


: : : CIERS’ WORLD.. Why don’t 
Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- you? Each issue is a volume of desea and 


mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Specialty. practical literature. Superbly illustrated. Sam- 
soo Te, SIO ple copy free. THE FANCIERS’ WORLD, 6348 


Star Ave., Chi : 
Bargain Lists free upon application. aon reage 


Large illustrated catajogue of Naturalists Sup- 


SES ek EE The Chicago Book Co. 
i 1 G I 1 with any vol f t 
Guide to Taxidermy | pct city orate Wraiinae fess 


animals, etc., a specialty, Write us before buying 
One hundred pages. Full of valuable | elsewhere. 
information, with complete instructions THE CHICAGO BOOK CO., 


how to prepare and mount Dept. 25 3692 S. State St., CHICAGO. 


BIRDS, ANIMALS and FISHES. f : 
; ; i Are you interested in Botany, Ento- 
Also a complete list of Ornithologists’, Oologists’ 


and Taxidermists’ supplies, valuable information mology, Ornithology, Oology or in 


for the amateur, recipes, etc. 
35 CENTS, POSTPAID. any Branch of Nature Study. 
We are headquarters for Naturalists’ Supplies, of all 














CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. kinds. Send stamp tor Illustrated Catalogue. 
CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 
WANTED: EVERY DEALER and COL- 
* LECTOR to send me his ad- WANTED: Copies of Bendire’s Life Histories of 


dress that | may send out SAMPLE sheets of my 

STANDARD FIELD NOTE and DATA BLANK North American Birds, both volumes. State condition 
BOOKS. Endorsed by advanced Collectors and 

dealers. Recommended by Ornithological Clubs. they are in, and your lowest cash price for one or 
“All answered.”’ Address GEO. W. MORSE, Box 

230, Ashley, Ind. both. CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 


American Ornithology. 


A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 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. Vol. I, $1.00, 

_ postpaid. We can supply back numbers. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, 
$1.25. 





—COPYRIGHT, 1903 BY CHAS. K. REED—— 


VOL. Ill FEBRUARY, 1903. NO. 2. 














ANOTHER ART PICTURE. 


The reproduction from the life photograph which we have been giv- 
ing as a premium, has been so favorably commended that we have pre- 
pared the companion piece. It is called ‘‘Preparing Breakfast’’ and is 
of the same group of birds. It is fully the equal of the “Chippy Fam- 
_ily,”’ in fact nearly everyone considers it better. Read our advertise- 


ment on another page in regard to obtaining this picture. 


We have on hand a number of questions which will be answered in 
our next issue. They were received too late to receive attention in 
this number. Our forms are made up on the 10th of the month for the 
month following, and material received on or after that date is too late 
to appear in that month. 

We wish our subscribers to remember that we appreciate any efforts 
that they may make in our behalf, either in the matter of material or 
by calling the attention of their friends to our magazine. We have no 
doubt that every one of our subscribers has several friends who would 
be glad to subscribe if it could be brought to their notice. Each new 
subscriber gets a copy of the “Chippy Family,’ and you get one of 
“Preparing Breakfast,’’ for each subscriber that you obtain. 








AMERICAN BIRD MAGAZINE, Worcester, Mass. 








THE BLUE BIRD. 


Welcome back from your southern trip 
Little friend of the dark blue coat, 

I hear your song in orchard trees 
And long have waited for its note. 


The snow has piled my window pane 
And winds of winter fiercely blown, 
Since you forsook the bosky dell 


You claimed for one sweet summer home. 


Did others in that distant land 
So love to hear your morning song? 
Did no fair maiden try to steal 


The score that you have sung so long? 


You may have friends that love as well 
Your sweetly trembling song of praise, 
But none that welcome more than we 


Your coming in the springtime days. 


All hail, sweet songster of the glen 
No prince that comes from o’er the sea 
Can claim the freedom of our fields 
Such as we gladiy yield to thee. 
Be GSorswrm. 


AMERICAN BIRD MAGAZINE, Worcester, Mass. 


48 PAIRING 


[CuiePING SPARROWS. | 


a a 
a pet "SUitum, 
MAY 8 1908 


ational Muse: 


Photographed from life by Chester A. Reed. 








42 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


OUR WINTER BIRDS, 


IRD life in winter, as at all times, is very 
interesting, and the various members 
which constitute the group left with us 
after the departure of oursummer visitors, 
receive more notice as a rule, because so 
many of our feathered friends have disap- 
peared, and because there are not so many 
other attractions. 

How cheering it is—when the fields are 
brown and bare, the trees stripped of their 
foliage, vegetation dead and withered, the 
ground hard and frozen, and perhaps snow 
flakes falling—to see some happy, active 
member of the bird. family searching for 
food and occasionally pouring out a song 
that almost melts the rigor and desolation 
of the winter season. Many of our win- 
ter birds depend for food upon the seeds 
of various weeds and plants, and should 
these be covered over by deep snow, they 
frequently experience want and sometimes 
starvation. On such occasions many 
species which are otherwise shy and retir- 
ing come around the homes of man search 
ing for food. Then is our golden oppor- 
tunity to extend the protection and shelter 





due them, besides enjoying the privilege of becoming more closely 
acquainted with them and learning more of their ways. 

During the milder days, and indeed on-some very stormy and bleak 
ones, we are greetcd with the hearty song of the Song Sparrow, who 
seems to possess the happy faculty of enjoying life under all conditions. 
Only little brown sparrows,eyet they furnish us with some of the sweet- 
est bird music, and at a time of year when you might least expect it. 
They reside with us throughout the year and may be observed almost 
any time along the road sides or in fields aud clearing and along the 
borders of woodlands. The writer has frequently observed these Spar- 
rows—one or more—in some sheltered locality scratching among the 
leaves similar to our domestic fowls, but with a quick backward motion, 
apparently moving both feet at once. 


ORNITHOLOGY. 


AMERICAN 





OUR WOODS IN WINTER. 


44 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 











SLATE-COLORED JUNCO, (SNOW BIRDS.) 


Closely connected with the Song Sparrow, and often feeding in com- 
pany with it, may be mentioned the Junco or Snow Bird. These wel- 
come little visitors return to us from their northern haunts in the latter 
part of Autumn and remain with us until about the middle of April. 
They usually associate in small flocks and are readily distinguished, 
especially in flight, when the white tail feathers show in sharp contrast 
to the dark slate color of the upper portions of the body. During 
severe winters little groups of Snow Birds and Song Sparrows may be 
seen hopping around our porches looking for food, and occasionally the 
little band is joined by one or two Chickadees. What a pretty sight, 
with the pure whiteness of the snow for a back-ground. Chickadees 
are also quite common during the winter, and their cheery ‘‘Chick-a- 
dee-dee’’ may be heard in the tree-tops on many a dreary day. They 
are somewhat like the Wrens as far as restless activity is concerned. 
Their plumage is a pretty mixture of blue, black andashy grey. Close- 
ly allied with the Chickadees are the Nuthatches and Sapsuckers, and 
their pleasant notes do one good when there are so few of our feathered 
friends to be met with. These three species confine themselves more 
closely to the woods in summer and are not so frequently seen, partly 
on account of the thick-foliage and their alertness during the nesting 
season. Occasionally we are favored with a visit from the Cardinal 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 45 


Grosbeak during the winter months, and the writer has on several 
occasions seen them in the vicinity of our dwelling and has heard their 
clear, mellow whistle ring out on the wintry air. Truly beautiful—one 
of these splendid red birds sitting on an evergreen branch, the latter 
bowed down with a mantle of snow, which sparkled in the sun-light 
like a thousand glittering gems. 

These are a hardy species and sometimes remain all the year, and I 
have also observed one or two stray robins and black birds as late as 
December. Another interesting winter visitor is the Winter Wren, 
which may be seen in the woods hopping around piles of cord wood, 
lumber, brush piles and other such places. The writer has also ob- 
served them on several occasions in the wood-pile in the rear of our 
village yard. In and out, up and down, over and under, they go with 
ceaseless activity, creeping through knot holes, and peeking into every 
nook and cranny. Aside from this they are gifted with a beautiful and 
varied song which has captivated bird lovers, and which has been re- 
ferred to in beautiful language by Audubon and others. 

Still another winter resident is the pretty little goldfinch. On mild 
sunny days especially does he make his presence known, and frequently 
‘bursts out in a melody of song which carries the thoughts of the 
listener back to summer days of warmth and flowers. At other times 
they simply utter a sort of warbling note during their undulating flight. 

The American Crow is also a resident throughout the year, and dur- 
ing winter may be seen flying in long lines to and from their feeding 
grounds. They are said to fly many miles daily to a good feeding 
locality, always returning at night to an established roost. At this 
time of year they become more daring and often come within close 
range of our houses and barns. The Meadow Lark, while it usually 
stays further south, is sometimes met with during the winter, and like 
the Gold Finch, will suddenly surprise you by uttering its clear, sweet 
call from some field or orchard. They congregate in numbers during 
the winter months amongst the marshes of the lower Delaware. 

The Carolina Wren is also a resident and frequents woodlands and 
bushy places, generally near water. They are sometimes called mock- 
ing wren owing to the great variation in their vocal powers. Now 
you hear them in a brush pile, then the sound may come from an old 
log or cord-wood—while at other times—like the Indigo Bird—they 
will mount the loftiest branch of a tall tree and pour forth their song 
with spirit and energy. They are rather shy and are more easily heard 
than seen, Several species of Hawks are also to be»met with. The 
writer has observed the Sparrow Hawk, Chicken Hawk and Red-tail 
Hawks; the latter being quite numerous in the vicinity of West Ches- 


46 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ter, Penn. They soar to a great height and then sail steadily along— 
sometimes circling—with wings out-spread and motionless, after the 
manner of the Turkey Buzzard. 

While not considered a “winter bird,’’ our much loved Blue Bird 
makes its appearance so far in advance of the rest of the birds, that we 
might class it as a connecting link between our “‘winter birds’? and 
those of the early spring migrations. They are frequently observed. 
while the weather is yet severe and long ere the snow has departed. 
There are many more birds known to be winter residents throughout 
the State, but it is the object of this article to only include those with. 
which we are more closely acquainted. 


THE NUTHATCH FAMILY, 


BIRDS OF THE INVERTED POSITION. 
BY LEANDER S. KEYSER. 


There are a number of climbers in the bird realm, but none are quite 
so expert as the Nuthatch, which may be regarded as a past master in: 
the art of clambering. The woodpeckers amble up the boles and 
branches of trees, and when they wish to descend, which they do occa- 
sionally for a short distance, they hitch down backward. The Brown 
Creepers ascend their vertical or oblique walls in the same way, but: 
seldom, if ever, do anything else than clamber upward, never descend- 
ing head downward after the fashion of the nuthatches. 

. A little bird that comes very near disputing the palm with the Nut- 
hatch as a sylvan coaster is the Creeping Warbler, which flits about 
over the tree-boles in all kinds of attitudes, even with his dainty head 
pointed toward the earth. No fear in his little striped breast of the 
blood rushing to his brain. However, even this clever birdlet’s dex- 
terity is not quite equal to that of the Nuthatch, for the latter is able 
to climb up and down a smoother wall than his little rival. More than 
that, the Nuthatch glides downward with more ease and aplomb and in 
a straight line, and does not fling himself from side to side as the 
Warbler does. Indeed, the Warbler’s favorite method of going about 
is with his head directed toward the sky rather than the reverse, while 
it really seems that the Nuthatch’s predilection is to scuttle about in an 
inverted position. Does he wish to chisel a grub out of the bark of a 
tree? He usually stands above the target at which he aims, so that he 
can deliver his blows with more force, just as the human woodchopper 
prefers to take his position above and not below the stick or log upon 
which he expects to operate. ‘There the bird clings to his shaggy wall 
pounding away with might and main until you fear he will shatter his. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 47 


beak or strew his brains on the bark. Sometimes, too, he thrusts his 
long slender beak into a crevice and pries with it in a way that threat- 
ens to snap it off in the middle. 

The writer has elsewhere described the Nuthatch’s manner of cling- 
ing to his vertical perches as he makes his descent, but it will do no 
harm to describe the interesting process again, especially in a mono- 
graph on the Nuthatch fraternity. Our bird does not, as many have 
supposed, keep his feet directly under his bosom and pointed forward. 
That would be an extremely awkard method of locomotion. It would 
cause his heavy breast to tilt forward and go bumping along over the 
rough bark. No, nature does not do her work in so clumsy a fashion. 
Besides, you cannot imagine how a Nuthatch could move out of his 
tracks without losing his hold, with both feet directly under him and 
his tail pointed toward the sky, he could neither put one foot before 
the other, or loosen the grasp of both feet at once. 

So he must perform his little exploit in some other way. ‘This is the 
process: One foot is thrust forward and slightly to one side, the sharp 
hind claw penetrating the bark and holding firmly; the other foot is flung 
backward and somewhat to the opposite side, and is turned with the 
fore toes outward, the claws gripping the bark with a strong clutch. 
Thus, with his feet spread so far apart, the little gymnast makes a wide 
base beneath him outside of which the center of gravity can never fall. 
He therefore stands solidly balanced on his upright wall. At the same 
time he is able to cling firmly, and yet loosen and tighten his hold as 
he lists, moving downward in his smooth and agile way in little leaps 
or hitches. Again and again I have seen him performing his feat in 
this way as he descended a tree-trunk or the vertical side of a brick 
wall. Mr. Frank M. Chapman writes me that his own observations 
corroborate the foregoing conclusions. Yet thus far no bird artist has 
drawn the Nuthatch making his descent in the manner described. ; 

All the foregoing delineations have related only tothe white-breasted 
Nuthatch (S7¢/a carolinensis,) but it is fair to presume that all the other 
members of this sub-family make their descent in the same fashion. 
The Woodpeckers and creepers use their spiny tails as supports while 
stationary or in motion; not so the Nuthatches, which are sufficiently 
nimble on their feet to stand or glide without converting their caudal 
appendages into braces. Odd as it may seem to the uninformed, the 
Nuthatches belong to the order of passeres or perching birds, in spite 
of their creeping habits. The systematists have placed them in this 
niche of the avicular scheme, not only because they are able to perch 
like other passeres on twigs and small branches, but also because they 
have the foot of the true perching bird, with three toes in front and one, 


48 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





(Life size.) 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 49 


well developed, in the rear. In this respect they differ again from the 
Woodpeckers, which have either two fore and two hind toes, or two in 
front and only one behind. This will appear all the more remarkable 
when it is remembered that the Pzc7d@ do not descend head downward 
at all, while the S7//7rz@ are the head-downward goers par excellence, 
and yet have only one rear toe to support them in their inverted posi- 
tion. You would naturally suppose thatif any bird had need of two 
hind toes, it would be the Nuthatch; but the result proves that, after 
all, nature had her wits about her when she evolved this avian family. 

The world over, there are twenty distinct. species of Nuthatches 
known to scientific observers, only four of them being natives of Amer- 
ica. Of course, there are a number of sub-species or varieties. All of 
them are incessant climbers and foragers, peering into crannies, pound- 
ing here and there to make the grubs stir in their hiding-places, jab- 
bing and prying with their beaks, and chiseling out all kinds of larve, 
grubs and borers that would, if permitted to live and multiply, soon’ 
devastate the timber and fruit trees and make this world a desert in- 
deed. ‘True, the other feathered clamberers and carpenters are fully 
as useful, but depend upon it, the Nuthatches do their share in preserv- 
Ing our forests and orchards. 

The White-breasted Nuthatch is our most common species east of 
‘the great plains, breeding from the Gulf States to the northern border 
of the United States and to New Brunswick. One peculiarity about 
him is that he breeds throughout his range, and therefore may be found 
as both a summer and winter resident in all suitable localities within 
the boundaries mentioned above. In the winter, no matter how old 
Boreas may bluster, our bird is one of the most cheerful denizens of 
the woods in our central latitudes, calling his nasal yank, yank, yank, 
and sometimes indulging in a loud, half-merry outburst that goes echo- 
ing through the woodlands. . No sound of the sylvan solitudes has a 
more woodsy flavor or is more suggestive of vernal cheer and good 
will. Sometimes he chatters to his human visitors in the most cordial 
tones as he glides up and down his arboreal promenade, or holds him- 
self almost straight out. 

A hole in a stump or tree makes Madame Nuthatch a cosy nursery. 
which she lines with feathers and leaves, making it soft and snug for 
her downy brood. Here they are safe from most of the prowlers that 
find the more exposed nests of many other birds. She deposits five to 
eight eggs of a white or creamy-white ground-color, speckled with 
rufous and lavender. During the season of incubation and brood-rear- 
ing the Nuthatches retire to the depth of the woods, and are quiet, 
secretive and unsocial, seldom betraying their procreant secrets. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


50 





PYGMY NUTHATCH, (LIFE SIZE.). 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 51 


These birds have another habit that is worth mentioning. Having 
found a larger supply of food than they require for their immediate use, 
they carry morsels away and jam them into all sorts of holes and cran- 
nies in the bark of the trees. I have watched a pair for an hour dili- 
gently laying by a store of sunflower seeds, which they had found at 
the edge of the woods. They do not store a quantity of provision in 
one place like the squirrels, but deposit a tidbit here and there, wedg- 
ing it tightly into a crevice by hammering it with their stout bills Of 
course, the Woodpeckers and Tomtits secure many of these half-hid- 
den goodies, but Master Nuthatch does not mind that, for he evens up 
the theft by appropriating their stores whenhe finds them. The motto, 
““All that I find is mine,’’ is obviously in accord with the ethical code 
of the bird world. For two winters a Nuthatch remained in the vicin- 
ity of my house, coming almost daily to dine at the outdoor table I 
spread for my feathered visitors; but the third winter he did not once 
appear, and no other member of the family came to take his place at 
the birds’ banquet. Mayhap he met with disaster, and left no last will 
and testament to any of his relatives. 

The white-breasted Nuthatch may be known by his flat body and 
broad shoulders, his bluish-gray coat, black cap and mantle (all in one 
piece,) white tie, shirt bosom and vest. with a few rufous decorations 
on the belly and under tail-coverts. The following quotations from 
Wilson are given as much for the vivacious manner in which the story 
is told as for the story itself: 

“The male is extremely attentive to the female while sitting, sup- 
plying her regularly with sustenance, stopping frequently at the mouth 
of the hole, calling and offering her what he has brought, in the most 
endearing manner. Sometimes he seems to stop merely to inquire 
how she is, and to lighten the tedious moments with his soothing chat- 
ter. He seldom rambles far from the spot, and when danger appears, 
regardless of his own safety, he flies instantly to alarm her. When 
both are feeding on the trunk of the same tree, or of adjoining ones, 
he is perpetually calling on her; and from the momentary pause he 
makes, it is plain he feels pleased to hear her reply. 

“He rests and roosts with his head downwards; and appears to pos" 
sess a degree of curiosity not common in many birds; frequently de- 
scending, very silently, within a few feet of the root of the tree where 
you happen to stand, stopping, head downward, stretching out his neck 
in a horizontal direction, as if to reconnoiter your appearance, andafter 
several minutes of silent observation, wheeling around, he again 
mounts, with fresh activity, piping his unisons as before. . . . Some- 


{MERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


z 














SIZE): 


E 


BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH, (LIF 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 53 


times the rain, freezing as it falls, encloses every twig, and even the 
trunk of the tree, in a hard, transparent coat or shell of ice. On these 
occasions I have observed his anxiety and dissatisfaction at being with 
difficulty able to make his way along the smooth surface; at these 
times generally abandoning the trees, gleaning about the stables, 
around the house, mixing among the fowls, entering the barn, and ex- 
amining the beams and rafters, and every place where he may pick up 
a subsistence. 

‘The name Nuthatch has been bestowed on this family from their 
supposed practice of breaking nuts by repeated hatchings, or hammer- 
ings, with their bills. Soft-shelled nuts, such as chestnuts, chinkapins, 
and hazelnuts, they may probably be able to demolish, though I have 
never seen them so engaged; but it must rather be in search of mag- 
gots that sometimes breed there than for the kernel.”’ 

It is a mistake, however, to suppose that the white-breast is not fond 
-of the kernels of nuts, for my winter visitor previously referred to was 
extremely partial to the ‘“‘goudies”’ of the cracked walnuts and hickory 
nuts with which I supplied his table. He would sometimes eat them 
from the board itself; at other times he would fly to a wall or a tree, 
wedge his morsel in a cleft or pocket, hammer it into small bits, and 
devour it with great relish, so that I could imagine him smacking his 
lips. 

Our charming white-breast has a little cousin called the red-breasted 
nuthatch (S7/ta canadensis,) whose under parts are rufous or reddish- 
buff instead of white. His crown and nape are black, then a white 
band runs back from the base of the upper maudible to the hind neck, 
and below this a black stripe reaches back in a parallel direction and 
encloses the eye. His upper parts, save those mentioned, are bluish- 
eray. He is considerably smaller than the white-breast, and his range 
is more northerly in summer; but, unlike his cousin, he does not breed 
throughout his range; only in the localities which he selects for his 
summer home. Hence he is a migrant, dwelling in winter in the 
. Southern states, and in summer in the latitude of Manitoba and Maine 
and northward, and also on the summits of the mountains as far south 
as Virginia. It will be seen that the breeding precincts of the two 
species overlap, while in winter canadensis comes down from the north 
and takes up his abode in the southern part of the demesne of 
carolinensis. 

While the white-breast is partial to oak, beech, maple and other de- 
ciduous forests, his little relative prefers a woodland of pine, being 
very fond of scampering about on the cones, clinging to them with 
his strong claws, and extracting the seeds with his stout little bill. 


54 AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


His call, though much like the yank of the white-breast, is pitched to 
a higher key and has even a more pronounced nasal intonation, sound- 
ing as if he had caught a bad cold. Besides he gives expression to 
some cheery notes that seemed to be reserved for his own family or 
exclusive social circles. I found these pretty nuthatches in the pine 
woods on Mackinac Island in mid-summer, and have good reason to 
believe that they breed there. 

Cavities in trees or stumps furnish the red-breasts with nesting places 
suited to their taste; but, differing from the preceding species, they 
have a cunning way of plastering the entrance above and below with 
pine pitch, so as to make it just large enough to admit their tiny 
bodies and yet too small to admit their enemies. In this respect they 
steal the laurels from their white-breasted kinsmen, who seem to have 
no means by which to lessen the dimensions of their natural doorways. 

A still smaller member of. this group is the brown-headed nuthatch 
(Sitta pusilla), a resident of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, wan- 
dering “‘accidentally’”’ as far north at rare intervals as New York and 
Missouri. A daintily dressed little fellow is this bird, the top and back 
of his head being a dark grayish brown, with a whitish patch on the 
nape, while the rest of his upper parts are bluish-gray and his under 
parts grayish-white. His favorite dwelling places are in the pine 
’ woods of the south, where he is on the most cordial terms socially 
with the pine warbler and the red-cockaded woodpecker. A most 
active little body, he scampers about from the roots of the trees to the 
terminal twigs at the top, inspecting every cone, cranny and knot-hole, 
chirping his fine, high-keyed notes, sometimes in a querulous tone, 
and again in the most cheerful and good natured temper imaginable, 
now gliding up a tree-trunk, now scudding down head foremost, and 
anon circling in a spiral course. 

One autumn I found a number of these nuthatches associated with a 
flock of myrtle warblers on the most sociable terms in a pine wood- 
land not far from Pensacola, Florida. Now they were up in the trees, 
now down on the ground... All the while they were chirping in their 
most genial tones. In a spring jaunt to southern Mississippi I was 
fortunate enough to find a nest in a half-decayed snag. It contained 
four of the prettiest half-fledged bird babies that have ever greeted 
my sight. 

Oddly enough, our tiny clamberers utter a loud, shrill alarm call 
that bears close resemblance to the querulous protest of the sparrow 
hawk as you approach her nest or young. Mr. Frank M. Chapman 
says of the brown heads. ‘“‘They are talkative sprites, and, like a 
group of school children, each one chatters away without paying the 
slightest attention to what his companions are saying.”’ 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 

















\ 
\\ 


RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 




















IG 


NNOTE—By an oversight the above ‘‘red-breast’’ was printed in yellow. It should be red. 





55 


56 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


The fourth member of the .Szftzz@ sub-family in America is the 
pygmy nuthatch, known scientifically as Sztta pygm@a, a genuine 
westerner, not known east of the plains. However, in the Rocky 
Mountain district he is an abundant species, his range east and west 
being from the plains to the Pacific coast and north and south from the 
Canadian boundary to the mountains of Mexico. Swinging and glid 
ing about among the pines, performing the same antics as his eastern 
kinsmen, he utters a cheery whistle, that may be translated, “‘whit, 
whit, whit.’”’ His movements are often so rapid that he is difficult to: 
follow with the eye as he flits from one tree to another or dashes amid. 
the branches. He scarcely remains quiet long enough for you to note 
his markings and settle his identity, but once you are sure of him, you 
will never mistake him for another bird. 

In Colorado there is little of a migratory movement even up and. 
down the mountains among these interesting birdlets. In the winter 
a few descend from the heights and dwell on the plains, where the 
weather is not so rigorous. On the approach of spring they again hie 
up into the mountains, spending the summer there and rearing their 
pretty bairns. However, the majority of them remain in the mountains 
all winter, braving the bitterest and fiercest storms often at an altitude 
of 8,000 feet. Their breeding range is from 6,000 to 10,000 feet, the 
latter elevation being only a little below timber line. 

Spite of his unique and interesting habits, the poets have scarcely 
begun to chant the praises of the American nuthatch. One of the best 
tributes I have been able to find is from the pen of Edith Thomas, 
who apostrophizes our bird in this way: 


“Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray, 
Whom I meet on my walk of a winter day, 
You’re busy inspecting each cranny and hole 
In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole; 

You intent on your task, and I on the law 

Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw! 


The woodpecker well may despair of this feat— 

Only the fly with you can compete! 

So much is clear; but I fain would know 

How you can so reckless and fearless go, 

Head upward, head downward, all one to you, 

Zenith and nadir the same to your view.”’ 

We have now described the American nuthatch quartette, and will 

turn to other fields no less inviting, albeit more remote. The nuthatch: 
of central Europe, scientifically known as S7/¢a cewsia, is closely related: 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 57 


to our Americans forms, resembling them in many of his habits. In 
‘studying the literature of trans-Atlantic species we at once stumble 
upon the reason for calling this avian family by the somewhat peculiar 
and apparently inapt name of nuthatch. The older English form of the 
word was “‘nuthack,’’ which unfortunately has been changed to “‘nu- 
thatch,’ a word that gives-an erroneous impression, for no bird ever 
hatches a nut. But with the last syllable “‘hack”’ the difficulty is all 
cleared up, as his habit of hacking or chipping nuts, which he places in 
chinks of the bark or wall, is well known. 

The nuthatch of England belongs to the species just named. He 
does not wear a black hood or mantle, but merely a black ribbon on 
the side of his head, enclosing the eye. His upper parts are bluish- 
gray, save the outer tail feathers, which are black; his cheeks and 
throat are white, his breast and belly buff, and his flanks and lower 
tail-coverts chestnut red. A graphic English writer, Dr. W. H. Hud- 
son, gives the following enthusiastic description of the little tobogganist 
of his native woodlands: 

“When I see him sitting quite still for a few moments on a branch 
of a tree in his most characteristic nuthatch attitude, on or under the 
branch, perched horizontally or vertically, with head or tail uppermost, 
but always with the body placed beetle-wise against the bark, head 
raised, and the straight, sharp bill pointed like an arm lifted to denote 
attention. At such times he looks less like a living than a sculptured 
bird, a bird cut out of beautifully variegated marble—blue gray, buff 
and chestnut, and placed against the tree to deceive the eye. The 
figure is so smooth and compact, the tints so soft and stonelike; and 
when he is still, he is so wonderfully'still, and his attidude so statuesque! 
But he is never long still, and when he resumes his lively, eccentric, 
up-and-down and side-wise motions, he is interesting in another way. 
He is like a small woodpecker who has broken loose from the wood- 
pecker’s somewhat narrow laws of progression, preferring to be a law 
unto himself. 

Without a touch of brilliant color, the nuthatch is a beautiful bird on 
account of the pleasing softness and harmonious disposition of his 
tints; and, in like manner, without being a songster in the strict sense 
of the word, his voice is so clear and far-reaching and of so pleasing a 
a quality, that it often gives more life and spirit to the woods and 
orchards and avenues he frequents than that of many true melodists. 
This is more especially the case in the month of March, before the 
migratory songsters have arrived, when he is most loquatious. A high 
pitched; clear, ringing note, repeated without variation several times, 
is his most often-heard call or song. He will sometimes sit motion- 


58 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


less on his perch, repeating this call at short intervals, for half an hour 
at atime. Another bird at a distance will be doing the same, and the 
two appear to be answering one another. He also has another call, 
not so loud and piercing; but more melodious: a double note, repeated 
two or three times, with something liquid and gurgling in the sound, 
suggesting the musical sound of lapsing water. These various notes 
and calls are heard incessantly until the young are hatched, when the 
birds at once become silent. 

The nesting habits of c@sza are quite similar to those of our Ameri- 
can forms, with the following interesting exception. The doorway 
of the cavity constituting the bird’s domicile is plastered up with clay, 
made viscid by the nuthatch’s glutinous saliva, leaving in the center a 
circular hole just large enough to afford entrance and exit for the little 
owner. Says the author quoted above: ‘When the sitting bird is in- 
terfered with, she defends her treasures with great courage, hissing 
like a wryneck, and vigorously striking at her aggressor with her 
sharp bill.” Like our common white-breast, the British bird may 
be attracted to human dwellings by furnishing him a regular supply of 
food suited to his taste, and may grow so trustful as to come when 
called, and even to catch morsels thrown to him in the air. In the 
forest he often hammers so loudly on a resonant branch that his tattoo 
is mistaken for that ofa woodpecker. The interior of the nest ‘contains 
a bed of dry leaves, or the filmy flakes of the inner bark of a fir or ce- 
dar, on which the eggs are laid.” ; 

In northern Europe another form of the nuthatch guild is found, and 
is known scientifically as S7fta europea, whose under parts are white 
without any washing of buff on the breast. It will thus be seen that 
the geographical difference is just the reverSe in the two types of 
nuthatches in America and Europe; while with us the white-breasted 
nuthatch occupies the central latitudes and the red-breast the more 
northern, in Europe the precise opposite prevails. 

The Levant furnishes a most charming addition to the feathered 
brotherhood now under consideration. The scientific gentlemen have 
christened it Sz¢/a syvzaca, and its common name is the rock nuthatch, 
an appellation that is most appropriate, for its chosen haunts are rocky 
cliffs, over the faces of which it scuttles in the most approved nuthatch 
fashion, head up or down, as the whim seizes it, clinging with its 
sharp claws to the chinks, ledges, protuberances and rough surfaces of 
the rocky walls. A little larger than its European cousin, its markings 
are quite similar. In Syria it is common as far north as the southern 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 59 


shores of the Black Sea. Although somewhat shy, it is described as 
having ‘sprightly manners and a clear, ringing trill.’ Odd indeed are 
some of nature’s evolutions, I had almost said caprices, for the rock 
nuthatch is just as much at home and apparently just as happy on its 
bleak precipices as is our merry white-breast in his umbrageous home 
in the oak or maple forest. 

But what kind of nests do the rock nuthatches construct on their 
limestone walls? That is one of the most interesting features of the 
life of these birds. One writer who has observed them in their native 
haunts describes the rock nuthatch as “‘an expert clay mixer and 
moulder.’’ The bird does not chisel out a nursery in the rock—no, in- 
deed; his method of constructing his nest is as follows: Having found 
a little hollow or indentation on the rocky wall, he will erect a cap or 
dome of mortar over it, plastering the structure so firmly against the 
surface that no rain or storm or predacious creeping thing can demol- 
ish it until long after it has been abandoned by the little architect. 
' The circular base of the nest is ten or twelve inches in diameter. The 
dome is not entirely closed up, but a small orifice is left in the center, 
upon the edges of which a narrow neck or funnel, also made of mortar, 
is raised, the hole just large enough to admit the body of the bird. 
The funnel is about three inches long. 

The building material employed is fine clay softened and glutinated 
with the bird’s saliva and mixed with plant fibers, for the little mason 
does not believe in making bricks without straw. So well packed is 
the inch-thick wall that a stiff knife blade must be used to cut through 
lie Wiilesthes natural color of the adobe cottage ise ash oray., sand 
therefore harmonizes with the general hue of its surroundings, and also 
with the mezzo-tints of the builder, yet he sometimes decorates it with 
the gaily colored wings of moths caught in the chase and attached to 
the plaster while it is fresh. The rock nuthatch is as expert a mixer of 
mortar as the well known cliff swallows of our own country, and his 
adobe dwellings bear a close resemblance to theirs. 

It is interesting to note that the European nuthatch, while nesting 
regularly in tree cavities, sometimes also chooses the crannies of rocks, 
when he goes a little more extensively into the plastering business; 
but his skill is not so well developed as that of his oriental cousin, 


whose mud cottage is a model of its kind. 


60 AMLRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


No. 190, American Bittern (Botaurus lentigt- 
nosus.) 


Found throughout temperate North America. 
South in winter to Cuba and Central America. 
Length about two feet. Upper parts brownish var- 
iegated with black barrings and lighter edges to the 
feathers. Under parts and the feathers of the breast 
which are lengthened, are buff colored and s!riped 
with brownish. Throat pure white and a black 
patch on either side of the neck. Bill and feet 
_greenish. Young birds have the same variegated 
appearance but the markings are rather finer, the 
lengthened feathers on the breast are shorter and the 
black patches are very small or wholly lacking. 





190 


| iff No. 1901, Least Bittern, (-4rdetta extlis.) 


AM (Ces 





Temperate North America to the British Provinces 
—— and south to South America and the West Indies. 

= Crown, which is slightly crested, and back black; 
back of neck, secondaries and lesser coverts chest- 
nut; other coverts and sides of neck brownish yellow. 
Billand feet greenish yellow. Inhabits swamps in 
common with several species of rails and is thus not 
so often seen although they may be in a given lo- 
cality. Length, 12 in. 


No. 191.1, Cory’s Least Bittern, (4rdetta 
neoxenda.) 


Southern Florida. Accidental at Ontario and 
Michigan. Very rare and few have ever been seen. 
Length 13in. Top of head, back, primaries and tail, 
glossy black. Remainder of plumage nearly uniform 
eo reddish brown. Feet, legs, bill and bare space about 
the eyes, greenish yellow. 








AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 61 


No. 231, Dowitcher, (Macrorhampbus griseus.) 3x 


Eastern North America, breeding in the extreme < 
north and migrating in winter to the West Indies. 
Adults in summer: Both upper and under parts a 
rich rusty red, the former being heavily varied with 
black. Rump white; tail black, barred with white. 
In winter: Dark gray above, the feathers having 
lighter edges; below whitish washed with dusky; 
the flanks with dusky bars. Rump white. Length, 
about 11 inches. Called Gray Snipe in winter. 


No. 232, Leng billed Dowitcher, (Macrorham- 
phus scolopaceus.) 


Breeds in Alaska and along the Arctic coast, mi- 
grating in great numbers through the western parts 
of the United States including the Mississippi Valley 
to Mexico. Ihe coloration of this species is almost 
precisely like the last the distinguishing point being 
the length of the bill. In the eastern form the bill 
averages 2.30 inches, while in the western it is 2.80 
inches, thus being about a half inch longer. 


No. 233, Stilt Sandpiper, (Micropalma biman- 
topus.) 


Distributed throughout eastern North America, 
breeding north of the United States and migrating to 
the West Indies and Central America. Length, 9 _ 
inches. Adults in summer: Above blackish, the 
feathers being edged with white and chestnut. Space # 
back of the eye and line above bright chestnut. Un- 
der parts streaked on the throat and barred below 
with black and tinted with reddish brown. In winter 
the back is a dark gray, the feathers with white edges 
and the under parts are whitish, the throat and flanks 
being streaked with dusky. 


No. 234, Knot, (7ringa canutus.) 


Breeds in the Arctic regions and during the migra- 
tions is found throughout the United States, until it 
reaches its winter quarters in South America. 
Length to.5 inches. Upper parts mottled with 
brown, black and white. Under parts and line over 
the eye, a uni‘orm reddish brown. In winter the 
back is dark gray crossed by numerous black and 
white semi-circles. Under parts white tinged with 
grayish on the sides and also faintly streaked. 


No. 244, Curlew Sandpiper, (Tringa ferrug- 
inea.) 


A somewhat accidental species in this country, 
being an inhabitant of the old world. Occurs oc- 
casionly along the Atlantic coast andin Alaska. Up- 
‘per parts brown with black markings; wings grayish; 
under parts uniform reddish brown. Upper tail cov- 
erts white heavily barred with dusky. 























62 


AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo by C. A. Reed. 
NEST AND EGGS OF PRAIRIE WARBLER. 


AMLRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 63 


PRAIRIE WARBLER, 
A. O. U. No. 673. (Dendroica discolor.) 
RANGE. 


Eastern United States, north to southern New.\England and Michi- 
gan; breeds from Southern U. S. northwards, and migrates in winter to 
Florida and the East Indies. 

DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 4-5 in.; extent 6.5 in.; tail, 2 in. Upper:parts greenish yel- 
low with a number of reddish brown spots onJthe middle of the back. 
Below, bright yellow on the throat and breast and lightening and chang- 
ing to greenish yellow on the flanks and belly. A*black line through 
the eye and the sides of neck and flanks streaked with black. A yel- 
low supercilliary stripe and two yellowish white wing bars. The fe- 
male is paler, has but a trace of the black markings, and lacks the red- 
dish brown spots on the back. 





NEST AND EGGS. 


The Prairie Warblers build one of the most substantial and artistic 
nests of the whole family. It is very firmly attached in a crotch of a 
small shrub. It is skillfully woven with vegetable fibres and fine 
grasses and closely lined with hair. They nearly always nest in colo- 
nies and twenty-five or thirty pairs may sometimes be found nesting on 
a small plot of ground containing barely more than an acre. With 
hardly an exception, high, dry land seems to be chosen for a location. 

They commonly lay four eggs but occasionally a set of five may be 
found. The ground color is practically white having but a very slight 
greenish tinge, and they are. specked chiefly in the form of a wreath 
around the larger end, with reddish brown. The sets are generally 
completed about the latter part of May or early in June. Incubation 
lasts about fifteen days and then the young are fed in the nest for 
about two weeks more. The young are very bright and active and 
have a way of keeping out of sight beneath the underbrush so that they 
are little seen. In the fall both old and young join in with the other 
members of the warbler family and migrate in their company. I think 
that all that survive of a colony both old and young, return to the same 
locality to nest each year and the bird town increases in population 
gradually until for lack of room some of them are compelled to seek 
new quarters. 


64 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. a oe 





Photo from life byiC. A. Reed. 
PRAIRIE WARBLER (MALE FEEDING YOUNG.) 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 65 


HABITS. 


BOUT ten years ago, Prairie Warblers 
were very common in suitable places 
about Worcester. From then on they 
have gradually disappeared and for 
nearly ten years I know of no record of 
their having beenseen. ‘Two years ago, 
three pairs nested in a small hollow 
covered with scrub oaks, chestnuts, and 
barberry bushes. Last year there were 
at least a dozen pairs there. Why they 
ever left is a mystery; as far as we 
know, nothing was ever done to dis- 
turb them in any way, and nothing oc- 
curred to induce them to return again; 
yet here they are and they will always 
find a welcome as long as they care to 
remain. Like the other members of 
the warbler family, they are not blessed 
with musical voices to correspond with 
their beautiful dress, but their sharp, 
jerky song has a business like air about it that commands atten- 
tion. They seem to be very nervous and restless at all times, and rare- 
ly stay in one place more than a few minutes at a time, except perhaps 
during the nesting time, when the male is perched upon an outer dead 
branch of a pine tree, within sight of his home, and continually gives 
voice to his peculiar little song. 

Although many pairs of these sprightly little birds may nest within a 
comparatively small area, each seems to have his own section and look- 
out tree, and many an exciting chase occurs when the head of one 
household encroaches on the domains of another; a flash of yellow is 
all that can be seen of the bewildering conflicts as they dash in and out 
among the underbrush, each one finally going to his own perch and 
crowing or rather chirping his victory. These petty warfares are all 
forgotten when any danger from an outside source threatens the home 
of any one of them. Then the whole colony appears as if by magic 
and joins in their common protest against the trespasser. Their nests 
are quite difficult to find as they are almost without exception built at 
the top of a low shrub, just at the point where the leaves cluster thick- 
est, and as there are hundreds of shrubs that are just suited to their 
needs, and the nest can only be found by inspecting the tops of each 
individual bush, unless the female can be surprised, a feat that is not 
often accomplished. 





YOUNG PRAIRIE WARBLER. 


66 


AMERICAN OEFNITUOLOGY. 











PRAIRIE WARBLERS ( MALE AND FEMALE. ) 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 67 


If any member of the bird world is capable of perpetrating and ap- 
preciating a joke, the writer now believes that this one can, having 
been the victim of several the past season. Having found and photo- 
graphed one of their nests a year before, I was not especially anxious 
to find another and so paid little attention to them, A pair of them 
flitted by while I, watching another small bird, was partially concealed 
under a bush. As I glanced up the male disappeared in the top of a 
small shrub; a moment later he flew away and she in turn went to the 
same bush; this began to appear suspicious and a moment later when 
the male again appeared and went through the same performance, I 
was certain that they had anest there. To satisfy my curiosity I went 
towards the place, both birds meanwhile chirping pitifully. When I - 
had lifted the leaves which as I supposed concealed their treasures, and 
found nothing there, my surprise was complete. Not only this time, 
but on a number of other occasions was I thus deceived by these little 
black and yellow rogues. I have never heard that this was a common 
trait among this species, but all that I have met with seem to have 
been very proficient. 

Another habit that they seem to have acquired in a marked degree, 
is that of prying into other folks affairs; they are inquisitive to the last 
degree. Several times I have tested this by hiding myself beneath a 
bush, and found that every bird in the colony would gather around and 
take turns in hopping down to peek at me. So matters ran for about 
two weeks; I made no systematic search or special effort to find one of 
their nests, but was always on the lookout for one when I passed 
through their township. Late one afternoon I was on my way home 
and was hurrying to catch acar. The path I pursued led right through 
their territory; as I was walking over a small walnut shrub a bird 
fell to the ground and fluttered along ahead of me. In my haste I had 
found what a more careful search would have failed to reveal. Seeing 
that her attempt to lead me away from the nest had been unsuccessful, 
the bird returned and scolded me as I stood looking at the treasures 
she had guarded so zealously. This nest was the most neatly woven 
of any I have ever found of this bird; it had a delicate lace like appear- 
ance that was very attractive. This is the nest that is shown here and 
is the one that I was most successful with in obtaining photos of the 
parents. 

Summer before last, all attempts at bird photography, when applied 
to the Prairie Warbler were failures because of the unusual shyness of 
the birds. The varying emotions of different individuals of the same 
family, were well shown by the owners of the nest that we have just 


68 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by C. A. Reed- 


PRAIRIE WARBLER, 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 69 


found. While the female was sitting, both she and the male were very 
watchful and the chances of the nest being found through any act of 
theirs, was very slim. If you were walking directly towards the nest 
she would quietly slip off through the sweet fern that formed the lower 
strata of vegetation; if your course lay a little to either side she would 
hug closer to the nest and let you go by even if within two or three 
feet, in either case leaving you wholly unaware of its existence. As 
soon as the little warblers had hatched, the parents seemed to nave 
little fear and would feed their charges while you were watching. 

When bringing food tor their young they approached the nest cau-' 

tiously, keeping near the ground where the swaying of the fern tops. 
-would show their progress until a slight tremor of the young walnut 
announced that they had reached their goal and a moment later they 
would hop to the edge of the nest and administer an antidote for hun- 
ger to the little wide open mouths. All manner of insects are included. 
in their menu. Ants, plant lice, flies, moths, and even repulsive look- 
ing worms such as the male bird has brought in one of the illustrations,. 
all follow each other down the seemingly bottomless yellow caverns 
that are eagerly presented upon the parents return. 

The young Prairie Warblers, as soon as they leave the nest are very 
smart little chaps and will successfully hide away under the leaves. 
One little fellow whose picture I was trying to take obeyed his parents 
commands even more literally than they had intended. lIimagine from 
their excited chirpings and his actions that they were telling him to 
climb to the highest point of the bush so that he might have a good 
vantage point from which to begin his flight. Having reached the 
highest branch he looked about for something more elevated, which he 
found on the top of my head from which he made his maiden flight. 

The good fellowship that exists between most of the different spe- 
cies of birds can be judged by the variety that nested in company with 
the Prairie Warblers. They included Indigo Buntings, Towhees, Wil- 
son’s Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Vireos, Black and White and Chestnut- 
sided Warblers, Field and Song Sparrows, a Chickadee, Bluebird and 
Scarlet Tanager. As a general thing this variety of birds lived to- 
gether very peaceably, varying the monotony with an occasional set-to 
between two or more of them, these tilts being of no serious conse- 
quence and in no ways disturbing the social equilibrium of the com- 


munity. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
PRAIRIE WARBLER, 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 71 


BIRD FORAGERS. 


There is something curiously suggestive in the manner in which birds 
forage for their insect food. It would almost seem as though each 
species were intended to perform certain services in the economy of 
nature which could not be so well done by any other species; that in- 
stead of being pensioners upon man, the birds are really benefactors, | 
giving more than they receive. Thus the Swallow tribes are the 
guardians of the atmosphere, which would otherwise swarm with im- 
mense quantities of minute insects; 
Woodpeckers, Creepers and Chicka- 
dees, are the guardians of the timber— 
of the forests; Sylvians and Flycatchers, 
of the foliage; Blackbirds, Thrushes, 
Crows and Larks, are the protectors of 
the soil; and Snipes and Woodcocks, of y, 
the soil under the surface. Each fam- 4 
ily has its respective duties to perform,” 
and it is man’s loss if he disturb the 
equilibrium by reducing the numbers of 
any species below the supply of insects afforded. The manner of for- 
aging is widely different in the various families, and it is curious to 
note the assiduity with which insects are hunted in all stages of their 
existence. 

In their larval state, those that lurk inside of the wood and bark are 
taken by Woodpeckers, and those under the soil by Snipe and Wood- 
cock. 

Insects when the larvae have assumed the form of moths, beetles 
and flies, are attacked by Flycatchers and Sylvians, and other small 
birds that take their food by day, and by 
small Owls and Whip-poor-wills by night. 

Birds that take their food chiefly from 
the surface of the ground, forage in a dif- 
ferent manner from those that collect it 
from under the surface. Robins and Blackbirds 
gather their fare entirely from the ground, but their 
ways of seeking it are very different. 

Swallows catch their food while on the wing, and 
by this give proof that they take only winged insects; 
but their manner differs essentially from those of the 
Flycatchers, which do not take their prey on the 
wing, but seize it as it passes by their perch. 









72 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Among the smaller birds the Kinglets and Gnatcatchers are remark- 
able for their diligence in hunting. They have a peculiar way of exam- 
ining the foliage and blossoms rather than the surface of the branches, 
and their motions are very conspicuous upon the outer parts of the 
trees near the extremity of the twigs. The Gnatcatchers especially are 
exceedingly active and graceful, and take insects on the wing with 
wonderful dexterity. On the other hand, the Chickadee,:Creeper, and 
Wren, seek their food while creeping round the branches,'and take very 
little of it from the foliage. Round and round they go, seldom paus- 
ing in their circuitous course, and usually proceeding from the junction 
of the branches to their extremities, hopping from spray to spray, and 
then passing to another tree. As the Kinglets and Gnatcatchers con- 
fine themselves almost exclusively to examining the foliage, they go 
when the leaves fall; the bark protectors, however, remain long after 
the trees are bare, and not infrequently through the entire winter. 

The Wood Pewee may be taken as a good example of f 
the Flycatcher family. His manner of foraging is to sit | 
on a twig, almost without motion but with a frequent 
movement of the head indicative of watchfulness. That 
he is not idle is shown by his frequent flittings out in an 
irregular circuit, and immediately return- 
ing to his perch with a captured insect. 
These salient flights are very numerous, 
and he often turns a somersault in the act 
of capturing his prey. He rarely misses 
his aim, and often collects from ten to : 
fifteen insects of an appreciable size in a minute. Forming a inter- 
mediate genus between the Sylvians and Flycatchers, and partaking of 
the habits of each, are the Vireos. ‘These birds are peculiar to Ameri- 
ca; and all are gifted songsters. Some of them, indeed, keep up a sort 
of intermittent singing even while hunting for their food. The Preach- 
er Vireo especially seems to make warbling his principle employment. 
He is never, apparently, very diligent or earnest, but often stops dur- 
ing his desultory exhortation to seize a passing insect, and then resume 
his song. 

Among the natural guardians of the trees are the Woodpeckers, 
which gather their food as they creep round the tree trunks and branches. 
They have two toes before and two behind tor climbing, and may 
usually be seen clinging erect on the tree trunks; but rarely, if ever, 
with head downward, like the Nuthatches and Titmice. As the food 
of the Woodpecker is nearly as abundant in winter as in summer 
they are seldom migratory; They never forage in flocks, like some of 










AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 73 


WS the graniverous birds whose food is more plentiful, 
S . 5 
= / = but scatter out over wide areas, and thus better their 





SSS fare. They bear the same relation to other birds 
\“ Snipes and 
Woodcocks bear to Thrushes and Ouai's—natis, they 
bore into the wood as the Snipe bores inte +> earth, 
while the Thrushes and Ouails seek the insects that 
crawl on the surface of the ground. Besides these 
there are a few birds that take part of their food 
from trees and the rest from the ground. The 
thrushes do not refuse an insect or grub that is 
N= crawling upon a tree, but they forage chieflv upon 
WSS the surface of the ground. 

The Blackbirds are also guardians of the soil, and apparently are far 
more industrious than the Thrushes. However, a little observation 
will correct this delusion. The common Robin hunts his food in a list- 
less, unconcerned way that is very deceptive, He 
hops about the field with his bill inclined upward, 
apparently oblivious to any object in view then he 
makes two or three more hops, and again pauses g 
with his bill turned upward in listless un- 
concern. But presently there is a quick 
dart and a vigorous pecking upon the 
ground, and if you are near enough you ¥ 
will find him pulling out a cutworm or de- g ; od | 
vouring a nest of insects which are gath- © -7-—==== 




























ered in a cluster. On the other hand, Blackbirds seldom hold up their 
heads, but march along with their bills turned downward, as if entirely 
devoted to their task. They never seem to be idle, except when a flock 
of them are making a garrulous noise upon a tree. If a Blackbird 
looks upwards it is only by a sudden movement; he does not stop. 
After watching a Blackbird and a Robin ten minutes in the same field, 
one would suppose that the Blackbird had collected twice as much food 
as the Robin during that time, But this would not be true. The 
Robin is probably endowed with a greater reach of sight than the 
Blackbird, and while hopping about with his head erect, his vision com- 
prehends a wider space. He not only watches for a sight of his prey, 
but also for marks upon vegitation that denote the place of its conceal- 
ment. 


The omniverous Blackbird hunts the soil for everything that is 


74 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


nutritious, and picks up small seeds that require a close examination 
of the ground. Blackbirds of all species walk. They do not hop like 
the robins. Some species of the foragers do their 







work in compact assemblages. This habit renders 
the Snow Buntings extremely attractive. Their food 


robins and woodpeckers. It 
consists of seeds and grasses 
and of composite plants, which 
are often scattered very evenly 
over a wide surface. When a 
flock of fifty or more settle down in a field each one fares as well 
as if he were alone, during the short time he remains on the spot. In- 
sect feeders find it for the most part profitable to scatter and keep sep- 
arate, because their food is sparsely distributed. This is not true of 
birds which frequent the salt marshes that are overflowed by the tide. 
Their food consists of insects and worms, which are evenly scattered 
and abundant. Hence sandpipers, and some other species, forage in 
flocks, though they live exclusively upon an insect diet. The foraging 
habits of domestic poultry illustrate some of the differences observed 
in the manner of wild birds. Place a brood of ducks in a field during 
grasshopper time, and they will generally pursue one course. marching 
in a body over the field with great regularity; A brood of chickens, on 
the contrary, will scatter, occasionally reassembling, but never keeping 
close together, unless they are following a hen. ‘Turkeys scatter them- 
selves less than chickens, but do not equal ducks, in the regularity of 
their movements. Pigeons settle down upon a field in a compact flock, 
and then radiate in all directions, They pursue no regular march like 
the ducks. It is difficult to estimate the usefulness of this systematic 
army of foragers. It matters not in what stage of its existence the in- 
sect is destroyed; it is still demonstrable that these minute creatures 
cannot be kept in check unless they are attacked in all stages. 

Man cannot by artificial means appreciably check their multiplication 
or their ravages. Birds are their only effectual destroyers. “‘Protect 


the birds.’’ FRANK H. SWEET. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 75 





Photo from life by R. H. Beebe. 
FLICKER ROW. 


A Flicker’s nest conveniently located in an apple tree awakened my 
photographic ambitions one May day last year. As I watched both of 
the birds going to and coming from the nest it seemed that there was 
little to do except set up the camera and expose a plate to obtain a 
good picture. The outer branches of the tree hung very low over the 
stone wall beside which it stood, and completely concealed the camera 
as well as the operator. All things considered it was an ideal place 
from which to obtain a Flicker photograph. One bright sunny day 
when the young were nearly ready to fly, the camera was carefully set 
up in position and two plates were exposed when the parent birds were 
about to enter the nest hole to feed their noisy young. I had confident- 
ly expected to see the birds stop at the entrance and look about them 
as usual before entering, but evidently they suspected something was 
wrong for no sooner had they touched the tree than they dove out of 
sight. Although somewhat doubtful of the result under the unexpect- 
ed circumstances, the two exposures were made, but after developing 
the plates, the only evidence that the bird had been present when the 
bulb was pressed was a peculiar and disfiguring disturbance of the at- 
mosphere about the entrance. The next day an attempt to gather on 
a branch the eight young birds who were just trying to fly resulted even 
more unsuccessfully. Instead of getting the whole eight sitting in a 
row we had great difficulty in getting a satisfactory portrait of a single 
one. They would scratch and bite continually and persist In their 
attempts to use their wings, so that frequent chases across the field 
were necessary. So much for my attempts at Flicker photography. 
The illustrations with this were made by Mr. R. H. Beebe. How he 
succeeded in keeping seven of them quiet while he took their picture 
is a mystery to me, unless they were younger and knew less of the 
ways of the world than mine did. 


76 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 














Photo from life by R. H. Beebe. 


SEVEN YOUNG FLICKERS. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 77 


BOOK REVIEWS, 


Elementary Studies in Insect Life, by Prof. S. J. Hunter (Crane and 
Co.) While this book is intended primarily as a text book for schools 
and colleges, it is also a very pleasing and instructive book for the 
general reader. It is the latest book on the subject of insects and is 
fully up-to-date. It will prove of great value to agriculturists and hor- 
ticulturists, separating as it does the beneficial insects from the harm- 
ful and relating the best methods for the preservation of the former 
and the destruction of the latter. The drawings for the illustrations 
were prepared from the living specimens and fully illustrate the inter- 
esting changes that occur in the lives of common insects. 


The Birds of Wyoming, by Wilbur C. Knight. (Bulletin No. 55 of 
the University of Wyoming.) This is a complete list of all the birds 
known to have occurred in Wyoming, making a total of 288 species 
and sub-species. It is illustrated with numerous full page half tones 
from drawings by Mr. Frank Bond. ‘The volume is prefaced with a 
Note on Studying Birds, in which the author says, “To the citizens of 
Wyoming, let me ask that they interest their boys in the study of birds.”’ 
and again, “ I would recommend that you commence to make a col- 
lection of skins immediately, for in no other way can you accumulate 
really valuable data.’’ It is extremely unfortunate that this latter rec- 
ommendation should have been contained in so valuable a work 
and one which will probably be widely distributed throughout the 
state. If even a small percentage of the citizens of Wyoming interest 
their boys in the study of birds along the lines suggested above, not 
only will no valuable data be accumulated but the state will sustain an 
irreparable loss. Itis the study of the living bird that will broaden 
the mind and stimulate our youths for greater exertions. With the 
exception of this one chapter, this volume is one of the best and most 
attractive state bird publication that has been my fortune to examine. 


The Summer Birds of Central Texas, by Mr. A. E. Schutze. A twen- 
ty-eight page booklet treating solely of the birds. that are known to 
remain and breed within the prescribed limits. 





The Audubon Calendar for 1903, (Taber-Prang Art Co.) The 
annual calendar of the Audubon societies is composed of six large lith- 
ographed sheets lllustrating the following birds: Snow Bunting, Fox 
Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Wood Thrush, Meadowlark and Red Cross- 
bills. The drawings for the lithographs were prepared by Mrs. J. W. 
Elliott, 


78 AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY 


Y ROUR Svan ee 





Address communications for this department to 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 





My DEAR Younc FOLKs: 


You will agree with one of our boys who writes: “It is lucky the 
birds went south in the fall, because it is ten below zero.’’- Who of 
you will tell me why the birds take the long perilous journey north and 
south each year. When they travel, how they know the way, and if 
they follow the same route each year. Don’t you think it is 
wonderful that these frail gay little sprites cover these long distances 
twice every year with so few mishaps? To be sure some fall out by 
the way, some perish against the great lights which have been placed 
as warnings to mariners, but the large majority of them flit back and 
forth, season after season to their summer and winter homes. We 
have but two names to grace the Roll of Honor this month, perhaps 
those were pretty hard puzzles, and perhaps you will find those given 
this month as hard, but do not hesitate to send your answers, even 
though you do not solve every puzzle. 

Cordially Your Friend, 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT. 





ANSWERS TO JANUARY PUZZLES. 


What is his name? Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Winter Enigma, Snow 
Bunting, Northern Shrike. You will find the quotation given last 
month in the bible—Prov. 1, 17; Eccl. 10, 20; Job. 39, 13-18. 





ROLL OF HONOR:—Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H. Edna War- 
ren, Cabot, Vt. 





FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


You would have laughed to see some Hummingbirds this summer. 
I lay in the hammock, and back and forth went two over me fretting 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 79 


away, and by and by I heard a peep, like the squeak of a wheel, very 
faint. I looked up on a line near me, and there sat a baby hummer. 
Very soon the mother flew to see what the racket was and flew so 
quickly, and he was so hungry, and bent to meet her, that he was 
knocked over backwards and hung head downward. But soon he 
straightened up and looked surprised, and began to yell, but the par- 
ents wouldn’t go near him. I began to think they knocked him on pur- 
pose, just cuffed him you know. Well after a long time he went hunt- 
ing for himself. But I just laughed to see the antics, he did look so 
funny. 
MINNIE L. SHAILER, 
Haddam, Conn. 


DANCING BIRDS, 


I wonder how many of our young readers have ever been present 
at a Woodcock’s Ball. It is generally held in April or May, at “early 
candle light’? or at dawn. The chief amusement is dancing, of course, 
which is done by the male bird. With a loud regular call of “‘peent, 
peent,’’ he sweeps upward in great circles, going faster and faster, the 
rapid motions ot his wings giving a whistling sound like the wind 
rushing through sharp edged reeds, until he is about three hundred 
feet or moreabove the ground. Then heplungesdownward to the earth 
again, in zigzag flight with a clear whistle, to his starting point, when 
he again takes his wheeling upward flight. 

Another bird which strives to charm its mate through the dance is 
the Sandhill Crane. I cannot do better than to give you the following 
description by Goss: “‘Their actions and antics are ludicrous in the 
extreme, bowing and leaping high into the air, hopping, skipping and 
circling about with drooping wings, and croaking whoop, an almost in- 
describable dance and din, in which the female (an exception to the 
rule) joins, all working themselves up into a fever of excitement only 
equalled by an Indian war dance, and like the same, it only stops when 
the last one is exhausted.’’ Those of you who live near New York 
City may have seen these curious antics among the Cranes in the Cen- 
tral Park. 


CHARADE 
My first are large birds whose homes are in marshy places, and 
whose food includes frogs, lizards and snakes. My second is owned 
by every bird and presented by every tradesman to some of his cus- 
tomers and disliked by most people. My whole is a pretty wild flower 
with a lavender blossom. 


80 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


CHARADE. 


My first improves cream, and according to Solomon, children 
likewise. My second may be good for us all, but no one desires it... 
My third contains the last wishes of a dying man. My whole is a bird 
with a mournful evening cry. ~ 


What is the bird thus described by Wilson? Have reduced the 
science of flying to a fine art, they stand and even run upon the sur- 
face of the water When any greasy matter is thrown overboard, these 
birds instantly collect around it, facing to windward with their long 
wings expanded, and their webbed feet patting the water. The light- 
ness of their bodies and the action of the wind on their wings enable 
them to do this with ease. In calm weather they keep their wings just 
so much in action as to prevent their feet from sinking below the sur- 
face. 





NUMERICAL ENIGMA, 


I am composed of 11 letters. fy 11, 5, 8, 11, is something the lark 
does that you cannot. My 9, 2, 3, 4, 11, is something you do that the 
lark cannot. My 6, 8, 7, 10, 11, is something the Ovenbird does that 
the Robin does not. My 6, 3, 4, 2, 11 is something that the Heron does 
that the Ovenbird does not. . My 6, 5,°9, 10; 11° isssometiinesaisiamy: 
boy does not do if he can helpit- The farmer 1; 5) 6; 1 and 9, aaO: 
2) i tin the i 2) 3,455, 0, 21s.) NMyawhole 1S alco omer 


GLEANINGS, 


Come busy Nuthatch with your awl, 
But never mind your notes, 
Unless you’ve dropped your nasal chords 
And tuned your husky throats. 
ELLA GILBERT IVES. 





LEACH’S PETREL, 


When handled these birds emit from mouth and nostrils a small 
quantity of oil-like fluid of a reddish color and pungent, musk like odor. 
The air at nestinz site is strongly impregnant with this odor,!’and it 
guides the searcher to the nest. (Chamberlain. ) 





: 
: 


PREPARING BREAKFAST. — 


This seems to be the most appropriate name for the companion picture to 
the “Chippy Family.”’? This photograph was taken from the same group of 
Chipping Sparrows only a few minutes later. We have had this made to 
correspond in size to the ‘‘Chippv Family” and printed in color on the same 
size paper, 12X20 inches. 

In a number of respects, this new engraving is a more interesting one than 
is the ‘“‘Chippy Family.’’ The self satisfied appearance of the two end 
young birds and especially the appealing attitudes of the two middle little 
fellows will ‘‘take’’ with everyone. The female bird, at the extreme right 
has just brought an unusually large green worm. The male had just fed the 
right hand young one and was preparing to leave when she came; she made 
him take one end of the worm and then while he pulled down, she lifted up- 
ward with all her strength until the worm separated. The pieces were then 
fed to the eager little ones. 

These two companion pieces will make a unique addition to the walls of 
any house. They are more vuluable than the creation of any artists imagina- 
tion; they tell the true story of the every day occurences in the life of ove of 
our best Known and most useful birds. 

CHIPPY FAMILY is given as a premium with every subscription. 

Preparing BREAKFAST is for sale at FIFTY CENTS EACH or will be 
given FREE to any of our subscribers who secure for us a new subscription. 

THESE TWO REMARKABLE LIFE-SIZED ENGRAVINGS AND SUB- 
SCRIPTION TO AMERICAN DIINTUTEIOTEIOEN FOR $1.25. Address. 


Worcester, Mass. 





SS SSD SDDDDSF 





THE WARBLER 


A 16-page, bi-monthly magazine devoted to the 
study and protection of North American Wild 
Birds. Edited by 

REV. H. C. MUNSON, Buckfield, Me. 
Published by the 
Mayflower Pub. Co., Floral Park,N.Y. 









SUBSCRIPTION PRICE 
Only 30 Cents for Three Years. 


First number issued January, 1903. The 
“WARBLER ” as a department of the Mayflower 
Magazine has made hosts of friends, and is now 
able to walk alone. Address 


THE WARBLER, Floral Park, N. Y. 


Western Field 


The American Sportsman’s 


FAVORITE - MAGAZINE. 


LIVE, 
SNAPPY, 
AUTHENTIC, 
UP-TO-DATE. 


100 Beautifully Illustrated Pages Each 
Edited and Published by practical Sportsmen. 
$1.00 the year. $1.00 the year. 
Send for sample. 


WESTERN FIELD CO, 


4 Sutter St., Cor. Sansome, 


THE MINERAL COLLECTOR. 


PUBLISHEO MONTHLY. $1 A YEAR. 


The onlv magazine in the country devoted entirely 
to Mineralogy. Nowin its eighthyear. Send rocts. 
for sample copy. Exchange page free to subscribers. 

ARTHUR CHAMBERLAIN, 
73 W. 65th St., New York City. 

















Issue. 


San Francisco Cal. 





LOVERS 


of outdoor sports, games and recrea- 
tion will find 


THE NATIONAL SPORTSMAN 


The handsomest, most interesting and 
up-to-date illustrated monthly magazine 
published. Copy of latest number sent 
to any address on receipt of ten cents in 
stamps. Send forcash offer and premium 
list for new subscribers. Subscription 
fl.oo per year. Address, 


Ghe National Sportsman, 
63 Kilby St., BOSTON, MASS. 


36 CAT PICTURES. 


SIZE 5 X 8, SUITABLE FOR FRAMING. 
Sent 


50 Cents. 


Cat Journal Je 


§  Theonly publication in America of its 
| kind. Its reading matter is devoted 
entirely to cats. 


$1 PER YEAR, SAMPLE COPY 10C. 


A sample free with all 50 cent orders 
for pictures. 


_Adiress the CAT JOURNAL, 
No. 16 Ave.A, Palmyra, N. ». 


THE DOG FANCIER. 


ESTABLISHED 18or. 
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. 


postpaid for 









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 DOG FANCIER. 


A sample copy will be sent free. 
Subscription price, 50c a year. 


EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, 
Battle Creek, Mich. 


Wholesale Bargain List. 


My new and wholesale List of Natural 
History Specimens ready to send out. 
Write for it at once. 52 Minerals. 75c; 
24 Showy Minerals, 50c; 44 Curios, 6oc. 
All prepaid for $1.25 net. We offer best 
lot specimens for least money to be had in 
the country. W. F. WEBB, 416 Grand 
Ave., Rochester, N. Y. 


MEN OF TOMORROW & 


A monthly for boys and young men. 


*« Published by Men of To-day to interest 
and stimulate the Men of To-morrow to think, 
rm act and live nobly. 
Its Departments are 
Especially Interesting 
is as the following willshow. ‘‘The Boy Collec- 
tor,’’ ‘‘Eye Spy ’’ ‘‘The Camera,” **Boys Out- 
x doors,’’ “‘Bo.s Reading,’’ and many others of 
equal interest. 
* Send ten cents for three months. 


$1.00 for one year to 


Men of Tomorrow, Box G, Albany, N.Y. 


MARINE SHELLS 
and CURIOS 


Twelve shells and curios for 50c, all good specimens. 
Collections of showy shells from 25c to $1.00 by mail 
and safe delivery guaranteed. Illustrated Catalogue 
and nice shell for roc (stamps taken). J. H. Holmes, 
Dunedin, Fla. 


The A. O. BINDER 


Will Keep Your Copies in Perfect Condition. 


OUR BINDER will hold from one to twelve copies 
as firmly as if bound in a book. 





Handsome cloth cover with neat and attractive de- 
sign and lettering in gold. 


75 Cents, Postpaid. 
American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. 


FOR 
SQUIRREL SALE 
Gray Squirrels, $3 pair; Flying and 


small Red Pine Squirrels, $2 pair. 
Mention A. O, and send for large illustrated catalog. 


Schmid’s Emporium of Pets, Washington, D. C. 


WANTED Complete Volumes of 
THE AUE. 


Address stating condition and price, 


R. F. WILLIAMS, P.O. Box 521, NEW YORK, N.Y. 


BIRD LIFE. 


Popular Edition in Colors. 


A Guide to the Study of our Common 
Birds by F. M. Chapman, representing 
too Birds in their natural colors. 12 mo. 
cloth, $2.00 postpaid. 

Given as a premium for 6 new subscribers. 

CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, 
D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illus- 
trations, Colored Plates which show over 
a Thousand Species of American Butter- 
flies with all their native beauty and bril- 
liance of coloring. This is a ‘‘Popular 
Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies 
of North America.’’ It tells everything 
about Butterflies, and tells itin a way any- 
body can understand. Everyone interest- 
ed in Butterflies should own this book. 
Price is only $3.00 prepaid. 
Given as a premium for 10 newsubscribers. 


Bird- Homes, by A. R. Dugmore. With 
the nests and eggs of birds in natural col- 
ors, also a number o! half-tone illustra- 
tions. Postpaid, $2 oo. 

Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


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 sheeen on 
the neck of the wild pigeon. Price, post- 
paid, $2.00. 
Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird Neighbors, by Neltje Blanchan. 
Has 52 colored plates, and describes 150 of 
our song birds and other more common 
feathered neighbors. With the aid of 
these life-like plates there can be not the 
least doubt as to the identification of a 
bird. It is a sufficient commentary on the 
volume that there have been nearly 20,000 
copies sold since it appeared. Postpaid, $2. 
Given as a premium for six new snbscribers. 


In Bird Land, by Leander S. Keyser. 
16mo 269 pages. $1.00. It is very evi- 
dent that the author is a man of unusual 
observant powers, and possesses a true 
feeling of sympathy for all feathered crea- 
tures. The book is a poet’s as well as a 
naturalist’s.—The Journal of Education, 
Boston. 

Given as a premium for three new subscribers. 
Birdcraft, A Field Book of Two Hund- 
red Song, Game and Water Birds. By 
Mabel Osgood Wright. With Eighty 
Plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Small 
4to $2.50 net. Postage toc. 


Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird World, by J. H. Stickney and 
Ralph Hoffman. A charming bird book 
for young people. With to full-page illus- 
trations by Ernest Thompson-Seton, and 
colored p!ates from nature. Square 12mo. 
Cloth. 214 pages. 

Given asa premium for three newsubscribers. 

Any of the above books will be sent prepaid on 
receipt of price. 


Chas. K. Reed, Worcester Mass, 





> } 
A JOURNAL OF 
WESTERN ORNITHOLOGY 
W. K. FISHER - EDITOR 
J. GRINNELL and F. S. DAGGETT, Assoc.Eds. 
This is a 24 to 32-pageillustrated magazine, 
issued on the fifteenth of each alternate month. 
It is published as the offlcial organ of the 
Cooper Ornithological Club of California’and 
reflects the enthusiasm of thls energetic bird 
society. 
@ @ 


The CONDOR is just enteringits fifth vol- 
ume, having completed four volumes, «ach an 
improvement over the one preceding. The 
prospects for 1903 point towards a still further 
increase in size and general interest. 


SUBSCRIPTION, One Dollar per year. 
Sample Copy, twenty cents. Back voiumes 
and odd numbers can be supplied; also the 
three numbers of the PACIFIC COAST AVI- 
FAUNA Series. 


Address all communications to 


JOSEPH GRINNELL, 
Palo Alto, Cal. 


yg TD OEE oy 


Business Manager, 





Methods in the Art of Taxidermy 


By Oliver Davie. 


Author of ‘Nests and Eggs of North American Birds:”’ 


90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. 





f Never befure 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. Formerly published at $ro. 


My Price $2.50 Prepaid. 
CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 


AN ORNITHOLOGIST 


Is not expected to be proficient in the other 
sciences; in fact it is about all one can do 
nowadays to keep up with his own spec- - 
ialty. But an Ornithologist ought to 
know something about plants for he is 
constantly associated with them, and that 


is why we wish to call your attention to 


THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 


This is not a technical journal—the gen- 
eral reader can understand it all—but it 
will keep you informed of the interesting 
features of plant life, better than any 
other publication. 20 pages monthly. 
Sample for a 2-cent stamp. Subscription, 


$1.00 a year. Address, 


WILLARD N. CLUTE & CO., 


Publishers, Binghamton, N. Y. 








HAVE YOUR 


MAGAZINES BOUND 


Send your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrapped 
postage will be rocents), 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. 


Send your magazine flat, well wrapped in paper,and 
with no writing in the package. The postage is x 
cent for each 4 0z., or about rc cents for the t2 num- 
bers and 8 cents additional if you register the package. 


Send us two newsubscriptions at $1.00 each and 
we will bind Vol. I! and return prepaid. 


BOUND VOLUMES. 


Vol. I neatly bound in cloth, with handsome cover 
design in gold and colors, $1.50 postpaid (not bound 
$1.00). This volume contains 250 pages, over 175 
illustrations, a great many photographed from living 
birds. 

Vol, II, neatly bound in cloth, with handsome cover 
design in gold and color, $1.50 postpaid (not bound 
$1.00). This volume contains 386 pages, over 200 
illustrations, and rz color charts, identifying Over roo 
birds in natural colors. 


Vol, | and II and Subscription for 1903, $2.50. 


Address American Ornithology, 
WORCESTER, MASS. 


SAIFIPIFYPYPYTYDYDPYOYDPYPTD YTD POD TDEDP IDIOT ETD POTENT IO rrITTINeN Inne 


x é + ae tie Lada ¥ 





ee | «What Bird Is This? 


BIRD LORE’S 
BIRD CHART 


Will Tell You. 


It figures 62 representative species of our 18 Families of Perching Birds and tells about their 
range and structure. We Give it, with a free copy of our Christmas number, containing Ernest 
Thompson Seton’s article on “Journal Keeping,” and the first paper in Frank M. Chapman’s ser- 
es on “‘How to Study Birds,” to every one subscribing to BIRD-LORE in December, 


: A CHRISTMAS GIFT. 


We will send the Chart and magazine, with a Christmas card giving your name as the donor of 
BIRD-LORE for 1903, to any address in time to be received on Christmas Day, A useful present 
easily made, and costing, whether for yourself or any one else, cnly one dollar. 

(For this occasion we offer five subscriptions for $4.00. If, therefore, you secure four subscrib- 
ers, your own subscription will cost you nothing.) 


THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, “"*<cres'eitn Aves New Your Chee 
Whbbbbbadbbsbbceesascdddacddsddsdcceddddsddcddddddddddddddddddddd dddddddds 


NOTABLE NEW BOOKS. 


BIRDS OF LAKESIDE AND PRAIRIE. By Edward B. Clark. With 16 illus- 
trations in color. Price, $1.00. 
This book contains sketches of bird-life in the great middle west by one of the country’s closest students of 


nature. The author takes his readers afield with him and puts them in close touch with the birds of lakeside, 


woodland and prairie. ; : ; $ 
“Mr. Clark has found an astonishing variety of birds and is a mightyshunter—with the opera glass.’’—CHI- 


CAGO INTER-OGEAN. 


THE JINGLE BOOK OF BIRDS. By Edward B. Clark. 16 Colored plates. 
Price, 60 cents. 


This book is both for the children and the elders. The lines are not jingles merely, but jingles which have 
a well-rounded purpose and much of pith and point. The color scheme of the cover is strikingly beautiful. 
“The ‘Jingle Book of Birds’ is a very pretty possession.’ —CHICAGO EVENING JOURNAL. 


A B C BOOK OF BIRDS. For children large or small. By Mary Catherine 
Judd. 
With nonsense rhymes for little ones and prosy sense for older ones. 26 Colored plates. Price $1.00. Miss 


Judd in this has prepared a book that will be a delight to every child and will be intensely interesting to every 


adult lover of birds. 
“No better child’s book can be found.’’—CHICAGO RECORD-HERALD. 


BIRDS OF SONG AND STORY. By Elizabeth and Joseph Grinnell. 16 col- 


ored plates. Price, $1.00. 


These authors are well known as lovers of birds and as interesting writers on bird life. They not only have 
made the feathered kingdom a subject of out-door study for many years, but they have been explorers in the 
great field of general literature for the purpose of finding all that it holds pertaining to our bird friends. 

“The book, from beginning to end, can be read with pleasure and profit by old and young alike. It is a 
fascinating piece of natural history.”-—PASADENA DAILY NEWS. 


A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, 203 Michigan Ave., Chicago. 














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eaurecertrereetreeeerrerrereeerrevervreverrvererreeerreeer iy 


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Like almost anything else are of various grades of excellence and 


also like other things it does not pay to buy the cheap kind. 


(| BAUSCH & LOMB ZEISS 
STEREO BINOCULAR 


The new prism glasses giving the largest field, clearest brightest | 


| BIRD GLASSES 
































and only true stereoscopic image. This glass is used by the 
Armies and Navies of the great nations and by expert ornitholo- 


gists everywhere. 


BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL C9, 


ROCHESTER, N.Y. 
NEW YORK. CHICAGO. 


RARARAAAARAY 


Ry 


ol. 3, No. 3. MARCH, 1903. {Qc acopy, $1 a year. 


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Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16, root. 





PAF. 


we oe > * | 
: 













Ghe 
Inimitable 


Camera 




























































































One shutter and 


| No focusing scale, Pictures as you see them, 

No judging distances, 

anne Tens, While you see them, and 
One operation. ; 

| Touch ne Button—that’s all. At the desired moment. 


Simplicity, Portability 
Accuracy, Speed 


Equipped with the Graphic Focal Plane Shutter. 
Get the little book of your dealer, or 


The Folmer & Schwing Mfg. Co. 


407 Broome St., New York. 


(GRARARARARRARARARARARARARARARARRAARARARAA 


4x 5, 15 inches Focal Capacity. 5 x 7, 21 inches Focal Capacity 





BIRDS ARE COMING 
ARE YOU PREPARED TO STUDY THEM? 
HAVE YOU 


A GOOD FIELD GLASS? 


It is easy to own a nice pair. 





Send for a few copies of our Bird 
Magazine and show it to your friends. 
If they like birds they will subscribe. 

We will send you a pair of THESE 
GLASSES FREE for getting ten sub- 


scriptions (new or old) at $1 each. 








| JUST SEE THE DIFFERENCE. 


How much plainer you can see the 
markings of the bird in the large cir- 
cle. That is with the glass, and without 
the glass you see itin the small circle. 
Don’t miss owning a pair of these when 
the birds arrive. 

EE AE 

These’ Glasses are well made and 
especially adapted for the use of the 
bird student as they give about twice the 


field vision of ordinary ones and magnify 
nearly four diameters. 











} They are ina good strong leather case, silk lined, with’strap by which 
they can be carried suspended from the shoulder. 

*_ Remember, you can have them free by getting only ten subscriptions 
cae 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 usand we will refund the $5.00."" ls’ not that 
fair? 


CHAS.K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 












LA 
ae 
=< Cree S=s5) 





Pere? < 
as 








North American 
Birds, 


By OLIVER DAVIE. 


The Best Book on Nests and Eggs 
Published. 


Finely Ulustrated, 
Fifth Edition. Extra Cloth. 
Thoroughly Revised, 600pp. 


Regular Price 22.25 


Given as a premium for four subs. to A. O 


Our Price $1.50 Postpaid. 


Studer’s Popular Ornithology 


The Birds of North America 


OVER EIGHT HUNDRED BIRDS FINELY COLORED 


The original drawings for the work were made from nature by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an artist of 
superior capabilities; who has made ornithology a life-study. Revised by John Graham Bell, Esq., Audubon’s. 
companion in the field, and a well-known ornithologist and taxidermist. The systematic table, arranged ac- 
cording to the classification adopted by the American Ornithologists’ Union, was prepared by Frank M. Chap- 
man, Esq,, Assistant Ornithologist at The American Museum of Natural History, New York, includes all the 
additions to and corrections of our North American species which have been made to date, with anindex to page,. 
plate, and figure, of each species, according to the A. O. U. number. 

There is no more attractive study than ornithology, the department of zoology which treats of structure,, 
habits, and classification of birds. The graceful forms, movements and habits of the feathered tribes have been: 
celebrated in all ages by poets and artists, and have furnished the instructors of mankind with lessons of wis- 
dom. But this admiration is not confined to the poet, the artist, or the sage; it is universal. Wherever human 
beings are found, the forms, the plumage, the songs, the migrations, the lovers and contests of birds awaken 
curiosity andwonder. No similar work containing so many beautiful and faithful pictures of living birds, an@ 
so much descriptive information, is now extant, or has ever been published, in this or any other country. 


This Elegant Book was Published to sell for $40.00. We have a few copies which 
we offer at $18.00, express paid. 


Do a little canvassing among your friends who are interested in birds. You can 
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CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 





















van 7. 
U 


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a AW init 


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A 16-page, bi-monthly magazine devoted to the 
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AN ORNITHOLOGIST 


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VOL. III MARCH, 1903. SUNOS: 








We feel that it would be useless to apologize for the unwarranted 
blunder of our printer in using yellow on Red-breasted Nuthatch plate, 
instead of reddish-brown. This sheet will be reprinted and sent to all 
our subscribers with the April number, so that it may be inserted in the 
proper position. Owing to the lateness of the date we allowed this 
number to go out rather than have the magazine reprinted and two 
‘weeks late. 


We have had a great many requests for lantern slides from our neg- 
atives. This month we have a series of.them listed in the advertising 
page. We shall positively list nothing but boni fide photos of live 
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Last month we published “Winter Birds’? without the author’s name, 
as he failed to put it on the Mss. It was by Mr. Berton Mercer, whose 
name is familiar to our readers as ‘the author of several articles in 


former issues. 
p(w itt 
=C| ( r| 


We call our readers attention to the change in the address ‘of the 
Folmer & Schwing Mfg. Co., whose ad. is in this number. Besides 
making the Graflex, which, though expensive, is indisputably the best 
all-around camera on the market, they make a full line or ordinary 
cameras which are perfectly adapted to’ nature.. photography. 








Photo from life by E. L. Bickford. 


ANGT. 


CALIFORNIA BUSH 


82 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


AMERICAN WOODCOCK, 


A. O. U. No. 228. - (Philohela minor.) 
RANGE. 


Eastern North America, south from the British Provinces and west 
to Dakota and Kansas. In winter they migrate south of the Middle 
States. : 

DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 10.5 in.; extent. about 16 in.; tail, a trifle over 2 in.) Bye, 
dark brown. Bill and feet light brownish. Entire upper parts beauti- 
fully patterned with black, buify, and rusty. Entire under parts more 
or less bright rusty brown. 





NEST AND EGGS. 


The Woodcock makes no attempt to build a nest of any sort, but lays 
her four brown-spotted, buffy eggs directly upon the bed of leaves 
which nature has prepared for her. Damp, boggy places are their 
choice for a locality, and it has been my experience that swamps cov- 
ered with alder bushes are most frequently chosen. They breed from 
the latter part of April to the end of May, and if the first set of eggs is 
destroyed they will lay again in the same neighborhood. 


HABITS. 


. HE American Woodcock is a most peculiar and inter- 
"esting member of the large and varied family of shore 
birds. The most striking features are the extremely 
large, dark-brown eyes, situated alarmingly near the 
highest point on the top of his head. It might almost 
seem that they were thus located to partially atone for 
the shortness of his neck, so as to enable him to see 
over the grass, in which he likes to hide; but it is much | 
Sa more probable that they have gradually changed from 

the normal position through excessive use in one di- 

rection. Asis well known, they gather their food, which consists of 
various grubs, by boring in the soft mud with their long bills, and as 
their food is gathered wholly by feeling and not by sight, it is probable 








FIG + 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 83 


Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
WOODCOCK AT REST. 


84 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


that by constantly being on the watch 
for the various enemies which delight 
in a feast upon their flesh, their eyes 
have gradually, through successive 
generations, 
been brought to 
the present po-. 4 

sition on the top So 

of the head, as - BILL OF WOODCOCK, SHOWING EXTENT TO WHICH UPPER 
that is the di- MANDIBLE CAN BE MOVED. 

rection from which danger would be most apt to come. 

About the latter part of March, as soon as the frost has commenced 
to get out of the ground so that it can be penetrated with their bills, 
they return to the North and their nesting places. It has been found 
that the bill of a Woodcock, besides serving as a probe, is also used asa 
finger to grasp the delicacy when it has been found. ‘The tip of the 
bill is very sensitive, so that the owner can tell when he has found the 
morsel for which he is looking. He can then curve the upper mandible 
upwards, grasp the insect and draw it from the ground. The advant- 
age of this power, to move the end of the bill at will, can be seen when 
it is considered that it would be impossible to open the entire bill when 


inserted in the earth, and would therefore be impossible for them to get 
their food after having found it. 


Zz gf 2 SW the 00 
ZZ ggoD_Zz — LSS aS— cock’s con- 
————_ > struction is 

the wing. The three outer pri- 
= maries are much narrower than 
¥ the others and stiffened. It is claimed that 
these are responsible for the peculiar whistling 
noise that always accompanies their flight when 
su ddenly startled. 

The few mouthfuls of*flesh that can be gleaned from their little 
bodies are highly esteemed by sportsmen, and they are one of the most 
persistently hunted of the game birds. They lie very close, trusting to 
their dried leaf colored plumage to conceal them; but when startled, fly 
very swiftly and in a zigzag course that makes their escape quite cer- 
tain when a novice is behind the gun. With an experienced hunter, 
their chances of getting away are very slim, especially if, as is nearly 

























AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 85 


always the case, he is accompanied by a dog. Even if the first shot is 
a miss, he knows that the bird will fly but a short distance before seek- 
ing cover again, and he knows that the acute sense of smell possessed 
by his four footed companion can soon locate it again. 

As a general thing Woodcock may be considered as partially noctur- 
ual in their habits. They prefer to remain in quiet concealment during 
the day, and venture out at dusk in their search for food. The bright 
sunlight seems to be too light for their eyes and they are a great deal 
more active during cloudy weather. Their migrations are performed 
almost wholly by night and when on these journeys they generally fly 
at quite an elevation. When passing over cities, they appear to be at- 
tracted by the lights and fly lower; as a result, it has been my experi- 
ence that more of these birds are killed or maimed by flying into wires 





EGGS OF AMERICAN WOODCOCK. 


than of any other bird. They are not very sociable, and two or three 
individuals are generally all that are found in one place. After the 
nesting season is over they remain in the same locality until cold 
weather renders the obtaining of food a difficult and uncertain propo- 


86 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


sition, when they take their departure for the winter. Details concern- 
ing their nesting habits will be found in the following account of 
A SUCCESSFUL WOODCOCK HUNT IN MAY. . 

For several seasons past, a Woodcock’s nest has been one of the 
goals for which I have been striving. In years past, numbers of nests 
had been found, but that was before the camera had begun to be ap- 
plied to nature study. Now that one was wanted, it seemed to be an 
impossibility, and I had given up the search until another year, when 
I came across one accidently and most unexpectedly. On May 23rd I 
was looking over a very small piece of woods where I had every rea- 
son to suspect that a pair of humming birds. were building their home. 
I was seated within a large clump of ferns, when a slight movement of 
the leaves at one side attracted my attention. It was with a feeling of 
both surprise and exhultation that I saw a Woodcock carefully picking 
his, or her way across an open space between the numerous ferns; I 
watched the bird as closely as possible as it passed by all the open 
spaces until at last it failed to appear after going behind an unusually 
large clump of ferns. After watching for fifteen or twenty minutes 
without further developments, I carefully went to the place where she 
was last visible and scanned the ground the other side of the obstruc- 
tion; although she was scarcely visible owing to the surrounding, I 
finally located her sitting on her nest, or apparently on the bare leaves, 
and within a square formed by pieces of fallen birch. As I stood up 

within six feet of her, she neither moved her head nor winked, but 
- seemed loath to believe that I saw her even though I was looking di- 
rectly at her. 

As it was getting near the end of the nesting time for Woodcock, it 
was deemed advisable to secure what views of her I could at this time 
as there is no knowing what the morrow will bring forth. This nest 
was located in a typical place for these birds. A small brook flowed 
through the patch containing perhaps a dozen large trees, and the ground 
was well concealed with numerous small bushes and enormous clusters of 
ferns. On both sides of the brook, the soil was soft and boggy, aftord- 
ing an ideal place for foraging ground for Woodcocks. I had never 
thought of looking for them here and consequently had never looked 
for the borings which I later found in clusters all along the brook. 
The nest was located under an alder bush and was just five feet from a 
massive growth of ferns which later served me for a good purpose. 
Owing to the larger trees the sunlight was entirely excluded, so that 
nothing but a time exposure would suffice to get a picture. ‘ 

Not a movement from Mrs. Woodcock as I set up my camera and 
carefully focussed upon her; but just then a sudden and unexpected 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 87 


cust of wind blew the focussing cloth over the end of the camera.. 
This was something for which she was not prepared and with a rush of 
wings she was up and over the tops of the bushes, doubling and turn- 
ing in her hurry to get away, while the shower of leaves that had risen 
with her fell back over the ground, and left four eggs exposed to view 
These like the bird matched the color of the surroundings so well that 
they would stand little chance of detection among theleaves. I wished 
to see the bird when she returned to the nest, so instead of going away 
and allowing her to return when she chose, I moved the camera into 
the clump of ferns mentioned previously, focussed carefully on the nest 
and then concealed myself in the same clump beside the camera. 

The long. wait that followed was fully taken up in watching the 
numerous other birds that thronged the place. In just about an hour 
from the time she left the nest I caught sight of her slowly and cau- 
tiously coming up the bed of the brook. Every few steps, she would 
pause and listen as though not quite certain that I had gone. When 
she reached the point in the brook directly opposite and about fifteen 
feet from me she paused for fully five minutes. She looked very in- 
tently in all directions and especially towards the nest, and I fancied 
she was looking at me although I was positive that she could not see 
me; yet I was relieved when she started up the slight incline from the 
brook, towards me. She walked with her body in a horizontal posi- 
tion, neck well shortened, and with the bill pointed straight ahead. 
Her gait was a little awkward; almost a waddle like a duck. I could 
not but wonder as she approached step by step, her apparently black 
eyes looking fearfully about her, if, were some of the sportsmen that I 
know in my place, watching this innocent bird returning, faithful to the 
charge which she had deserted only at the last extremity and not yet 
certain but what she was walking into a trap, would they in the fall 
tramp the country all day long in search of Woodcock, returning at 
night happy in proportion to the number of birds that they had slain. 
I am positive that they would not if they could have wituessed the 
scenes that transpired at the nest for the next five hours, as I did. 

Once again she stopped and waited a long while when just beside me 
and not more than four feet away. She acted as though she thought 
that all was not just right but did not discover me, although I feared 
that she would every moment. A minute later and she was beside the 
nest. She seemed to lean over and caress the eggs for amoment, then 
arranged some of the leaves to better suit her fancy and settled down 
upon the nest. She turned about a couple times to get a comfortable 
position, and I was afraid she would settle down in a position unfavor- 
able to my purpose. At last she assumed her final position nearly side 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


88 





Photo from life by Dr, J. B. Pardoe. 


YOUNG WOODCOCK. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 89 


to, which had been anticipated, as her position when first found was 
such. é 

The situation was entirely novel to me; I had been as near to live 
Woodcock before but this was the first time that I had ever watched one 
from a short distance while she was unaware of my presence. She was 
actually only five feet away, and by the use of binoculars she was shown 
as though only a foot from my eyes. Her plumage could be examined 
as minutely as though in the hand, while her soft, dark brown eyes, as 
she turned her head from side to side, looked as though they could 
speak. 

For some time after settling down to her duties her head was contin- 
ually in motion. she carefully arranged all the feathers on her back with 
her long bill and now and then reach out to change the position of some 
leaf to suit her artistic fancy. Fig. 1 shows the position that she final- 
ly assumed, and it is the natural pose of a sitting Woodcock when not 
alarmed. Several excellent photographs of Woodcock have been taken 
but all that I have ever seen show the bird in the position they assume 
when alarmed, that is with the head forward, in a straight line with the 
body, and the bill nearly lying on the ground. The plumage is also 
contracted and she does not have the easy pose tnat this one has. For 
fifty-five minutes she kept this same position without any change what- 
ever; at this time a very loud whistle accompanied by asmall boy, came 
through the woods. He did not pass by near enough to discover either 
myself or the nest. When the first strains of ““Annie Laurie,’’ which 
he was vigorously if not musically rendering, reached us, the Wood- 
cock turned her head in the direction of the sound, and as the boy came 
into sight, she drew her feathers down closer and let her head fall for- 
ward so as to better match the leaves and twigs. This was when 
photograph No. 2 was made. Ifthe boy had come closer she would 
probably changed her position more yet. 

Another wait of an hour occurred before any change took place. This 
interval I spent in watching various warblers and a pair of thrushes. 
One male Maryland yellow-throat proved especially interesting, so 
much so that he nearly betrayed my hiding place to the Woodcock. I 
presume that he was searching for food when he hopped up into my 
hiding place and caught sight of me. His loud rattle of alarm which he 
uttered as he made haste to get away was amusing, but not so much so 
as when he appeared again on the nearest twig above me and scolded, 
accenting each remark with a flirt of his tail. It was just three o’clock 
and I had about made up my mind to leave, having concluded that she 
was not going to leave the nest to feed until after dusk, when I hearda 
low, peculiar twittering whistle. I was unable to locate it for several 


90 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





FIG .2. Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 


minutes although it sounded nearer every time it was repeated. It was 
an unexpected treat when the auther of the sound suddenly appeared 
beside the nest as Mr. Woodcock. I had not supposed that the male 
Woodcock would appear about the nest until after dusk, but he dis- 
proved that supposition. 

The picture that he made as he proudly strutted about her was one 
that I would give a great deal to be able to have shown with the cam- 
era. It was one of the opportunities that will probably never present 
itself again and I was unable to take advantage of it. Possibly if I had 
had a Graflex camera I might have caught them, but the light was poor 
and it is doubtful if I could have focussed upon them without attracting 
their attention. His head was thrown well-back upon his shoulders 
and the tail, which was fully spread in the ferm of a fan, was thrown 
forward so that it touched the back of the head. No peacock that ever - 
strutted was prouder than this male Woodcock. He seemed utterly 
oblivious to everything but his own self, and tripped over nearly every 
twig that was in the way. Perhaps he was an inspiring sight in the 
eyes of the female, but he seemed to me to be a very ludicrous one. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. gl 


He strutted back and forth in front of the nest and only about four feet 
from me several times, and then took wing and disappeared in the di- 
rection from which he had evidently come. I noted that as he started 
off there was no preceptib'e sound from his wings, so conclude that it 
is only when startled and moving their wings very fast in their en- 
deavor to quickly get away, that the narrow stiffened primaries, make 
the whistling sound that is accredited to them. 

As the female settled back again to her quiet task of incubating, I 
determined to leave. She had probably never been as surprised before, 
as she was when I stood up so close to her. She must have thought 
that I came up out of the ground, in any event she did not wait to see 
or try to escape observation by keeping still, for she was off with a tre- 
mendous whir that threatened to carry all the leaves that answered for 
the nest, with her. The next day I called again and found the nest 





Photo by J. B. Pardoe. 
YOUNG WOODCOCK. 


empty. From appearances the young had hatched and had already left 
to accompany their parent and learn the ways of the world. 
Fortunately Dr. J. B. Pardoe has supplied the missing links neces- 
sary for the completion of this article in his excellent photos of the 
young Woodcock. A thorough search of the piece of woods failed to 
reveal the young that I had expected or rather hoped to photograph 
when they hatched. I had hoped for photos of some such scenes as I 
had witnessed a few years ago when I ran across an adult Woodcock 
with three of her young. I came upon them with a suddenness that 


92 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


surprised them as much as it did me and they had no time to conceal 
themselves. The mother with all the known bird arts of deceit tried to 
lead me away from the bunch of little ones who had all huddled down 
where they were. When instead of doing this I stooped and picked up ~ 
one of the young, she bristled up her feathers until she was about twice 
the normal size, and with utter disregard for her own safety, came at 
me striking my hands with her wings. 

It has been claimed that a Woodcock in times of peril for her little 
ones will take them one by one in her feet and fly to a place of safety. 
Of course this may be true, but I shall doubt it until more positive 
proof is offered, for no bird ever had a better opportunity to accomp- 
lish this feat than was allowed this one; but she showed no inclination 
to carry them off other than to lead them. 





DOWNY WOODPECKER. 
A. O. U. No. 3938. (Dryobates pubescens.) 
RANGE. ) 


Northern and eastern North America. West tothe edge ofthe Plains 
and British Columbia. South to the Gulf of Mexico. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, about 6.5 in.; extent, 12 in.; tail, 2.75 in. Back, black witha 
long white stripe down the middle, wings black, with numerous white 
_ spots as in the illustration. Top of head, line from the eye back, and 
from below the eye down the side of neck, black. Breast, chin, throat, 
line under the eye and down side of neck, and one over the eye to back 
of head, white; this latter runs into a bright vermillion spot on the back 
of head. Rump and middle tail feathers black; the outer ones white 
with black spots on the outer webs. The female differs only inlacking 
the red spot on the back of the head. ‘There are two subspecies as fol- 
lows: 

394a. Gairdner Woodpecker. (D. p. gairdnerii.) Pacific coast, 
north to British Columbia. Similar to the Downy but lacks or has very 
few white spots on the inner secondaries and the coverts, these being 
plain black. 

394b. Batchelder Woodpecker (VD. p. orececus.) Rocky Mt. region of 
the U. S. 

NEST AND EGGS. 


Downy Woodpeckers build their nests in holes in trees, either in the 
dead branch of an apple tree or the trunks of dead trees in the woods. 
They are generally less than twenty feet from the ground and from 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





93 


O4 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


that height range down to five feet, or sometimes even lower when they 
choose to take up their domicile in a fence post. They lay from four to 
six, most often four or five, pure white glossy eggs. These vary great- 
ly in size and range from .73 to .86 in. in length by .56 to .64 in. in 





width. Usually the eggs are laid upon the fine chips at the bottom of 
the excavation, or there may be a slight bed of either feathers or fine 
grasses. They nest all through May and the early part of June. 


HABITS 


The Downy is one of the smallest, most social, and probably the best 
known of all the American Woodpeckers. ‘They are erroneously called 
Sapsuckers by some. They:have never been known to indulge in this 
practice, which owing to the abundance of these Woodpeckers would 
destroy large numbers of trees. On the contrary they are of the great- 
est assistance to the horticulturist, as their food consists of beetles, cat- 
erpillars, spiders, ants, and the larvae or eggs of nearly allinsects. At 
such times as their regular fare is lacking they will feed on seeds, ber- 
ries, or nuts. One way to obtain their friendship in winter is to sus- 
pend pieces of meat or suet from trees where they are abundant; they 
will come day after day to this welcome food, which they will share in 
‘perfect harmony with nuthatches, chickadees, etc. You have probably 
noticed rows of tiny holes extending nearly around some apple trees. 
These are the work of the Downy in his search for the insects which, if 
left to do their work unhampered, would soon increase in numbers soas 
to devastate every orchard. He will stand on the upright trunk of the 
tree, firmly braced with his pointed and stiffened tail feathers, and 
chisel through the bark in a regular series of holes as he works his way 
sideways around the trunk; he will then drop down about his own 
length and hammer another circle around the tree. As far as injuring 
the trees by his work upon them, those that have the most numerous 
Woodpecker tappings are generally the ones that are in the most flour- 
ishing condition, not directly because of his labor, but because of the 
diminished number of insects who would attack it vitally. 

Downys are not very sociable among their own kind, as seldom are . 
more than two or three seen near together, but they do like the com- 
pany, especially in winter, of nuthatches, kinglets, chickadees, and any 
others of the small winter birds. They also like the vicinity of human 
habitations better than the larger woods and are seldom found in the 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 95 


latter except on the outskirts or the edge of clearings. Their song isa 
cheery one, especially when heard in the solitude of winter. It is a 
metallic whistle running something like “‘pinc - - - pine - - pinc-pinc - 
----,’’ the number of notes ranging from six to ten and being uttered 
more rapidly and lower towards the last. This is their song; they also 
have a single sharp short whistle for a call note. Sometimes, especial- 
ly in the spring; they will take their station on some dry, dead branch 
and drum continuously for fifteen or twenty minutes at a time, only 
stopping for a few seconds now and then to see if there is any answer 
to their challenge, if such it is. They are very active and run up, 
around, or even down a tree trunk with greatagility. They are rugged 
little fellows and stand our severe winters, while the larger flickers go 
to warmer climes. They are equally at home from northern North 
America to Florida and are quite common throughout their range. 


THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER, 


NE beautiful day in May, while strolling along the banks. 
of a stream, which meandered through a meadow inclosed 
by rolling hills, my attention was attracted by a bird run- 
ning along a sand-bar in the middle of the stream. 

Having lots of time to spare I sat down and proceeded 
to become better acquainted with my little friend. By 
the length of its neck and legs I concluded it belonged to 
the family of Waders, which was subsequently proven by 

its Saas a shallow part of the stream in search for food. 

It came closer to where I lay and thus afforded me the opportunity 
of better observation. It was constantly in motion and never ceased a 
peculiar movement of its body, tilting it up and down in a see-saw 
fashion. It uttered a plaintiff ‘‘peet weet’’ as it flew from one place to 
another but seemed to do so only while on the wing. When flying two 
white wing bars were very noticeable, which with its other peculiarities, 
proclaimed it to be the Spotted Sandpiper. Locally it is also known 
by the names of ‘‘Teeter tail,’’ ““Sand-lark,’”’ ‘““Peet-weet,” ‘‘Tip-up,”’ 
‘““Bobber,”’ etc 

This charming little bird reaches us early in May, having passed the 
winter months in South America and the West Indies, although some 
few remain as far north as the Gulf States. It is very common 
throughout the United States and breeds wherever found. 

Several pairs have reared their young year after year on a little 
island, formed by the branching of a small river, just outside of Balti- 
more. Although a small village has encroached upon their nesting 
sight, still they return’ each spring as before. Another disadvantage 


96 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


they endure is a herd of cows, which frequently roam over the island 
and must be a constant menace to their peace and happiness. Still 
they stick by the old home they have adopted, and at the end of each 
season the increase in their number proclaims that they do well and 
thrive in spite of surrounding dangers. 

One day in the middle of June, while roaming over the islet, which is 
covered in parts by grass and low weeds, I unexpectantly ran across 
several young Sandpipers. They were quite young but their infancy 
did not hinder them from instantly dodging out of sight among the 
weeds. -One little fellow, being of a more adventurous nature, ran for 
the water and boldly launched itself into the stream. Soon, it reached 
the opposite bank and was quickly out of sight. 

‘All the while the parent birds were very anxious about their offspring 
and uttered their peet-weets in a very excited manner, but at the same 
time keeping under cover and only showing themselves when I ap- 
proached too near. ; 

The young of the Sandpiper are able to run about as soon as hatched 





Photo ty D. W. Munter 
NEST AND EGGS OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


97 


from the egg and follow the mother bird about the same as the little 
chicks do in the barn-yard. 

The nest of this bird is placed in a depression on the ground, and 
generally consists of a lining of grasses and moss, but sometimes the 


eggs are laid on the bare ground. 


The nest is cleverly hidden under 


the shelter of high grasses or clumps of weeds and is very difficult to 


discover. 





DOWN BY THE STREAM, 
BY OLIVER DAVIE. 


Down by the stream where the lillies grow, 

Where the herons drink, and come and go; 

Where the cardinal loves to sing, 

And the vultures spread their sable wing, 
Down by the stream. 


Where the rain-crow hides his slender form 

And tells us of tue coming storm, 

Where vireos tumble through the trees; 

Where the chickadees weeze and weeze, 
Down by the stream. 


Meadows spreading far and wide, 
Down by the stream at eventide; 
The sun’s soft splendor casts its rays— 
(Light of the past and coming days) 

; Down by the stream. 


Where the cattle love to drink and wade 
In'the summer’s golden shade; 
Swallows twit as they pass by; 
Blackbirds glint their silver eye, 

Down by the stream. 


Where the sycamores’ stately arms 
Shade the lilie’s waxen charms 
Sandpipers peep at break o’day 
Chipmunks rant in merry play, 
Down by the stream. 


Where turtle doves before a storm, 
*Midst summer’s smiles or winter’s scorn; 
Their voice is always heard to mourn 
‘Life is sad and all forlorn,” 

Down by the stream. 


W. H..MUNTER. 


98 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


A SPARROW HAWK'S MISTAKE, 


Mr. Sparrow Hawk Jr. was able to fly. Doubtless he had promised 
himself while in the nest depending upon his parents for a livlihood, — 
that when he did get out he would gorge himself to his crop’s content. 
Whether this was his first expedition in search of food or not of course 
I cannot say, but judging from his unsteady flight I should say that it 
was. I did not see the chase begin. The first that I knew of it my at- 
tention was attracted by the screams of the hawk and looking in that 
direction I saw a small ground sparrow fly swiftly from a clump of trees, 
in which a pair of Sparrow Hawks had nested. A group of barn swal- 
lows were enjoying a game of tag, and as the hawk and sparrow passed 
one of the swallows flew between the pursued and pursuer, either to 
share the fun or by accident; any way, the hawk left the sparrow and 
concentrated all his energies upon the swallow who enjoyed it much— 
keeping just out of reach of the angry hawk. At length the patience of 
the hawk was completely exhausted, and he gave vent to his feelings 
by a series of squawks and “‘gi-lees’’ which unfortunately for the hawk, 
attracted the attention of a passing kingbird, who hastened to the scene 
of conflict with a will, cruelly tearing the feathers from the young hawk. 

A brown thrasher from a dead pine looked on with as much cold- 
blooded interest as an old Roman at some combat, and with tail down 


cried: “Pull ’um out, pull ’um out, killhim-killhim, that’s it-that’s it.” 
A. L. MCINTIRE. 








Photo by Geo. W. Fisk. 
YOUNG HORNED GREBE. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 








Photo by Geo. 
NEST AND EGGS OF FLICKER. 








E. Moulthrope. 


99 


100 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 14, 





Orange Warblers. 


No. 637. Prothonotary Warbler (Profon- 
otaria citrea.) 


Southeastern United States; west to the Mississippi; 
north to the Middle States and casually further. 
Length 5.5 inches. Head, bright golden yellow, 
becoming paler on the belly and changing to olive on 
the back. Rump, wings and tail blue gray, the latter 
having a large spot of white on the inner web of all 
the outer feathers the female is similar but 
somewhat paler. 


No. 651. Olive Warbler, (‘Dendroica oliv- 
acea.) 


Highlands of Guatemala and Mexico, north to 
southern New Mexico and Arizona. Length 5 in. 
Head and neck an orange brown color; back, grayish; 
under parts whitish. Wings and tail blackish, the 
former with two broad bands sometimes nearly 
merging into one and the latter with the outer 
feather white. A black patch around the eye, and 
the edges of the secondaries are greenish yellow. 
Female: Top of head and hind neck greenish; ear 
patch, dusky; sides of neck, throat and chest yellow- 
ish; rest of plumage similar to the male but wing 
bands narrower, and spot at base of primaries 
smaller. 


_ No. 662. Blackburnian Warbler, (Dendroica 


blackburniae). 


_ Eastern U. S. and southern Canada; west to the 
Great Plains. Length 4.75 in. Crown patch, throat, 
superciliary line and side of neck, bright orange. 
Large white patch on wing. Female.—Above gray- 
ish olive streaked with black. Bright orange parts. 
of the male are a pale yellow. Other markings simi- 
lar but dull. 


No. 687 Am. Redstart, (Sefophaga ruticilla.) 


Found throughout temperate North America ex- 
cept the Pacific Coast within the U.S. Length 5 in. 
Glossy black; white belly; base of all outer tail 
feathers, band on wing and large spot on side of 
breast, orange red. Female:—Marked precisely the 
same with the black replaced by grayish brown, the 
orange by yellow and the white on under parts in- 
cludes the throat and chin. 

No. 748. Golden-crowned Kinglet, (Regulus. 
satrapa.) 

North America at !arge, breeding from northern 
U. S. northwards. Length 4 in. Superciliary line 
and forehead, white; crown black enclosing a flame 
colored patch within a yellow one. Female similar 
except that the whole crown patch is yellow. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 101 


Yellow Warblers. 


No. 640. Bachman Warbler, (Helmintho- 
phila bachmant). 

Southeastern U. S. north to southern Virginia. 
Length 4.5 in. Forehead, shoulder, and entire under 
parts yellow. Upper parts greenish; crown and 
patch on throat black. Outer tail feathers with a 
white spot on the inner webs near the tip. Female: 
Much duller and without the black cap and patch on 
the breast; the top of the head being olive gray, as Is 
the back. 


No. 641. Blue-winged Warbler, (Helmin- 
thophila pinus.) 

Eastern U.S. from southern Conn. southwards; 
west to eastern Nebraska. Length 4.75 in. Fore- 
head, crown and under parts, bright yellow, paler on 
the belly. Upper parts olive green. Wings and tail 
gray, the former with two white bands and the latter 
with subterminal spots of white on the inner webs of 
the outer feathers. Female:—Duller in color than 
the male with the olive greenish of the upper parts, 
also covering the crown. 


No. 670. Kirkland Warbler, (Dendroica 
kirtlanat) 


Eastern U. S. and southern Canada. The breed- 
ing range is unknown andit is very irregularly dis- 
tributed. Entire upper parts bluish gray streaked 
with black. -Under parts yellow streaked with dusky.. 
Inner web of two outer tail feather with termin«al 
white spots. Female duller colored. 


No. 671. Pine Warbler, (Dendroica vig- 
Orsi.) : 
The United States east of the Plains; north to the 

southern British Provinces. Length 5 in. Above, 

olive green. Below, pale yellowish streaked with 
dusky; wings and tail, grayish, the former with two 
white bands and the latter with the subterminal half 
of the inner webs of the outer tail feathers, white. 

In autumn the yellow on the male is much purer than 

in the spring and summer. Female:—Duller than the 

mae the under parts only tinged with yellow on the 
reast. 


No. 696. Siberian Yellow Wagtail (Budytes 
fiavus leucostriatus.) 


Found in North America in Alaska. Length about 
6.5 in. Grayish above. Superciliary line, chin and 
throat white; rest of under parts yellowish.  T..il 
feathers white except the black central pair. Two 
narrow white bars on the wing and the secondaries 
broadly edged with white. Female similar. 





102 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, 


A. O. U. No. 498. (Agelaius phoeniceus.) 


RANGE. 


The Red-winged Blackbird and its subspecies are found throughout 
the United States and Canada from the Great Slave Lake southwards. 
The American Ornithologists’ Union separates the Redwing into the 
following sub-families: 498a. Sonoran Red-wing (4d. p. sonoriensis,) 
whose range is the southwestern portion of the United States; 498b. 
Bahaman Red-wing (4. p. bryantz,) whose range is the Bahamas, 
Southern Florida, and the Gulf coast of Louisiana. Ridgway, in Bulle- 
tin No. 50 of the United States National Museum, has still further di- 
vided the Red-wing family into: Florida Red-wing (4. pd. flor¢danus,) 
Florida Peninsular (except the Keys,) Valley of Southern Texas; 
Northern Red-wing (4. p. fortis,) interior districts of British America; 
San Diego Red-wing (4. p. neutralis,) southern Calif., and southern 
portions of the Rocky Mt., plateau; Northwestern Red-wing (4. A. 
caurinus,) British Columbia, Western Wash., Oregon, and Northern 
Calif. These subspecies differ from the common Red-wing of the east 
only very slightly in the matter of size, and in general are Sa SEeEOLy, 
only to the one who discovers them. 

DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 9.25; extent, 14.5: tail, 3 in. Eye, brown. Bill and feet, 
black. With the exception of the shoulders, the plumage is entirely 
black, and more or less glossy. The lesser wing coverts are a bright 
scarlet or vermillion, and the middle coverts and sometimes the tips of 
the lesser are a buffy white, thus making the buffy patch nearly equal 
in width to the vermillion: In the winter the buffy portion of the wing 
is deeper in shade and the edges of many of the black feathers are 
tinged with rusty. Female: Above dusky streaked with paler; head 
with buffy or salmon colored median stripe and supercillary line. 
Wings and tail dusky, the feathers narrowly edged with whitish. Chin 
and throat whitish, the latter sometimes tinged with salmon color; rest 
of under parts are whitish streaked with dusky or black. Immature. 
male: Black; the back streaked with paler and the feathers edged 
broadly with rusty. Under parts streaked as in the female; lesser wing 


coverts inclined to be orange rather than the scarlet of the adult male. 


vif 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 103 





BI-COLORED BLACKBIRD. 


LO4 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 














Photo by R. H. Beebe. 


NEST OF RED-WING. 


105 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 














RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 


106 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BI-COLORED BLACKBIRD, 
A.O U. No. 499. (Agelaius gubernator. ) 
RANGE. fj ; 
Pacific coast region from western Washington to Lower Calif. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Like the common Red-wing, except that the ends of all the middle 
coverts are black and the tips of the lesser coverts only very slightly, 
if at all, tinged with buffy. The scarlet on the shoulder is of the same 
shade as that on A. phoenictus. 





TRI-COLORED BLACKBIRD, 
A. O. U. No. 500 (Agelaius tricolor } 
RANGE. 
South-western Oregon and through Calif. to Lower Calif. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Lesser wing coverts dark red, bordered with nearly pure white. 
Otherwise similar to the preceding, except that the bill is rather more 


slender. 
NEST AND EGGS OF THE RED-WINGS. 





The nesting habits of all the Red-winged, the Bi-colored and the Tri- 
colored Blackbirds are practically the same and the eggs cannot always. 
be distinguished with certainty. They nest almost exclusively in 
swampy places, where their nests are attached to the reeds or tothe 
branches of bushes. Nests have been found as high as fifteen feet from 
the ground, but they are rarely placed more than four or five feet up, 
and sometimes are placed in grass tussocks on the ground. The out- 
side of the nest is commonly made of old wet rushes, which are firmly 
wound about the support, whether it be a clump of rushes or the branch 
of a bush; it is lined with grasses and sometimes also with horsehair. 
They nest in colonies and hundreds of them may be found in small 
Swamps and thousands in some of the larger ones through the West. 
They lay from two to five eggs, very rarely the latter number, and 
probably most often'four. These havea light blue ground, and are 
blotched or scrawled with black or purplish. The Bi-colored Blackbird, 
as a rule has the eggs marked with fine lines rather than the coarser 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 107 





TRI-COLORED BLACKBIRD. 


108 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


scrawls of the other kinds. Eggs of this bird however do not always 
differ from the other varieties. In some localities in the South the 
eggs are laid early in April, while in the North the height of the breed- 
ing season is reached the latter part of May and first of June. 


: HABITS. 
Red-winged Blackbirds, being so uniformly distributed throughout 
the country, are known to nearly everyone. Although robins and 


bluebirds are popularly known as the harbingers of Spring, their pro- 
phecies are not always to be relied upon, and it remains for the Red- 
winged Blackbirds to definitely announce that severe weather is a thing 
of the past. ; 

Early in March large flocks of them swarm northwards, making noisy 
demonstrations at every stopping or feeding place until they reach their 
final destination. They are very sociable birds among themselves, and 
for about a month or six weeks after their arrival they do nothing but 
chatter and eat. As the mating season approaches, the males become 
more noisy and demonstrative and vie with each other in the skill with 
which they can show off their beauty to the attentive females. As they 
stand on a dead branch and stretch to their fullest extent, first one wing, 
then the other, then both together, it certainly is a beautiful sight and 
one that is most attractive to the less beautiful but still handsome birds 
who are watching them. When they have mated, each pair hunts for 
the most suitable location for a house. 

In gathering material for the nest each pair seem to particularly 
avoid taking it from the immediate vicinity of where the prospective 
nest is to be. So it is a common sight to see them flying from one part 
of the marsh to another, with a stalk or rush in their beak. They also 
gather moist soil with which to hold the nest together; this they do not 
use to any such extent as the robin but merely enough to answer their 
purpose, without in any way impairing the exterior appearance of their 
home. When the outside of the nest is completed, it is skillfully 
finished on the interior with fine grasses. As the material which is 
used for the outside is gathered when wet, and the nest is also held to- 
gether with mud, it is necessary to allow it to dry for a week or ten 
days before it is ready for occupancy. If the birds are sociable before 
nesting time, they are a great deal more so after the nests are filled 
with the peculiar blotched blue eggs. The first signal of alarm from 
any one of the tenants of the vast apartment house, to which the swamp 
may well be likened, will bring every other tenant to the rescue. 
Each one perches at the end of a limb near the seat of the trouble, and 
with, the vehemence of his outcries causes the branch to sway back and 
forth. Until the cause of the trouble is removed, this din is continued, 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 109 








WHERE THE BLACKBIRDS NEST. 


110 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


now dying down and then again renewed with greater vigor. _ Their 
anger is alternately expressed by an emphatic ‘‘chack, chack,” ora long, 
shrill, whistling “‘zee-hee.’’ For those who consider all birds strictly 
in accordance with their economic value, I might say that Red-wings 
are, like a great many other things, very valuable in some sections of 
the country, while they are equally destructive in others. They de- 
stroy large numbers of cut worms and other injurious insects, eat 
quantities of seeds of obnoxious weeds, and in some sections of the 
country feed freely on the hosts of locusts that invade the fields. 





FEMALE REDWING. 


III 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo by Gee. C. Embody, 


NEST OF RED-WING SHOWING LOCATION. 


112 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


EXTRACTS FROM "THE STORY OF A MARTIN COLONY,’ 


BY J. WARREN JACOBS (See page 215.) 

Before the advent of the English Sparrow in this community, the 
Purple Martin found numerous friends. and admirers among the people, 
who encouraged it by erecting beautiful bird-houses for its accommo- 
dation. 

Every bird house in town eventually became crowded with sparrows 
and instead of the twitter of the industrious Martins, bubbling'over with 
happiness, the monotonous jingle of the sparrows became the rule, 
changing the charm of the Martin houses into rasping “‘chatter-boxes.”’ 
The sparrows had their day however, and people who had either en- 
couraged them or treated them with indifference, began a crusade 
against them by killing them and tearing out their nests. Persons who 
had Martin houses fostered the return of the Martins until now the 
birds are increasing. The desire to have Martins coupled with a deter- 
mination to oust the sparrows, which nested about our building, prompt- 
edme to erect a martin house in 1896 and established a colony which 
has grown to large proportions, necessitating additional houses until 
now the birds have ninety-nine nesting rooms at their disposal, about 
three-fourths of which were occupied in 1902. 

The weather affects their return very much, but generally by April 
5th several individuals can be seen. The first arrivals usually come 
singly, are males in adult plumage, and stay only a few hours; they dis- 
appear as quickly as they came. Then they come in small bands and 
later in large numbers. Nest building covers a period of several days, 
the male assisting, though he often gets in the wrong room. They 
collect twigs, straws, bits of wood and grass from the garden and street 
and along the creek. The eggs are deposited in a close cluster in the 
center of the nest, and, after the set is complete, are partly covered 
with bits of apple leaves. From three to six and rarely seven are laid. 
Incubation lasts from twelve to fifteen days, the female, I believe, at- 
tending to this duty exclusively. The height of the hatching period is 
from the 10th to the 15th of June. The young, when they first leave 
the egg shells, are repulsive looking objects with large heads, eyes 
closed, and small shiny bodies without down. After the fifth day the 
birds grow very rapidly and are clamorous for food. At the end of 
eighteen days the young are pretty well feathered, and somewhat re- 
semble the mother birds. From twenty-four to twenty-eight days 
elapse from the time the young break the shells until they are strong 
enough to leave the nest and safely soar away with the parents during 
the day. 

My records show a total of about eleven hundred and fifty eggs laid 
during the seven years; and the number of young reaching maturity 
eight hundred and fifty. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 113 





Photo by J. Warren Jacobs. 


COMING HOME AT EVENTIDE. 


114 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS, 


Lewis A. Davis:—As you have not yet got your camera and are ex- 
pecting to use it extensively for the photographing of birds and nests, 
I would strongly advise against getting one that uses films exclusively. 
I have no personal objection whatever to the Kodak, in fact I own three 
of them of various sizes, but I would not think of using them for ob- 
taining bird photos. I will briefly sum up the advantages and disad- 
vantages of both films and plates. Films are much lighter than plates, 
are easily handled, and do not break. On the other hand they are only 
about one-half as fast as plates; they cost about half as much again; 
they are more subject to imperfections, which while they may not be of 
frequent occurrence, are sure to come on a very valuable negative if at 
all. Plates are comparitively cheap, and what is of the utmost impor- 
tance they are extremely rapid. Of course others may have different 
views, but I have had considerable experience in bird photography and 
have tried both plates and films on the same subject at the same time 
with infinitely better results with the former. 


Geo. W. Fisk:—I enclose photo of a grebe that was found on the 
beach here. When I approached, it came sliding towards me and did 
not seem in the least afraid. The bird was thin and hungry and when 
I held out a clam to it would swim to me and take it. Can you tell me 
what it is?—The bird in the illustration is a young Horned Grebe. 
The adults in winter look very much like this. It is only in the spring 
and summer that they have the tufts and chestnut markings. 


F. E. Wait:—The birds referred to in your first question are probably 
Pine Warblers which are shown in this months color chart. These 
birds migrate in flocks through Mass., in the Fall. The second bird is 
the Fox Sparrow. Itis known by its large size and bright rufous 
markings. They migrate in the Fall with juncos or in flocks by them- 
selves. The cowbirds egg hasa light grey ground and is thickly 
specked over the entire surface with reddish brown and black. The 
nest you mention in question 4 is that of the wood pewee. ‘The least 
flycatcher builds its nest in the crotch of a tree, while the pewee builds 
on a horizontal limb and covers the outside of the nest with lichens. 
The A. O. U. number of the slate colored junco is 567. 

H. Gebser:—You are in error in regard to the eggs of the Wood 
Thrush. ‘The color is correct as described in the Nov. A.O. Theegg 
that you call a Wood Thrush is a Brown Thrasher. The egg of the Yel- 
low-billed Cuckoo is larger and paler than the Wood Thrush, which is 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 115 


similar to a robin’s except in size. All the American thrushes have 
blue or greenish blue eggs, plain except the Russet-backed which is 
marked with large pale-spots of reddish brown. 

Norman W. Swayne: We shall have a photographic competition this 
year full particulars of which will be published next month. 

Alfred J. Meyer, 330 E. 14th St., New York:—Can any of the read- 
ers of A. O. tell me where I can find a nest of the Great Blue Heron 
this spring- Having made some good pictures of some of the more 
common herons I am very desirous of trying my luck with the Blue. 

L. L. Haskins:—The bird which you describe is the black-throated 
bunting or dickcissel. It is fairly common in Wisconsin. The prairie 
horned lark and the white-rumped shrike are found in Wis. 





BOOK REVIEWS, 


Camp Fires in the Wilderness, by E. W. Burt ($1.00, The Nationa 
Sportsman, Boston.) A 200 page book of general information in re- 
gard to trips in the wilds of Maine, Canada, New Brunswick, and on the 
Great Lakes. Descriptive of the wild life to be found in these sections 
and the equipment necessary to take in order to thoroughly enjoy it. 
Well illustrated with half tone engravings. 

The Story of a Martin Colony, by J. Warren Jacobs, Waynesburg, 
Pa. paper; 24 pages and three plates; 35 cents. An admirable mono- 
graph on the purple martin, based on careful records covering a period 
of seven years. Introduction and chapters on: Topographical Sketch 
and Existing Condition of the Premises and Vicinity; Establishment 
and Subsequent Increase of the Colony; Return from the South; Nest 
Building, Deposition and Number of Eggs, Incubation; The Growing 
Young and the- Parents Care; Something About Their Food; Their 
Enemies, Causes of Death, etc.; Off to the South; A Cabinet Series of 
their Eggs; On the Construction of Houses. 

A writer in Bird-Lore (The Macmillan Company) record an instance 
which seems to prove the possession of a surprising memory on the 
part of a bird. She so tamed a White-breasted Nuthatch in Central 
Park, New York City, in the winter of 1900, that the bird came to her 
at sight, whenever she appeared in the park. In April, 1901, the bird 
disappeared and did not return the succeeding winter; but in December, 
1902, apparently the same bird reappeared, and recognizing its friend, 
at once perched upon her hand in search of the nuts it had been accus- 
tomed to find there, two years before. 


116 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Address communications for this department to 
ii MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 





My DeEar Younc Forks: 

We are glad to hear from so many of you; of your outings, of your 
wayside friends, and the good words and wishes you have for us. 

Do not be disappointed if what you write is not printed, for it would 
need a larger magazine than this to contain all of your letters. 

Someone asks if there is an age limit in this department. The only 
limit is a young heart, which enjoys our young people, all such are 
heartily welcomed to a place in our corner. Some of those whose 
names appear this month in our Roll of Honor sent answers to the De- 
cember puzzles too late to be published in the February Bird Chats. 

The bird descriptions given in one paper by one of our young folks, 
are very accurate, and show patient study of the birds. You see a 
Massachusetts lad comes close to our high water mark with his list of 
one hundred and twelve birds. Iam proud of any boy or girl whose 
list reaches one hundred. 

Our lists for 1903 will grow pretty fast in April and May; be sure to 
know the bird before you add him to the list. Who will report the ar- 
rival of the first migrant? Robins and bluebirds are excepted, for some 
spend the winter North. Paul Rawlin’s interesting account of some 
Iowa birds, and enigmas from Marietta Washburn and Wm. Schneider 
are crowded out of our corner till the Aprilnumber. ‘The other day I 
saw the goldfinches playing in the streets with those little rascals—the 
English sparrows; after finding them in such bad company I can now 
more readily believe the charge made against them last month. 

Cordially, 
MrEG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


ANSWERS TO FEBRUARY PUZZLES, 
Charades—Crane-bill. Whip-poor-will. 
The bird described by Wilson—Stormy Petrel or Mother Carey’s 
Chickens. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 117 


ANSWER TO JANUARY ENIGMA. 


The trusting little fellow 

That runs twittering in the snow, 
Is the beautiful Snow Bunting, 

As we easily may know. 


And the bird that we think cruel 
Is the snowy northern Shrike, 
For he sits upon a bough 
And tries at little birds to strike. 
Mary A. JoHNson, Mo, 


ROLL OF HONOR. 


Gerald B. Thomas, Livermore, Iowa. Stafford Francis, Exeter, N- 
H. Harris H. Gilman, Winchester, Mass. Charles H. Rogers, N. Y.. 
City. Clair McMorran, Spokane, Wash. Edith M. Little, Waquoit, 
Mass. E. Louise Jordan, Defiance, Ohio. Marjory Lester, Kinsley, 
Kans. Mary A. Johnson, Kansas City, Mo. Leroy B. Noble, Crom- 
well, Conn. Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, S. D. Wm. Schneider, 
LaCrosse, Wis. Lillian Weeks, Marietta, Ohio. 


FROM OUR MAIL BAG. 


Where I was this summer there were a great many Great Blue Her- 
ons. On one of the drives we took we saw sixteen of these beautiful 
birds standing close together, and on the same drive we saw four more, 
making twenty in all. 

There were about ten quite near the house in a mill pond of salt 
water. The tide did not go out of this at low tide. There was a long 
point running out into the pond, with no trees on it, but only grass a 
foot high. The-herons would stand at the end of this point so that 
they could see any danger approaching. One day I crawled out on the 
point. I had to be very careful and lie flat, for if I rose up beyond the 
top of the grass they would fly. There were two on the point at the 
time, and I watched them for a long time. They would stand there in 
the water about a foot and a half deep, and wait for the fish to come 
near them, and then opening their mouths they would put their heads 
under water with a sweeping motion, and then lift their heads high in 
the air and let the fish run down their throats. 

There were also Bitterns, Little Green Herons, and Night Herons 
at the beginning of the point. Harris H. GILMan, 

Winchester, Mass. 


118 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Can anybody explain why White-breasted Nuthatches come every 
other winter to Central Park? I have studied them there for three 
winters, and they were present in 1900-01 and they are here this winter, 
but not last. 

A friend of mine has had the same experience. White-throated Spar- 
rows are much less numerous this winter than in the two previous ones. 

I saw a Winter Wren and a Carolina Wren on Dec. 2d and Red-head- 
ed ducks. CuHas. H. RoGrErs, N. Y. City. 


While skating, I noticed a lot of Red Crossbills feeding on the seeds 
of some low bushes. I crept right up to them and they were so busy 
that they didn’t notice me, and I touched one with a short stick. A 
boy could have killed a lot of them if he wamted to, because they were 
so tame. I know a man who caught one in his hand. 

STAFFORD FRANCIS, Exeter, N. H. 





I like American Ornithology fine. It is the paper for every true bird 
lover. EpGAR Boyer, Grand Pass, Mo. 


I saw in your department that a Massachusetts boy had a record of 
ninety-three birds, and that two other lads had exceeded this number, 
the largest being one hundred and fourteen. I now send in my list 
which is one hundred and twelve—just between the two highest, and I 
hope that Massachusetts will at least have second place. I hope to see 
other records in the magazine. PEIRCE H. LEAVITT, 

Cambridge, Mass. 





TO AN EAGLE, 


Oh, Eagle, with thy mottled breast, 
On wings untiring never rest. 

High up into the air you fly, 

Yea, almost to the azure sky- 


From mountain crag, and lofty peak, 
We hear your wild untamed shriek, 
We wish a long, long life to you, 
The noblest bird we ever kuew. 
PEIRCE H. Leavitt. 


NUMERICAL ENIGMA, 
At the evening 6, 2, 8, 7, there was a 10, 8, 9, 6, in the green 1, 2, 3, 


4, 9, broken only by a great grey owl which 10, 3, 2, 5, 11, 4, from the 
branches of a tall 5, 7, 11, 11. My footsteps made no sound, for a 12, 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 119 


10, 3, 1, 11, 7, had dampened the earth. 9; 3,ao; 2,4, bidden by a 
thicket not far from where the brook 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 4, down the slope, 
and waited, and listened for an invisible choir. Hark! The dusky 
arches echoed and re-echoed with the sweet melody of my favorite 
birds—the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and I “‘listened as if Iheard 
an angel sing with news from heaven ”’ 


WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES? 


Number 1. About the size of an English sparrow. Male—Brown 
above, blotched and splashed with darker brown, shoulders tinged with 
Indian red, a gray line over each eye. Eye black; chin white, a con- 
spicuous black spot on the throat. Breast sulphur yellow, shading to 
whitish underneath. Wings brown, some of the feathers being edged 
with lighter brown. No bars on wings. Bill horn colored. They 
build their nest in a bush or other low place, never far from the ground. 
The nest is cup-shaped and compact, composed of coarse grass, parts 
of corn husks, etc., and lined with fine grass blades and stems. Four 
to six eggs, a trifle deeper blue than the bluebirds. While the female is 
sitting the male will usually be found near by, perched upon a con- 
spicuous branch, where he sings over and over, a few notes like ‘‘teck- 
teck-teck-twit-twit-twit,’’ the last three notes uttered in quick succés- 
sion. EDGAR Boyer, Mo. 


Number 2. ‘This bird arrives here in the spring, about the first of 
May. Male—Length six and three quarters or seven inches. Head, 
neck, and upper back olive green. Rump and tail yellowish olive. 
The wings are dusky, the coverts being tipped with yellowish, forming 
two indistinct bars. Chin and throat velvety black. Breast and under- 
parts yellow. Female—Like male except that she hasn’t the black 
throat and chin, hers being yellowish. She is also duller and smaller. 
These birds build a nest like the Baltimore oriole, and always hang it 
high up in the tree. As the nest is always so difficult to reach I never 
saw the eggs. The male may be heard singing all the day, as he flies 
about in the trees feeding on the insects and worms he finds in the 
foliage. His song is something like that of the Baltimore oriole. 

EDGAR Boyer, Mo. 


Number 3. While walking yesterday, a small flock of birds lit in the 
bushes several rods away. From what I could see they were brown, 
with a dark spot under the chin, and a slightly forked tail. They were 
about the size of an English sparrow,.or a trifle smaller, and resembled 
the goldfinch in flight and voice. They were quite shy, and I could not 
get very near to them. GERALD B. Tuomas, Iowa. 


120 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


I was especially interested in the goldfinch episode as related on page 
38 of the January number, as a similar experience once came under my 
own observation. A goldfinch flew into my neighbor’s parlor, where 
an invalid girl lay upon the sofa. The bird was frantic over its limita- 
tions, as wild birds usually are, and could not be caught to be given its 
freedom. As it was rushing from one window to another and beating 
its wings vainly against the glass, the sick girl spoke softly to it, at the 
same time holding out her hand to the frightened bird. 

To the intense surprise of all present the bird listened, came at once to 
her hand, and rested there in perfect contentment seemingly. 

It showed no fear as she stroked its feathers gently, nor did it leave 
her hand till it was fast asleep at night, when she placed the little 
golden ball upon a picture frame within reach. For two or three days 
it hovered about her couch, resting upon her hand whenever it was al- 
lowed to do so, and sleeping upon the same perch above the picture, as 
happy in her companionship as it could have been with its own kin so 
regally apparelled. After a few days its little life was over. The fam- 
ily have it still. mounted and given a place in the same room. ‘The 
bird recognized something in the girl akin to sympathy, a power not 
confined to this bird alone, for I have known her to call the bluebirds to 
her chamber window. I have often wondered at it—what it was the 
tiny creature recognized in the stranger? 

NELLIE HART WOODWORTH, 
Sit. Allpanise vats 





GLEANINGS, 


The river was numb, and could not speak, 
For the weaver Winter its shroud had spun; 
A single crow on the tree-top bleak 
From his shining feathers shed off the sun. 


LOWELL. 


I stood and watched by the window 
The noiseless work of the sky, 
And the sudden flurries of snow-birds 


Like brown leaves whirling by. 
LOWELL. 


DOD DDD DDD DDD DDD DDD DS: 


IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE 


BEST RESULTS i maki 


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OLOGY. 


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MASSES SEES SEES ERE 


Methods 
in the Art of Taxidermy 


By Oliver Davie. 


Author of ‘‘Nests and Eggs of North Ameri- 
can Birds"’ 


90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. 





Never before has the Ast off erdeuee had 
its practical methods and: beauties ‘portrayed 
as we find them interpreted in-this work... It 
is a work of art from, Cores © cover. Form- 
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My Price $2. 5O Prepaid. 


Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. 


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Western Field) _QVERY 


The American Sportsman’s 
FAVORITE - MAGAZINE. 


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birds in natural colors. 


Vol, | and II and Subscripffon for 1903, $2.50. 


Address American Ornithology, 


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of outdoor sports, games and recrea- 
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We have listed below as fine a list of slides of birds as have ever been offered. Every oUe of 
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50 CENTS EACH, $5.00 PER DOZ. OR FINELY COLORED, $1.00 EACH, $10.00 PER DOZ. 


rt Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. 

2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) 27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. 

3 Woodcock on Nest. I 28 Nest and Eggs of Bob White. 

4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 29 American Robin on Nest. 

5 Three Young Woodcock. | 30 American Robin Feeding Young. 

6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. } 31 Five Young Chickadees. 

7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. | 32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. 

8 House Wren (male). 33 Chickadees at Nest in Tree. 

9 House Wren (female). 34 Brown Thrasher. 

to Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 35 Brown Thrasher on Nest. 

1x Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 36 Wood Thrush on Nest. 

12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. ion Young Wood Thrush. 
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r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 38 Pigeon Hawk. 

14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 

15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 40 Barred Owl. 

16 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest.’ 4r Screech Owl. 

17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 42 Four Young Screech Owls. 
18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 43 Four Young Blue Jays. 
19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 44 Blue Jays in Nests. 

20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. | | 45 Blue Jay Feeding Young 
2t Ovenbird and Nest. 46 Loggerhead Shrike. 

22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 47 Phoebe on Nest. 

23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 48 Hairy Woodpecker. 

24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. ! 49 Chimney Swift 


| 
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ADDRBAKSS 


CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 


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PRA ZB 
BIRD GLASSES 


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>No. 3, Vol. 4. APRIL, 1903. > {0c acopy, $1 a year. 


“YY Yi Udi Ce //— 


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Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16, r901 


BIRDS ARE COMING 
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air? 


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IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE 


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(PBSSSSSESESCEE SESE CEE 


Methods 
in the Art of Taxidermy 


By Oliver Davie. 


£ CAMERA USERS § 


"Me 
off 


See 


who wish to keep posted on the M7] 
. T fe 
latest developments in photography > Se Nice sand Eee oF Now Amen 


are readers of 


WESTERN CAMERA NOTES 


Pictures and articles suitable for 
publication are solicited and paid 
“for liberally. 


SO FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. 














We 
(( ue 


Monthly Competitions 
are held and 


$20.00 IN PRIZES 


‘® Offered for prints and literary mat- 
® erial. 





A late sample copy will be sent 


for two cent stamp. Mention Aa Op 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 $r1o. 

My Price $2.50 Prepaid. N 
Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass. @ 


DRSPSDSSDSDSSDSD Eeees” 














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= 


One Dollar per year. 
WESTERN CAMERA NOTES. 


‘ { So. Seventh St., Minneapolis, Minn. 










SSGESE GS SSSES SEES FE SE SEE E SSG CERES ES ERS 


120 
ISD 


SS SSS SESS CSE EES EEE SEK ERE ERE 


Boe 
e 





P| Are you in want of 

~ fee a Cabinet for your fav- 

la | One of the Holt orite Guns, Rifles and 

: Rods? If so don’tlook 

i further. We have just 

the right thing. An 

up-to-date Cabinet 

5 { adapted to the wants. 

aol sman *s of all sportsmen. Made 

by the most skilled 

workmen and of the 

very best material. 

{ Quartered Oak fronts, 

q a inets. best quality glass doors 

il and best hardware. 

i Well crated for ship- 
ment. 


We also make a specialty of MOOSE, CARIBOU and DEER 
SHIELDS and MOUNTS for Taxidermists. 





Cabinets for Collections of Minerals, Eggs and Insects made 
to order any size required at reasonable prices. 


Estimates given on large Museum Cabinets and Cases for 
Collections of Birds and Animals. 


J. FRANK HOLT 


ah. GAR DINER, ME. 
ST TT 





= me) 





What Bird Is This? 


BIRD LORE’S 
BIRD CHART 


Will Tell You. 





It figures 62 representative species of our 18 Families of Perching Birds and 
tells about their range and structure. We give it to every one subscribing to 


Volume V of BIRD-LORE, the first number of which appeared Feb. 1, 1903. 


WHEN IN DOUBT 
Write to a member of the BIRD-LORE’S ADVISORY COUNCIL. There is 
one or more inevery State and Territory. 


THE: MACMILIAN COMPANY, <teseent ane Mulbens SaaS 
WMbddddbddbddsdcdddddcddsddddddbddbddddddddddcdddddddddddddddaddaddaddads 








A AALAATARAAALAMIAALAALAAAAACAALAARAARAAEAAAA ALA RRAARAAEAA RD AZ 


FidlisdiSAiSSdiSSissSd4sSSuidsuissuaidsiasssins 


= nS = ae | 
EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE A COLLECTION OF THE 


Perry Pictures 


ONE CENT EACH 
For 25 or more on paper 5 1-2 by 8. 


120 for $1.00. 


Send 25cts. for portfolio of 25 Art subjects, 
Or 25cts for 22 Easter subjects, 
Or 25cts. 13 Pictures in Colors, 
Or 50cts. for these 11 Perry Pictures, Extra 


PHARAOH’S HORSES. 
The One-cent Pictures Are 6 to 8 times the size of size, on Paper 10 by 12: 
this Picture, 





Heis Risen, Christand the Doctors, Angel Heads, Stratford-on-Avon, On the Alert. Aurora, 
Horse Fair, Madonna-Sichel, Good Shepherd, The Gleaners, The Shepherdess. 


_ Or send 25 cent for any five. Send three two-cent stamps for our new illustrated catalogue con-— 
taining rooo miniature illustrations, a New York Edition picture, and two sample pictures. 


ii Have you subscribed for the Perry Magazine? Price, $1.00 per year, monthly except July and 
ugust. 


1 PERRY PICTURE COMPANY, Box 413 MALDEN, MASS. 
SRAM EMSS ISD OCMEVED CEES DID TES 


Ca 


L 





—————— 


SCHOOL CURIOSITY BOX 


ONLY $3.00. 


























At Regular List Prices these Specimens would cost over $15.00. 


A 


Just what is needed in Every School for Nature Study. 


_ Over fifty curious and showy specimens 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 of specimens. It contains Sea Urchins, 
Sea Horse, Resurrection Plant, Fossils, Egg of Skate or Sand Shark, Coral 
six varieties, Sand Dollar, Silk Worm Cocoon, Sawfish Saw, three_varieties 


Star Fish, Sea Fern, Chinese Horn Nut, Tarpon Scale, Golden Sea Fern, 
Native Lodestone, twenty varieties of Shells, Box of several hundred small 
mixed Shells, Electric Stone, Yellow Sea Fan. 1 will deliver this Collection, 
carefully boxed at express or freight office for only $3.00. 

SPECIAL PREMIUM:—For twelve new subscribers to American 
Ornithology at One Dollar each, I will send this collection prepaid by express 
or freight. ; 








CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 
em! , 
— SSNs 


ee 
_—— 












winners or not, will be paid for at the uniform rate of 50 cents 
each, irrespective of the class. 

All photos which we shall be unable to use will be returned to 
the owners. 

We make no senseless rules barring professionals, and as a 
matter of encouragement to amateurs, will say that it is a fact 
= that asa rule amateurs can do better work out of doors than can 
= a professional, and a person who has never before used a camera 
= for bird work may at the first attempt get a picture that can not 


hyd lal lalallala a lg 
J eee OL 1 See 4 
= We have decided to divide our photo contest this year into 4 
“& three classes; the reason for this is that it is obviously hardly fair = 
= to judge between the merits of a photograph of an adult wild bird, = 
= a young bird, and a photo of a nest and eggs. Therefore we have = 
= subdivided the contest into these three classes. = 
= CLASS |. FREE ADULT WILD BIRDS. These may be on 

= the nest feeding the young, or in the brush or field. We shall 

= NOT, however, consider CAPTIVE birds, or birds that have 
=. been wounded, whether they be tied out of doors or photographed 

2 free in the house or gallery. Awards as follows: 

= Ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash. 

= CLASS Il. YOUNG BIRDS. These may be photographed in 

= the nest or placed on suitable branches; in either case take great 

©] care not to do them any injury. Awards as follows: 

S& Ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash. 

= CLASS Ill. NEST AND EGGS. Nests must be in the nat- 

= ural situations actually chosen by the birds, although of course it 

= is permissable and desirable to tie back all branches and leaves 

= that will mar the picture. 

= Ist, $5.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3d, $2.00 cash. 

Ss 

= All photographs which we retain for publication, whether prize 


iu ll 


Ss 








= be equalled in years by themselves or others. 

<A 

“a AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, 
= WORCESTER, MASS. 





ee TT a 


PPI EE LE GE TIE HD: on IPA 


The Chippy Family. 


LIFE-SIZED (on paper 12x20) and tinted in Natural Colors 


Is given free with every subscription during 1903. This photograph is 





said by experts to be the most perfect portrait ever made of an entire 





family of live wild birds. Everyone who sees it wants it. 
It is just the right size for framing and should be in every home and 





school in the country. These Chipping Sparrows are one of the most 





useful birds that we have. They are found commonly in all parts of the 





country and should not be confounded with that useless pest, the English 
Sparrow. Hence the value of this picture as an object lesson to the 
children as well as an ornament for the -valls. IT IS GIVEN FREE as 








stated above. 





PREPARING BREAKFAST. 


This is the companion photograph to the above, and is very nearly 





its equal, and perhaps more interesting because of the supplicant attitude 





of the young birds, as they watch their parents breaking the green worm 


which is to form part of their dinner. 


This beautiful art picture is given free to any of our subscribers, who 








secures a new subscriber. 

It is for sale at 50 cts. a copy, or you can get the pair of pictures and 
AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY for one year for $1.25. 

Vol. 1 and 2 unbound and subscription for 1903 with the ‘Chippy 











Family”’ for $2.50. 


American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. 


American Ornithology. | 


A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 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. Vol. 1, $1.00, 
postpaid. We can supply back numbers. FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, 
$1.25. 





——— COPYRIGHT, 1903 BY CHAS. K: REED——— 





VOL. Ill APRIL, 1903. NO. 4. 








In the center of this number we have bound the sheet containing the 
Red-breasted Nuthatch. By bending up the wire staples this may be 
removed from this number and inserted in its proper place in the Feb. 
number. 


ad5> See 


On another advertising page, we make our offers for photos for the 
coming season. We have mads three classes for prize photos and all 


prints submitted will be judged without partiality. 
xeBD SGoe 


During the next three months more birds are to be seen than during 
any other part of the year, and during these months a great many more 
people are interested in observing. Will not you make special effort 
to bring this magazine to the notice of your friends and acquaintances 
during this period? It will be for your interest as well as for ours. 
On one of the advertising pages we offer a number of inducements for 
youto do so. The Chippy Family is still given to every subscriber 
during 1903 and the companion piece, ‘Preparing Breakfast’’ will be 


given to every subscriber sending us a new subscription. 





Fig. 1 Photo from life by C. A. Reed 
ARE THEY'HUNGRY ? 


122 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


CEDAR BIRD. 


A. O. U. No. 619. (Ampelis cedrorum.) 
RANGE. 
Found through the whole of North America south of the Hudson Bay 
territory. Breeds from about the middle of the U. S. northwards. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 7.25 in.; extent, 12 in.; tail, 2.5in. General plumage a soft 
grayish brown. Head crested. A black stripe through the eye. Chin 
black. Tail tipped with yellow. Secondaries sometimes tipped with a 
peculiar vermillion waxy substance. 


NEST AND EGGS. 


Cedar Birds nest late, and rarely are full sets of their eggs found be- 
fore the latter part of June, and often the eggs are still unhatched by 
the end of August. They show little choice as to the kind of tree in 
which to build their nest, and place it at heights varying from three to 
twenty feet, as the extremes. They lay from three to five greenish 
eray eggs that are sparingly marked with angular shaped spots of black 


or very dark brown. 
HABITS. 


HOSE who are the fortunate pos- 
sessors of a cherry tree in their yard 
or garden are generally the ones 
who are the least interested in birds 
except with a view to exterminating 
them. Unfortunately the Cedar 
Bird, or ‘‘Cherry Bird,’ is a connoi- 
seur of fine fruits, with a special 
liking for ripe cherries, either wild 
or cultivated. ‘There is no question 
but what they destroy large quanti- 
ties of this fruit, but it seems a pity 
that they cannot be frightened away 
instead of slaughtered by thousands 
as they are every year. 

In the spring and fall Cedar Birds 
vary their fruit diet and destroy 
large numbers of insects, particular- 
ly the canker worm that annually 
works such destruction in the apple 
Photo from life by C. A. Smith. orchards. Except during the nest- 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 123 





Fig. 2. Photo from life. 
CONTENTMENT. 


ing time they go about in flocks of from six to twenty individuals. 
The most marked peculiarity about them is their silence. A flock of 
fifteen or twenty will perch in a wild cherry tree for an hour or more 
and not a sound will indicate their presence except perhaps the occa- 
sional falling of a cherry which one of them has accidently dropped. 
It seems incredible that so large and sociable a body of birds could 
Maintain so strict a silence; it resembles a gathering of deaf mutes, and 
such in fact they might almost be called for their nasal hissing or twit- 
tering whistle is hardly loud enough to be deemed a note. 

Cedar birds have a roving disposition especially in winter. This 
period they pass in the large cedar swamps where they subsist on berries 
and seeds. During continued intervals of mild weather they will ven- 
ture out into the more open country and be seen about settlements. I 
am inclined to think that the birds that winter along the northern bor- 


ders of the United States are mostly some that have come from farther 
north and that those which breed here in the summer migrate a little 
farther south. They remain in flocks until the beginning of the breed- 


124 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ing season in the latter part of June. Even then they will be seen in 
numbers in favorite cherry trees, but they come and go as individuals, 
and not ina flock. Their nest is constructed of weeds, grasses, root- 
lets and moss skillfully interwoven, and is lined with fine grasses. In 
favorable localities they seem to prefer to place the nest in an apple 
tree, and in New England at least, I have seen ten in an apple orchard 
to one in any other kind of a tree. Although nearly as large as a 
Robin’s nest it is not nearly as easy to see, for they seem to be more 
skillful in concealing them with overhanging leaves. Their manners 
during the nesting period are of unusual interest, because of the differ- 
ences they present from those of other birds. 

On June 15th of last year a Cedar Bird was observed gathering cob- 
webs from a caterpillar’s nest. This she carried to a lone apple tree 
standing in a large meadow and only a short distance from one of the 
boundary walls. No investigation was made at the time, but a note 
was taken for future reference, and on June 30th an examination of the 
tree revealed a typical Cherry-bird’s nest containing four eggs. The 





Fig. 3. Photo from life. 
DISTURBED. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOUY. 125 





Fig. 4. ; Photo from ife. 
DISCUSSION. 


126 - AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


nest was about seven feet from the ground and was occupied by the 
owner when it was found. As usual with these birds she showed great 
persistency and refused to leave the nest until I had pulled the branch 
down to a level with my eyes. This apparent lack of fear might be 
attributed to any one of three conditions—desire to protect her treas- 
ures; a belief that her somber plumage renders her invisible; or to 
stupidity. I have not yet been able to determine which of these con- 
ditions influences them, and it may be a combination of-all three. At 
times we admire their bravery, and at other we deplore the fuolishness 
that leads them to allow their enemies to approach within reaching dis- 
tance. Some claim to exert a personal influence over the birds and 
that the latter can recognize their friends from enemies. ‘I have never 
seen any one who could demonstrate that he had more influence over 
the actions of wild birds than any one else, and I am sure that one per- 
son can approach as closely to a bird as another, provided that he does 





Photo by J. B. Pardoe. 
NEST AND EGGS OF CEDAR BIRD. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 127 


not by his actions show that he is intending to shy a stone at them. 

This pair of Cedar Birds made an unfortunate choice of a nesting 
site, for they had built their house on two separate crossing branches. 
Every time the wind blew their house was rocked to and fro, and the 
contents were in imminent danger of being spilled out. As we did not 
wish this calamity to happen we fastened the branches firmly together, 
and then as an additional precaution tied the nest more firmly to the 
branches. Probably the birds did not appreciate this kindness, but un- 
doubtedly it was the means of saving the lives of the young as will be 
seen later. While we were busy making over their home as we thought 
it should be, both birds were perched upon the topmost branch of the 
tree uttering their feeble protests. 

It was twenty days before we again visited the nest and when we 
were a long way off we could see that the nest was there all right, and 
that the adults were now busy in feeding the young. They both left 
the nest as we approached and flew about overhead until they calmed 
down sufficiently to alight upon their observation twig and watch to see 
what we were about. As soon as the branch was touched, up flew four 
heads with wide open mouths, the blood red color of the interior of 
which is so different from other young birds. They were repulsive 
looking objects, with just a suspicion of pin feathers appearing on the 
wings. As soon as they found that no food was forthcoming, they sub- . 
sided and cuddled down in the bottom of the nest while we were mak- 
ing our preparations. ; 

The limbs were tied down to a large stone so as to bring the nest at 
a height of about five feet from the ground; all intervening branches 
were tied to one side and a thread attached to the one that shaded the 
nest from the sun. After seeing that the picture was satisfactory on 
the ground glass, we retired to the other side of the stone wall. Later 
it was found that neither one of the birds would come near the nest 
when we were on the same side of the wall and in sight of them, but as 
soon as we were concealed behind the wall, the female did not hesitate 
to return to the nest and after a time she persuaded or commanded her 
mate to do-the same. Although they could see us whenever they flew 
out from the tree, they did not seem to be afraid, nor were they. scared 
by the camera. Their only fear seemed to be that we would see them 
when they went to feed the young. 

After they had found that we had not harmed their little ones, the 
female flew away after food, leaving the male on guard. Upon her re- 
turn, the two parents talked matters over for a few minutes, and then 
she slyly hopped down, branch by branch until she was beside the nest. 
Although to all appearances she had brought no food, she had a plentj- 


128 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Fig. 5. Photo from life. 
THE HAPPY FAMILY. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 129 


ful supply concealed in her throat and crop, for Cedar Birds feed their 
young by the process of regurgitation. Sometimes the food is ad- 
ministered to the little ones in a well masticated condition and again it 
may be in its natural state. As she stepped up on the edge ofthe nest, 
all the young heads were elevated and she assumed the attitude of in- 
spection shown in Fig. 1. After watching them intently for a few mo- 
ments, perhaps to find out which one was t1e most hungry, she threw 
her head forwards and upwards and in her then wide open bill, appeared 
a bright red cherry: This was immediately thrust down the throat of 
one of the young and she assumed the watching attitude again. Evi- 
dently she concluded she had fed the wrong one, for she soon removed 
the cherry from the throat of the little one who was just commencing 
to enjoy his meal, and placed it in the open mouth of one of his broth- 
- ers. It is said that the old birds can tell by the muscular action of the 
throat whether the young are ready to receive food or not. Certainly 
to look at the four young ones in Fig. 5, one would conclude that they 
were all equally hungry, but if this theory is correct you can not al- 
ways judge by appearances, for it is a very common occurrence for 
them to transfer the food from one mouth to the other. Personally, I 
am inclined to believe that they are 
training their little ones to follow a 
custom that is peculiar to adult Cedar 
Birds. Frequently when a number 
of them are feeding on the same 
branch in a cherry tree, one will 
seize a cherry, pass it to the next, 
who in turn will hand it along to an- 
other. A number of times I have 
seen a cherry passed to three indi- 
viduals before it was finally eaten. 
These two birds seemed to have a 
regular system in going after food. 
After we had watched them for 
some time, we found that they al- 
ways made their little journeys in 
company with two other Cedar 
Birds. The three of them would fly 
to a cherry tree in the yard of a 
house about a quarter of a mile 
away, where they seemed to have 
no difficulty in finding a number of 
Fig. 6. Photo from life. belated cherries. On their return 

RIPE CHERRIES. our bird would leave the trio when 








130 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


directly over the nest and shoot downwards to the top of the tree; 
the other two continued and by watching with the glasses we found 
that one alighted in a tree in-the next pasture, while the other one 
continued on out of sight. The two birds at what we called our 
nest nearly always took turns in making these excursions and -very 
rarely did both of them leave the vicinity of the tree at the same time. 

I had long since been familiar with the scared attitude of the incubat- 
ing Cedar Bird upon being approached, but it remained for this pair of 
birds to show me that they did not always sit in that uncomfortable 
attitude. The photograph shown in Fig. 2 was made while the bird 
was brooding her young and we were concealed back of the stone wall. 
After making this picture, Fig. 3 was made immediately, it being nec- 
essary to change the plate holder and reset the shutter, thereby 
bringing the hand within less than four feet of the bird. Although her 
appearance indicated great fear, she did not leave the nest even when I 
made the exposure and made ready for another. It was only after a 
long wait that both the birds came to the nest together. Nearly all 
the time when the female was brooding the young, the male sat on a 
limb in the shade and only a little back of the nest. At one time the 








his: . sit 


Fig. 7. Photo* from’ life. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 131 


female rose to the edge of the nest and looked at her partner in a 
threatening manner and with mouth partly open. He understood the 
manouver if we did not, and at once came to her side. Fig. 4 shows 
him at the left just after he had gone through the motions of “‘cough- 
ing up’’ a partly digested cherry. It can be indistinctly seen along the 
edge of his bill. Fig. 5 shows the female at a little later period in the 
same operation. Failing light now necessitated our return home and 
it was two weeks before we again saw them. In the meantime we had 
a terrific thunder storm, accompanied by a heavy fall of hail. It was 
with feelings of misgiving that we approached the spot, but the string 
mentioned previously had done its work, and the nest, though some- 
what awry, was still there, and the overhanging branch had warded off 
the hail sufficiently to allow the suffering mother to maintain her posi- 
tion. As we came near, both birds left the nest, and the young, who 
were about ready to fly, all stretched their heads forwards as far as 
possible in the same manner as the adults. In the meantime it had 
clouded up, and all our attempts to get a satisfactory picture of the 
young birds were unavailing. Try as we would, we could not get the 
four of them to sit on a branch at the same time. If one was not poked 
off by its neighbor, he would flutter off on his own account, and before 
leaving would be sure to grab the wing of the one nearest him, and pull 
this one along too. We did not even get a good picture of one of them 
alone. Although they can look pretty, they all seemed determined to 
act just as meanly as they could and would take the most ungraceful of 
attitudes. Fig. 6 shows one of the adults just as he has brought a 
cherry up to his mouth. This was for a youngster who was perching on 
the limb at his left. Fig. 7 shows the female and one of her hopefuls. 
It was taken just before another cherry appeared. We repeatedly saw 
them bring two and three cherries from their throat, and on one trip 
one of the birds brought four. They were ever on the alert for insects 
too, and time after time, they would dart out from their perch on the 
top of the tree and return with unsuspecting insects. 





Photo from life. 


THE SWAN FAMILY. 


132 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


DWELLERS ON THE GROUND FLOOR. 


(WINTER NOTES FROM A SANTA BARBARA CANON. ) 


NY one who wishes to see a new 
| side of bird life has only to take up 
the point of view of the birds that 
choose to live close to) the earhhyecme 
give up their prerogative of swift and 
airy flight in exchange for the safety 
which is found in thickets and low- 
| growing tangles of bushes. These 
| birds are perhaps the hardest of all 
to get a. good sight of toxndmmangiy= 
When frightened they refuse to fly, 
Sbut slip away noiselessly among the 
brush, or stay crouched where their 
dull colors make them “invisible! 
Some of the sparrows that have this 
“habit are rarely seen, thouoitatelys 
“abundant. But now throw yourself 
on the ground in one of those 
tangles of chaparral beloved of 
sparrow and bunting, and if you have long days of leisure, you will 
see sights that will repay you. Besides, you will never pity the 
wild things again, houseless in wind and storm, for you will find 
that no matter how the March wind blusters overhead, there are 
nooks and tiny glades among the roots and bushes where the air 
is always warm, and where the sunshine filters through, giving a 
tempered shade, <uite different from the sombre shadows of a full 
grown forest. Then, too, you feel an absolute security from inter- 
ruption. You know what a tussle you had with thorn and tangled 
vines to reach your retreat, and you feel, as the birds do that there 
is nothing to bring meddlesome human beings to such a place. 
Overhead is a light screen of miniature boughs, tiny branching 
arcades run in every direction, along which an interesting woodland 
visitor may arrive at any moment. Underneath you will find the 
softest, lighest bed already spread for you. Rolls of reddish bark 
from the ceanothus and manzanita bushes, the dried seed-pods and 
curled up leaves collecting year after year in this dry climate makes 
a light, clean cushion, on which you will easily fall asleep between 
the acts. And now we have taken our place and are waiting for 
the curtain to rise and the woodland drama to begin. There is no 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 133 


hurry; these little people have all the time 
there is, and in Santa Barbara one readily 
MIS. rim yoy Halak Senos 
mood. First you hear 
the orchestra tuning 
up, a clear, sustained 
pipe repeated more and 
more rapidly, then 
comes an answer on a 
different pitch, then 
another, till 
all the woods 
ring on every 
side. You 
iam 2, ei sal 
Hie SS : S : = Zia 4 large, brilli- 
Ws i Tali ant perform- 
Wf | Hci, fare in 

Wal the distance, 
some lark 
Ong at Me tsi 
and with this 
idea may 
seek years, 
as I did for the hidden musician, never noticing the tiny ash colored 
mite in the bushes at your feet. Wonderful volume of sound to 
come from such a tiny body. He has a way of making his voice 
sound as if it came from a great distance, and indeed it does 
come a long way, for in the evening I have often heard it from 
a canon half a mile away. The tiny musician proves to be a 
companionable little fellow; if you are not too proud to take a 
lodging on the ground floor. He is the Wren-tit (Chamaea tasciata), 
a bird peculiar to California. He is clad in sombre brownish ash, 
with fluffy plumage. There is something semi-comic about the 
expression of his: great, round eye, as he stands on a low twig 
and strains every muscle, down to his quivering tail, to utter a 
louder pipe than his neighbors on the other side of the oaks. 
His little bride is exactly like him, and they are very devoted 
and constant companions. In fact I never saw a Wren-tit alone. 
This shrill pipe is not the only note they use. They have also 
a scolding tone with which they rebuke any unwonted stir among 
the audience, and a soft babyish chirp which is reserved for love 

















nS 
WN) \ 
NN \ 
\ | 
‘\ \ h 
Wi 
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My 
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134 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


passages. At such times the pompous strut and quivering wings 
of the little man are very comical, and he makes the most of 
his loosely hung tail, jerking it up and down to punctuate all 
his remarks. Now they have hopped away together and the woods 
are silent again. 

Bye and bye a slight rustle in the dried leaves announces a 
new arrival. If you keep perfectly quiet you will find that a 
Pasadena Thrasher has been taking observations, first with one 
eye and then with the other, and has decided that the new tenant 
on. the ground floor is quite harmless. She comes quite mear, 
hopping on both feet, and rakes the ground deeply with her long 
sickle-shaped bill, trying to reach through the leaves to the moist 
earth, where grubs may be found. Always with eye toward the 
stranger, she circles about at a distance of five or six feet. You 
can study each feature as well as if she were in your hand. If 
you go to the same place day after day, she will come to know 
you, and you may count on a regular visit. Her mate will sit 
on the top twig of a small evergreen oak near by and pour out 
his wonderfully rich, varied song, full of the life and joy of the 
South. Now comes a soft ‘quit, quit, quit,’ and an answering 
twitter of little voices. A Valley Quail, or California Partridge 
comes tip-toeing out, warily looking to 
right and left, and followed by a band of 
well grown youngsters A neat, trim figure 
he is, the sun glancing from his sheeny buff 
breast with its ripple marks of russet. As 
he steps gingerly along, the plume on his 
helmet quivers, rising and falling with each 
change of mood. Now he goes cautiously 
down to a tiny stream of water to drink. All. 
of his well trained band stand 
in line behind him, each waiting 
his turn, instead of all rushing 
down in a disorderly riot to 
wet their throats. It is a very 
pretty sight when the father 
finally allows them to go down 
in single file, while he keeps 
guard, standing on a_ tiny ¥ 
promontory. The last misses *‘ 
his chance, for a snapping twig 
gives the alarm and at a word 












AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. I 


Ww 
VI 


from the captain they retreat in skirmish order. At times the 
male is bolder, and will answer defiantly an imitation of his 
bugle-call, consisting of three shrill notes with the accent on the 
second. 

Now is heard a sharp chirp and looking for some strange bird, 
we are surprised to see a Chipmunk scamper out into the little 
glade. He is evidently no less surprised, and after trying for a 
long time with shrill scolding, to drive away the intruder, retires, 
still grumbling. The big Gray Squirrel is more confiding and soon 
becomes accustomed to a friendly presence. He seems to weigh 
less than nothing as he alights on some frail, bending twig, and 
almost seems as if he should be classed among the birds, so free 
are his movements among the tree tops. When he does descend 
PREM nOuNG We wSeems, less, at home: therew than. many. sa) slothe. 
As he bounds over the ground his tail floats out with an undulating 
motion and he seems too light to move easily on solid ground. 
Like a bit of thistle down blown by a puff of air he floats along. 

A scratching sound is heard, then a surly “craw, craw.” 
Evidently it is poor picking, or else the bird is not easily satisfied, 
for he keeps up a constant grumbling. When he comes out into 
sight he proves to be a really handsome bird, showily dressed in 
black and white, with “orange tawny’’ breast; a bird that one 
would expect to show off in the tree-tops with orioles and gros- 
beaks, instead of skulking in the bushes. It is the Spurred 
Towhee (/2dzlo maculatus megalonyx), but his fine name and fine 
feathers are all that there is fine about him. He seems a_ surly 
fellow, but perhaps we misinterpret the mood which his harsh 
notes are meant to express. I have seen him, inspired by fine 
sunset, climb several twigs high in a shrub, and give voice with 
evident delight to a sort of trill, varied after a time by being 
Tmo mn anothier, key. I tound this bird tar dess shy) than. in 
Mendocino county and even tamer than the California Brown Towhee, 
which is so familiar in towns and gardens. The plain Tit-mouse, 
with his little pointed crest and gray coat, stops on a branch near 
by to hammer open a seed held skillfully in his claw. Then he 
catches sight of his feathered love, and an animated chase ensues 
up and down the branches, in and out, with excited “‘tzick, a zee 
zee.’ A rival joins in the chase, but is finally driven off and our 
first friend is successful in his suit. 

Vigor’s Wren, with his hearty, cheerful song, and bustling manner, 


136 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


is thoroughly at home in these groves and gives you to under- 
stand that he is master of the big fallen oak which he has 
chosen as his castle. Another advantage of a position on the 
ground is that you can look up through the lace-work of twigs 
and see clearly any passing visitor from the upper world, clearly 
outlined against the blue sky. One day, in an hour and a half, 
I counted one hundred birds which visited the bush under which 
I was lying. From this it may be judged how dense the bird 
population is, and yet we are almost unconscious of their presence 
for the most part. They glide through the air and go through 
the daily round of their busy life, leaving no trace, injurmes 
nothing, but doing most necessary service. Yet even their songs 
fall on deaf ears, for most of the visitors to this land, not hearing 


the songs they are not familiar with, say there are no birds. 
ANNA HEAD. 





BLACK-THROATED BUNTING. 
A. O. U. No. 604. (Spiza americana.) 
RANGE. 


Central portions of the United States; west to the Rocky Mts., and 
north to the southern Canadian border. It was formerly found on the 
Atlantic coast, but is now extremely rare east of the Alleghanies. In 
winter they migrate south of the U. S. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length, 6.75 in.; extent, 11 in.; tail, 2.5 im. “Upper ‘parts brows 
gray becoming greenish on the crown. Middle of back streaked with 
black. Yellow line above the eye and another short one below from 
the base of the bill; breast and below, and edge of wing yellow. 
Throat white. A black crescent across the breast. Wing coverts rich 
chestnut. Female with the yellow paler, the black throat patch re- 
placed by a few streaks, and the feathers of the shoulder only edged 
with chestnut. A remarkably smooth plumaged, and harmoniously 
colored bird. 

HABITS OF THE BLACK-THROATED BUNTING, BY GLEN M. HATHORNE. 

A favorite resort of mine in early summer is a large meadow, through 
which runs a little brook, fed by water from a boggy pond, and on 
either side of which grow a large number of cat-tails and long marsh 
grass. The meadow is covered with clover and a variety of wild 
flowers, with here and there a thistle, raising it’s head above its fel- 
lows as if it were a sentinel on guard against any lurking foes. A lit- 
tle to the north of the pond is a thicket of deciduous shrubs, and fur- 
ther on a heavy oak timber. Taken all together it forms an ideal place 


for bird life. 
While strolling across the meadow one day late in June, I came up- 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 137 





Photo by G. M. Hathorne. 
NEST AND EGGS OF BLACK THROATED BUNTING. 


on a nest of the Black-throated Bunting. It was built in a thistle that 
stood some twenty odd feet from the brook and contained four eggs. 
The female was nowhere in sight at the time, but the male sat upon an 
old fence post some distance away, chanting his unmusical notes which 
can best be expressed by ‘“‘chink-chink-chee, chee, chee,’’ the first two 
notes rather slower and pitched somewhat lower than the following. 
Although I have heard the notes of this Bunting a great many times, 
every summer since 1895, I always stop and listen when I hear one 
singing, for it recalls the happy days when I first met them. 

During the heated days of June and July when the sun beats directly 
down upon the earth, the Bunting’s ditty will be heard coming from all 
directions, in a locality where they are abundant, and when all other 
songsters are silent. Upon approaching the nest in question, the 
female appeared and began to scold and flutter at my intrusion. Not 
so her mate; he sat as calmly as ever and continued his serenading all 
the time I was photographing the nest. 

From the first of May fresh eggs may be found, but they are more 
abundant during the second and third weeks. The nest is composed of 
coarse grass and sometimes roots and corn husks on the exterior, and 
lined with finer grass, weeds, stems and hair. It may be found in a 
variety of places, but is most always near the ground. The eggs,which 
are blue-green in color, number from three to five a s acomplement, and 
two broods are often raised in a season. 


138 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 15. 


No. 536. Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lap- 
ponicus. 

Breeds in the northern parts of N. A., migratingjin 
winter to the northern border of the U. S. and rarely 
to the middle portions, except in the interior where 
they are fairly abundant. Length 6in. Black crown, 
separated from the black of the sides of head and 
' throat by a whitish superciliary stripe. Chestnut 
color on the back of neck. Rest of upper parts 
streaked with black and buffy. In winter the black 
‘=, and chestnut is nearly concealed by the buffy tips 
47 tothe feathers. Female. Black on head concealed by 
/ gray and that on throat broken. Chestnut color 
almost concealed. 


No. 553. Harris Sparrow, (Zonotrichia 
querula). 


Middle portions of the United States from Illinois 
west to middle Kansas, and from Manitoba south to 
Texas. Whole crown, throat and face black; sides 
of head grayish. Upper parts streaked with black, 
brownish and buffy. In winter the black on the 
crown is concealed by grayish and the throat is white, 
bordered with dusky streaks, andarusty patch adorns 
the breast. In the female the hocd is imperfect and 
intermingled with white. Length 7.5 in. | 


No. 565. Black-chinned Sparrow, (Spizella 
atrigularis.) 

Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. 
Length, 6in. Face and throat, black. A reddish 
brown patch in the middle of the back. Rest of 
plumage dark ash shading into whitish on the belly. 
The female is slightly duller in color. The young 
lack the black mask and the reddish brown on the 
back is paler. It has an extremely long tail for its 
slender body. 


_ English Sparrow, (Passer domesticus). 


An introduced species, but now covering the whole 
of the United States and nearly all of Canada; fre- 
quenting the cities and towns, where they are fa- 
miliar objects on the streets. Very pugnacious and 
make war on all the smaller native birds. Length, 
6ins Face and throat black. Hind neck chestnut. 
Rest of upper parts grayish, streaked with black and 
brown. Tail grayish. Under parts a dirty white. 
Female dull brownish gray on the upper parts and 
streaked with black and brown. Entire under parts _ 
grayish brown with no black on the face or throat.. 
No brown on the back of neck. Young males like 
the female and with a small patch of blackish on the 
chin. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 55 





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WN: 7 (Go OA Tha ees 
@ LEG als 
i anilgse., Yl 
Wf laa eo 
PRO EEX, P 










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RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 


50 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


The fourth member of the Szftine sub-family in America is the 
pigmy nuthatch, known scientifically as Sztta pygm@a, a genuine 
westerner, not known east of the plains. However, in the Rocky 
Mountain district he is an abundant species, his range east and west 
being from the plains to the Pacifle coast and north and south from the 
Canadian boundary to the mountains of Mexico. Swinging and glid- 
ing about among the pines, performing the same antics as his eastern 
kinsmen, he utters a cheery whistle, that may be translated, ‘whit, 
whit, whit.”’ His movements are often so rapid that he is difficult to 
follow with the eye as he flits from one tree to another or dashes amid 
the branches. He scarcely remains quiet long enough for you to note 
his markings and settle his identity, but once you are sure of him, you 
will never mistake him for another bird. 

In Colorado there is little of a migratory movement even up and 
down the mountains among these interesting birdlets. In the winter 
a few descend from the heights and dwell on the plains; where the 
weather is not so rigorous. On the approach of spring they again hie 
up into the mountains, spending the summer there and rearing their 
pretty bairns. However, the majority of them remain in the mountains 
all winter, braving the bitterest and fiercest storms often at an altitude 
of 8,000 feet. Their breeding range is from 6,000 to 10,000 feet, the 
latter elevation being only a little below timber line. 

Spite of his unique and interesting habits, the poets have. scarcely 
begun to chant the praises of the American nuthatch. One of the best 
tributes I have been able to find is from the pen of Edith. Thomas, 
who apostrophizes our bird in this way: 


““Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray, 
Whom I meet on my walk of a winter day, 
You’re busy inspecting each cranny and hole 
In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole; 

You intent on your task, and I on the law 

Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw ! 


The woodpecker well may despair of this feat— 

Only the fly with you can compete! 

So much is clear; but I fain would know 

How you can so reckless and fearless go. 

Head upward, head downward, all one to you, 

Zenith and nadir the same to your view.”’ 

We have now described the American nuthatch quartette, and will 

turn to other fields no less inviting, albeit more remote. The nuthatch 
of central Europe, scientifically known as S7f/a cwsza, is closely related 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 65 


HABITS. 


BOUT ten years ago, Prairie Warblers 
were very common in suitable places 
about Worcester. From then on they 
have gradually disappeared and for 
nearly ten years I know of no record of 
their having been seen. Two yearsago, 
three pairs nested in a small hollow 
covered with scrub oaks, chestnuts and 
barberry bushes. Last year there were 
at least a dozen pairs there. Why they 
ever left is a mystery; as far as we 
~know, nothing was ever done to dis- 
turb them in any way, and nothing oc- 
curred to induce them to return again; 
yet here they are and they will always 
find a welcome as long as they care to 
remain. Like the other members of 
the warbler family, they are not blessed 
with musical voices to correspond with 

YOUNG PRAIRIE WARBLER, their beautiful dress, but their sharp, 
jerky song has a business like air about it that commands atten- 
tion. They seem to be very nervous and restless at all times, and rare- 
ly stay in one place more than a few minutes at a time, except perhaps 
during the nesting time, when the male is perched upon: an outer dead 
branch of a pine tree, within sight of his home, and continually gives 
voice to his peculiar little song. 

Although many pairs of these sprightly little birds may nest within a 
comparatively small area, each seems to have his own section and look- 
out tree, and many an exciting chase occurs when the head of one 
household encroaches on the domains of another; a flash of yellow is 
all that can be seen.of the bewildering conflicts as they dash in and out 
among the underbrush, each one finally going to his own perch and 
crowing or rather chirping his victory. These petty warfares are all 
forgotten when any danger from an outside source threatens the home 
of any one of them. Then the whole colony appears as if by magic 
and joins in their common protest against the trespasser. Their nests 
are quite difficult to find as they are almost without exception built at 
the top of a low shrub, just at the point where the leaves cluster thick- 
est, and as there are hundreds of shrubs that are just suited to their 
needs, and the nest can only be found by inspecting the tops of each 
individual bush, unless the female can be surprised, a feat that is not 


often accomplished. 





66 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Me i) 











PRAIRIE WARBLERS (MALE AND FEMALE). 


| 


a 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 139 


No. 249. Marbled Godwit, (Limosa fedoa.) 


The interior of North America, breeding from the 
middle portions of the U. S. northwards to Manitoba., 
and wintering south of the United States. Length 
very variable, but averaging about 20 in. General 
color above and below, a rufous buff; back heavily 
barred with black; sides less heavily barred with the 
same. One of the largest of the plover family. 

No. 250. Pacific Godwit, (Limosa lapponica | 
bauert.) 
Found on the Alaskan coast of the Pacific. Aver- 

aging slightly less in length than the preceding. 

Upper parts not so heavily barred. Rump white. 

Most of the primaries black. Sides only slightly 

barred. Under andupper parts a stronger tinge of 

rusty than the preceding. In winter, grayish browon 
above, the feathers having black centers. Below 
white. 

No. 251. Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa hae- 
mastica.) 


Eastern North America, breeding in the far north 
and migrating to South America. Length about 16 
in. Under parts bright chestnut, irregularly barred 
with black. Upper parts blackish, and the feathers 
edged with rufous or buffy. Rump blackish; upper 
tail coverts, and bases of the black tail feathers, 
white. Primaries blackish, with white shafts. In 
winter the upper parts are dark ash with some white 
edges to the feathers. Under parts whitish, more or 
less tinged with rusty and with the barring faintly in- 
dicated. 

No. 270. Black-bellied Plover, (Charadrius 
squatarola.) 


Whole of North America, breeding in the northern 
parts and migrating toSouth America. Length 12 in 
Feathers of the back and wings varied with black 
and grayish white. Whole top of head and back of 
neck white. with only afew grayish feathers on the 
back of head. Whole face, throat, and breast black. 
Belly white. Tail white, barred with black. In 
winter, upper parts similar, and under parts nearly 
all white. 

No. 272. Golden Plover. (Charadrius dom- 

Imicus.) 

Whole of North America, breeding in the extreme 
north and migrating to South America in winter. 
Length, 11 in. Upper parts black, barred or specked 
with golden yellow and whitish. Forehead and 
Stripe over the eye white. Face, throat, sides of 
head, and entire under parts except the under tail 
coverts, black. Linings of wings and axillars gray- 
ish, whereas in the preceding they are always black. 
In winter the upper parts are duller and the under, 
grayish white, faintly streaked with dusky. 








140 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


THE BIRD WITH THE STAMMERING TONGUE. 


Drive along the country roads or ramble through 
the fields of the agricultural regions of the Missis- 
sippi Valley at any time during May, June and July 
and you cannot fail to make the acquaintance of this 
songster. From hedge-row, fence or weed-stalk, he 
will welcome you into his domain. He is rather. 
trustful little fellow, and as you ap- = 
proach he will look at you, throw him- — 
self into his conventional attitude, stiff- 
ly erect, and introduce himself as Dick 
Cissel. In his frantic endeavors to b 
cordial, he goes through the : 
ceremony of introduction too 
rapidly for clear enunciation; 
his speech becomes faltering 
and he stammers forth his 
name, — Dick -Dick- Cissel, 
“Dick-Cis-Cissel. Dick-Dick- 
Cis-Cissel.’’ Sometimes he 
utters ‘Dick Cissel’’ without 
a halt and, perhaps, if the old 
adage, ‘Practice makes per- 
fect,’ holds good, Dick may ,M% 
‘yet overcome the impedi- 
ment in his delivery—who 
knows? The  Dickcissel 
(Spiza americana) is indeed 
an incessant songster during 
the breeding season. He is 
an early riser and from dawn 


till close of day his notes are wafted across the meadows; the noonday 
sun that hushes most bird voices has no effect on him, for perched 
along the dusty road-side he repeats his simple strain under its hottest 
rays, and his metallic voice sometimes breaks the stillness of the night, 
as he wakes from startled dreams to tell his name. Although his song 
is unmusical and monotonous to human ears, no doubt to his little 
mate upon her nest, tucked away near by, it sounds sweeter than the - 
voice of the thrush. The Dickcissel belongs to the great finch family 
and'is a bird of the prairies and loves the hay-fields and the grassy pas- 
tures. He is the constant companion in the summer of the Meadow 
Lark and resembles him in general coloring, which accounts for his 













AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 14] 


misleading'common name of Little Meadow Lark or Little Field Lark. 

The black crescent on his throat has given him the more appropriate 
title of Black-throated Bunting. The nest is always placed on or near 
the ground, among the clover, in the grass and weeds, and in low 
bushes. It is composed of weed-stems, rootlets and grasses and lined 
with finer grasses and horse hair. The four or five eggs are of a light 
blue color. 

Dickcissels subsist on a mixed diet of vegetable and animal matter. 
The food of the adult birds consists of grass seed and insects, and the 
young birds are fed exclusively on insects. They are the inveterate 
enemy of the grasshopper, which makes them of economic importance 
in relation to agriculture. These birds are common summer residents 
in the Central U. S., from- the Allegheny Mountains to the Great 
Plains. Formerly they bred in the Eastern States, but now only rare- 


ly. They winter in Tropical regions beyond our sout1ern boundary. 
A. L. BOOKER. 


APRIL BIRDS, 
(In Pennsylvania. ) 


The pleasures of a beautiful April morning with the birds! Cold 
days are now practically over; and instead of the almost empty woods 
of midwinter we find every bit of forest filled with our friends of last 
year. Simultaneously, too, with the sprouting of the buds of trees and 
the blossoming of the hepatica in the woods we find that bird life be- 
gins to abound. 

Early in the month last year, I made a trip to a varied tract of land, 
where were deciduous woods, large tracts of hemlocks, and an open. 
valley with a swollen stream rushing through. Severa! -maller valleys 
opened into it, and along the road were rolling uplands and orchards. 
In one of these valleys, with a large field well covered with old corn 
stalks, a flock of Grackles were filling the air with their creaking notes; 
and this reminds me of a friend of mine who, referring to the song of 
the Grackle, says it sounds like the water running from a spigot, which 
was suddenly turned off; and though homely, this simile seems to me 
accurate. 

A dash of blue!—the familiar and beloved Bluebird. He merely 
crossed my path as if to greet me, and then from an apple tree close by 
came his tender, melodious “‘purity-purity-purity.’’ Next my attention 
was attracted by a number of small grayish-olive birds. I was walk- 
ing along when I suddenly came upon them, evidently in fierce discus- 
sion, in a wild grape tangle. One was turned quite upside down, hang- 
ing on a branch, with his pretty red cap showing conspicuously. In an 


142 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


instant, when he saw me, his red cap vanished, and the party dispersed. 
It is a curious thing how seldom the Ruby-crowned Kinglet will show 
his red patch; usually the olive feathers cover it. Then I heard one of 
the most marvelous of bird songs, and not until I had discovered the 
singer, a plain Ruby-crown, did I believe him capable of such a sur- 
passingly sweet, and yet loud, song. With the Ruby-crowns were a 
number of Tufted Titmice. I heard their usual notes, ‘‘day-day-day- 
day,’’ much like the chickadees, but louder and somewhat uasal.  Oc- 
casionally one would recall his whistled “‘pets-pets,’’ which indeed, to 
one who knows and loves the chickadee, is more suiting to the Tufted 
Tit than his bad imitation. Another call from the woods attracted my 
attention, a slight lisping note. Doubtful of its owner, I hunted him 
up and soon came upon a party of Cedarbirds. As I looked at the big 
brown fellows, with their crests and dots of red, they seemed to me ex- 
ceedingly handsome and dignified. While walking on, I heard a 
hoarse “‘caw-caw,”’ and looking up saw a Crow circling about. He 
seemed interested, and I tried to communicate with him by an answer- 
ing ‘caw,’ then I sat down on a stump, and answered him again. His 
curiosity go the better of him for once, for he circled lower and lower, 
and finally lit on a branch of the tall tree underneath whichI sat. The 
conversation was kept up, but he made no further advances. Soon 
another crow happened along, and with a parting “‘caw’’ the one in the 
tree joined him. Away they went, with their beautiful glossy black 
wings showing against the azure sky. I could not help wondering how 
such a body was fed throughout the long, cold winter when the ground 
was frozen, or when a few inches of snow covered the earth. 

“Tap-tap-tap,’’ and then a sharp ‘‘peek’’—I looked up and saw a 
Hairy Woodpecker. He did not seem disturbed by my presence; on 
the contrary, he went on tapping the branches most unconcernedly. I 
watched him for awhile, when I was rather startled by the whirr-r of a 
Flicker that suddenly flew from a clear spot inside a fence, showing to 
advantage his golden wings and white rump. Walking to the place 
whence he had flown, I found a rather disturbed ant-hill—Sir Flicker 
had been making a quiet breakfast on a swarm of black ants. 

In a wooded dale with a small stream flowing down the slope over 
the rocks, I saw a pair of Cardinals—the male, with his brilliant red 
body, wings and crest, and the female, with her olive-brown body with 
sparsely distributed red. They were in a low bush when I discovered 
them, but in a moment, with a sharp ‘“‘tsip”’ they had madea circuit and 
reached the high branches of a tree near by. Then I heard the song— 
a beautiful loud, rich whistle, suggestive of the bluebird’s but louder 
and clearer. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 143 


Near this spot I came upon a White-breasted Nuthatch, who with a 
persistent ‘‘yank, yank,’’ mounted a slender trunk, deeply interested in 
examining the bark. Suddenly he stopped, looked at me in a calm, 
inquiring way and apparently satisfied, unconcernedly recommenced his 
climbing, up, up, then he stopped for a longer time than usual, no 
doubt to extract some larvae or insects eggs. I need only mention 
a few of the other birds I saw that day; there were juncos, winter 
wrens, brown creepers, chipping, vesper, tree, and song sparrows. 
Towhees I found in large numbers, and their familiar calls filled the 
woods, In a damp, wooded valley with a mossy stream flowing 
through it, I saw a Louisiana Water Thrush, and heard his wild wood- 
land song, that seemed so perfectly to harmonize with the surroundings. 

Later in the month, when the weather is more settled and insects 
begin to abound, more insectivorous birds are to be seen. The Red- 
eyed Vireos arrive in time to defend the tender leaves and buds. The 
Swallows—Barn, Bank, and White-bellied come in great numbers and 
put a check on the flying insects and a few warblers put in their ap- 
_ pearance, notably the Black-throated Blue, Pine, Black and White, and 
the Redstart NORMAN O. FOERSTER 


SNOW BIRD’S SONG, 


It was a beautiful day in February, and while the ground was covered 
with snow and ice to the depth of several inches, yet the weather was 
mild and all the bird residents were active and enjoying the bright sun- 
shine. While passing through a wood, I came upon a small flock of 
Juncos. On near approach most of them flew away; one fat little fel- 
low, however, remained perched in a low bush where he received the 
full benefit of the warm sun. Presently a series of sweet warbling 
notes fell upon my ear and I looked all around to see from whence they 
came, but I could discover no bird near. On watching my little Junco 
more closely I found that he was responsible for the music. I plainly 
saw his little bosom rise and fall as he gave vent to some of the lovli- 
est bird notes I have had the pleasure of hearing. The notes were 
low and subdued, yet there was a sweetness and charm about them that 
would captivate any bird lover. I can only compare the song with the 
first low notes of the Goldfinch or our domestic Canary. The Song 
Sparrows were also singing joyously in the meadows, and a Downy 
Woodpecker was hammering away in the topof a dead tree in the woods; 
it seemed as though these little feathered people were conscious that 
Spring was again approaching and that they would soon be joined by 
their southern comrades. BERTON MERCER. 


144 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


SPRING'S OPENING DAY. 
FRANCES PERHAM CARSON. 


‘““Awake, awake, ye sleepy heads, 

Awake, and from your garden beds 

Your winter coverings quickly fling,”’ 

So Robin Red began to sing. 

“Up, up, and robe in bright array, 

To celebrate Spring’s Opening Day, 

For I am herald sent to say 

That Spring, sweet Spring is on her way.” 


Soon from a neighb’ring flower bed 
A jaunty Tulip raised her head, 

» And, smiling up at Robin Red, 

Hi, “I’m glad you told me, sir,’’ she said; 
“And pray be sure you don’t forget 
To wake the blue-eyed Violet, 

- In arms of Mother Earth, the pet, 

I think she must be slumb’ring yet.” 


) 


“Nay, nay, not so,’”’ a sweet voice said, 
Not far from Tulip’s tumbled bed; 
“Dear Tulip, you are tall and bright, 
And naught can keep you out of sight, 
While I, so low, can hide from view 
My garb of green and eyes of blue, 
And ere you had unclosed your eyes, 
Mine had been lifted to the skies.”’ 
‘Hark!’ said the pink-eyed Perwinkle, 
‘““Methought I heard a sleigh bell tinkle.”’ 
‘““Ho!”’ laughed the Crocus, ““Don’t you know 
That sleighbells only come with snow ? 

The diff’rence you can surely tell 

’T ween flowret’s notes and shrill sleigh bell; 
The tiny Blue Bells always ring 

To welcome the first day of Spring.”’ 


Down in a shady, sheltered spot, 

There slept a sweet Forget-me-not, 
Who opened wide her starry eyes, 
Looked up and smiled in sweet surprise, 
And said: “‘Ah, it has been so long 
Since I have heard the Robin’s song, 

I yet can hardly make it seem 

Of Springtime but a Winter’s dream.’’ 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 145 


““T woke ere Winter took his flight,” 

So lisped Spring Beauty, pink and white, 
“The snow was yet upon the ground 
And most of you were sleeping sound. 
To raise my head I made so bold 

And found ’twas not so very cold, 

And, when the sunbeams with me played, 
My cheeks grew pink and so IJ stayed.”’ 


Peeped through the earth the Maidenhair, 
Her locks wound round her stems with care. 
A drop of rain her hair unfurled, 

And all her green locks were uncurled. 

A zephyr, too, with soft caress, 

Tossed to and fro each waving tress, 

The Maiden Fern seemed not to care 

That all the curl had left her hair. 


From bough to bough hopped Robin Red, 
From tree to tree the news he spread, 
Until it seemed as if each note 

Would split his tiny, swelling throat. 
Chirped he: ‘What if I do grow hoarse, 
The flowers must be waked of course; 

But now as they are waked and dressed, 
In yonder tree Il] perch and rest.”’ 





Jack-in-the-pulpit rose and said, 

““A vote of thanks to Robin Red, 
According to my mind, is due; 

Will some one kindly take the cue?’ 
“I move,” the Pussy-willow purred, 
“A vote of thanks to this young bird 
For singing such a cheery lay, 
Awakening us to Spring’s first day.’’ 


“T second that with right good will,” 
Responded bright-eyed Daffodil; 

Said Chairman Jack, “The vote we’ll take, 
All those opposed their heads will shake 
While those agreed their heads will nod 
Until they touch the garden sod.”’ 

Then all the flowers in their beds 

Carried the vote by nodding heads. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Quick from his perch the Robin flew 
Right down where all the flowers grew, 
And to one side he cocked his head, - 
While in a song these words he said: 
“Thanks to you all, my flowrets sweet, 
It?gives me joy your blooms to greet, 
For well I know you’ve done your best, 
Else had you not so quickly dressed. 


“But this one word I’d leave with you, 
Let us give thanks where thanks are due. 
To Him who gave me voice to sing 

And made me herald of the Spring, 

Who bade the sunbeams melt the snow 
And warm the air that you might grow, 
To Him alone give thanks and praise, 
He made us all and times our days. 


‘““A sweet good bye I now must sing, 
’Tis late, I must be on the wing; 

I promised Mrs. Robin Red 

That soon as you were out of bed 

I’d go with her and do my best 

To find a nook and build our nest. 
Good bye, good bye, from yonder tree 
I hear her sweet voice calling me.”’ 


Away to make his promise true, 

With wide spread wings the Robin flew, 
And all the flowers faced the light 

And watched the bird fly out of sight. 
From bloom to bloom the sunbeams passed 
And asked what made them grow so fast. 
For every leaf and bud and flower 

Grew, both in sunshine and in shower. 


With smile and nod the Jonquil said, 
“Bre Jack Frost tucks us into bed, 

We’ve work to do our growth to reach 

To fill the place assigned to each, 

And that is why we grow so fast, 

So, when we sink to sleep at last, 

Sweet dreams we’ll have of joyous Spring, 
When Robins come and Blue Bells ring.” 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 147 


LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, 


Perched upon the topmost twig of an osage-orange tree, his gray and 
rounded form silhouetted against the leaden March sky, we see the 
first Loggerhead of the season. He is one of the earlier spring arrivals, 
being preceded only by the Bluebird, Grackle, Robin and Song Sparrow. 

Totally ignoring the bleak north winds, and the gloomy threatening 
clouds, he sounds his call notes right merrily. This is his early spring 
song and how different it is from his harsh and discordant notes of the 
previous autumn. His bell-like calls are now far from unpleasant 
to our ears and we rejoice at the vocal improvement he has made. 
Since he left us upon the beginning of winter, we have formed an 
acquaintance with his cousin, the Great Northern Shrike, who has trav- 
elled far from the land of the “Aurora borealis’”’ to spend the more severe 
part of the winter with us. 

Cousin “‘borealis’”’ is an accomplished songster—a veritable mocking 
bird of the northland, and although we conceded him the palm upon the 
first hearing, we are none the less proud of our own Loggerhead for . 
the two clear sweet notes he is capable of producing. The Logger- 
head arrives about the middle of March, the males preceding the fe- 
males a few days only. 

So closely does Mrs. Loggerhead follow that I have wondered why 
they do not journey together. When finally at home ,which is generally 
in the vicinity of the previous season’s domicile, no time is lost in be- 
ginning the new nest. Great energy is at first displayed, but later con- 
siderable dallying is noticed and often two or three weeks are required 
to finish their new home. It is a worthy structure, however, in its 
finished state, and, like the scriptural house that was foundedup on a 
rock, is able to withstand the March winds that come and the April 
floods that are sure to descend upon it. The foundations are of sticks 
and thorny twigs laced and interlaced with rootlets, grasses and strings. 
The deep and beautifully rounded inner nest is thickly and softly lined 
with the fur of small animals or feathers. The waving feathers give it 
the appearance of warmth and comfort and it certainly proves an 
attractive and well loved place, for its owners are seldom found at any 
ereat distance from it. 

A ride along our country roads during the first week in April will 
disclose many shrike nests in the process of construction. They are 
easily observed at this season, for it is a full month before the leafing 
of the hedges, and this renders them very conspicuous. This fact is in 
marked contrast with the nesting habits of birds in general, the great 
majority of which depends upon dense foliage or protective coloration 
to hide their treasures from curious eyes. 


148 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by Isaac E. Hess 


LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE ( Male. ) 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 149 


Except in occasional instances, however, the conspicuity of the 
Loggerheads nest does not prove detrimental to its safety, for only by 
extremely hard labor and an absolute indifference to thorns, can one 
and its contents be examined. The nests are placed in the thorniest 
and most impenetrable parts of the hedge-rows and usually just out of 
reach from the ground. From the observations of several years during 
which hundreds of Shrikes nests were examined, I would estimate that 
a line drawn horizontally, seven feet six inches from the ground would 
pass through a majority of them, while perhaps ninety per cent. would 
be found between two parallel lines six and a half and eight feet up. 
This is certainly a noteworthy characteristic of his habits and no doubt 
represents the acumen of generations of Shrike experiences. A foot 
or more higher, and the cosily lined home would be buffeted about by - 
the fierce spring winds which would often prove disastrous. 

A foot or so lower would bring them within the limits of the curiosity 
and mercy of the country school lad, the former trait of whom is un- 
limited and the latter seldom demonstrated. Far too often do we see 
-a nest turned on its side with a corn stalk thrust through the center and 
the pretty speckled eggs lying scattered and broken upon the ground. 
Short legs and shorter arms are unable to reach the prize and their 
owner, with the selfishness of human nature displayed in its embryonic 
state, destroys that which he cannot -_possess. Our Loggerhead is not 
discouraged however with occasional reverses, but will immediately 
proceed to build him a new home, and a fortnight later will be happily 
esconced in his new possessions. 

It is here we may see him to our best advantage, for he is strictly a 
home-bird, and will not object to a much closer inspection of his home- 
life than is allowed by most of our studies in the bird kingdom. 

His personal appearance is one of innocence and meekness and does 
not in the least betray that cruel hidden nature that so often shows 
itself in undeniable a manner. While Mother Nature decreed that he 
should prey upon the field mouse and other destructive rodents, and 
gave him a hooked beak that he might better handle his provinder, we 
find it hard to forgive his cannibalistic tendencies when we discover a 
little song-bird impaled upon the cruel thorns. We are more willing 
however to forget his faults when we see the love and attention he 
bestows upon his little mate and the unselfish care he devotes to his 
family of little ones. 

This remarkable devotion is exhibited from the day the young are 
hatched until they vie with him in size and plumage. It is the male 
we see in the accompanying photograph, which has braved the terrible 
glass eye of the camera in order to feed his hungry children. In the 


150 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by I. E. Hess. 


second plate he has induced Mrs. Loggernead to defy all danger and 
return to the little ones. He sits by her side however ready to protect 
her from any peril. 

The male proves an admirable character in his home-life. He helps 
to build the home and is a constant companion of his mate during incu- 
bation. He brings her food while she is setting or temporarily relieves 
her of the task. He helps in feeding and rearing the young and taken 
all together is a model and exemplary husband whose virtues far out- 
number and exceed his faults. The number of eggs deposited and 
constituting a set is usually six, although sets of five and seven are. 
occasionally found. So persistent are the Loggerheads in the deter- 
mination to rear a family that third and fourth nests will be built and 
full sets deposited, if their previous efforts have proved unavailing. 
So attached does a pair become to a certain locality that, should their 
favorite hedge-rows be uprooted and their nesting sites thereby de- 
stroyed, they will often be found to change their fixed ideas regarding 


sites, and build in orchard trees rather than leave the vicinity. 
ISAAC E. HEss, Philo, Ills. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 151 


Ww S with 


RY ict NG 


|) ODES) 


Address communications for this department to 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 





My DEAR YounG FOLKs: 

This month’s vanguard of May’s merry army of birds will coax you 
to spend every spare moment in the greening fields and moist woods 
to welcome each new-comer from its Southern home. Our little friends 
who meet in this corner each month are so scattered over our broad 
country that the time of the coming of the birds varies greatly; but we 
of Connecticut have already welcomed the bluebird, the purple finch, 
the phoebe, and the song and fox sparrows, and during April shall 
keep a sharp lookout for the chipping, field, swamp, and white-throated 
sparrows, the hermit thrush, martin, swallows, chebec, towhee, the 
vireos, brown thrasher, and a few of the warblers. 

As most of the birds migrate at night, you may be surprised any 
morning to find flocks where the afternoon before there was not a bird 
to be seen. 

This is a good month to listen to solos and to become familiar with 
some of the bird songs. Let me urge you to take blank book and pen- 
cil with you on your trips afield, and take Capt. Cuttle’s advice,’ when 
found, make a note of.’’ It is not safe to trust to memory, but jot 
down at once the birds seen, their size, shape, color, actions, flight, 
song, etc., you will find it a help in learning the birds and for compari- 
son in other years. One of our readers asks if the European Gold- 
finches which are now naturalized in Central Park, New York, migrate 
to the south in the Fall. Many—nperhaps all—of them are permanent 
residents. They were introduced from Europe into this country (near 
Boston and New York) twenty-five years ago, andare sometimes found 
in the company of their American cousins. 

We again ask our little friends to be patient if they do not receive 
replies to their queries at once. The names which appear on the Roll 
of Honor this month, are those who sent answers to the February puz- 
zles, and the names of those who solve the puzzles in this number will 


152 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


not be printed until the June number. Some of you were puzzled by a 
misprint in the February enigma—meadow-larks, in which the figure 9 
-was omitted, and instead of stormy petrel, a variety of answers was 
given, which is not to be wondered at, as several species have similar 
habits. We have received several euigmas this month, besides many 
interesting accounts of birding adventures, so you know why some of 
you will have to wait till another time to see your contribution in our 


pages. Cordially yours, 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


ANSWERS TO MARCH PUZZLES. 

Enigma. Wood-thrushes. 

What are their names? No. 1. Dick-cissel. No. 2. Immature 
orchard oriole in its second year. In common with many other birds, 
this oriole requires three years to perfect its plumage. The first year 
it is like the female, the second year adds the black throat, and occas- 
ional splashes of chestnut underneath, the third year it dons the per- 
fect plumage of the male. No. 3. The description is not minute 
enough to positively identify this bird. It probably was the Redpoll. 


ROLL OF HONOR, 

Jacob R. VanDyke, Marshall, Mo. Mary A. Johnson, Kansas City, 
Mo. Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, S. D. Clair McMorran, Spokane, 
Wash. Leroy B. Noble, Cromwell, Conn. Wm. Schneider, LaCrosse, 
Wis. Isidor Rehfuss, LaCrosse, Wis. Pearl Wampler, Dayton, Va. 
Louise Jordan. Defiance, Ohio. Raymond Hill, Uxbridge, Mass. 
Carl E. Geigenheimer, Taunton, Mass. W. Paul Pimm, Carbon Black, 
Pa. Everett P. Walton, New Vineyard. Me. Lillian M. Weeks,. Mar- 
ietta, O. Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H. Gerald B, Thomas, Liver- 
more, la. Lewis S. Gannet, Rochester, N. Y. 


EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 

I have been taking the A. O. for over a year and am very much de- 
lighted with it. Itis a great help in studying birds. On one ramble 
on July 4th, 1901, a friend and myself were going through the timber, 
when my companion noticed a nest in an elm tree, from which flew a 
small black and yellow bird. The nest was very small, built out onthe 
limb and there were three eggs init. We thought that the eggs were 
those of a Western yellow-throated warbler, as the bird somewhat re- 
sembled a picture of that bird, but since I have learned that it was a 
Redstart’s nest and eggs. In the latter part of April, 1902 three of us 
were in the forest, and were nearing a Red-tailed Hawk’s nest which 
we had found the year before. This nest was very high up in a black 
ash, and as we came closer, up flew the hawk. I was the only one who 











AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 153 


wanted to climb it. I had climbed it the year before, and had found a 
nest of little fuzzy chicken hawks. SolI started up the perpendicular 
trunk (devoid of branches until near the top,) and with the help of a 
friendly grapevine, managed to ascend to the bulky structure. This 
was lined with fine roots and some of the sticks in it were quite large. 
I found three eggs, about the size of a hen’s, and bluish white with 
large blotches of brown. We could hear the hawks off in the timber, 
making a shrill, loud noise as if calling for help, but what bird would 
like to help a hawk, unless it would be another hawk? 

We found several little blue herons nests in a wild plum thicket. 
The nests were close to the ground, but exceedingly difficult to reach 
on account of the thorns. They are light structures, the eggs being 
visible from the ground, through many cracks between the sticks. The 
little blue heron is truly a beautiful bird, though its legs are very long, 
also its neck. The largest bird I know of about here is the Great Blue 
Heron. ! generally put up boxes for the wrens, but the martins have 
never yet decided to build in them, probably on account of their being 
so low. On these cold mornings the chickadees, nuthatches, downy 
and hairy woodpeckers delight in a piece of suet. 

AE AWE UNE le alle Olaben Ctiyamlice 


One day in May while plowing corn, I repeatedly saw a shrike (in 
this locality called a mouse hawk) driving, or rather chasing some pur- 
ple grackles. The shrike seemed to have a certain portion of the field 
surrounding a small thicket (probably in which his nest was situated) 
for his feeding ground. There were three grackles hunting grubs for 
their young (which were in an orchard about a quarter of a mile dis- 
tant) who would persist in returning to the shrikes portion of the field. 
The grackles were continually on the watch out for the shrike. He 
(the shrike) used a large tree near by for his look-out, and all at once 
without warning he would dart out and skim along the ground, almost 
touching the earth with his wings as he flew, The grackles would 
hardly ever see him until he was right upon them, and their large yel- 
low eyes would fairly bulge out with terror as they flew swiftly away, 
only to repeat the same performance much to the annoyance of the 
shrike. I have also seen the shrikes when looking for their prey, either 
insects or mice, hover in the air after the manner of small hawks till at 
length they dart down, secure their prey, and fly away to some neigh- 
boring tree to eat it. 

I have also seen this fall several small thorn trees on which were at 
least a dozen large grasshoppers impaled upon the thorns, which I 
suppose was the work of the shrikes. 

PERcy I. PHILiips, Belleville, Ils. 


154 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


We have got a parrot and a canary, and one day we put the canary in 
the parrot’s cage to see what the parrot would do. The parrot looked 
at the canary for a minute and said “Hello, parrot,’’ and walked off. I 
have got quite a lot of stuffed birds, and one day the parrot thought he 
would find out what they were made of, and almost spoiled a cedar 
waxwing and a sora rail, but I repaired them. One morning early last 
summer we went out looking for squirrels nests, and came to an old 
orchard, and my brother climbed an old apple tree and looked into a 
hole. He hollered to the rest that he had found a red squirrel’s nest. 
He reached into the hole to take out the squirrel and pulled out a 
screech owl. There were two owls in the nest, and when we took out 
the owls we noticed some cotton in the nest, and-my brother said it was 
funny that cotton should be in there, so he took some of it out, and the 
cotton was, five young owls. We took the owls home and thought we 
could tame the young ones, but we had such a large cage for them that 
it was almost as if they were free. I reada story of one young owl 
called Clawem, and I guessed that the name would fit our owls, as they 


can clawem. CarL E. GEGENHEIMER, 


Taunton, Mass. 


A year or two ago when the river was mostly covered with ice, a red 
headed duck flew down to a little open place in the river, and began to 
swim about. A number of boys immediately collected and running out 
on the ice until they were about twenty feet from the duck, began to 
throw stones at him. He went on diving and swimming as if nobody 
was near. Once in a while one of the stones would hit him, but he 
took no notice of them. I suppose he wanted to stay in the open 
water, at least, I never saw a duck sit in the water and let boys throw 
rocks at him. For I have tried to creep up on ducks and have had 
them go flying away when I was a sixteenth of a mile away. At last 
a big rock landed near him and he flew off. In crossing over the road 
he struck a telephone wire with his wing and almost fell to the ground. 
He alighted in some open water further up the river. One of the boys 
went home and got his air rifle. He hit the duck two or three times 
before it flew back to where it came from. The boy’s father came 
down to the river with his gun and fired twice atthe duck. He knocked 
out a few feathers, but the bullets were not large enough. We went up 
the river the next day, and there was the duck swimming contentedly 
around. If the next day hadn’t been Sunday, probably the man would 
have shot the duck. Oa Monday the duck was gone, and I suppose is 
now swimming in some pool if somebody hasn’t shot him. 

STAFFORD FRANCIS, Exeter, N. H. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 155 


NUMERICAL ENIGMA, 


I am a beautiful bird and composed of fourteen letters. My 12, 14, 
6, 13, 10 is what nature robes the earth with once a year. My 1, 7, 4, 
11, 10, 12, 13, 4 is what I am on the Dakota prairies. My 10, 6,1, 7 is 
what holds my tiny treasures. I fear the 2, 9, 8, as he killed my mate. 
Every day I look for'5, 3, 14, 12, 6, worms. 

MARIETTA WASHBURN, Goodwin, S. D. 

Enigma No. 2. 

My first is in great but not in small, 

My second in race but not in ball, 

My third you will find in the word man, 

While my next is found in the short word can. 

My fifth and seventh are hid in kite, 

While my sixth is in the word delight. 

There’s letters seven in my name 

Mr. Sparrow and mine are just the same. 

Now can everyone guess my name aright? 

For I am a bird as black as night. 

MARIETTA WASHBURN. 

A Spring Enigma. 

I am composed of 13 letters, forming the names of two birds. The 

Seis unoml toorand «the 2nd trom.9) to3. >) Myo; 1015, 4.9) as 

found in every city. My 9, 10, 5, 4, is an article of dress. Male i@s 

13, 8, 4, 7, is a farming implement. My 11, 6, 9, 8, is what every 
heademol the uO. is lookine tor) «My 13,2, 5; is aapankor a, lithy, 
My 13, 4, 4, 8, is what is occurring at present in regard to coal. Myl, 
12, 8, is what is made at an auction. My 11, 3. 12, 2, 8, is what most 
birds do in May or June. My 7, 10, 5, 6. 13, is the name of a bird that 
is commonly known. My 9, 3, 5, is what a cat does to sharpen her 
claws. All the letters form two birds that are among the first to come 
in the Spring. WM. SCHNEIDER, Lacrosse, Wis. 





BIRDS THAT TELL THEIR NAMES, 


How many birds do you know that call their own names? There is 
one little fellow that is with us winter and summer, and we all know and 
like him. He is gray on the back, and white below, and wears a black 
cap on his head, aud he nests in a hole in a tree, sometimes in an old 
woodpecker’s hole, though he is not a woodpecker himself. We will 
call him No. 1. Number 2 isa great many times larger, and all his 
ways are different. To begin with, he lives on the ground nearly all 
the time, nests on the ground, even roosts on the ground. When he 
and the friends tnat are with him sit in a circle, huddled together to 


156 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


keep warm, but with their heads out so they are all ready to fly up 
should an enemy appear. He belongs to the same family as chickens, 
and his bill is very like theirs; he walks too, instead of hopping like 
most of our birds, and his name would do very well for a boy instead 
of a bird; the call that gave it to him is a loud clear whistle. He has a 
pretty hard time in the fall when the hunters are out. Number 3, isa 
sparrow, that as spring comes, goes up toward New England and Can- 
ada to nest, but before he leaves his winter home he whistles such a 
clear, sweet little song; two or three single notes and then one word re- 
peated three times, and this word, with “‘bird’’ after it is one of his 
names. But before singing time comes you may hear another of his 
notes, a sharp ‘chink’? given by one bird after another as they are 
settling down for the night in some hedge or thick clump of bushes. 

ISABELLA McLEmmon, Englewood, N. J. 

(Numbers 4-5-6-7 will be given next month.) 





GLEANINGS, 
THE HOUSE WREN. 


All it asked was a little box wherein to nest, and it paid rent therefor 
in musical notes. Those who have lived in the country must have a 
lively recollection of that bright, sunny April morning when, for the 
first time in months, they heard the cheery singing of this lively mins- 
trel. It is always ready with a full performance. There is no tuning 
up, no interminable twanging of strings, or dead-and-alive tooting up- 
on horns, but the full measure of the song proposed, and it is a wel 
come to spring that puts faith in the hearts of all hearers. 

C. C. ABBOTT. 


I guess the pussy-willows now 
Are creeping out on every bough 
Along the brook, and robins look 


For early worms behind the plow. 
VAN DYKE. 





TELLIEALES: 


Pussy-willow had a secret that the snow-drops whispered her. 

And she purred it to the south-wind while it stroked her velvet fur; 

And the south-wind hummed it softly to the busy honey-bee, 

And they buzzed it to the blossoms on the scarlet maple tree; 

And these dropped it to the wood-brooks brimming full of melted snow, 

And the brooks told Robin Redbreast, as they chattered to and fro; 

Little Robin could not keep it, so he sang it loud and clear 

To the sleepy fields and meadows: ‘‘Wake up! Cheer up! Spring is 
here! ” Mrs. CHARLES. 





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j entirely to cats. 


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A sample free with all so cent orders 
! for pictures. 


Address the CAT JOURNAL, 
‘ No. 16 Ave.A, Palmyra, N. 


THE DOG FANCIER. 


ESTABLISHED 1891. 


A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBL!CATION. 
The oldest, most popular and mes {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 DOG FANCIER, 

A sample copy will be sent free. 
Subscription price, 50c a year. 


EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, 
Battle Creek, Mich. 





WANTED: EVERY DEALER and COL- 
= LECTOR to send me his ad- 
dress that | may send out SAMPLE sheets of my 
STANDARD FIELD NOTE and DATA BLANK 
BOOKS. Endorsed by advanced Collectors and 
dealers. Recommended by Ornithological Clubs. 
“All answered.’’ Address, GEO. W. MORSE, Box. 
230, Ashley, Ind. 


AN ORNITHOLOGIST 


is not expected to be proficient in the other 
sciences; in fact it is about all one can do 
nowadays to keep up with his own spec- 
jalty. But an Ornitiologist ought to 
know something about plants tor he is 
constantly associated with them, and that 


is why we wish to call your attention to 


THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 


This is not a technical journal—the gen- 
eral reader can understand it all—but it 
will keep you informed of the interesting 
features of plant life, better than any 
other publication. 20 pages monthly 
Sample for a 2-cent stamp. 


$1.00 a year. Address, 


WILLARD N. CLUTE & CO., 
Publishers, Binghamton, N. Y- 


Subscription, 












Sy (il 


THE WARBLER 


A 16-page, bi-monthly magazine devoted to the 
study and protection of North American Wild 
Birds. Edited by 

REV. H. C. MUNSON, Buckfield, Me. 
Published by the 
Mayflower Pub. Co., Floral ParE,N.Y. 


SUBSCRIPTION PRICE 
Only 30 Gents for Three Years. 











First number issued January, 1903. The 
“ WARBLER” as a department of the Mayflower 
Magazine has made hosts of friends, and is now 
able to walk alone. Address 


THE WARBLER, Floral Park, N. Y. 





SOUL 


2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows. 
3 Woodcock on Nest. 

4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 

5 Three Young Woodcock. 

6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 

7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 

8 House Wren (male). 

gq House Wren (female). 

to Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 

rr Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 

tz American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. 
r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 
14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 
15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 

16 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest. 

17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 

18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 
19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 

20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 

2t Ovenbird and Nest. 

22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 

23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 

24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. 

25 Young Field Sparrow. 


CHAS. K. REED, 


PCO Ce ULL CO CULE OCCM LLM CU MLM OMA OIMMINUM 


LE 


LANTERN SLIDES 


We have listed below as fine a list of slides of birds as have ever been offered. 
them is photographed directly from the living birds. 


50 CENTS EACH, $5.00 PER DOZ. OR FINELY COLORED, $1.00 EACH, $10.00 PER DOZ. 
xt Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 
aot 


A OT ES 


ADDRBASS 


CCR IEC ETEEOOUUGE TODD UE TUM A TTA 


GOOCO CUCU OR UMMM ULI ALi a I IL = 





UU TL 


Every one of 


26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. 
27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. 
28 Nest and Eggs of Bob White. 
29 American Robin on Nest. 

30 American Robin Feeding Young. 
31 Five Young Chickadees. 

32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. 
33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree. 

34 Brown Thrasher. 

35 Brown Thrasher on Nest. 

30 Wood Thrush on Nest. 

37 Young Wood Thrush. 

38 Pigeon Hawk. 

39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 

40 Barred Owl. 

41 Screech Owl. 

42 Four Young Screech Owls. 

43 Young Blue Jays. 

44 Blue Jays in Nests. 

45 Blue Jay Feeding Young 

46 Loggerhead Shrike. 

47 Phoebe on Nest. 

48 Hairy Woodpecker. 

49 Chimney Swift. 

50 Four Young Crows. 


PONG COMEUUMOUUULIMIUCGOCIS OUTLIER LULL LILI. 


Worcester, Mass. 


peal Ht 


The 1903 Latest Perfected 


GRAPHOPHONES ... 
FRE CO RDS erovtousty nearts as tho Madera Mena ten 


ahead of the Deacon’s One Horse Shay. 


Real Music, Real Voices, 
AND 


Real Reproduction of Sound 
CHARACTERIZE THE 


UP-TO-DATE GRAPHOPHONE 





You will make a great mistake to”buy 
ANY TALKING MACHINE until you have 
heard the LATEST GRAPHOPHONE. 


Colunibia Phonosook Co., 


New York, 93 Chambers Street. Boston. 164 Tremont Street. 
San Francisco, 125 Geary Street. Chicago, 88 Wabash Avenue. 


$4.20 FOR. $2.10 


Another Combination Offer that Means Something. 


BIRDS AND NATURE one year................ $1.50 | 
*Ten Back Numbers BIRDS AND NATURE 1.50 | ALL FOR 








60 Colored Pictures BIRDS AND NATURE... 1. eet 
The total amount of value............... $4.20 20} B Za l O 
BIRDS AND NATURE, Monthly; 48 pages, 8x1o inches; per year, $1.50. A magazine de oted to 


nature, and illustrated by colored photography. It is the only periodical in the world that publishes pictures of 
birds, animals, insects, flowers, plants, etc.,in natural colors. Eight full-page plates each month. 


“Itis one of the most beautiful and interesting publications yet attempted in this direction. It has other 
attractions in addition to its beauty, and must win its way to popular favor. I wish the handsome little mag- 
azine abundant prosperity.’’—Chas. R. Skinner, State Supt., Albany, N. Y. 


“You have certainly hit upon a method of reproducing natural colors with remarkable fidelity to nature.— 
Dr. Elliott Coues. 


“Your magazine has certainly had a phenomenal success, and is entirely worthy of its cordial rece ption.— 
J. A. Allen. Editor of “The Auk,” 


“Most of the pictures are astonishingly good. I like them so well that I shall put them up on the walls of 
my rustic retreat, ‘Slab Sides.’ ’’—John Burroughs. 


“When one considers the low price at which you sell BIRDS, the number and excellence of the plates are 
surprising, and I trust that your efforts to popularize the study of OH EOI EY, may meet with the success it so 
well deserves.—/’. MW. Chapman, Associate Hditor ‘The Auk 


* A bound volume of BIRDS AND NATURE may be substituted for the ten back numbers. 


A sample of this magazine and of the Child Game for a dime and two pennies—I2 cents in stamps. 
Send for Catalogue. 


A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, 203 Michigan Ave., Chicago. 


MEN OF TOMORROW & ,; WOOD and MANDARIN DUCKS 


A monthly for boys and young men. 
* Published by Men of To-day to interest 
and stimulate the Men of To-morrow to think, 
act and live nobly. 


x 
Its Departments are 
Especially Interesting 
x . 
as the following willshow. ‘‘The Boy Collec- 
tor,”’ ‘‘Eye Spy "’ ‘‘The Camera,”’ *' Boys Out- 


*« doors,” ‘‘Boys Reading,” 
equal interest. 


and many others of 


Send ten cents fcr three months. 
$1.00 for one year to 


Men of Tomorrow, Box G, Albany, N.Y. 





Guide to Taxidermy 


One hundred pages. Full of valuable 
information, with complete instructions 
how to prepare and mount 


BIRDS. ANIMALS and FISHES. 


Also a complete list of Ornithologists’, Oologists” 
and Taxidermists’ supplies, valuable information 
for the amateur, recipes, etc. 


35 CENTS, POSTPAID. 


CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 


(“That Settles It’) 


\WEBSTER’S | 


a 































By the addition of 
25,000 New Words, etc. 
Edited by W. T. HARRIS, Ph.D.,LL.D., 
U. 5. Commissioner of Education. 

New Plates Throughout. Rich Bindings. 
2364 Quarto Pages. 5000 Illustrations. 

Will readily settle questions about words, 
noted persons, places, scientific subjects, etc, 
Should be in 
Every Home, School, and Office. 
Also Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 
1100 Octavo Pages. 1400 Illustrations. 
Illustrated pamphlets free. 

G. & C. MERRIAM CO., Publishers, 
Springfield, Mass. 








WHITE and BLACK SWANS 
PEAFOWLS, Etc., Ete. 


Mention AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY and 
large illustrated catalogue. 


SCHMID’S EMPORIUM OF PETS, 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 


send for 


JUNDER (Mss COVER 


Williams than on any other Typewriter. 
1 Special Price 


d nachines sent to responsible parties. 


to Agents in unoccu- F 
pied territory. Trial 


WILLIAMS TYPEWRITER CO., Derby, Conn. 


LONDON, 104 Newgate St, 310 Bradway, NEW YORK, | 





Then you will be interested in our 


= FISH KNIVES, GAFF HOOKS, 
HUNTING KNIVES, 
HUNTING AXES 

OR MATCH BOX 


cr you might be inter- 
ested in a description of 
our new 


Safety Pocket Knife. 


It is the best Folding 
Knife ever made. 


Send for our new catalogue, No. 
describing everything we 
make. 


MARBLE SAFETY AXE CO., 
Gladstone, Mich.,U.SA. 



































North American 
Birds, 


By OLIVER DAVIE. 


The Best Book on Nests and Eggs 
Published. 


Finely Illustrated, 
Fifth Edition. Extra Cloth. 
Thoroughly Revised, 600pp. 


Regular Price $2.25 


Given as a premium for four subs. to A. O 


Our Price $1.50 Postpaid. 


Studer’s Popular Ornithology 


The Birds of North America 


OVER EIGHT HUNDRED BIRDS FINELY COLORED 


This Elegant Book was published to sell for $4.00. We have a few copies which 
we offer at $18.00, express paid. 


The original drawings for the work were made from nature by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an artist of 
superior capabilities, who has made ornithology a Ifie-study. Revised by John Graham Bell, Esq., Audubon’s 
companion in the field, and a well-known ornithologist and taxidermist. The systematic table, arranged ac- 
cording to the classification adopted by the American Ornithologist’s Union, was prepared by Frank M. Chap- 
man, Esq., Assistant Ornithologist at The American Museum of Natural History, New York, includes all the 
additions to and correetions of our North American species which have been made to date, with an index to 
page, plate and figure of each species, according to the A. O. U. number. 

There is no more attractive study than ornitholgy, the department of zoology which treats of structure, 
habits, and classification of birds. The graceful forms, movements and habits of the feathered tribes have been 
celebratedin all ages by poets andartists, and have furnished the instrnctors of mankind with lessons of wis- 
don. But this admiration is not confined to the poet, the artist or the sage; it is universal. Wherever human 
beings are found, the forms, the plumage, the songs, the migraticns, the lovers and contests of birds awaken 
curiosity and wonder. No similar work containing so many beautiful and faithful pictures of living birds, and 
so much descriptive information, is now extant, or has ever been published, in this or any other country. 


Do a little canvassing among your friends who are interested in birds. You can easily 
secure forty subscribers to A. O. at $1.00 each and get this elegant book free. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 








ae 


GRAFLEX 


Rewersthle Back. 
oGhe 


Inimitable 









PRALAAS 


Camera 













































































No focusing scale, Pictures as you see them, 
No judging distances, 
Se While you see them, and 


One operation. ; 
Touch ae Button—that’s all. At the desired moment. 


JSimplicity, Portability 
Accuracy, Speed 


Equipped with the Graphic Focal Plane Shutter. 


4 x 5, 15 inches Focal Capacity. 5 x 7, 21 inches Focal Capacity 
Get the little book of your dealer, or 


SPR IDIS OOINIDID III INNIS Arr7AanAanw 
NNN INNINGS NINN NII NII 


407 Broome St., New York. 


Folmer & Schwing Mfg. Co. 











(GRRARARARESESESSR AY 


» 
BIRD GLASSES 


Like almost anything else are of various grades of excellence and 
also like other things it does not pay to buy the cheap kind. 
Better spend a little more at first and get the 


BAUSCH & LOMB ZEISS 























TUM 
& £S >) 


Tan 





See eases 
SI SSM 


STEREO BINOCULAR 


The new prism glasses giving the largest field, clearest brightest 


and only true stereoscopic image. This glass is used by the 
Armies and Navies of the great nations and by expert ornitholo- 


gists everywhere. 


BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL C9. 


ROCHESTER, N.Y. 


NEW YORK. CHICAGO. 


| 


Vol. 3, No. 9. MAY, 1903. 10¢ a copy, $1 a year, 


Z 


LIB ILL YY YY LL YY Yaa 
RICA Le 


i 
25 

GY 
G 


CUES 
Vn ZA 





Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16, 1901 


BIRDS ARE HERE 


ARE YOU PREPARED TO STUDY THEM? 
HAVE YOU 


A GOOD FIELD GLASS? 


It is easy to own a nice pair. 





Send for a few copies of our Bird 
Magazine and show it to your friends. 
If they like birds they will subscribe. 

We will send you a pair of THESE 
GLASSES FREE for getting ten sub- 


scriptions (new or old) at $1 each. . 








| JUST SEE THE DIFFERENCE. 

How much plainer you can see the 
markings of the bird in the large cir- 
cle. That is with the glass, and without 
the glass yousee itin the small circle. 
Don’t miss owning a pair of these when 
the birds arrive. 

eS Og EER 

These Glasses are well made and 
especially adapted for the use of the 
bird student as they give about twice the 


field vision of ordinary ones and magnify 
nearly four diameters. 











They are in a good strong leather case, silk lined, with strap by which 
they can be carried suspended from the shoulder. 

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 usand we will refund the $5.00. Is not that 
fair? 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


Western Field| -_QG@VERY 


The American Sportsman’s 


FAVORITE - MAGAZINE, 
LIVE, 
SNAPPY, 
AUTHENTIC, 
UP-TO-DATE. 


100 Beautifully Illustrated Pages Each Issue. 
Edited and Published by practical Sportsmen. 
$1.00 the year. $1.00 the year. 


Send for sample. 


WESTERN FIELD CO.,, . 


Sutter St., Cor. Sansome, San Francisco Cal. 


The A. O. BINDER 


Will Keep \ our Copies in Perfect Condition. 


OUR: BINDER will hold from one to twelve copies 
as firmly as if bound in a book. 


Handsome cloth cover with neat and attractive de- 
sign and lettering in gold. 


75 Cents, Postpaid. 
American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. 


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. 


JAMES P. BABBITT, 


— DEALER IN — 
Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- 
mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Speciaity. 
TAUNTON, MASS. 


Bargain Lists free upon application. 
Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- 
plies 2c. 


Naturalist Supply Depot 


DEALERS IN 
Supplies of all Kinds, Glass Eyes. 
Mounted Specimensa Specialty. Send roc for catalog 


FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., 


Museum HYDE PARK, MASS. 


of outdoor sports, games and recrea- 
tion will find 


THE NATIONAL SPORTSMAN 


The handsomest, most interesting and 
up-to-date illustrated monthly magazine 
published. Copy of latest number sent 
to any address on receipt of ten cents in 
stamps. Send forcash offer and premium 
list for new subscribers. Subscription 
$1.00 per year. Address, 


Ghe National Sportsman, 
63 Kilby St., BOSTON, MASS. 





36 CAT PICTURES. 


SIZE 5 X 8, SUITABLE FOR FRAMING. 
Sent 


postpaid for 50 Cents. 





Cat Journal Je 


The only publication in America of its 
kind. Its reading matter is devoted 
entirely to cats. 


$1 PER YEAR, SAMPLE COPY 106. 


A sample free with all 50 cent orders 
for pictures. 


_Address the CAT JOURNAL, 
No. 16 Ave.A, Palmyra, N. 








pers 





THE DOG FANCIER. 


ESTABLISHED 1891. 
A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBL!ICATION. 


The oldest, most popular and mes {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 DOG FANCIER. 

A sample copy will be sent free. 
Subscription price, soc a year. 


EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, 
Battle Creek, Mich. 





Are you interested in Botany, Ento- 
mology, Ornithology, Oology or in 
any Branch of Nature Study. 


We are headquarters for Naturalists’ Supplies, of all 
kinds. Send stamp for Illustrated Catalogue. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS, 


eC i 


=PHOTO CONTEST 


FOR 1903=—> 


We have decided to divide our photo contest this year into 
three classes; the reason for this is that it is obviously hardly fair 
to judge between the merits of a photograph of an adult wild bird, 
a young bird, and a photo of a nest and eggs. Therefore we have 
subdivided the contest into these three classes. 


CLASS |. FREE ADULT WILD BIRDS. These may be on 
the nest, feeding the young, or in the brush or field. We shall 
NOT, however, consider CAPTIVE birds, or birds that have 
been wounded, whether they be tied out of doors or photographed 
free in the house or gallery. Awards as follows: 

Ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash. 

CLASS Il. YOUNG BIRDS. These may be photographed in 
the nest or placed on suitable branches; in either case take great 
care not to do them any injury. Awards as follows: 

ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash. 


CLASS Ill. NEST AND EGGS. Nests must be in the nat- 
ural situations actually chosen by the birds, although of course it 
is permissable and desirable to tie back all branches and leaves 
that will mar the picture. 

Ist, $5.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3d, $2.00 cash. 








ina ttl al iil ie Oe 





All photographs which we retain for publication, whether prize 
winners or not, will be paid for at the uniform rate of 50 cents 
= each, irrespective of the class. 

All photos which we shall be unable to use will be returned to 
the owners. 

Photos may be of any size, but 4x5 or larger are preferred. 
They may be made on any paper except blue print. Any one 
may send as many photos as they wish, and it is desirable to 
send ina letter separate from the photos, any interesting notes 
concerning their taking. 


CONTEST CLOSES OCT. 1. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, 
WORCESTER, MASS. 


PPP PRP PY a a a lA 


Wy ev in in nelly auc a cide in il uc ti 


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= 


The PERRY PICTURES 


ONE for 25 or more, postpaid. On paper 54 
CENT by 8. 120 for $1.00. Assorted as de- 
EACH sired. 


THE NEW YORK EDITION, On paper 7 
by 9. 10 for 25 cents. 50 for $1.00. 


THE PERRY PICTURES, EXTRA SIZE. 
On paper to by 12. 5 for 25 cents; 11 for 50 
cents; 23 for $1.00. 


PICTURES IN COLORS, BIRDS. 
2 cents each. 
No orders for Pictures in Colors for less than 25c. 


= ne spring months are the best for the study of 
irds 

Send three two-cent stamps for our new illustrated 
catalogue containing 1009 miniature illustrations and 
two pictures, also sample pictures of birds in three 





SPRING BO ares 
The One-cent Pictures Are 6 to 8 times the size Send 25 cents for 13 Pictures in Colors or send 
of this Picture. for our list of Pictures in Colors. 


THE PERRY PICTURES COMPANY, 


Tremont Temple, Boston. 






146 Fifth Ave., New York. Box 413 Malden, Mass. 
AN ORNITHOLOGIST |S 
at t ted to b ficient in the oth Methods 
s not expected to be proficient in the other tn the Art. of Taxidermy 
sciences; in fact it is about all one can do By Oliver Davie. 
5 . Author of ‘Nests and Eggs | of North Ameri- 

nowadays to keep up with his own spec- : can Birds’ 

s : : Ny ULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. 
ialty. But an Ornithologist ought to ae 

know something about plants tor he is 


constantly associated with them, and that % 


is why we wish to call your attention to v7) 


THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
This is not a technical journal—the gen- 


eral reader can understand it all—but it 


features of plant life, better than any 





other publication. 20 pages monthly 

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 Prepaid. 

~ Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass. 


Sample for a 2-cent stamp. Subscription, 








: 

will keep you informed of the interesting 
y 

7] 

$1.00 a year. Address, ° 
7] 


WILLARD N. CLUTE & CO., 
Publishers, Binghamton, N. Y. 











. 
13 








in watching the birds and studying them in the woods. We want 
you to TRY and get AT LEAST ONE of your friends interested in 
this BIRD MAGAZINE and subscribe. We expect, with your as- 
sistance, to double our circulation, and we have below offered a few 
Y iducements for you to help us. 








7] RE RE —-+ 








BIRD GAME E 


A series of fifty-two illustrations of popular birds, in colors, true 
to nature. A beautiful, interesting, and instructive game. We 
will give this game FREE (postpaid) and also the picture ‘‘ Pre- 
paring Breakfast,’’ to you for sending us only one new subscriber. 
Each new subscriber will have a picture of the ‘‘Chippy Family.” 


FOR THREE NEW SUBSCRIBERS 
Now boys here is your chance. Get us three new subscribers 


: 
During the next three months there is always much interest taken \ 
> 
( 
( and we will give a year’s subscription free to either of the follow- 














ing, ‘‘American Boy,’’ ‘‘Men of Tomorrow,’’ ‘‘Western Camera 
Notes,’’ ‘‘Western Field,’’ ‘‘The National Sportsman.’’ For only a 
a few minutes work you can have either of these a full year. 
Each new subscriber will get the large picture ‘‘Chippy Family.’’ 


FOR FOUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS. 

We will mail you a copy of Davie’s ‘‘Nests and Eggs,’’ latest 
edition, or any book you may select to the list value of $1.50. 
‘‘Chippy Family’’ is sent to each new subscriber. 

FOR FIVE NEW SUBSCRIBERS. 


We will send you any book you want listed at $2.00 or any- 
thing from our catalaogue to the value of $2.00, and also send to 
each new subscriber the ‘‘Chippy Family.”’ 

« FOR TEN NEW SUBSCRIBERS. 


A nice pair of strong BIRD GLASSES will be sent express 
prepaid. ‘‘Chippy Family’’ will be sent to each of the ten. 











» American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. 


Ope fw SA eS 
RN NF NNR 









The Chippy Family. 
LIFE-SIZED (on paper 12x20) and tinted in Natural Colors 

Is given free with every subscription during 1903. This photograph is 
said by experts to be the most perfect portrait ever made of an entire 
family of live wild birds. Everyone who sees it wants it. 

H[ It is just the right size for framing and should be in every home and 
school in the country. These Chipping Sparrows are one of the most 
useful birds that we have. They are found commonly in all parts of the 
country and should not be confounded with that useless pest, the English 
Sparrow. Hence the value of this picture as an object lesson to the 
children as well as an ornament for the -valls. IT IS GIVEN FREE as 
stated above. 





PREPARING BREAKFAST. (Greatly reduced. ) 

This is the companion photograph to the above, and is very nearly 
its equal, and perhaps more interesting because of the supplicant attitude 
of the young birds, as they watch their parents breaking the green worm 
which is to form part of their dinner. 

This beautiful art picture is given free to any of our subscribers, whe 
secure a new subscriber. 

It is for sale at 50 cts. a copy, or you can get the pair of pictures and 
AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY for one year for $1.25. 

Vol. 1 and 2 unbound and subscription for 1903 with the ‘‘Chippy 
Family”’ for $2.50. 

American Ornithology, Worcester, Mass. 


American Ornithology. 


A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 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. | and II. 
$1.00, each. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. 
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. | 





—COPYRIGHT, 1903 BY CHAS. kK. REED——— 





VOL. Ill MAY, 1903. NO. 5. 





May is here; the banner bird month of the whole year. Let each of 
our readers who are physically able, take outings these pleasant morn- 
ings, and then write his or her experiences to AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 
so that those unfortunates who are unable to enjoy your advantages, 
may at least share your pleasures by reading your stories. 


ARE WE RIGHT? 


Now a word in regard to AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. We fully ex- 
pect to double our circulation in the next two months and we ask you to 
co-operate with us in this work. The total number of persons who are 
interested in birds is enormous, but only a few of these reside in each 
city and town, and we have no means of bringing our magazine to the 
attention of the greater part of them. We believe that each one of our 
readers has friends or knows of persons who are interested, and we 
also believe that each of our readers is sufficiently interested in this 
magazine to bring it to the attention of these friends. Are we right? 
We are willing to meet you half way, and to reward you for a kind 
word in our behalf, we have secured a large number of one of the 
most popular games published. We give one of these Bird games free, 
together with the picture ‘Preparing Breakfast,’’ to each one of our 
subscribers who will secure for us a new subscriber. Our volume, this 
year, will contain about 500 pages, and anyone can get a great deal 
more than one dollar’s worth of value from it. Besides we give each 
new subscriber the remarkable photograph “The Chippy Family.” 


CHIPPING SPARROW, 
A. O. U. No. 560. (Spizella socialis) 
RANGE. 


North America east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding from the Gulf 
States northwards and wintering in Mexico. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 5.25 in.; extent, 6.5 in.; tail, 2 in. crown, chestnut; forehead, 
black with a white stripe through the center. A light gray line over 
the eye, and a black one through it. Upper parts grayish, streaked 
with brown, wings and tail brownish, the former with two narrow bands. 
of white across them. The under parts are pale gray almost white. 

The male bird differs from the female in frequently having a more or 
less distinct line of blackish extending from the base of the bill down- 
wards. Young birds have the crown dull brown, streaked with black, 
and birds of the first year have the breast also streaked with brown. 

a NEST AND EGGS. 


Chipping Sparrows build their nests in bushes or trees at heights 
varying from: two to twenty feet from the ground. Their favorite loc- 
ation is an apple orchard and several pairs may be found in one orchard 
as they are social birds and always at peace with other birds as well as 





their own kind. ‘The nest is made of grasses and roots and lined with 
horsehair: They are delicately made nests and frequently it is possible 
to see the eggs through the bottom of the nest. They lay three or four 
eggs of a pale bluish green color. - These are specked chiefly around 
the ‘larger end with black and purplish brown. 


WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW, 
A. 0. U:No..560a. (Spizella socialis arizonae) 
RANGE. , 
West of the Rocky Mountains on the Pacific slope. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Varies from the Eastern Chippy chiefly in the darker gray color of 


the under parts and duller or streaked appearance of the crown. The 
The nest and eggs are the same as those of the eastern bird. 


158 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 


A CHIPPY PORTRAIT. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 159 


HABITS. 


HE little Chipping Sparrows are abundant 
over nearly the whole of the United States. 
The original bird occupies the East while it’s 
subspecies takes its place in the western part 
of the country. The specific name of “‘soci- 
alis” is very aptly given to these birds, for 
they are extremely sociable both among 
themselves and with human beings. 

In the country, especially, they will build 
their nests right in the door-yards and even 
in the larger cities, on the outskirts, they 
frequently take up their abode in the wood- 
bine which is commonly used to decorate 
piazzas. About farms you will find that 
nearly every orchard tree contains one of their little horse hair domi- 
ciles,—dainty little structures strengthened on the outside by a frame 
work of rootlets. 

Just as delicate and more fragile than the nest, are the three or four 
speckled blue eggs that are snugly ensconced in its cup-shaped interior. 
The little chippy babies have one of the pleasantest homes that it is 








Photo from life by Dr. J. B. Pardoe. 


160 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


possible for birdlets to have,—rocked and refreshed by the cool breezes., 
and protected from the stifling heat of a noon-day sun by overhanging 
leaves. 
A few Chipping Sparrows winter along the southern borders of the 
United States but the great majority go still further southward. On 
their return they reach the southern borders about the first of March 
and arrive in New England soon after the first of April. They seem to: 
reach the southern part of the United States in large flocks of fifty to a 
hundred individuals and from then on as they proceed northwards, to 
break up into smaller detachments, so that by the time they reach New 
England, they are already mated for the season. Numbers of them 
pass on still further and nest about Hudson Bay and to southern Alaska.. 





Fig. 2. Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
THE HOME IN THE PINE. 


Their first appearance is heralded by a strange ditty from the orchard, 
a rapidly executed chipping which might almost be called a trill. In 
regards to song, Chipping Sparrows are less favored than most others 
for this is their only effort in the musical line, their only other note 
being the decisive chip of the excited parents when disturbed. It is 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 161 


amazing how little interest a great many take in our common birds. I 
have known men,—acknowledged sportsmen,—who knew where every 
favorite haunt in their vicinity, for grouse, quail or woodcock, was loc- 
ated, but who knew absolutely nothing concerning even the most com- 
mon of any of the other birds. To them, there were, besides the game 
birds, but three other kinds;—crows, ‘“‘hen hawks,’ and either sparrows 
or ‘‘chippies,’’ this latter class including all birds smaller than a crow. 
Not only did they not know their names, but I have seen them pass 
right under a tree where a grosbeak or tanager were pouring forth their 
melody without either hearing it or being aware of the existence of 
such a bird. 

In view of such extreme cases of ignorance it is not extraordinary 
that so many fail to distinguish between the Chipping Sparrow and the 
the imported English pest which is so common about the streets. Con- 
sequently the young enthusiast is frequently discouraged when describ- 
ing to some friend, the unusual tameness or odd nesting site of some 
of our wild sparrows, to have that individual remark that some of them 
built up under his piazza or back of the blinds, which places, the English 
Sparrows So often freauent, to the sorrow of the owners of the dwelling. 

Chipping Sparrows are perhaps more often than any other bird, forced 
to be the nurse to young Cowbirds, very often losing their own young 
as a result of caring for this interloper. It not only appears ludicrous 
but seems to be the height of folly for this little bird to feed that large 
youngster. I have seen fully grown young cowbirds, having complete 
powers of flight, with fluttering wings and the supplicant notes of the 
just fledged young, begging for the food which the little bird, barely a 





Fig. 3. Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
ANTE aE TIO IN Grieve 


162 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


quarter of his size, had brought... When she would fly off for more food 
for him, he would follow and be on hand with his piteous appeals for 
more. As this was during the last of August and the young cowbird 
showed no signs of helping himself to food, it looked as though this 
poor Chipping Sparrow has a life work in the task of feeding one use- 
less bird. Perhaps cowbirds are of more value to mankind than they 
appear to be, for it is certain that their young, on account of their vor- 
acity, cause the insect eating foster parents to destroy a great many 
more insects than they otherwise would for the needs of their own 
brood. 

-, On June 27th a Chipping Sparrow was seen flying through a small 
growth ofpines. This was nothing unusual, but as she had food in her 





Fig. 4. Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
AN ANTIDOTE FOR HUNGER. 


bill she was under observation until she disappeared in the top of a low 
pine. The voices of the young could be plainly heard coming from the 
same place, but so well was the nest concealed by the numerous need- 
les that several trips around the tree failed to reveal it. Parting the 
needles at the top, we opened to view the pretty scene of a mother 
Chippy and her family of four. Even though we had interrupted them 
at breakfast, they showed no anger, but seemed to regard us with as 
much curiosity as we didthem. Itisa strange fact that this pair of 
birds nesting as they did over a half mile from the nearest house, should 
have been tamer and shown less fear of the camera than did a pair which 
nested in a public park where thousands passed within three feet of the 
nest every day. 

They were a bright looking lot of little ones, reared in this cozy and 
secure home, where the sunlight filtered down through the same need- 
les which protected them from the breeze which always swept across 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. EOF 


the top of the hill. Fig.1, ““A Chippy Portrait” is a picture of the male 
Chipping Sparrow on his first visit to the nest after we had found it. 
He is intently regarding the camera and his curiosity is shown by the 
elevated feathers on top of his head, thereby making it look as though 
he had acrest. Two of the younsters may also be seen, one on either 
side of him. He came simply to investigate and did not bring any food 
on this trip. 





Fig. 5. Photo from life C. A. Reed. 
THE CHIPPY BAMILY: 


A few moments later Mrs. Chippy was seen coming from the tree 
towards the nest, bringing a small caterpillar and the father at once 
left. As the female reached the edge of the nest, all of the young 
rushed to meet her. They were so eager for the food that they could 
uot wait to have their pictures taken, and so are poorly shown in Fig. 
2. These two photographs and two others in which both the adults 
and the little ones beat the camera shutter are all that were made the 
first day. 

The following day was one of those few perfect photographic days, 
when all conditions are satisfactory. The sun was concealed by a uni- 
form mass of clouds of just sufficient density to prevent it from casting 
a shadow. At nine o’clock we were back in the grove again to see our 
new acquaintances. Although the young had appeared very smart the 
day before, we were, nevertheless, surprised to find that they had all 
left the nest. Two of them were sitting on the limbs of a neighboring 
dead pine and the other two had flown off. After watching the old 
birds from a distance, for quite a while, we at last located the missing 


164 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ones and returned them to the side of their mates, who had already 
been carefully focussed in the camera. After having once tested their 
wings and found that they could use them they were not content to sit 
quietly in a row with their brothers, and every few minutes one or the 
other would make a short excursion, and it was only after a number of 
attempts that they understood that we wished them to sit where we put 
them. Even then the lesson was but half learned for at frequent in- 
tervals after one of them had to be brought back. : 
The old birds did not seem to be alarmed as to the safety & their 
little ones and quietly perched on each side of us watching until we had 
the whole lot arronged to our satisfaction, and then one of them flew 
away after food. Soon he returned and at once went to feed the young 
while his mate flew away after some more. They continued this routine 





Fig. 6. Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
A LONG REACH. 


performance for some time, one going as soon as the other returned. 
Fig. 3 shows how the female serves food, while Fig. 4 shows how the 
male bird gives his antidote for hunger. You will notice that on each 
of these occasions, one of the little ones had taken his departure. He 
was a very forward fellow and thought that he was entirely competent 
to look after himself. 

Seeing how regular the adults were in taking turns feeding the 
young we began to scheme to see if we could not get both of them to 
alight on the branch at the same time. We finally hit upon a plan that 
worked to perfection. As soon as one of the birds had left, by walking. 
up to the little ones we could keep the other from delivering his pro- 
vender until we saw his mate returning. In this way we managed on 
several trips to get both of the adults on the branch at once. Fig. 5 is 
a group portrait of the entire family. The bird on the right is the 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 105 


female. She had just fed the two little ones nearest her and was about 
to go when the male lit on the opposite side of the branch. He had a 
large worm in his bill, with which to satisfy the hunger of the remain- 
two. 

Fig. 6 shows that the disobedient bird child has run or flown away 
again. It will be seen that the male who is feeding the young one 
that is farthest from him, is reaching over two and the space where the 
third one was. It is no mean acrobat who can thus maintain his 
position with his center of gravity so far in advance of his support. 
The last illustration shows one of the incidents in bird life that is rarely 
seen. The male bird is the one next to the young. He had just fed 
the one at his side when the mother came with an unusually large green 
worm. To our surprise, instead of alighting at the opposite side of 
the quartet, she lit at the side of her mate. In bird language she in- 
structed him what to do, and the next moment he had hold of one end 
of the worm bearing down with all his might while she lifted up on her 
end until it broke in the middle. The two youngsters who have an- 
ticipation written on every line of their faces, were the recipients of the 
broken morsel, after which they assumed the quiet attitudes of their 
brothers. 





Fig. 7. Photo from life by C.. A. Reed. 
PREPARING BREAKFAST. 


166 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BIRDS IN THEIR HAUNTS, 


The relation of the bird to the landscape—how often any bird-lover 
has fe/¢t this but never really thought of it! We find it on every side, 
yet make no comment. To show how widespread it is, let us take 
several representative birds. 


ie 

The Wood Pewee.—With this bird I always associate a languid, mid- 
summer noon. I always remember a beautiful mountain lake, with its 
soft waters; the glassy reflections of the trees, and reeds broken oc- 
casionally by the movement of some insect or fish; the azure sky over- 
head with the full glare of the hot sun at noon. The soft dark green 
of the heavy pines relieved by the tall beech and white birch trees; the 
emerald green swamp grass, and the slender blue reeds; then the 
dreaminess of life! Nature is taking her midday nap; most of the birds 
are silent, but from across the lake comes “‘the sweet, dreamy, midday 
call of the Pewee’’ (Chapman) and the monotonous notes of the Red- 
eyed Vireo; the insects also are resting, but not silent; the oppressive 
air is filled with the chirp of the crickets and the buzz of the cicadas, 
while myriads of smaller insects join in, making a drowsy, dreamy, 
unbroken, confused murmur. Thus, it seems to me, is the Pewee re- 
lated to the landscape. a 


ne 

The Slate-colored Junco.—The opposite of the Pewee in almost every 
respect. Quite different recollections does the name of this bird bring 
back. Invariably I think of a certain tramp in the country last Feb- 
ruary on one of those days when—as Frank Bolles says— “‘one had to 
be pessamistic to realize that it was only a mocking grin on the mask of 
winter and not a smile on the lips of spring.’’ The sun was sending its 
warm rays down on the earth, melting the few spots of snow that yet 
survived. ‘Though at times the sky was hazy, no clouds of any weight 
obscured the sun. From the north came a very light breeze, not at all 
cold, but how exhilarating! It was one of those days when one feels 
so much and thinks so much. What fond recollections each familiar 
spot brought back! Here I saw a Cerulean Warbler; here a Chestnut- 
sided; and here along this stream, I first heard the wild, ringing 
notes of the Louisiana Water-thrush. But now all are gone. Nota 
sound comes from the woods once so full of life. The gentle breeze 
makes (not ‘‘laughter in the poplar trees’’) a sound of death. Each 
leaf as it loosens its last grip on a maple or oak, falls and is caught by 
the breeze, I walk on sadly enough along the road with the big trees 
on either side. In ten minutes I am once more in an open country. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 167 


Ah! at last. Not all the birds have left us, after all. I feel all the 
more glad to see these.—A party of Juncos, with a sharp “‘tsip’’ fly 
from a patch of dry weeds across a bushy hillside. 

hee 

Louisiana Waterthrush.—I never think of this bird without remem- 
bering that day in early May when I first made my acquaintance with 
it. It was ina wild little valley with a mossy stream in the middle. 
The slopes were heavily clad, —big deciduous trees, such as oak and 
maple and beech, towered over the bluish pines and hemlocks making 
the ground below dark and damp. ‘The underbrush was thick. 

One side of the hill was quite covered with the bluish three-branched. 
leaves of the hepatica. Everything had a delightfully damp, cool, 
woodsy smell. Though the meadows a half mile away may have been 
drying under a hot sun, it was quite different here; a few silver spots 
alone found their way through the dense foliage. Not many birds 
haunt such woods, though as I looked up I saw a few warblers flitting 
about among the tree-tops, and heard a woodpecker tatooing on a dead. 
limb. Then I saw a wagtail. The white line over the eye told me it 
‘was a Louisiana Waterthrush. I soon saw his mate.. They were 
busily searching along the stream, continually uttering a metallic 
“chip.’’ Ina few minutes they had disappeared behind a turn in the 
stream. Suddenly I heard the most glorious, wild, ringing notes. 
Hurrying in the direction from which the song came, I soon found that 
it was indeed the Water-thrush. There he was, his whole soul poured 
into the song, all animation. Several high, flute-like notes, loud and 
clear, then a rapid scale, running down. ‘The notes left me quite de- 
lighted. 

IV. 

Vesper Sparrow.— The Poet of the Fields.’”’ With the song—rather 
than the singer—I once more am in the meadows on a still evening of 
July. The sun has just sunk behind the western hills, leaving in its 
place a gorgeous mass of fire. Over this rise banks of clouds not so 
brilliant, then others still lighter, almost Flamingo-colored. Overhead 
are a collection of soft sheep-clouds, almost translucent. The eastern 
sky seems a greenish-purple by comparison. The fields towards the 
west reflect the magnificence of the sky, those towards the east are a 
soft bluish green. On one side is a large bluish belt of woodland, then 
a field of rye, and beyond a snug little farmhouse. All a picture of 
calm. The evening is one of those peaceful ones when everything is 
at harmony. And from a pasture on one side come those rich notes, 
so eloquent, so beautiful, so at peace with all, they win my heart at 
once. 


168 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Ne 

House Wren.—None of those mentioned can fill his place, he is the 
embodiment of life, activity, and energy. In the midst of a deserted 
bit of land stands a little shed that “has seen better days.’’ Immense 
weeds cover the little walk that leads to the shed. Not far away is a 
neglected orchard in full blossom from which comes the endearing 
notes of the Bluebird. The day is bright; the sun shines gloriously on 
high; the sky is a deep blue; the earth is green and beautiful. An 
active little ““chip’’ an active little hop, and from a little heap of brush 
comes a House Wren. With an angry little note he flies to a small 
tree, then down again, then to the other side of the brush, then with an 
undulating flight to another heap of brush, and lastly to the roof of the 
shed. There, on the gable he perches, and lets flow one of the most 
wonderful liquid songs in all Bird-dom. He seems fully as animated 
as our Water-thrush, but his notes lack the wildness so characteristic of 
that bird, they would be altogether out of place in the dense woods. 
He is all energy; a minute wasted is a sin. Even his song is short; he 
flies from his perch to go on with his persecution of the insects. And 
who would want to see a Wood Pewee at the damp side of a stream, or 
a Water-thrush trilling his wonderful notes from a tree, during the 
drowsy month of August, or the Junco at a House Wren’s home, or a 
Vesper Sparrow in the dense woods. 

I for one say, each bird where it belongs. Nature cannot be 
bettered. And it is the situation in which we find the bird, as much as 
the bird itself that makes us respect it- or sympathize with it, or love it 
as the case may be. NORMAN O. FORESTER. 


A SPRING SONG. 


Nature now smiles after winter’s long wait, 
Joys in the air and the earth is elate, 
Never a bird that will find not his mate 
And start keeping house at a very brisk rate; 
Eros the sprite, from far up his height, 
Shoots forth his arrows and blisses, 
And everything rhymes to the joyful times, 
In such a season as this is. 


‘“Cheer up! Cheer up!’’ listen and hear, 
Listen to the robin so loud and clear— 
Upstart bard with never a fear, 
Singing so gay in the spring of the year. 
While poets, methink, are spilling their ink, 
In a practical land such as this is, 
We pass them unheeded, they never are needed, 
When robin is telling his blisses. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 169 


O, bluebird, you’re dyed in the deeps of the sky, 
Your beauty dazzles the soul and the eye, 
Yet with lowly mien near the earth you fly, 
Or sing on the fence rail cheerily; 
Or with liquid call from the garden wall 
You lure your mate to love’s blisses— 
Ah! fond and true will she be to you 
In such a season as this is. 


The song sparrow trills his ecstatic note, 
There’s a music-box in his dear little throat. 
O, list to the gurgle, it seemeth to float 
Like waves round the prow of a fairy boat. 
The griefs of the past, O! they never can last, 
When we hear such a carol as this is. 
So forgive and forget, cease to worry and fret, 
And share with the sparrow his blisses. 


O! who can be sullen and sad in the spring ? 
For smiles let us laugh and for speech let us sing, 
And haste to the woods that so merrily ring. 
Where Joy reigns as queen and where Love rules as king. 
Sorrow, goodbye! from the spring-time you fly, 
And leave us to buds, birds and blisses, 
*Tis Eden again for the children of men 
In such a season as this is. BERTHA A. JOSLYN. 


THE KINGFISHER, 

On March 27th, I was in some small woods gathering wild flowers 
near a pond, wien I recognized a Kingfisher’s rattle. The chattering 
I heard was so like a squirrel’s that for a moment I thought I had mis- 
taken the latter’s conversation for the bird’s call. 

I approached the edge of the pond in order to make sure. In amo- 
ment there was a swoop of light blue, a violent splash and the King- 
fisher rose to his perch proclaiming his victory. 

I watched him for nearly an hour with great interest. During that 
time he dove four times and was successful every time. The contor- 
tions he went through in his efforts to swallow the fish were both 
ludicious and touching. The beautiful bird, beautiful even though his 
bill is out of proportion to the size of his head, seems so full of his 
success that his subsequent discomfort during the swallowing process 
was in sharp contrast to his former expression. 

About three quarters of an hour after his first dive the Kingfisher 
began to disgorge what I judged to be the bones of his first captive and 
only of that one as that torture lasted but a moment: At this point 
the Kingfisher seemed satisfied with his luncheon and flew away into 
the woods, out of sight. 

I saw this Kingfisher very clearly as I was but a few feet away from 
him, and to me he seemed undersized, or at least a good deal smaller 
than the ones I saw last summer in Maine. He didn’t look any larger 
than a Robin, but I am perfectly certain he was not an immature bird 


as his coloring was that of a full grown bird in every detail. 
JEAN LAMPTON. 


170 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 


A. O. U. No. 507. (Icterus galbula. 


RANGE. 


The United States east of the Rocky Mountains. North to Ontario 
and Manitoba and south in winter to Central America. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 6.75 in.; extent, 9.5 in.; tail, 2.7 in. Adult, malesventine 
head, neck, throat and upper back, black. Rest of under parts, lower 
back, rump, and terminal half of outer tail feathers, intense orange or 
flame color. Wings, with the exception of the orange shoulder are black, 
most of the feathers being edged with white and the ereater coverts. 
tipped with white. Female and young: entire under parts, dull orange 
or saffron color. No black on the head which is brownish orange like 
the tail. Back and wings grayish, the latter edged and tipped with 
white as in the male. 


NEST AND EGGS. 





The Baltimore Oriole builds one of the most unique of all North 
American bird’s nests, a long pensile purse which is suspended gener- 
ally from the long outer limbs of some large tree. Elms seem to be 
their favorites when they can be found. In orchards they also fre- 
quently build in pear trees. In most instances their nests are among 
the most difficult to get at, although they are easy to find. They lay 
from four to six grayish white eggs which are curiously scrawled with. 
black lines. Their eggs are laid during the latter part of May. 


HABITS. 


The Baltimore Oriole is variously known at the “Fire Bird,’’ ““Hang 
Nest,’’ Weaver or Tailor Bird,’’ Golden Robin,’’ and more locally by a 
number of others. They are generally conceded to be one, if not, the,. 
most beautiful of North American birds. Besides their beautiful plum- 
age they have a very clear and attractive song which they are wont to: 
deliver very frequently during the spring and summer months. It isa- 
pure whistling melody that few birds can equal or surpass. 

Their peculiar nest has probably attracted more attention to this bird! 
than any other one thing. It is very strongly woven of string, grasses,. 
fibers, caterpillar nests, etc., and frequently attains a length of seven or 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 171 





BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 
[ Male and Female. | 


172 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


eight inches. So firmly are they attached to the branches from which 
they are swung that they frequently remain intact for several years, 
although they are never used but once. During the winter months 
when the trees are bare, a great many of these can be seen, indicating 
to a certain extent the oriole population of the previous year. 

Occasionally they will build these nests on the lower hanging branches 
of elms where they are within reach of the ground, but more often 
they are far out on limbs at a great elevation from the ground, where 
even the small boy or nimble cat cannot explore the contents. 

They generally make their appearance in New England about the 
10th of May and until the middle of J uly their notes attract the atten- 
tion of everyone capable of observing birds. The males generally 
come a few days before the females, and seem to be very restless as 
they move about the budding trees; their notes also seem to be quer- 
ulous and complaining. It is not until the arrival of the female a few 
days later that they indulge in their rich full-toned melody. To give 
any adequate description of the song of an oriole will defy the best 
efforts of any writer. The female, too, has a song that would ordinar- 
ily be considered beautiful were it not for the overshadowing perform- 
ance of her mate. 

The parent orioles are very courageous and resolutely defend their 
homes against invaders. The female sits upon the eggs for about 
fourteen days and the young remain in the nest for about ten days 
longer. Several days before they can fly, they climb to the rim of the 
nest where they can look out upon the world below them, and incidental- 
ly, that they may be ready to receive the food which their parents bring 
them, as soon as possible. At this period, the wind swaying the 
branches frequently causes them to lose their balance and either fall 
back into the nest or sometimes outside to the ground. In the latter 
case unless they are injured by the fall they are generally able with the 
assistance of their parents, and by using their bill, wings and feet, to 
climb to a place of safety where they can remain until they have devel- 
oped sufficiently to make extended flights. 

Orioles both young and adults feed almost entirely upon insects and 
they destroy large numbers of tent caterpillars and canker-worms. 
After the young are fully fledged, several families unite and rove about 
the country together. Both males and females seem to make no at- 
tempt at song after the young have left the nest, and only the single 
sharp, metallic whistle or chirp is heard to denote their presence. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 173 
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 


A. O. U. No. 406. (Melanerpes erythrocephalus.) 
RANGE. 

The United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Very rare in New 

England and uncommon in the eastern parts of the Middle States. 
DESCRIPTION. 

Length, 9 in.; extent, 17 in.; tail, 3.5 in. Adults:—Whole head, neck 
and fore-breast, deep red; sometimes with and sometimes without a 
black border to the red where it meets the white of the under parts. 
Back, wing and tail, glossy blue black. Secondaries, upper tail cov- 
erts, entire under parts, and tips to outer tail feathers, white. Feathers 
of the wing with black shafts. White of the under part usually tinged 
with reddish. Young: whole head grayish, streaked with dusky. Back, 
wings and tail, black, but the 
feathers are edged with grayish. 
White secondaries more or less 
banded or spotted with black: Un- 
der parts, dull whitish streaked 
with gray. 

NEST AND EGGS. 





These woodpeckers are very 
common throughout the central 
portions of the United States, and 
build their nest in the decayed 
trunks of any kind of a tree in any 
location. Frequently telephone 
poles are used where there is a 
scarcity of trees, At other times 
it will nest under the eaves of a 
roof wherever it can find a suitable 
cranny. ‘They lay five or six eggs 
of a glossy white color, tinted with 
pink, from the yolk of the egg 


Photo by T. Earhart. showing through the shell. 
YOUNG RED-HEAD. 





174 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 16. 




















Woodpeckers. 


No. 392. Ivory-billed Woodpecker, (Cam- 
pephilus princtpalis.) 

Formerly found in the South Atlantic and Gulf 
States and in the Mississippi Valley as far north as 
Illinois. It is now only found locally along the Gulf 
States. Length, 19 in. Bill, ivory white. Nasal 
tuft, stripe on each side of head and down the back, 
and secondaries, white, Crest on back of head, 
vermillion. The remainder of the plumage above 
and below is a beautiful glossy black. 


No. 400. Arctic Three-toed Woeduecteis 
(Picoides arcticus.) 
Northern North America from the Arctic regions 


south to the northern tier of states. Crown, yellow. 


Stripe from bill down sides of the neck,.outer tail 

feathers and entire under parts, white; flanks barred 

with black. Primaries, barred with white. The 

emacs of the plumage, including the nasal tufts, 
ac 


No. 401. American Three-toed Woodpecker, 
(Picoides americanus.) 


Northern North America, east of the Rocky Mount- 
ains, from the Arctic regions south to the northern 
tier of states. Length, 9 in. Crown, pale yellow, 
specked with white on the fore part. Otherwise 
like the preceding except that the back is barred with 
white and the outer tail feathers are barred with 

ack. 


No. 4o1a. Alaskan Three-toed Woodpecker, 

(P. a. alascensis.) 

Found on the Pacific coast from Alaska south to 
Washington. 
4otb. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker, (P. 

a. dorsalis.) 

Found in the Rocky Mountains from British Co- 
lumbia south to New Mexico. 

No. 405. Pileated Woodpecker, (Ceoph- 
loeus pileatus.) 

Found in the heavily timbered regions of North 
America south of middle Canada. Length, 16 in. 
Bill, horn color. Whole crest and stripe from bill 
across cheek to below the eye, vermillion. Nasal 
tufts, chin, stripe from bill down sides of neck and © 
back, and bases of primaries, white. Remainder of 


plumage sooty black. In the female the red under 
the eye is replaced by the sooty black. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 175 


Jays. 
No. 478. Stellar’s Jay, (Cyanocitia stelleri.) 


Pacific coast of North America from Alaska south- 
wards. Length, 11 in. Head black, with the ex- 
ception of a few blue feathers on the forehead. Neck, 
breast and upper back, blackish, shading gradually 
into the dark blue plumage of the rest of the body. 
The deep blue of the secondaries and tail is crossed 
by faint black bands. The Stellar group of Jays is 
divided into several subspecies, none of which, in 
life, can be separated. They can best be determined 
from the locality in which they are seen. 


No. 478a. Blue-fronted Jay, (C. s. front- 
alis.) 
Found on the southern coast ranges of the Pacific 
Slope. 


No. 478c. Black-headed Jay, (C. s. annec- 
tens.) 


Northern Rocky Mountains and west to eastern 
Washington and Oregon. 


No. 483. Green Jay (Xanthoura luxuosa.) 


Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, and 
eastern Mexico. Crown, nasal tufts, and patch 
below the eye, bright ultramarine blue, being lighter 
on the forehead and nasal tufts. Throat, side of 
head and line through the eye, black. Under parts 
greenish or yellowish white. Back, wings and tail a 
decided greenish color shading to a rather bright blue 
towards the end of the tail. The outer tail feathers 
are yellowish. 





176 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 







































The woodpecker pecked on the old barn door, 
Where the farmer had never seen him before; 
He got out his gun of a very large bore, 






























And the woodpecker never pecked there any more. 





Were I to be transformed into a bird I should prefer to be a wood- 
pecker. 

One reason is because he lives in a better house than most birds do. 
His dwelling is dug in the oak so that its walls are quarter sawed when 
finished; in the e'm he hews with dexterous skill the tough fibres of the 
interior to the depth of six or eight inches where the bowl is chiseled 
enough to accommodate his prospective five or six children. 

In the white arm of the sycamore he is satisfied with great hollows 
in their decaying trunks. In all these places the floor of its home con- 
sists of a few chips that fall from the surrounding walls; here its spot- 
less white eggs are laid, and here are reared its little family of ugly 
babies. Sometimes he selects a hollow in the dead trunk of an apple 
tree, tne interior which he improves with his chisel; here he makes his 
summer home. 

Were I to be a woodpecker I would join the tribe of the Redheads 
for they are among the most beautiful of the tribes—the most saga- 
cious and war-like, yet gentle and brave at all points of danger for the 
protection of their home, and offspring. His home is in the trunks of 
the trees. From these wooden castles and cupalos built by Nature’s 
own hand he can look out of the only window which greets the day—in 
the house that shelters him from storms on all occasions—midst the 
deafening roar of thunder, and the vivid glare of lightning he can re- 
pose quietly until the elements have stopped warring—until the gar- 
ments of black clouds are torn asunder—when the sun can look down 
with his warm smile and prompt vegetation to make the green earth 
greener than ever—a paradise below for human beings and birds to 
dwell. 

From his log cabin in the air he can see this and more too—he can 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 177 





RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 


i78 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


see the farmer tilling the soil and hear his voice commanding his team 
in the furrows; he can look down on little glassy lakes and little creeks 
whose surface look like strings of polished silver—he hears the lowing 
of the herds, and the tinkling of their bells in the early morn; he can 
have the richest cherries that grow in the orchard and devour the most 
noxious insects in those trees, covered in early spring with white blos- 
soms, to pay for the little he gets from them. 

The caw of the crow, the hysterical cry of the blue jay, and the 
shriek of the Butcher-bird brings no alarm to him for they cannot break 
into his mansion of oak and rob him of his young like those birds do 
in the homes of other birds which have no roofs, to protect them from 
the storms and enemies. Birds that rear their young in open nests, on 
branches are most terribly excited when their young begin to fly or to 
try to fly. This is always the case for, something more than instinct 
tells them that some animal below is liable to get them. 

At this time when the birds are solicitous for the welfare of their 
young it looks as if there is more than mere instinct in their little 
breasts, if not reason? Where trouble exists fear always reigns. Of 
course the Redhead has his faults like any of the human family, but I 
do not propose to open the closet doors and show the skeleton. I 
could tell of many bad traits and characteristics, which he naturally in- 
herits, but what is the use? With all his faults he needs no recommen- 
dation. Were I a bird I should prefer to be a Redhead, when his little 
tots are ready to fly, and even when they are not, they can scamper out 
like mice on the trunk of the tree in which they were born, and earn 
their own living by digging out little insects which lurk in the bark; all 
the day long they can keep themselves busy, and when the golden rays 
of the setting sun tells them that darkness is coming on they can creep 
up to their little sky-scraper and rest until another morn assures them 
that their two tiny wings are more fully grown and that they will soon 
be ready to fly with their parents in the deepest forests where Nature’s 
song has a chord of everlasting music. 

Were I a Redhead, I would follow to a letter his tactics in the way of 
self preservation during the winter months, so far as food is concerned. 
A coal famine would not alarm me; the only fear perhaps that would 
enter my mind is that the woodsman might chop down my dwelling for 
fuel for humanity living below. 

Another reason why I admire the Redhead is that he seems to have 
an extraordinary amount of foresight—in looking out for a rainy day 
by storing grasshoppers, acorns and beech nuts in the cracks and crev- 


ices of the posts, in the cavities of partially decayed trees and under 
patches of raised bark. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 179 


The vegetable food of the Redhead presents considerable variety— 
dogwood berries, huckleberries, strawberries, wild and cultivated cher- 
ries and raspberries, mullberries, wild grapes, apples, pears, etc., His 
miscellaneous food consists of sumac seeds, ragweed, pigweed and 
other seeds, including acorns, galls, and flower anthers. 

Of course it is always necessary to bear in mind that the food of a 
bird necessarily varies with the season, and consequently the peculiarity 
of the tongue is related to some special kind of food, or particular 
method of obtaining it, pursued during the changing seasons of the 
year. 

The woodpecker’s tongue is wonderfully constructed for securing 
food at alltimes. The front or horny portion of the tongue is armed 
on either side with backwardly directed hair-like spines while the 
smooth bony surface of the tongue is coated with a glue-like saliva to 
which ants and other insects behind the bark will readily adhere. 

Another attachment which the woodpecker has to his tongue, which 
gives it an extraordinary length when he wants to get an insect which 
is nearly out of his reach is what is called the hyoid—a Y-shaped soft, 
flexible bony structure which curves up over the back of the skull and 
continues on towards the forehead. 

When I was a young lad I used to shoot woodpeckers with the rest 
of the bad boys and we always wondered why we could pull their 
tongues out so far, for we could never get hold of the tongues of other 
species which we happened to kill. But now I know it all—perhaps I 
do? Inthe month of June, at half past three in the morning by Nat- 
ure’s standard time—before the eastern horizon is streaked with golden 
red and purple—when the first zephyrs begin to blow—when the faint 
rustling of the leaves, now wet with dew, sound like the rippling of run- 
ning waters—when the squawk of the heronis distinctly heard over-head, 
I have listened to him gently tapping on the hollow trunk along the 
river bank, apparently trying to arouse his mate from her unseason- 
able slumber. 

In the days of June strange sights may be seen and weird sounds 
may be heard in the temple of nature. 

The splash of some fish is heard on the surface of the little stream 
as if rising from the shallow depths to catch a breath of the fresh morn- 
ing air; farther above, like a lot of truant boys we can hear the plung- 
ing and diving of a family of musk-rats as they come from their mud 
cavern along the banks. Back in the woods the Oven-bird is emerging 
from its dome-shaped nest, by the side of a fallen log uttering its em- 
phatic, startling song, while on the edge of the woods bob-white re- 


180 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


minds us of his mellow voice. As daylight brightens the kerr, kerr, 
kerr, of the Redhead becomes more boisterous; his drumming on the 
hollow tree is louder and, with the hoarse voice of the flycatcher, the 
loud notes of the Carolina Wren, the tweet, tweet of the sandpiper and 
bass notes of the clucking blackbird tells us that the day has been 
opened in the temple of nature by choristers whose voices are those of 
the Master. 

These beauties can be seen and these songs can be heard in the 
newly-born Empress of the twelve months—the month of June. 


BOOK REVIEW, 


My Woodland Intimates, (The Baker & Taylor Company, New York) 
by Effie Bignell, author of “Mr. Chupes and Miss Jenny.’’ Net $1.00. 

Woodland life, beautifully depicted throughout the cycle of the four 
seasons. ‘The author has the keenest sympathy and closest friendship 
with all the animals of her grove, and her stories of their lives through- 
out the year are replete with interest. She introduces us to her wood- 
land friends in the month of August, that time when most of the birds 
are hiding during the moulting season, and the woods are still except 
for the joyous carols of the goldfinch, the plaintive call of the pewee, 
the crude song of the newly fledged young, and the loud drumming of 
the harvest flies. We pass on through Fall with its hordes of departing 
birds and myriads of late flowers to desolate Winter with its leafless 
trees and birdless woods, save for the merry titmice and snowbirds. 

Through the lengthening days of Spring to the time of love-making 
and home building, we are carried, and our interest is held in a master- 
ful style until the last of the two hundred and forty pages have been 
read. Would that books such as this, and “Mr. Chupes and Miss 
Jenny’’ might find their way into the hands of all the young generation, 
that they might be taught to refrain from the bird killing and trapping 
that is now being carried on for pleasure and profit. 


The Story of a Bird Lover, (The Outlook Co., New York), by Will- 
jam Earl Dodge Scott). Net, $1.50. 

Mr. Scott is well known to the public as a leading ornithologist, 
through his numerous publications and contributions to scientific and 
ornithological magazines. The present volume is the story of his 
numerous researches in various parts of the country for ornithological 
material and data. The first chapters are devoted to his childhood, and 
college days and the causes that influenced him to take up his present 
life work. After a few months work for a taxidermist in New York, he 
entered the employ of Princeton college, of which institution he is now 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 181 


curator of the Museum. Besides local collection of the birds about 
Princeton, Mr. Scott went for material along the Atlantic Coast, several 
trips to Florida, the south and middle West, and the West Indies. In 
all of these localities, besides making additions to our knowledge of the 
fauna of the region, he discovered new forms which had hitherto been 
undescribed. The author is at present studying the living birds in cap- 
tivity and has upwards of five hundred North American birds in a large 
Aviary. Most of these were reared by hand from the nest and are per- 
fectly contented in the large room which allows them plenty of liberty 
and in which are anumber of trees. It is expected that ultimately much 
valuable knowledge will be gained from the studying of these birds, 
especially as to the manner in which the moult is accomplished and as 
to whether a birds song is hereditary or acquired from hearing the 
parents. Any one who is interested in bird life will find this volume 
filied from cover to cover with valuable material from the pen of the 
gifted author. As many of the incidents are as they occured over a 
dozen years ago, they serve more forcibly to present the need of each 
one doing his best to prevent the continued wholesale slaughter of our 
native birds. 


The Bird Calendar, (R. H. Russell, New York.) 

One of the most unique calendars ever offered to the public. It con- 
tains quotations of verse for every day in the year, and is illustrated 
by nine plates of birds, from drawings, by the three color process. 
The calendar is a gem except for the colored plates which are very 
crude and unlifelike, and will probably detract a great deal from an 
otherwise large sale. 


ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS, 


Mr. G. H. Abbot: The common partridge of New Hampshire is the 
Ruffed Grouse. 

A. B. Keeler, Jr.: “I enclose a photo of a bird’s nest taken on the 
27th of March of this year. The nest was on the ground in a small 
bunch of grass. It contained two eggs when discovered on the 23rd. 
On the 25th it had three, and on the 27th I took this picture. I was 
going to get some pictures of the young, but on the 3lst the eggs were 
missing and the birds were gone.’’ Without doubt the eggs shown in 
the photo are those of the Song Sparrow, although I have never heard 
of their building in March even in Illinois. You should have placed 
the camera lower so as to get a more lateral view of the nest, and you 
should use a stop at least as small as £64 in order to get complete 
detail of the whole nest. 





A. B. Hall, Photographs for our competition may be on any paper 
except blue prints, and they can be of any size, but 4x5 or larger are 
preferred. Photographs made last year may be entered if they have 
not already been published. 


182 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


UNUSUAL ROBIN SITES. 


Although nearly all birds will sometimes build their homes in strange 
places, Robins seem to err most frequently in this respect. Perhaps it 
is because they are more common and we notice the unusual nests 
sooner than those of most other birds or perhaps the Robins them- 
selves are not quite as keen witted as the majority of the song birds. 

The authenticity of the following location is vouched for by Mr. N. 
A. Pool of Howell, Mich. “A nest of Robins ina milk wagon that is 
used every day may seem a strange incident, but it is, nevertheless 
true- Mr. Carpenter has a light wagon which is used every day to 
bring milk. In the morning it is driven over a mile after the milk and 





Fig. tr. Photo by C. A. Reed. 
YOUNG ROBINS. 


then returns and stands under the shade of a tree the rest of the time. 
A Robin built her nest on the reach just forward of the rear wheels of 
the wagon, and under the box. In this she has laid and hatched her 
eggs. When the wagon is away the parent birds chirp in the trees and 
when it returns they attend to their affairs as though no interruption 
had ever occurred. It is indeed curious that they should persist in 
building the nest when they found that the wagon was in daily use.” - 


Another Robin chose her nesting site where it was immovable but 
for other reasons would appear to be fully as undesirable as one that 
took aride off every morning. This was on one of the girders of an 
oil cloth factory. The Robin found an entrance through a broken win- 


AMLRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 183 


dow pane and constructed her nest directly opposite on the beam. As 
the factory was in full operation all the time it would seem as though 
it would be the last place she would wish to choose for a home even 
though she had the courage to venture in there in the first place. AIl- 
though the noise of the machinery is deafening, she appeared to pay no 
attention to it. 

Owing to the poor light the photographer was obliged to use a time 
exposure and was extremely fortunate to get so good a picture of the 
old bird. The eageraess of the young may be plainly seen from blurred 
appearance caused by their waving heads. You can also see in front 
of the Robin’s chin a faint impression of her head showing her attitude 





Fig. 2. Photo. from life. 
A NOISY SITUATION. 


184 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


of inspection at the instant the bulb was pressed. As soon as she 
heard the click of the opening shutter, she auicely raised her head to 
the position that is clearly shown. 

Another Robin has built her nest for three consecutive years on the 
top of a blind, under the front 
piazza of a house that is practic- 
ally in the heart of a city of a hun- 
dred and twenty-five thousand in- 
habitants. She chose the window 
nearest the front door. The first 
year the nest was located on the 
top of the blind that was nearest 
the door, but for the last two years 
she has chosen the farther one. 
She chose this location and held 
to it in spite of the fact that -a 
good deal of the time some one 
was sitting on the piazza directly 
under the nest, or children were 
playing about the house. 

She soon came to know those who 
lived in the house and paid no at- 
tention to them when they sat be- 
low watching her, but with strang- 
ers she was more wary and would 
watch them for a long while before 
returning to the nest. I first made 
the acquaintance of these birds on 
the day that the young left the 
nest. A warning came over the 
telephone the evening previous 
that the young were showing signs 
of uneasiness and stretching their 
wings as though wondering 
whether they were strong enough 
to support them in the air. When 
I appeared the next morning one 
of the young had already left the 
nest, and when I pointed the cam- 
era in the direction of the nest, 
another also took wing and under 
the skillful guidance and encour- 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


aging chirps of his mother 
he succeeded in turning the 
corner of the house and 
reaching an oak about fifty 
feet away. As is usual 
when each young Robin 
leaves the nest, there was 
a loud clamor for several 
minutes from both the par- 
ents assisted by another 
pair who had a nest a short 
distance away. 

The profusion of green 
woodbine which adorned 
the piazza, tended to make 
quick photography almost 
impossible, and the old 
bird was. so active when- 
ever she came to the nest 
that a snap shot was nec- 


essary in order to get her at all. 





Fig. 4. 


Fig. 4 shows the mother bird as she 


appeared trying to coax the larger of the two birds to make his maiden 





Fig. 5. 


THE LAST ONE. 


Photo by C. A, Reed. 


voyage. Just after the 
camera clicked she suc- 
ceeded and he went flop- 
ping heavily across the 
road to the further end of 
the lawn, where both par- 
ents held a long and loud 
session to persuade him to 
try andreacha more elevat- 
ed position out of reach of 
feline enemies. The re- 
maining little one had 
hatched a day later than his 


‘companions and had devel- 


oped slower so that he did 
not leave the nest for two 
days more. He is shown 
in all his solitude in Fig. 
5. No doubt he is wish- 
ing time away so that he 


186 AMLEIICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


may join his brothers who are becoming more and more proficient in 
the use of their wings. 

The female Robin had a marked path of approach to the nest and she 
hardly ever varied her route even to the fractional part of an inch. 
From the telephone wire, her next stop was on a hitching post in front 
of the house; thence to the end railing of the piazza, then to the front 
and lastly to the nest. She always lit in just the same places on 
the wire and piazza railings. Fig. 6 shows her just as she hopped to 
the front railing and Fig. 3 just as she is to fly up to the nest with a 
large worm. ‘The diet of this lot of little ones was almost wholly one 
of worms and mulberries. These latter were mostly green ones, but 
they seemed to have no ill effects on the young birds. Before the 
young left the nest her only enemies were the ever present English 
Sparrows, who always remind me of the street-corner loafer, always 
looking for trouble, and generally finding it either in fights among 
themselves or with other birds. A number of times several of these 
sparrows were seen to waylay the Robin as she was bringing food to 
the nest, and as soon as she dropped it to defend herself, one of them 
would grab and make off, another instance in the long series of crimes 
proven against these birds, that will sooner or later cause their destruc- 
tion. 


CO ee. = 
TERME 


NEEL ge. ite So 


Sey “aye ee ee < 
- 


; oe Neel: wi oe 


ary ean 





Fig. 6 Photo by C. A. Reed.. 


AMERICAN ‘ORNITHOLOGY. 187 
A FOREST FRIEND, 


HERE is nothing more beautiful in 
social life than true friendsnip. Most 
happy is that individual who can num- 
ber among his acquaintances many that 
are ‘friends indeed.’’ And this bless- 
ing of friendship is not limited to our 
own order of being. The lower animals 
may become our companions; and wise 
indeed is that person who by kindness 
wins the confidence of those creatures over which he is appointed lord, 
and which have because of that lordship, become shy and suspecting. 

I am glad that the science of Ornithology is becoming so popular, 
for the study of birds is a potent factor in strengthening the'bond of 
friendship between man and the lower animals. No one can study birds 








~ Photo from life by S. P. Brownell. 


A FOREST FRIEND. 


aright without becoming more tender in his treatment of them ; and that 
tenderness will not be confined in its manifestation to the feathered 


tribe alone. 
It was my privilege last spring so to win the confidence of a Ruffed 


188 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by S. P. Brownell. 
WATCHING MY MOVEMENTS. 


Grouse as to be able to take it in my hands. But it was only after 
many patient attempts to approach the bird that I was permitted to ac- 
complish this. One day last spring, while I was driving through a cedar 
swamp, I saw a Ruffed Grouse cross the road and run into the woods. 
As it seemed less wild than these birds usually are, 1 took my camera 
from the carriage, and hoping to obtain a snap-shot of it, I chased it 
some distance through the woods. But although the grouse did not 
fly, it succeeded in keeping out of the range of a camera shot. This 
was the beginning of my acquaintance with the Grouse, and it occurred 
to me at the time that one of the parties was not anxious for its con- 
tinuance. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 189 


Many times afterwards I visited the same place, and found the Grouse. 
Each time it let me approach a little nearer than before. The smaller 
picture is the result of my first exposure, and this was obtained by 
creeping up behind an old log fence. 

The bird was on the other side, and about 10 feet away. The ex- 

posure was 1-25 second. After a few more visits I was able to get 
within four or five feet of it, and one day while I was sitting on the 
ground rustling the leaves with my hand and trying to call the Grouse, 
it came toward me, and as I reached out my hand it pecked my finger. 
On one occasion I held it for some minutes in my hands, but it resent- 
ed this familiarity by walking away when I had released it. However, 
it soon forgave me and became as friendly as ever. When I would go 
to the carriage it would run ahead of me, and I had to exercise the 
greatest care lest I stepped on it. It would also follow the wagon, 
running behind the wheel like a dog, until I would drive fast and leave 
it. If upon returning to the place where I always found it, and near 
which I concluded its nest was located, I did not at first find it, a few 
clucks in imitation of its call would bring it to my side. 
- These visits occurred during May and June. The last week in June 
I took the larger picture. wo weeks afterwards I returned but did 
not find it. I presume she had hatched out her brood and had started 
off to find food for her little family. 

But I must not prolong this sketch further than to tell how I got 
picture No. 2. The camera, a 5 by 7, was placed on a shortened tri- 
pod. The Grouse was about two and one-half feet from the lens. She 
stood perfectly still watching my movements, while I focused, but as 
soon as I dropped the focusing cloth at my knees to put in the plate- 
holder, she sprung at the cloth beneath the tripod, and dealt it a few 
vigorous blows with her wings. Gently shoving the bird back to her 
position, I again focused. This time I took the precaution to leave the 
cloth on top of the camera. The exposure was one second. I wanted 
to take a full profile view that day, but my subject had either neglected 
to make her toilet, or else had got some balsam on her back, for a tuft 
of feathers stood on end. I think the bird was not responsible for her 
“ruffed”? appearance, for I tried with my hand to smooth down the 
feathers, but like Hamlet’s ghost they would not “‘down.’’ Of course 
I took a great many other pictures, but these are the first and last. 

I wish that I could express on paper the pleasure this short acquaint- 
ance with the Ruffed Grouse gave me, for long shall I cherish in my 
memory the happy hours spent beneath the cedar trees with my forest 
friend. And if no hunter, prowling last fall with his deadly gun, killed 
my gentle bird, or no wily fox carried her off for his dinner. I hope 
to see her again this spring. S. P. BROWNELL, S.T. D., West Barnet, Vt. 


190 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


[RD CHAT Sw 
.OUR YOUNG 


MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 












-My DEAR Younc FOLks: 

With what thrills of delight every bird lover—whether beginner 
or veteran in bird lore—welcomes the May procession of feathered 
migrants. The U.S. Dep’t of Agriculture sends out schedules contain- 
ing seven columns to be filled with bird notes during the spring and 
fall migration. 

Sally Orvis sends us a sample page from her note-book which 
shows good arrangement; the first column contains the name of the 
bird and the date of the arrival; the second, if male or female; the 
third, the song; the fourth, the call; the fifth, the habitat; the sixth, 
the season; the seventh, page of reference book. Something of this 
kind is what was meant by “Lists for 1903’ in the March number. 
Francis Root thinks that “Ohio ought to have a chance to get to the 
high water mark,” so he sends a list of 116 birds which he saw about 
Oberlin, O., in 1902. David Harrower, of Swarthmore, Pa., gives a 
list of 110 birds, and Richard M. Hunt reports from Winchester, Mass., 
133, but his list is not confined to one year. So thus far Ohio wins 
the honors from Mass. by two birds only, though I am confident 
that our New England boys will use their eyes to such good advantage 
that the close of 1903 will find them again the leaders. I am sure 
that you will all agree that Clarence Abbott’s way of studying birds 
is an ideal one, and would surely decide the question asked by Chas. 
De Garis. 

Just a word as I close about your letters. We receive many which 
are extremely interesting, but which are so long that we cannot find 


space in our pages for them. It is pleasing to know that such a 
company of boys and girls all over our country are enjoying the birds 
and AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Cordially your friend, 


Mrc MERRYTHOUGHT. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. IOI 


ANSWERS, TO APRIL PUZZLES, 


Enigma No. 1. Scarlet Tanager. No. 2. Grackle. A Spring 
Enigma, Bluebird, Robin. Birds who tell their names. No.1. Chick- 
adee. No. 2. Bob White. No. 3. Peabody Bird (White-throated 
Sparrow. ) 


ROLL OF HONOR. 


Gerald B. Thomas, Livermore, Iowa. Chas. H. Rogers, New York 
City. Chas. De Garis, Hannibal, Mo. Sally W. Orvis, Manchester, 
Vt. Harold Moore, Newtonville, Mass. Clair McMorran, Spokane, 
Wash. Eunice Joslyn, Webster, Mass. Louise Jordan, Defiance, 
Ohio. Francis Root, Oberlin, Ohio. Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H. 
R. B. Crispell, Kingston, N. Y. 





THE COMING OF THE BIRDS. 


You may be interested to compare the dates of the arrival of a few 
of the birds at their summer homes as reported by some of our lads in 
various parts of the country. Lewis Drury reports the appearance of. 
the bluebirds March 4th, robins the 5th at Rutland, Vt. S. B. Covert, 
the meadow lark at Plymouth, on March 8th, (earlier than ever known 
in that vicinity.) Chas. Rogers, N. Y. city, crow blackbirds, March 
10th, fox sparrows, March 5th, brown creeper, March 9th. Stafford 
Francis, Exeter, N. H., March 5th, the juncos, 6th, robins and blue- 
birds, 10th, song sparrows, 12th, red-winged blackbirds, 13th, black- 
birds, 17th, phoebe, 24th, meadow lark. Chas. Abbott, Antrim, N. H., 
March 20th, Phoebe and Song Sparrow. 





FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


There is a question which I wish to ask. Is anyone nowadays justi- 
fied in shooting birds to make collections? I began by doing so but it 
seemed so unnecessary in this advanced age when so many fine collec- 
tions have already been made, and when almost any one can get a good 
pair of field glasses at little expense. It seems that all of our Ameri- 
can Ornithologists have begun in that way, but maybe they did not 
have glasses and text books as we have today. 

CuHas. DEGARIS, Hannibal, Mo. 


My brother and I were walking through a field looking fornests. All 
of a sudden we saw a field sparrow fly up with food in its bill. We hid 
in the bushes and watched. We saw she went down in a clump of 
‘bushes. We then got up and went over to the spot, but saw nothing, 


192 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


so we hid again. She went down in the same clump again. WedJwent 
over and found the nest. It contained three young, and very young 
they were too, for they didn’t have their eyes open even. My brother 
got his camera and tried to photograph the mother bird brooding, 
which he did after a good deal of trouble. When the young birds grew 
older we tried to take the mother feeding them out on a branch, which 
we also did after a good deal of patience. After awhile the parent 
birds found out that we didn’t harm their young and became very tame. 
My brother even thought of putting the young on a twig, and hold- 
ing it in his hand, to see if the mother would feed them. We were de- 
lighted to find that she would after a great deal of patient waiting. 
We now thought we could even get her on our hands by the same 
means. We hid ourselves with just our hands sticking out. After 
about an hour the bird began hopping nearer, till at last she actually 
hopped on my brother’s-hand. We had accomplished what we wanted 
to do. Afterwards the birds fed their young on my brother’s shoulder 
when he was sitting out in full view. The above story is perfectly 
true. CLARENCE C. Apport, (aged 10) New York City. 


I am not young, but I have to record the arrival of the Meadow Lark 
on the 8th day of March, earlier than was ever seen in this locality. 
You see we were not sure about the ground hog, for the day was - 
mostly cloudy, but the sun shone out bright about mid-day. We have 
had rain and even thunder, but the wise ones shook their heads saying, 
“Oh we will have cold weather yet.’’ Then came the robin, but some 
felt sorry for it. ‘Surely we will have cold weather yet.’’ Then some 
black dirt in the greenhouse showed signs of life and the wooly leaves 
of the hepatica made their appearance, and a fern frond rolled up. I 
said ‘‘spring is coming, is here now.”’ This morning while at work a 
familiar note caught my ear, I said “‘listen that is the Meadow Lark.”’ 
And there he was on the top of a tall tree instead of on the ground. 
Of course others will be ahead of me, and I, Oh, well, it is such a sweet 
sad song, fitting for a Sabbath morn and I wanted to tell somebody. 
Pardon my entrance and I will go. S. B. COVERT, Plymouth. 





(A YOUNG WOODCOCK, ) 


Making my way through a large belt of trees I came to an open 
field. A creek ran through this field, and its banks were covered with 
willows. Some farmer had cut down some of these willows and piled 
them into brush heaps. Sumac trees grew abundantly near these heaps, 
and the grass evidently never been cut. I was walking past one of the 
small ones and keeping a lookout for birds nests, when all of a sudden 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 193 


a large bird went whirring up in front of me. She rose straight for 
about twenty feet and then flew off for the creek. Four little downy 
birds resembling chickens, but smaller, were making for a neighboring 
hedge. I picked up one who was amongst the leaders and examined 
him. He was covered with greyish down and had three black stripes 
extending from the bill to the lower part of the back, or to where the 
tail ought to have been. The eyes were far back in the head and were 
yellow with a black iris. The legs were greyish. I wanted to take it 
home but it cried so sadly and pitifully that I put it down and continued 
on my way. Cuas. P. ALEXANDER, Gloversville, N. Y. 


Today I saw a Brown Creeper, only about three feet above my head, 
take a dark red caterpillar about an inch and a quarter long, and, while 
clinging head down, hammer it against the trunk of atree a number of 
times, and afterward swallow it. CHAs. H. RocErs, New York city. 


I hung out a strawberry basket, suspended by twine from a branch 
like a hanging pot, and then I climed up and put in a piece of suet, 
some bread crumbs and a little tin full of water. I have seen Chicka- 
dees, Bluebirds and Woodpeckers at it. 

STAFFORD FRANCIS, Exeter, N. H. 


The little Marsh Wren might be called a sentinel for the larger birds 
of the swamp. When going around the swamps in my boat if I should 
row too near the reeds where there was a larger bird that might not 
see me, the wren would give a sharp little note, and then the other 
bird would fly away. I also noticed that some of the wrens would 
build their nests with two doors, because when I stuck my finger in 
one hole they would fly out of the other, and give me the slip. 

LoTHROP LEE Brown, Evanston, Ills. 





AN ENIGMA. 

Miele .o 45510027 6, 9 LO. 2 3, 14S isan imhabitant of 
our woods even in the cold winter. One may often 10, 3, 15, him 11, 
13, 1, 13 in a 5, 12, 3, 15, looking for his 10, 11, 9 prey, which he will 
Dee tO mOy a2. lS, 14. IS) withehis bill jSometimes out of LON lS) 6; 
11, 5 he sings a 1, 4, 9, song, 5, 8, 14, 3, 10 a sudden flight and 10, 13, 
5, 10 his victim which is sometimes as large an animal as 7, 3, 5. 

HatTTraA WASHBURN, Goodwin, S. D. 


There are two birds which stay with us through the year, whose 
names together contain 30 letters. The first name from (1 to 21.) 
The first bird resembles 6, 3, 7, 13 of another and lower order, in that 
Hewcliimis 497,16, 5) LO No: other 6; 3,7, 13) has) hism2 99) 6.245 19) oF 
going down trees 2, 31, 27, 28 first 2, 29 does not 15, 10, 29, his tail to 


194 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


6, 7, 27, 22, 30 himself up 6, 15, 11 digs his strong claws into the 6, 18, 
7, 23 of the 19, 7, 12, 29. The second is more common, and the great 
poet Emerson, has 1, 7, 3, 4, 4, 12, 14 a poem about it. It does not 
say 20, 17; 12, 29,25, 21, 29,12 as do somany other birds Memb encisemes 
own notes beginning with 22, 53, 24,25, 26, 27, 28, 29) 305 2an2o ae. 
28, 29, 30. 





BIRDS THAT TELL THEIR OWN NAMES. (continued) 


When summer comes we have several more birds who call their own 
names and three of these are members of the flycatcher family. One 
No. 4, comes from the south long before the leaves are out, and though 
he jerks out his name in a not very musical fashionu—it is a girl’s 
name too—we are always glad to hear it again. This bird builds un- 
der the eaves of low buildings, or perhaps on a beam in some old shed, 
sometimes even under a bridge, and has for a nest a whole handful of 
moss and mud, just enough of the mud to hold the nest together, and 
to stick it firmly to the stone or wood on which it is built. You may 
easily mistake this bird for our next, No. 5, for both are flycatchers, 
they are about the same size, (number 5 a little smaller) and their 
colors are very much alike, but their calls are quite different. No. 4, 
bursts out with his so eagerly that his whole body and tail twitch at 
the same time, but No. 5, speaks more slowly and with a decidedly 
mournful note. Besides, No. 4, is usually found in the open country 
near a pond or stream, while No. 5, likes the woods or sometimes lawns 
where there are plenty of trees. Then, too, No. 5, has two distinct 
whitish bars on his dark wings, while No. 4, has hardly enough wing- 
bars to notice; but if they are speaking you can easily tell which is 
which. ISABELLA McC. LEmmon, Englewood, N. J. 





GLEANINGS. 


The maple puts her corals on in May, 

While loitering frosts about the lowlands cling, 

To be in tune with what the robins sing 

Plastering new log huts mid her branches grey. 
LOWELL. 


THE BUSH SPARROW, 


The song makes me think of a silver thread running through a woof 
of golden sunshine, carried forward by a swinging shuttle of pearl. 
LEANDER KEYSER. 


DODD DOD DDD DD DODD SDDS: 


IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE 


BEST RESULTS 1s maxinc BIRD PHOTOS 


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Which are especially adapted for this class of work, and are 
used exclusively by the publishers of AMERICAN ORNITH- 
OLOGY. 

Full descriptive manual sent free to any address upon 
application, provided AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY is mentioned. 


G. CRAMER DRY PLATE CO. 


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No. 88, 82 in high, 37 in. wide. GAR DINER, ME. 
Price $32. 
SOUT TUTTLE MEUM EE UL T= 
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= 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 the living birds. = 
= SOJCENTS EACH, $5.00 PER DOZ. OR FINELY COLORED, $1.00 EACH, $10.00 PER DOZ. = 
= x1 Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. = 
= 2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) | 27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. = 
= 3 Woodcock on Nest. 28 Nest and Eggs of Bob White. = 
= 4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 29 American Robin on Nest. — 
= 5 Three Young Woodcock. 30 American Robin Feeding Young. = 
= 6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 31 Five Young Chickadees. — 
= 7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. = 
= 8 House Wren (male). 33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree. = 
= o House Wren (female). 34 Brown Thrasher. = 
= to Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 35 Brown Thrasher on Nest. = 
= 11 Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 36 Wood Thrush on Nest. = 
= 12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. 37 Young Wood Thrush. = 
= r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 38 Pigeon Hawk. = 
= 14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. = 
= 15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 40 Barred Owl. = 
= 16 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest 41 Screech Owl. = 
= 17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 42 Four Young Screech Owls. = 
= 18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 43 Young Blue Jays. = 
= 19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 44 Blue Jays in Nests. = 
= 20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 45 Blue Jay Feeding Young = 
= 21 Ovenbird and Nest. 46 Loggerhead Shrike. = 
= 22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 47 Phoebe on Nest. = 
= 23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 48 Hairy Woodpecker. = 
= 24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. 49 Chimney Swift. = 
= 25 Young Field Sparrow. 50 Four Young Crows. = 
= ADDRESS = 
= CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. = 
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Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16, 1901 


BIRDS ARE HERE 
ARE YOU PREPARED TO STUDY THEM? 
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Ci OVPNI RIG SUR BKCOyss 1B (CIBUNS gs 1K5 13818 =——— 





VOL. Ill | JUNE, 1903. NO. 6 





This month marks the height of the nesting period of birds. Near- 
ly all birds that rear but one brood a year, are engaged in caring for 
their young during the month of June. Doubtless many of our read- 
ers will brave the heat to find out new things about the birds in their 
locality. We are always glad to publish authentic notes and our other 
teaders will be pleased to know what you have seen. 


Camerists have commenced work and we have already received some 
very good bird photographs. If any of our readers are thinking of - 
getting a new camera and want the best, I can take pleasure in recom- 
mending the Graflex. I have made very complete tests with this 
camera and have found it perfect for all classes of work. It is 
quite an expensive camera, but if perfect results at all times, are any 
object, this is the camera that you need. This camera is advertised 
elsewhere in this issue, and the same company also make a complete 


line of ordinary camera. 


HAIL TO THE BIRDS. 


Far among the mountains, steep and rugged, 
The wild birds in seclusion dwell; 

In the dark and lonely forests, 
By roaring torrent, in rocky dell. , 


Sailing o’er ocean’s mighty billows, 
With a beautiful grace we cannot express; 

O’er the dark and troubled waters, 
Touching the waves with a fond caress. 


Among the snow-capped cliffs and ice-bergs, 
On northern sea coast, bleak and bare; 

In all the world’s remotest corners, 
They never fail us, the birds are there. 


Homeward from sunny southland, 

The migrants bear tidings of spring; 
Swiftly o’er the aerial pathway, 

With flight unerring, and tireless wing. 


The merry birds are up and doing, 
With the first gray light of morning’s dawn; 
Through the woodlands, o’er the meadows, 
Singing songs of gladness all day long. 


Down from lofty tree-top perches, 
And from lowly wayside, far and near; 
Come sweet echoes of their music, 
Throughout the long and changing year. 


Protect their haunts, guard well their homes, 
They claim our help and fostering care ; 

In our life work we shall need them, 
Increase their numbers everywhere. 


Always with us, they charm and cheer us, 
Warbling thanksgiving at close of day ; 
In sunshine and shadow, tempest and calm, 


God’s messengers of love, are they. 
BERTON MERCER. 


196 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


SCREECH OWLS. 


By EDWARD HOWE FORBUSH. 


The bird of night! The bird of mystery! The bird of Fate! From 
ancient times such dismal appellations have been bestowed upon the 
owl. Some savage peoples still look upon the bird as a personification 
of the evil spirit and dread to encounter it. It must be admitted 
that the grotesque appearance of the owl, its staring eyes, its hollow 
cries, and its power of flying rapidly and noiselessly from place to 
place unseen in the darkness, all tend to make it the object of super- 
stitious dread and the subject of fearful traditions; but modern scien- 
tific investigation has shown it to be not only harmless but one of the 
most useful of our feathered friends. 

Still there is very little known of the night habits of the owls. The 
mystery of darkness yet enshrouds them and those who desire an in- 
sight into the owl life must themselves become practiced night prowlers. 
He who wishes to watch the owls must be in the orchard, wood or 
meadow in the sunset’s afterglow, for one can see little when black 
night has fallen, though something may be done under the full moon, 
or at early dawn. You may first locate the owl haunt or nesting place, 
by the droppings, or little balls or wads of fur, bones and other 
indigestible material which the owls cast up and carelessly leave upon 
the ground near their roosting places. Or by searching you may find 
the nest in daylight. At mating time you may locate the owls by their 
cries and he who then prowls about after sunset using his senses to 
the utmost will soon find what he seeks. You may find owls in the 
daytime by investigating the cause of sundry noisy gatherings of crows 
or jays, but for the best chance to make or renew owl acquaintance, 
give me the still night vigil. When camped on shore or marsh ina 
little brown shelter tent just large enough to furnish concealment, I 
have enjoyed the best of opportunities for watching owls. 

Camping in a marsh suggests rheumatism or malaria, but I know 
from experience that one may camp on a mud bank in the center of a 
great swamp without experiencing any serious inconvenience. In a 
marsh among the Thousand Islands, Florida, Short-eared Owls could 
be seen in the moonlight quartering the ground in short sweeps hunt- 
ing for mice or insects. While camped on an island in the Gulf of 
Georgia I was often visited by a small Screech Owl which at times 
alighted on the tent. It is not necessary, however, to go far from 
home to see the Screech Owl alive in its chosen retreat. Let us go 
then to a spot, not far away, where we may find an owl’s nest. On the 
south side of a sunny hill pasture a spring wells up from the cool earth 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 197 





Photo from life by C. A. Smith. 


FATHER OWL, THE GRAY BEARD. 


198 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


filling an old woodea trough at the foot of a lane where cattle come to 
drink and browse. Here grass greens earliest in the spring. The 
outflowing rivulet wanders along the hill foot, becoming by the influx 
of other streamlets, a noisy brook fuming and foaming along its stony 
bed. Just before it enters the wide green meadows an old orchard 
occupies the rise on the hither side.. It is walled up by an ancient and 
moss-grown stone fence and® may be entered through barways of 
weather beaten cedar. The old trees still show some vigor, but the 
trunks and branches are seamed and pierced with cracks and cavities 
caused by decay resulting from old wounds. Here and there the bark 
bears the ring dottings of the smaller woodpeckers. Bare dead 
branches show the perforations of the Flicker. 

The slope. from orchard to brookside is covered by a scattering 
growth of tall sapling maples and birches. This copse terminates in a 
thicket of alders at the bank. Smooth upland mowing land rolls south 
from the orchard to the farm house nestling among its great elms at 
the roadside. To the west lies a small swampy thicket and beyond this 
a belt of large chestnut timber and another high, barren, rocky pasture. 
“But’’? you ask “why take up time with all this description? this filling?”’ 
Well, I am taking you to a locality fitted by man and nature as a dwell- 
ing place for the Screech Owl and I wish you to recognize such a spot 
when you reach it. The old hollow apple trees will furnish our bird 
with a hiding place during the day, or a nest in which to rear its young. 
The meadow and fields will furnish their tribute of field mice and other 
small game. The woodland and the swampy thickets harbor birds, small 
four-footed creatures and large night-flying insects which may be read- 
ily captured by the owl as it hunts along the borders; and even the 
rocky upland pastures and fields will furnish some grasshoppers and 
crickets for the owl’s larder. The brook with its frogs and fishes will 
also serve a purpose, for our owl when driven by necessity, becomes 
an expert fisher. Whether the owls have reasoned that this spot will 
furnish plentifully their larder or whether the hollow trees alone 
attracted them, [ leave it for the reader to conjecture, for he that can 
fathom the working of an owl’s mind is wiser than the owl. 

While we are talking the shadows lengthen and the even-song of the 
Wood Thrush, the Robin and the Veery remind us that the owl day is 
about to begin. A half hour’s walk brings us to the old barway and as 
the sun disappears behind the distant tree tops we stand beneath the 
apple trees. Already the air grows cool with the chill of night; the even- 
ing dews are falling; in silence the darkness comes. Suddenly you are 
startled by a sharp snap twice repeated and coming apparently out of 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 199 





Photo from life by C. A. Smith. 
MEAL TIME. (Five weeks old.) 


the air at your back. . Quickly you turn but there is nothing in 
sight that could have produced the strange sound. It seems to have 
come from empty air. Again the sound is repeated. It is as clear and 
distinct as the snap of a watch case. Alert now, you wheel to the 
sound so quickly that you catch a glimpse of a bird retreating 
rapidly in sidelong—noiseless flight among the overhanging branches. 
You have seen,for the first time,the Screech Owl on its “native heath.” 
Now take your stand so that the old hollow tree to which it flew shall 
come between you and the glow still lingering in the western sky. 
Soon the bird comes again, swinging behind you in a half circle, snap- 
ping its beak close to your head and retreating as before. Now its 
mate appears and together, or alternately, they dash back and forth, 
menacingly snapping their beaks and apparently trying to drive you 
away from the spot. They are unable to intimidate you thus, and 
retiring at last to the branches, they set up a quavering whining cry. 
This note has in it the quality of a puppy’s whine and somewhat re- 
sembles the cry of a young raccoon. 


200 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by C. A. Smith. 
THERE’S A HAWK IN THE SKY. 


(Six weeks old.) 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 201 


As darkness renders observation difficult we leave the birds unmo- 
lested, but if we return tomorrow afternoon we may find the owl’s nest 
in a hollow limb of the old apple tree. You may then put in your hand 
and draw out one of the sleepy parents who appears as if stupefied. 
In the nest are three little downy white owl chicks, with a dead mouse 
lying by them all ready for the evening meal. Now if you replace the 
parent bird in the nest and come again at sunset you may be able to 
observe the owls closely, but their anxiety for their young will prob- 
ably prevent them from hunting in your presence. At dusk they fly 
from tree to tree, standing motionless and staring between whiles. 
You have already noticed that one is red and the other gray, and are. 
wondering which is the mother and which the father bird, but this var- 
iation of color has no relation to sex or age. The Screech Owl is a 
bird of two colors. It is merely a case of dichromatism for which we 
cannot account. 

As the gray bird alights on a limb and faces the western sky, the 
dying light illuminates its breast making its front appear like the face 
of an old man with a long gray beard and staring yellow eyes, but 
with horns growing from the forehead. The effect of the illusion is 
rather startling. The streaks upon either side of the breast, tend- 
ing toward a point near the centre, outline the beard which gives the 
bird a venerable appearance. This illusion is perfect only when the 
bird faces you in the half light of early evening with both head and 
breast to the front. The lines indicating the beard may be seen in 
the accompanying illustration of an adult bird in gray plumage, page 
197, but the effect is not visible as the breast is in shadow and the 
head slightly turned. Now that we have found the young owls it will 
be interesting to watch their growth. They are covered with down, 
at first, like a young chicken but are not able to run about or shift 
for themselves. On the contrary they are quite feeble. At first they 
grow slowly but as the days go on and the-coat of down is replaced by 
one of feathers the little birds increase rapidly in size and strength 
until some evening you will find the nest empty and the comical little 
fellows will be found perhaps sitting about on the branches as shown 
in the group. From the time they leave the nest they are usually in 
company and generally the old birds are not far away. I have never 
known these owls to congregate in flocks larger than one family, but 
I am informed that a lady in Westport, Mass., some time about 1847, 
hearing an ‘awful noise’? one evening, near the house, went out and 
found twenty-five or thirty of these owls sitting on her clothesline and 
the posts to which it was attached. These owls are said to have re- 
mained about the neighborhood for a month. One evening they alight- 


202 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by Dr. J. B. Pardoe. 
A FAMILY GROUP, (Young Screech Owls.) 


ed in the trees near a house and there made such a noise that the 
people came out and drove them away with stones. This statement is 
vouched for by Mr. F. H. Mosher and Mr. C. E. Wood corroborates it. 
Owls probably never congregate in this way except where they find an 
abundance of suitable food. They were probably attracted to that 
locality at that time by the increase of field mice or some destructive 
insect pest, for birds of prey can subsist in flocks only where animal 
food is very plenty. Wherever field mice unduly increase, owls flock 
to the feast and they are very effective in reducing the plagues of mice 
which occasionly occur in different parts of the world. 

Young owls do not, like the saints, “grow in grace.’’ They are 
rather angular and awkward creatures. They do not appear to advan- 
tage while feeding, especially when they have reached that ‘““weedy”’ 
stage represented by the bird at the age of five weeks. The bird stands 
with wide spread legs regarding its prey, then crouches over it with 
drooping wings and bristling plumage. If by seizing its prey in its 
capacious beak it can swallow it bodily the meal is soon finished and 


this rapid manner of disposing of its food seems to satisfy the owl’s 
sense of fitness. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 203 


Owls though useful are unprincipled and while they feed almost 
wholly on creatures that are inimical to the farmer, they do not hesitate 
to kill other birds when they can get their claws upon them. I have 
known a Screech Owl to enter the nest of a Flicker, kill the occupant 
and after taking full posession of the domicile make its first meal on 
the former owner. I once found all the prominent features of a Long- 
eared Owl immersed in the gastronomic interior of a Barred Owl. I 
once confined several owls in the same room. One night the larger 
part of a Screech Owl disappeared down the gullet of its companion, 
and it was not long before the largest bird, a Barred Owi, represented 
in itself the entire happy family, having disposed of the others as its 
superior taste dictated. ; . 

The generally accepted belief that owls cannot see in the daytime is 
an error. They are enabled, by contracting the pupils, of the eyes to 
see remarkably well by daylight, although when suddenly exposed to a 
blinding sunglare, by being drawn forth from a dark hiding place, most 
owls will appear blinded or dazed. The Hawk Owl and Snowy Owl 
hunt by day. No doubt both of these birds hunt also at night as they 
are arctic or subarctic fowls. The Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl 
frequently move about in the daytime when they are often difficult to 
approach. 

Some twenty years ago,when the Worcester Natural History Society 
had a museum on Foster Street, Prof. F. G. Sanborn kept in the mu- 
seum a live Screech Owl. Little ““Scops”’ as it was called was at first 
very drowsy in the daytime, but, as its day dreams were frequently 
interrupted by visitors, it soon learned to sleep at night and was always 
wide awake during the hours when the museum was kept open to the 
public. In the fall, when the hawks were migrating, this little owl was 
allowed to stand in a window whence it might watch all that was going 
on in the street. My attention was soon called to the curious antics of 
the bird which stood much in the same position of the owl pictured 
on page 200 watching, not the street below, but the sky above. It 
stood there in an attitude of apprehension, its head slowly gyrating 
or rolling about and its eyes fixed on the blue and cloudless sky. No 
one present could make out the object of its fear until one at last des- 
cried a large hawk (probably a red tail) swinging in great circles 
at such an immense height as to be invisible to most of those present. 
After that,it was noticed that whenever the owl assumed that attitude 
and expression a hawk was passing overhead. This was proof pos- 
itive that the owl could see by daylight as well as the best of us. 

At seven weeks old our owl shows that he is rapidly approaching 
maturity. The wing quills have grown anc lengthened immensely and 


204. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


the bird is now ready for a somewhat extended flight. Mark its firm 
and vigorous grasp of the branch, a sure indication of power. Note 
the grave, intelligent, self-possessed look with which in broad day- 
light it greets our approach. There is nothing unseeing about those 
big eyes. They seem to express more even than those of the adult 
bird on page 197, which has rather a dreamy and absent minded look 
as if it had not yet fully awakened from its daily sleep. 





Photo from life by C. A. Smith. 


SEVEN WEEKS OLD AND READY FOR BUSINESS. 


When we consider that owls have the power to see and fly by day it 
is rather remarkable that some of them appear so stupid in daylight. 
You may take the eggs from under a mother Screech Owl, one by one, 
without arousing her, though she may possibly open one eye when you 
abstract the last one. You may take the bird from the nest and carry 
it about all day in your pocket where it will remain quiet and motion- 
less, but place the same bird back in its nest at nightfall and it 
awakes to active, vigorous life at once. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 205 


Owls are the cats of the bird world. Like puss they see in the dark. 
Like her their sense of hearing is remarkably acute. Like her they 
approach their prey noiselessly and pounce upon it with tremendous 
force. Like her they are armed with talons, but here the similarity 
ends, for the talons of the owl are far more powerful than those of 
the cat, and the owl, size considered, is much stronger than the cat. A 
Horned Owl has been known to strike and kill a large cat without 
suffering any injury from the encounter though the cat was far larger 
and heavier than the bird. No doubt Tom was taken unawares. This 
is one reason why the bird has the advantage of the mammal. Emerg- 
ing in the darkness from the black shadows of the wood it sweeps 
along unnoticed against the dark background of the trees. Its plumage 
is covered with downy filaments which muffle all sound. When near 
its prey it swiftly descends and, extending its powerful legs and claws, 
strikes like a feathered thunderbolt. The powerful leg muscles backed 
by the weight of the bird and the force of the plunge drive the talons 
through the very vitals of its prey while a blow on the head from the 
beak stuns the wretched quarry or a wrench from the powerful claws 
breaks the neck, causing almost instant death. Few small mammals ex- 
cept perhaps some of the weasel tribe are quick enough to escape from 
or cope with the owl, and even these sometime fall a prey. The strength 
of the owl’s grip is tremendous and the machinery by which it is exerted 
is worth a passing study. If you ever have an opportunity to examine 
the legs and feet of a dead owl, note the strong recurved claws and see 
how they close as the leg is pushed up toward the body. If you have 
time to dissect out the mechanism that controls the motions of the leg 
and foot, you will find a series of cords (represented by tendons,) and 
pulleys (represented by grooves or apertures in the bones of the legs, ) 
by which the claws are expanded or closed. Not only is this effected 
by powerful voluntary muscles, but these are reinforced by the weight 
of the body, which, as the bird strikes, it bends the legs, draws the ten- 
dons through the bony pulleys and accentuates the grip of steel. When 
this grip is once fast to anything it takes a strong man to loosen it or 
even straighten the bended legs,if the bird belongs to the larger species. 
Lest I may be accused of drawing on my imagination for the above 
description of the manner in which the owl strikes his prey, I will say 
that on at least three different occasions owls have struck their talons 
into different parts of my anatomy and in each case I had a very close 
view of the manner of procedure, being therefore a competent but 
unwilling witness of the operation. I have also seen an owl strike its 
prey, but must admit that I was not so fully impressed as when I was a 
party to the argument. ‘The mechanism by which the closed leg causes 


206 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


the claws to maintain their grip is common to perching birds. It is 
this which enables them to maintain an involuntary hold on the roost 
during sleep, but it is specialized and brought to the utmost perfection 
in the owls. 

To make the grip more perfect than in other birds, one of the three 
front toes on each foot is so jointed that it can be turned backward, 
thereby giving the owl a grip like that of the Woodpecker’s, two toes 
before and two behind. This toe can be plunged in sidewise at will 
-wherever it finds the least resistance. So if ever you wish to befriend 
an owl never offer to shake hands with him, for the grip passeth that 
of all secret orders. 


SUMMER HOMES IN ALASKA. 
By J. ALDEN LORING, with photos by the author. 
HEN I left the head of Cook Inlet, Alaska, May 4, 1902, the 
WD days were warm, but the snow in the forest was so deep that 
the Indians were forced to wear snow shoes when they went 
on hunting trips, and in the inlet massive ice floes surged to and fro 
with each tide. For two days we fought these packs from a frail sloop, 
and on the afternoon of the third day were prevented by the ice from 
approaching nearer than half a mile of our destinatian—the Indian 
village of Knik. 

Stepping from the boat I climbed to the top of a stranded chunk of 
ice, and gazed over the cheerless scene while the natives were unload- 
ing our six month’s supply of provisions. It was then that I realized 
for the first time what an expanse of territory separated me from my 
New York home, and how completely alone I seemed to be. To be 
sure there were the Indians, plenty of them, for they had seen us ap- 
proaching and had walked along the snow-covered beach to meet the 
pale-faced stranger and learn his business. But the faces lacked friend- 
ly expression and their jabber was unfamiliar; what I longed for was 
the smile or voice of a friend, and little did | dream that my yearning 
would so soon be gratified. 

The boat had been unloaded, and the Indians shouldering sacks of 
flour, slabs of bacon and boxes of canned goods, were about to start 
for the cluster of log cabins, when a familiar voice called to me. A 
voice that I knew almost as well as that of my mother; a voice that 
in my infancy had many times lulled me to sleep, and equally as often 
awakened me at morn. It was dear old Robin Redbreast. I could 
not have been more startled had he spoken my name, and I wanted to 
hug him for joy. How I wished that he could talk; that he might tell 
me of his journey, and how he had left my friends at home. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 207 


The Indians noticed my enthusiasm, and gathering in little knots,. 
eyed me curiously and conversed in gutteral tones, wondering no doubt 
what there was in that little bundle ot red and grey feathered to attract 
my attention. Poor children of nature! that Robin did not hold the 
affection in their hearts that it did in mine. 





WHERE ROBIN GREETED US. 


(Head of Cook Inlet; strand ice in channel at low tide. Knik mountain in the distance.) 


Redbreast was perched on the top of a spruce, and while I watched 
he flew nearer and alighted ou a naked balsam-poplar. In his nervous, 
characteristic way he jerked his tail and lifted his wings several times, 
then hastened away, bidding me good-bye as he went. 

What a fastidious bird! were there not enough groves and shade 
trees in either the United States or Canada in which he could select a 
nesting site? Why then should he compel his wife to journey so many 
thousand miles to build her nest and to bring forth their brood? Pos- 
sibly he was like the man who became a savage—tired of civilization, 
and anxious to get as far from modern firearms, egg collectors and 
house cats as his strong wings could carry him. 

Before my season’s work was finished I learned that several other 
feathered'friends, of my boyhood acquintance, owned summer houses. 


208 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


in Alaska. A few weeks later while I was passing through a cluster of 
tall poplars, along the bank of the Knik River, a pair of golden-lined 
wings launched into the air, and in graceful billowy motion crossed an 
opening and alighted on a tree trunk. A Flicker, Highold, or more 
properly speaking, a Golden-winged Woodpecker, thought I; the same 
feathered carpenter of eastern woodland and orchard, that hews his 
home in a dead tree trunk, and brings forth his brood of young from 
the six or eight cream colored eggs deposited upon a bed of fine chips. 
The yellow on the underside of his wings and tail disappeared, as, in 
spasmodic hops he climbed up the tree, and I distinctly saw the bright 
red crescent on the back of his head. At the junction of two large 
limbs he dropped his wings, spread his tail, and bowing repeatedly 
from side to side, began to twitter in a low plaintiff Ones) Seuatiie 
like the words “‘won’t you, won’t you, won’t you, won’t you.’ 
‘“Bye-en-bye him catch ’um wife,” said my Indian guide. 





A FLICKER SOUGHT.HIS MATE AMONG THE TREES. 
(Knik River and Mountains.) 


Yes, that was so, for just then his intended appeared from behind a- 
branch, and in spiral curves climbed slowly toward the top; he follow- 
ed, displaying his finery and repeating the tender words. Evidently 
she did not take his wooing seriously, for when the top was reached 
she took flight and the two disappeared through the trees. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 209 


A Belted Kingfisher also paid us a visit and after perching for a few 
seconds on a branch overhanging a stream, suddenly plunged into the 
water and next appeared with a minnow in his bill. Resuming his 
position, he hammered the fish vigorously against the limb to kill it 
before swallowing his meal. 

That same afternoon I heard a Tip-up, or Spotted Sandpiper, just 
around a bend of the stream. In answer to my reply he flew toward 
us, alighting on the gunwale of the boat, moored near by. There he 
sat bobbing his head and teetering his body ina surprised sort of way, 
as though to say “‘why, I thought I heard my mate about here some- 
where.” Then discovering us, he started up the stream, flying close 
over the water and whistling his tremulous call as he went. 

How often while fishing on the Susquehanna River, have I fooled his 
relatives in like manner, or during nesting season, have chased his 
stilt-legged, fluffy children, until from fright, they would plunge into the 
water and cling to the weeds at the bottom. Fearing that they would 
‘drown, I have rushed in and hauled them to the surface and liberated 
them. 

_ Who ever supposed that there were humming birds in Alaska? [I 
never did; yet while waiting on the beach at Haines Mission for a party 
of Indians to take me up the Chilkat River, one came buzzing past. 
He paused a second, on seeing me, then thrust his long, slender bill 





THE HOME OF THE KINGFISHER AND ‘‘TIPUP.”’ 


210 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


into a flower and extracted the drop of sweet. So rapidly did he pass 
from flower to flower that I was not able to follow, so catching him 
in the vision of my field glasses I watched him disappear. 

Although he had a large variety of flowers from which to select 
honey, he must have missed the young spiders and spiders eggs, 
that constitute such a large proportion of his food in the United States. 

And so I found after all, that Alaska was not the bleak and friend- 
less country I had supposed it to be. 





WHAT THE BIRDS SAY. 


By ALBERTA FIELD. 
“Do you ask what the birds say?”’ 

— Colridge. 
erhaps one must be abnormally imaginative in 
order to interpret into comprehensive English the 
“ songs of our wild birds, but it 1s a pastime not 
without attractions, and its interest grows on 
one apace. It soon becomes a habit for the bird 
lover to instinctively set to words, as it were, the 
various bird utterances, which eventually results 
in the individualizing of many singers of the same 
species, that are ordinarily recognizable by their 
similiarty of song, and it is not until one makes a 
study of bird melody that one learns to differentiate between the song 
notes of a species and the utterances of a species and the utterances of 
an individual. 

Observation teaches all of us that bird music varies greatly with the 
season, not only in note, but in modulation of tone. Even the casual 
student must distinguish between the enthusiastic clamor of the court- 
ing season, and the warble of passivity and content of late summer, 
among those residents who are not entirely silenced by the season. 
How jubilant is the blue bird’s love call of ‘““dearie-come-’ere’’ resound- 
through the budding trees through which they flit in search of HER, the 
gallants of their family arriving a few days in advance of the bird 
maidens who do not journey north in company with their turquoise- 
tinted mates. Their marriage song varies greatly from this courting 
trill, and the May air fairly vibrates with the continuous “‘cheer-up, 
dearie, dearie, cheer-up’’ of encouragement, while in autumn their 
sweet ‘‘thorough-wort”’ floats softly through the air, and one comes to 
associate it with the golden haze of the departing year, though just 
wherein lies the interest in this bitter herb is undiscoverable. 






AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 2m 


There is no more cheerful resident of the roadside thickets than the 
gray-capped, red-eyed Vireo, whose all summer song of “‘sweet-spirit, 
sweet-sweet spirit’’ is in constant adoration of the demure little mate, 
who, in her basket-like nest, sits and sits and says nothing, but she 
must receive some consolation and enjoyment from a partner whose 
music is not alone a lover’s eulogy, but also a husband’s praise song, 
which continues on through the long summer days, so filled with par- 
ental cares and fears that silence the enthusiasm of most of the feath- 
ered minstrels. Another all day and all summer songster is the alert 
nad buoyant little Maryland Yellow-throat, who is not to be outdone in 
exuberance of song as he flits in and out among the swamp bushes, 
and his “‘stitch-a-wiggle, stitch-a-wiggle, stitch-a-wiggle, stitch-em’’ 
gushes forth with such vehemance that it is almost exhaustive on a 
heated summer afternoon, and one longs for the hour when the “‘stitch- 
er’’ shall be at rest under the shelter of some moon bathed willow forthe 
night. Most every one is familiar with that other member of the war- 
bler family, the Summer Yellow Bird whose enthusiastic ‘“‘sweet-sweet- 
sweet-aint-she-sweet,’’ is in continuous adoration of the eternal femi- 
nine; it is invigorating as a breath of the snowy cherry blossoms which 
he investigates so carefully for the small larve so destructive to the 
economics of that red-cheeked fruit. 

We have all been admonished by the sharp “‘quit, quit’? of some full- 
chested Robin whom we have disturbed in his privacy, but he cheers us 
immensely on a ‘misty, moisty morning” with his hilarious “‘clear-up, 
clear-up, sing.’”’ Walking quietly underneath a growth of young trees 
one can almost approach without disturbing a mild-voiced, rich plum- 
aged Indigo Bunting, who is singing softly his “‘sweet, sweet, sweet, 
keep-it, keep-it, keep-it,’’ but come too near the hidden nest of his dull- 
feathered little mate, patiently hiding under her soft breast feathers 
those dainty, white. blue-tinted eggs, and the gentle cadence is imme- 
diately changed to a series of vindicative “‘chips’’ that sound suspici- 
ously like oaths of the bird vocabulary. 

For three years I have recognized a chestnut-crowned Chipping 
Sparrow from his peculiarity of song, which seems to be his own indi- 
vidual rendition of the music of his species, and his “‘Think, think, 
think sir, (meditatively) what-in-all-she-is-to-me’’ (enthusiastically) 
induces one to speculate as to whether or no it is the same little wife 
each year to whom he rapsodizes so eloquently. 

The song of the crimson grosbeak (James Lane Allen’s Kentucky 
Cardinal) is particularly easy of translation, his “‘What cheer? What 


NS 
— 
NO 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


cheer? Girlie-girlie-girlie’’ at daybreak or before, ringing out sweet and 
clear in glad greeting. But there is no more ardent lover in the bird 
world than the Cardinal’s cousin, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and it 
is a delight to see him hurrying through the tree tops after his spar- 


) 


row-coated mate, and hear his “quick, dearie, dearie, dearie,’’ as he 
notes the espionage below, but more charming still is his estatic war- 
ble as he circles round and round his nesting mate who must thrill 
with the untranslatable outburst of melody from the throat of her 
“crimson tipped”’ lord whose call note is likened to the creak of a 
rusty hinge.”’ 

The Wood Thrush’s ‘‘a-o-le-le, a-o-le’’ and the Red-winged Black- 
bird’s “‘Hol-col-tee’’ are too full of linguals for English translation, 
but it does not take an experienced linguist to interpret the Meadow 
Lark’s sweet call into ‘‘Erie, lake Erie,’ 
long on the borders of that 
ereat lake, but his song of 
‘““you-caa’t-see-me’’ is in 
flat contradiction of his 
visible proximity upon the 
top fail) Ole the. nearest 
fence, but perhaps he, like 
many an unfeathered equiv- 
ocater, believes that if on- 


b) 


particularly if one has lived 


ly one will assert often and 
long, some one is bound to 
accept his assertions as a 
truth some day. 

Late into the autumn 
one may see sitting high 
up, on the branches of a 
dead tree, a tiny, sombre- 
coated Field Sparrow 
plaintively repeating his 
musical “see, sir, sweet, 


sweet, ain’t she?’ over 





and over again in face of MEADOW LARK. 

the nipping winds and lowering skies, which the chickadees are apos- 
trophizing as ‘sich-a-dav-dav-dav-day’’ as they gaily nod their black- 
capped heads to the dancing leaves. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 213 


A DAY IN MAY. 


In May, 1900, the writer was living at the southern portion 
of the White Mountain System, and in one of the lines 
followed by the birds during their migrations. It was my de- 
light to recognize seventeen of the forty-three warblers mentioned by 
Chapman, including the Cape May and Blackburnian, the latter being 
numerous; others would doubtless have been recognized by older 
students. Now my purpose in writing this article is to give one day’s 
observation—not of a close student, but of one snatching a few mo- 
ments at a time from household cares. My note book records a trip 
to the mill, a five minutes walk from the parsonage. It was a veritable 
paradise for birds, the banks of the stream were lined with alders 
where some rare warbler might flash into sight at any moment. On 
the little beach it was entertainment enough to watch the Spotted 
Sandpipers as they ran rapidly along, bobbing, bowing, teetering in 
their characteristic, energetic manner, but not only these made the 
morning bright, for several Catbirds ever restless and lively were 
flitting about, now eyeing me with inquiry then dashing into the thicket. 

But, see that bird in his flaming plumage—beautiful enough in his 
dress suit of orange and black to satisfy the most fastidious lady love 
—the Baltimore Oriole. Hark! ‘“‘Chebec, chebec, chebec,’’ and a 
little bright eyed, olive colored bird murderously sallies after a pass- 
ing insect. “‘Kong-quer-ree, kong-quer-ree’’ and I turn to see a flock 
of red wings in the now marshy pasture and as I watch them spread 
their wings showing their crimson epaulets as kong-quer-ree sounds 
through the air we can well believe that ‘‘all’s well.”’ 

Ha! A warbler with yellow patches and black zouave jacket. Glad 
to see you. But what are you, with buffy throat lightly streaked, 
white sides and belly, with uniform tawny back, why should you be so 
shy my little veery? 

But time forbids a longer lingering in this enchanted spot, and I 
must back to my duties go. What is this playing hide and seek in my 
syringa bush? Ah! I see you my little black-masked friend. Thanks, 
for this is my first acquaintance with you. Time for baby boy to have 
his nap, and as I[ lay him down I look out and see on an apple tree by 
the window a Parula in company with a Blackburnian Warbler. Sure- 
ly, I need not go far from home when I have such of the elite as 
these. ‘‘Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee,’’ can you not find enough 
to eat that you must come for the suet that hangs in the tree? And 
who is this in company with you my merry little Chickadee? A gay 
cavalier with a slaty blue head and yellow breast heavily streaked with 
black, also another that must be a knight with his black forehead and 
cheeks, chestnut crown and chestnut-rufous sides, throat and upper 
breast, and two white wing-bars, by name Magnolia and Bay-breasted. 
Well, this must be my reception day, for within ten minutes in addition 
to these already mentioned, the following warblers were seen, Black 
and white, Summer Yellow bird and Chesitnut-sided have all called on 
me in the old apple tree. Twenty-four different species complete the 
day’s record, and in closing I wish all readers of this article may en- 


joy a similar experience on a day in May. 
NELLIE MOORE MASON, Vermont 


214 AMERICAN OVNITIOLOGY. 


{dentification Chart No. 17. 








No. 506. Orchard Oriole, (Icterus spurius). 


Length, 7 in. Eastern United States and the 
Gulf coast; west to the Plains; north to Connecticut 
and New York regularly, and casually to Maine and 
Canada. Breed throughout their U.S. range and 
Mexico. Adult male. Underparts, lesser wing cov- 
erts and rump chestnut greater coverts tipped, sec- 
ondaries edged, and outer tail feathers sometimes 
tipped with white: rest of plumage black. Female. 
Upper parts yellowish olive, brightest on the head 
and rump. underparts dull yellow: wings dusky, 
tipped and edged with white as in the male; some- 
what smaller than the male. Young male, The 
first year similar to the female except that he has a 
black throat. the second year he is mixed with some 
brownish in patches and the third year gets the same 
plumage as the adult. 


No. 590.  Green-tailed Towhee, (Pipilo 
chlorurus). 

Length about 7.5 in. Whole of the Rocky Mount- 
ain region from Canada south through Mexico. 
Adults. Crown chestnut; rest of upper parts vary- 
ing in different birds, from bright olive green to an 
olive gray. Breast, sides of head, and flanks clear 
ash, contrasting sharply with the pure white throat; 
belly white. Young. Upper parts including the 
crown, olive greenish; browner on the back than the 
adult; underparts similar but duller than the adults 
and somewhat streaked. 


No. 643. Lucy’s Warbler (Helminthophila 
luci@). 


Length 4.5 in. Southern California and Arizona. 
Adults. Above ashy gray with a chestnut patch on 
the head and rump; below white. The young are 
the same except that they lack the chestnut on the 
crown. 


No. 660.  Bay-breasted Warbler, (Den- 
droica castanea). 


Length about 5.5 in. Eastern North America; 
breeds from Northern United States northwards; 
south in winter to Mexico and Central America. 
Crown, throat, and streaks on side chestnut; middle 
and greater coverts tipped with white, and outer tail 
feathers with white spots. Female. Olivaceous 
above, but always showing traces of chestnut, es- 
pecially on the sides. Young similar to the female 
but without any trace of the chestnut, and scarcely to 
be distinguished from the young Black-polls. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. — 215 


No. 529. American Goldfinch (Spinus tris- 
tis.) 

Length 5 in. Found throughout North America 
except in the more northern parts. It is a resident 
throughout its range. Male. Black cap, wings and 
tail; otherwise yellow: coverts tipped, and wings 
edged with white. All tail feathers with a white 
spot on the inner web. In fall the black cap dis- 
appears and the upper parts are a yellowish brown 
while the underparts are a dirty white color. The 
female and young are very similar to the winter male. 


No. 529a, Western Goldfinch, (S. ¢. palli- 
dus). 


Arizona. A paler form of the common Goldfinch. 






Sef) Vil 


Fa SS 
Ge a 
Zz a 


No. 530. Arkansas Goldfinch, (Spinus pal- 
tria). 

Length 4.5 in. Western United States from the 
Plains to the Pacific, and south from Oregon. 
‘Crown black, as are also the wings and tail; back 
greenish yellow; underparts clear yellow; base of 
primaries, tips of coverts, edges of secondaries, and 
long spot on basal portion of inner web of tail 
feathers white Female and young similar but paler 
and without any black on the head. 


530a. Arizona Goldfinch, (S. p. arizone). 
The upper parts streaked somewhat with black. 


530b. Mexican Goldfinch, (S. p. mexicanus). 


Southern Texas. Back nearly all black and the 
‘black on the crown extending to below the eye. 


No. 685. Wilson’s Warbler, (Sy/vania pu- 
silla). 

Length 4.75 in. North America from the Rocky 
Mountains eastward: breeds from the northern bor- 
der of the United States northwards. Crown black; 
upper parts including the wings and tail, greenish 
yellow; forehead, sides of head, and underparts 
bright yellow. 


No. 685a. Pileolated Warbler, (S. p. pileo- 
lata.) 
Western North America. This isa brighter form 
-of the Wilson’s Warbler; the forehead and sides of 


head are a very bright yellow, sometimes approach- 
ing orange. 


116 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BARN SWALLOW, 


A. O. U. No. 613. (Chelidon erythrogaster). 
RANGE. ; 
A common bird throughout North America, migrating in winter to 
the West Indies, Central and South America. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Leneth, 6 to 7 ms extent about 13 im; tail’ from’ 3 to. 5s) meeeUipper 
parts deep, glossy blue or purplish black, this color extending partly 
around the neck in front, but not forming a perfect collar. Forehead 
and throat, deep chestnut, rest of underparts paler. Tail very deeply 
forked and with white spots on the inner webs near the tips. The fe- 
male has the tail a little less forked and the colors of the underparts 
are paler. Young witha still shorter tail, and duller underparts, and 
hardly any luster on the back. 

NEST AND EGGS. 


Barn Swallows generally build their nests within barns, attaching 
them by the sides to rafters. They are generally built so close to the 
roof that there is barely space for the bird to enter the nest from the 
top. When there is a scarcity of barns, these swallows build their 
nests under the eaves. The nests are made of mud and straws, and 
lined with feathers from the barnyard fowls. The mud is put on in 
pellets and is not smoothed down, so the exterior of the nest presents 
a very hummocky appearance. Sometimes the same nest will be used 
a second year, but more often a new one will be built, leaving some- 
times as many as half a dozen old nests attached to the rafters as rel- 
ics of former years occupancy. They lay from four to six creamy 
white eggs, which are plentifully sprink’ed over the whole surface, 
but more thickly around the larger end with reddish brown and lilac. 





HABITS. 


Probably these are the most familiar swa!lows to all our readers, 
because of the freedom with which they use man’s premises as their 
homes. A number of pairs frequently nest in one barn, where they 
dwell at peace with each other, and without consulting the owner of 
the place, for permission. As they are very desirable tenants, nearly 
all farmers are glad to have them take up their quarters in their build- 
ings. Sometimes their only manner of entrance, is by the door which 
is either left open all the time or e'se opened early every morning. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 217 





BARN SWALLOW. 


218 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Generally though, there is some knot hole by which they are able to 
leave their quarters and commence their flight for food before the ma- 
jority of mankind are awake. ; 

The first intimation that the Barn Swallows have arrived, in the 
spring, is from the twittering that comes from the meadow or pond. 
We look and see several dark bodied birds skimming close to the grass. 
As they come close by us we can see the glossy blue back, and as, 
now and then, one wheels about or swoops up, just clearing the top of 
our heads we can see the ruddy underparts, and the long slender tail 
with its row of white spots. It has always seemed to me that the 
flight of these swallows is the very embodiment of ease and grace. 
Skimming, gliding, sailing, they have traversed the length of the field; 
an upward curve and a downward shoot, and they have safely passed 
over the row of apple trees and the wall that marks the division of the 
next farm; shooting down the hill beyond, with the speed of a meteor, 
they glide swiftly across the pond, just touching their breasts to the 
surface of the water to refresh themselves. Flocks of them will spend 
hours at a time, passing to and fro over a pond, feasting on the insects 
that are so numerous in such places. Towards night they become 
even more active than they were in the morning, and as they dash 
about the meadow, it seems as if they were racing with each other to 
see which one could traverse the field in the shortest space of time. 
Although, undoubtedly, they enjoy these gambols in the air, it is not 
all play with them, for at this time they are busy gathering in the in- 
sects which in countless hordes, rise from the grass at dusk. 

Two or three weeks after their arrival from the south, each pair se- 
lects a site for its nest. This is not a difficult matter for year after 
year, the same pair will return to the same barn. If there are accommo- 
dations for more, the young of the preceding year will nest in the same 
place, but if the barn is already occupied by as many pairs as there are 
conveniences for, the young have to shift for themselves and find a 
new site. Very frequently when the quarters inside are crowded, 
newcomers will make their homes underneath the eaves on the outside. 

As soon as the exact location of their nest is definitely decided upon, 
numerous trips are made to the edge of the pond for nesting material. 
First, pellets of mud are brought. These are fastened to the side of 
the beam, in the form of a semi-circle. Their glutinous saliva assists 
the natural adherence of the mud to the support. ‘These pellets, with 
straw added to assist in holding them together, are continually placed 
in position until the nest has assumed the shape of a bowl, cut ver- 
tically through the middle and with the cut portion against the beam. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 219 





Photo by G. E. Moulthrope. 
NEST AND EGGS OF BARN SWALLOW. 


220 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


The nest is softly lined with hens feathers and then the home for 
their little ones is completed, the pellets of mud on the outside giving 
ita very rustic appearance. This nest is built ina very similar manner 
to that of the Phoebe, but the latter nearly always decorate the outside 
of their nest with moss, while the Barn Swallow very rarely does. 

After the four or five brown speckled eggs have hatched, the interior 
of the barn becomes a regular chatter box, with its five or six pairs of 
excited and enthusiastic parents feeding their little ones and singing or 
talking all the time. At intervals during the day, all the parent birds 
will congregate on the cross rafters and hold long conversations, pre- 
sumably on the respective merits of their youngsters, or on the proper 
method of feeding them. When the young birds are about half grown, 
and begin to feel as if they were ‘pretty big’’ their voices are heard at 
all times when they are not asleep. They leave the nest when almost 
three weeks old, and spend a day or two in exercising their wings, 
flying from rafter to rafter. When they feel that they have control of 
their wings, they enter the outer world, and for weeks are taken in 
hand by their parents, who initiate them into the art of aerial gymnas- 
tics. It is a very common sight during the latter part of the summer 
to see an old bird, denoted by the long tail and bright colors, followed 
by a young, duller, short tailed one, the latter executing every move 
and turn made by his tutor. 

When the weather is suitable, Barn Swallows will raise two or three 
broods in a season, the first brood accompanying their parents as they 
go back and forth to feed the new little ones. Until they depart in the 
fall, both adults and young return to the barn each night, where they 
roost on the rafters. 

Of course, nesting as they do, they have very little fear of the hu- 
man race, andit has always seemed to me that, when out in the fields, 
they seem to delight in feeding as near you as possible, returning 
time after time to skim close by you or to swoop just over your head. 
The accompanying excellent photograph of a Barn Swallow’s nest and 
eggs, by Mr. Moulthrope, was quite a difficult piece of camera work. 
The nest was located in the peak of a barn, and about forty feet from the 
floor. The outfit was fastened to the top of a long ladder; the camera 
was then focussed and light thrown on the nest by means of a mirror, 
placed near the barn door; this light in turn was reflected into the nest 


by another mirror placed just above it. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 
A (Young and Adult). ; 


(”) 


222 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. 


A. O. U. No. 202. (Nyeticorax nycticorax nzvius.) 


RANGE. 


America, chiefly south of Canada. Breeds from Central America, 
where it is a resident, northwards. Winters south of the United States, 
through the whole of South America. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, about 24 in.; extent, about 44 in.; tail, 5in. — Adults= bill 
black; eyes, red; lores, greenish; legs, yellow; crown and back, glos- 
sy greenish black; rest of upper parts, including wings and tail, bluish 
gray; throats and under parts, whitish; breast, grayish, and the feath- 
ers somewhat lengthened. Three long, slender, white plumes project 
from the back of the head. Young: eyes, yellow; legs, greenish yel- 
low; no plumes on head; crown, brownish; above, brownish gray, the 
feathers with white streaks or spots in the center; under parts, grayish 
streaked with darker. 


NEST AND EGGS. 


Night Herons breed in large colonies or heronries. Large trees are 
generally used for these colonies and the nests are, as a rule, placed 
highup. In the northern parts of the United States a large growth of 
pines is preferred. The nests are large, but generally shabbily built 
of larger sticks for the outside, and lined with fine twigs and rootlets. 
They lay three or four, and very rarely five pale bluish-green eggs. 
The breeding season varies from soon after the first of April in Texas, 
to the middle or latter part of May, or early in June in New England. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 223 
HABITS. 


HE heron family is an interesting 
one, and one of the most interest- 
ing of the family is the Black-crowned 
Night Heron. They are more heav- 
ily built birds than others of the 
family, and have stouter bills, shorter 
necks, and shorter but proportionaly 
heavier legs. In common with most 
of the herons, they are gregarious 
and large colonies of them nest to- 
gether in places called heronries. 

On any still night in summer you 
are very apt to occasionly hear one 
of these birds as he flies over. 
Their note is a deep gutteral ‘“‘qua’’ 
or ‘quark’’; this is repeated at inter- 
vals of from four to six seconds when 
the birds are flying at night. They 
are very susceptable to even a crude 
imitation of their note; when a boy 
and living in a small town, I fre- 
quently used to amuse myself evenings by calling the “Quarks’’ or 
Night Herons. Waiting until I heard one of the birds in the distance, 
an answer to every one of his calls, would gradually bring him nearer 
and nearer; at last his dark gray form would be visible through the 
mist, and he would circle about several times, each circuit bringing 
him nearer, until, unable to discover his relative, he would wing his 
way out of sight. 

There are several heronries within a few miles of Worcester; they 
are all small ones, the largest containing perhaps fifty or seventy-five 
pairs. This one is located in a small patch of large pines, that is, it 
was last spring. They have had to change their location nearly every 
year because the woods have been cut off. A short drive through the 
woods brings us in the neighborhood of the pines. All is silent and 
not a bird is seen until we round the last bend before reaching the her- 
onry. Then as the old birds see us, they begin to circle about uttering 
angry “quas’’, and from the tree tops comes a strange sound, like the 
magnified tickings of numerous “‘grandfather’s clocks.”’ This is the 
characteristic noise made by the fledgling of the Night Heron. The 
trees surround a small stagnant pond, from the shores of which, hun- 





224 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


dreds and hundreds of frogs leap, with a splash into the water, as we 
make our way about. Strangely, although such an abundance of food 
is at their very door, the old birds do not seem to do their hunting for 
food for the little ones here, but make a long flight to another larger 
pond about a mile 
away. Perhaps after 
all they are wiser than 
we give them credit 
for being, and are re- 
serving this supply 
for the young to catch 
themselves when they 
have left the nest. 
Nearly every tree in 
this heronry had it’s 
nest, and some had 
LWIO) Og Line cen Ney, 
were nearly all plac- 
ed well up towards 
the top. Although 
this location had not 
been used by the her- 
ons before, the trees 
and branches were 
becoming well coat- 
ed and the odor from 
decaying matter was 
quite apparent. For 
ascending, a tree was 
selected, that had but 
one nest in it and was 
considerably cleaner 
than the majority; 


nevertheless it was Photo from life by A. J. Meyer. 
very difficult to climb, NIGHT HERON LEAVING TREE. 





especially if one had any regard for his clothing. The tree was quite 
large; in fact, one of the tallest in the grove, and when the nest was 
reached it was seen that I was in a position to see to the best advan- 
tage all that went on in the colony. 

The nest above me contained one young bird and oneegg. The nest 
was so large and built in such a frail manner that I could not get by to 
climb'above it without danger of injuring its contents. In the nearest 


AMA#RICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 225 


tree were two nests, one with three eggs and the other with three eggs 
and a young bird. The old birds were quite excited and continually 
flew around me, but at a respectful distance. They are very pretty if 
not exactly graceful birds, when in flight. They fly in the characteris- 
tic heron fashion with the head drawn in close to the body, and the legs 
trailing behind. After I had remained quiet for about ten minutes, 
they began to settle down in the tops of the trees, their light plumage 
contrasting very effectually with the dark green of the pines. None of 
them showed any disposition to return to their nest while I was there, 
although one did alight on the top of the tree just above the nest, and 
_ barely six feet from my head. It is probable that their young are fed 

mostly during the early morning and after dusk, and not so often dur- 
ing the day. A Red-shouldered Hawk, which had young within a short 
distance from the heronry, proved a constant source of worry to the 
herons, and doubtless kept his larder well supplied with young herons. 





Photo from life by Alfred J. Meyer. 
YOUNG NIGHT HERONS. 


226 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


SPRING OBSERVATIONS, 
(Mayfield, Ky.) 

Having had occasion to spend about one week recently, beginning 
with April 27th, in traveling over my county (Graves), during which 
time I traversed at least 100 miles, and being an ardent lover of birds, 
I made some observations that I thought might possibly be of some 
interest to your readers. I will state that my business was of such 
a nature as to admit of my giving close attention, which I did. 

In the first place, I observe that our people have almost quit pre- 
paring boxes for the martins and none for blue birds. This is due, I 
think, to the encroachments of the English Sparrow. I saw two or 
three boxes. 

I was delighted to see a goodly number of Scarlet and Summer Tan- 
agers and Cardinal Grosbeaks. It amazes me to see people pass right 
beneath a tree in which one of these beauties sits and sings his sweet 
song, without even taking notice of its presence or song. 

Baltimore Oriole very rare. Observed one only. At least one 
Orchard Oriole at most every farm house where there were any trees. 

At 8 o’clock one night I stood in the middle of an open field, in a 
thinly settled locality, when most all nature seemed asleep, and listen- 
ed with much pleasure to the distant threat: ‘‘Whip-poor-will,’’ which 
was the first time in years. It certainly brought vividly before my 
mind many recollections of my boyhood. ‘The superstition of my 
companion concerning this bird surprised me. He is more than 60 
years of age and a good business man. When I called his attention 
to its notes, he seemed very serious for a moment, then related to me 
that once this bird alighted in his yard and sang for quite a while one 
night and that his wife died within a few days. And that later in life 
another came to his home one night and sang about the door against 
his vigorous protests, and that his little boy, then in perfect health, 
took sick within a few days and died, and that a visit from this bird 
was an unfailing sign of some great calamity to the home visited. 

Kingbirds, blue jays, sparrows, wrens, bluebirds, Kentucky Warblers, 
Tomtits, Chickadees and Catbirds appeared to be fairly plentiful. 

Robins, doves, flickers, meadowlarks, swallows and woodpeckers 
seemed rather scarce. Blackbirds plentiful. 

Our “‘sportsmen”’ are killing all the doves under the existing law in 
this state which declares them to be “game birds.’? This law should 
be repealed and they should by all means be protected all the time as 
they are decidedly one of our most valuable birds to the farmer and 
are too small to eat. C. W. WItson. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 227, 


NEW BOOKS OF INTEREST TO BIRD STUDENTS 


A First Book on the Birds of Oregon and Washington, (J. H. Gill 
Co., Portland, Oregon,) by William Rogers Lord. “A Pocket Guide 
and Pupil’s Assistant in a Study of the more common Land Birds and 
a few of the Shore and Water Birds of these states.’’ Mr. Lord is an 
entertaining writer, and his knowledge of his subject has been acquired 
by a close companionship and study, in the field, of the birds in the 
states of which his book treats. Mr. Lord’s object primarily, was to 
produce a book that would be of the greatest interest and value to 
beginners in the study of birds, but as is frequently the case, most of 
those who think they ““know it all’? can learn much from a perusal of 
its pages. It is a book of 300 pages and is of convenient size for the 
pocket. (4x6 in.) 


Wild Birds in City Parks, (A. W. Mumford, Chicago), by Herbert 
Eugene Walter and Alice Hall Walter. Paper, 40 pages, 25 cents. A 
descriptive list of one hundred birds which are seen in Lincoln Park, 
Chicago, during the spring migration. This is a valuable list for those 
who reside in that section of the country, and also useful in most lo- 
calities east of Chicago as the bird life is nearly identical. 


Preliminary List of Birds of Boulder county, Colorado, by Junius 
Henderson; published by the University of Colorado, Boulder. This is 
strictly a preliminary list and is not considered to be complete. It 
records one hundred and sixty species. 


Quailology, by Harry Wallas Kerr, Little Sioux, Iowa. Jn this 
volume, Mr. Kerr, who is secretary for the National Quail Breeders 
Association, has presented the methods, pleasures and difficulties of 
quail culture, with the hope that it will serve to stimulate others to 
preserve the game birds by propagation, as well as to aid those who 
are now making the attempt. 


ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 


J. A. C.—Your trouble in photographing nests and eggs is the same 
as that of a great many others who send us pictures. You are using 
your camera with the lens wide open, whereas it must be stopped 
down to at least {64 to get the requisite depth of focus. I note that 
you say the maker of the lens claims that it has an unusual depth of 
focus; that is claimed for all makes of lenses, whereas it is a quality 
that is in no wise dependent upon the maker, being governed entirely 
by the relation of the diameter to the focal iength. To get good pic- 


228 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


tures of nests at close range, you musf-use a small stop and conse- 
quently a longer exposure. 

We have several queries in regard to developing plates. Wecan do 
no better than to refer any one who wish points on this subject to 
“Hints on Negative Making,’’ by G. Cramer. Anyone who will follow 
instructions given in this manual will have success from the start. It 
will be sent free if you mention AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. Address, 
G. Cramer Dry Plate Company, St. Louis, Mo. 

D. S. Holmes, Kellog, Calif.—The bird that you describe is the 
Water Ouzel or American Dipper. 

M. D., Waltham, Mass.—Wilson’s Thrush builds its nest on the 
ground and lays bluish-green eggs. The Blue Jay builds its nest early 
in May; the eggs are of the size of a Robin’s and greenish or brownish, 
speckled with brown. There is such a bird as the Saw-whet Owl. It 
is the smallest Owl found in the east, and found here only in winter. 

E. W. G., Braddyville, Ia.—The bird that you describe is Cooper’s 
Hawk. ‘This hawk lays pale bluish-white eggs. 





Photo by S. D. Nixon: 


DOUBLE NEST OF A PHOEBE. 


S. D. Nixon, Balt., Md.—I enclose a photo of a double nest of the 
Phoebe. I saw a Phoebe go under a shed adjoining a barn, and there 
found the nest. On one side of the nest the bird was sitting on four 
eggs, while the other side had two, which were also warm. 


AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 229 






; QOUR YOUNG 


MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 







DEAR YOUNG FOLKs: 

Not long ago I heard some one say: “I don’t think much of this 
Nature Study among the children, especially the study of birds.’’? What 
reason do you suppose was given for such a strange remark? 
It was this. The children disturb and frighten the nesting birds by 
constant visits, and even molest the nests in their eagerness to learn 
all about bird life. Perhaps there is a grain of truth in this statement. 
I am sure the many boys and girls who share this corner will think 
about this, and do all they can to protect the birds in their natural 
rights. 

There is another thing about which bird students are sometimes 
thoughtless, and I call upon our girls—whether members of Audubon 
Societies or not—to help public sentiment in this respect. If you are 
really fond of these ‘little brothers of the air’? would you enjoy wear- 
ing their dead bodies upon your hats? Even if the ornament (?) is 
made of dyed chicken feathers, the principle is the same. I met a 
lady on the street not long ago whose hat was simply trimmed with a 
circle of tiny dead birds perched all around the broad brim. I wonder 
if she was a fair barbarian.’’? If each one of our readers would use 
his influence in these two respects, I think the bird world at least, 
would be the happier. 

Iam making many demands upon you this month, for I have one 
more request to make. When you speak of the birds, give them their 
right names; for instance, what confusion would be saved if we stopped 
calling the brown thrasher, “‘the brown thrush.’’ There are several 
thrushes, all brown, and this thrasher is not a thrush at all, but belongs 
to the same family as the catbird and mocking bird. 

I will not keep you longer from the world out of doors on this 
glorious June day. Goodbye until the month when the bird of free- 
dom soars. Cordially your friend, 

MrG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


230 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ANSWERS TO MAY PUZZLES, 


Enigma No. 1, Great Northern Shrike, Enigma No. 2, White-breast- 
ed Nuthatch, Chickadee. 





BIRDS THAT TELL THEIR NAMES, 
No. 4, Phoebe, No. 5, Pewee. 


ROLL OF HONOR. 


Alice Garland, Boston, Mass., Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, S. D., 
Hugo E. Wunsch, Haven, Wisconsin, Samuel D. Robbins, Belmont, 
Mass., Leroy B. Noble, Cromwell, Conn., Louise Jordan, Defiance, 
Ohio., John A. Parks, Shaftsburg, Mich., Raymond Hill, Uxbridge, 
Mass., Everett P. Walton, New Vineyard, Maine, Gerald B. Thomas, 
Livermore, Ia., Jean Lampton, Riverdale-on-Hudson, N. Y., Stafford 
A. BPrancis, Exeter, Mass:., Charles H. Abbott, Antrim, Na ae ewe 
Greaves, Clearmont, Mo., Wm. Schneider, LaCrosse, Wis., Isidor 
Rehfuss, LaCrosse, Wis., Edith M. Little, Waquoit, Mass., Grace E. 
Peaslee, East Ware, N. H., Catherine Okey (age 9) Cambridge, O. 


EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


One day I noticed an exceedingly large Red-winged Blackbird fly up 
from the swamp and seem to call others, for presently two smaller 
Blackbirds arose, and the three flew off toward the east. In a very 
short time the three, with about one hundred other male Blackbirds, 
came back and settled down in the swamp near me. The three birds 
flew to the east end of the lake again, and returned this time with 
about one hundred female Blackbirds. When all were down feeding, 
the largest of the three birds flew off again, and from his actions and 
his size I judged him to be the king, or leader of the flock. On his 
return one Blackbird only, accompanied him, and this was a female as 
large as himself. When these two came near to the flock every bird 
arose as if to meet them, and then all settled down to feed. As I was 
watching them one day toward the end of summer they all rose and 
flew south and I did not see them again that year. 

One day as I was walking along the shore beneath some sand bluffs, 
I noticed that there was a hole about four inches in diameter in the 
side of one of them. When I put my arm in the hole I could not 
reach the end. I found two pieces of lath on the beach and tying one 
to the end of the other, I put that into the hole, and I could feel the 
end of the stick being pecked at. I knew then that there must be a 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 231 


kingfisher on her own nest. With the hunting ax that I had with me, 
and a stick, I managed to dig away about nine feet of the bank, and 
then reaching my hand in I drew out a female Belted Kingfisher. The 
next time I drew out my hand I had six snow white eggs. 
LoTHROP LEE BROWN, 
Evanston, III. 


You asked our opinions on Gerald Thomas’ Goldfinch. I should not 
think that it was intoxicated, but maybe it had formerly been tame. 
One I once found in the summer of 1898 was not afraid, of course it 
would not be in a baby such as ‘Goldie’? was. There was a maple 
near our veranda, and in it a pair of Goldfinches were nesting. The 
baby, when the time came to go, would not fly, and so he was left to 
the “Bird Ladies’ and my own care. We caught flies for Goldie at 
first, but she learned to eat egg. At last the “Bird Ladies” had to go 
and Goldie with them. The last I heard she was in full plumage and 
song, and full of love. ' LEwis S. GANNETT, 

Rochester, N. Y. 


A few days ago I went out to my uncle’s ranch to spend the day, 
and having nothing to do, lay down under a shed and watched the 
swallows busily building their mud nests on the rafters and under the 
eaves of a large barn. 

Now the place where these swallows went for mud was at leasta 
quarter of a mile distance, yet there was one that got back fully ten 
minutes before the others every trip. Hardly being able to understand 
how it was that he was so much quicker of wing than the others, I 
resolved to watch him, and see if he was really so much quicker or if he 
had discovered a new mud hole nearer. But, no! It was neither one 
of the things, for I watched him, and when he had finished his work on 
the nest, he flew neither faster than the others, nor was it a new mud 
hole. But, yes, I can call it a new mud hole, for he flew straight to 
another nest, (not his own) and deliberately broke off a piece of the 
fresh mud and then calmly began working it into his own nest as if by 
rights belonged to him. Having discovered that much I waited to see 
what the robbed bird would do on his return, but to my surprise he 
began working on his nest as if nothing had happened out of the usual. 

LESTER D. SUMMERFIELD, 
Reno, Nevada. 

I have put up two bird boxes and am having some tree swallows 
build in them. They are very tame. I photographed one this morn- 
ing. SAMUEL D. ROBBINS, 

Belmont, Mass. 


232 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


PUZZLES. 
Birps THat TELL THEIR NAMES. 


(Concluded. ) 


Our third flycatcher, (No. 6,) is a good deal smaller than No. 5, and 
one of his names refers to his small size; but the name he calls has 
only two syllables in it and he jerks it out. He does not care very 
much for the woods, but likes such places as shady lawns and old 
orchards, and on a branch there builds a beautiful little nest of fine 
roots, down, like that which carries the thistle seeds, long hairs, lots of 
things, but all dull in color so that when the nest is finished it is so 
like the branch that holds it, and is so small that it is not an easy one 
to find. 

My last bird, No. 7, likes the bushes at the edge of the woods, and 
there he scratches away among the leaves, now and then calling out 
his name, and sometimes flying up to a low branch to sing a short 
song. He is about as large as a robin and is a dark bird with a good 
deal of black on his breast as well as above, but there is dull reddish 
on his sides and as he flies he shows white in his long tail. His wife 
is much browner, but she has the white tail feathers too. 

ISABELLA McC. LEmMMon, 
Englewood, N. J. 





NUMERICAL ENIGMA. 


I am a beautiful bird composed of fifteen letters. My 1, 9, 2, 1llis a 
large but not very ferocious wild animal. My 2, 14, 9 is a liquid liked 
by many. My 3, 7, 10,6, gives work to many people. My 5, 8, 15, 
was: aroused by my friend?s 3, 12,9) My 4, 135/77, 3.7 1S aliveny sian 
and good one. JEAN LAMPTON, 

Riverda'e-on-Hudson, New York. 


AN ENIGMA, 


My first is cat but not in rat, 
My second in rat but not in cat, 
My third is in you, but not in me, 


My fourth h’s not in large but it is in wee, 
My whole is a bird that nests in a tree, 
And is very common to you and me. 
CLARENCE C. Asgort, (age 10) 
New York city. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 233 


CHARACTERISTIC INITIALS. 


What are these birds whose initials appear in capitals below, and 
whose songs, colors or habits are thus described. 
1. Beautiful Whistler. 
Noted Slayer. 
Bright Orange. 
Sweet Singer. 
Merry Lays. 
Most Doleful. 


SONS 


MARIETTA WASHBURN, 
Goodwin, S. D. 





AN HOUR GLASS. 


OOXOO To move hastily. 
OXO A human being. 
xX A consonant. 
OXO What all boys like. 
OOXOO A favorite sweet. 
Centrals read downward spell the name of one of the most cheerful 
songsters. MARIETTA WASHBURN. 





WHAT IS HIS NAME ? 


Once upon a time, (a time not far from April 27th) the T. M. went 
forth to seek their fortunes, and met a fairy magician, who was also a 
fairy musician. Do you know what ““T. M.”’ signifies? 

It does not refer to the mince pies which the old lady marked T. M.., 
’tis mince, and T. M., ’taint mince, of which one writer tells us. The 
mystic letters in this case simply stand for “Three Maidens,’’ who 
herewith bring you a glimpse from one morning’s delightful outing. 

One charm of an outing afield is the uncertainty which attends it. It 
is a species of gambling. You may meet with thrilling experiences, or 
you may see nothing new, but simply gain a broader horizon, the roses 
of health, and “‘the good digestion which waits on appetite,’’ prizes not 
to be despised. On this bright April morning the T. M. had the good 
fortune to meet with a gay little sprite in feathers, (but a quarter of an 
inch longer than a humming bird) who had stopped in Waterbury for a 
flying visit on its way to its Canada home. Its coat was olive gray, 
lightened to yellow when touched by the sun’s rays; its vest was a 
soft yellowish gray; its bill was black, and its wings were trimmed 
~with white. 


234 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


As the T. M. watched the cheery little fellow darting hither and 
thither in a low evergreen, examining every nook for insects for lunch. 
flirting wings and tail constantly, and peering out saucily at them, a 
bright scarlet spot appeared where a moment before was an ashen 
crown. In an instant the flaming vision had disappeared, and it seem- 
ed to the astonished T. M. impossible that such a blazing crown could 
be so perfectly concealed beneath the smooth head dress of the bird 
now dancing so merrily in the uppermost branches. But there was no 
mistake, again and again, glimpses of the flashing red were seen 
against the green foliage. “Oh, if he would only come down on that 
branch right before us and let us see the magical transformation,’” 
sighed one of the T. M. The fairy above them evidently heard this, 
for down he flew immediately before his delighted friend, and calling 
‘see, see, see,’’ with a polite nod, raised his grey cap, and again the 
the red head was revealed in its glory. With another bow he darted 
away to a tall tree, and sang, and sang, a clear melodious warble, to 
which the T. M. listened enchanted. 

Who will give the name of this gem of a morning’s outing? 





GLEANINGS, 


From blossom-clouded orchards, far away 

The bobolink twinkled, 
June’s bridesman, poet o’ the year, 
Gladness on wings, the bobolink is here! 
Half hid in tip-top apple bloom he sings, 
Or climbs against the breeze with quiverin’ wings, 
Or givin’ way to mock despair, 
Runs down, a brook o’ laughter, thro the air. 

LOWELL: 





The little bird sits at his door in the sun, 

A tilt like a blossom among the leaves, 

And lets his illumined being o’er run 

With the deluge of summer it receives; 

His mate feels the eggs beneath her wings, 

And the heart in her dumb breast flutters and sings, 

He sings to the wide world, and she to her nest, 

In the nice ear of Nature which song is the best? 
LOWELL- 


ay 
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE x 


BEST RESULTS 11 maxinc BIRD PHOTOS 


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CRAMER CROWN PLATES 


Which are especially adapted for this class of work, and are 
used exclusively by the publishers of AMERICAN ORNITH- 
OLOGY. — 

Full descriptive manual sent free to any address: upon 
application, provided AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY is mentioned. 


G. CRAMER DRY PLATE CO. 


ST. LOUIS, MO. Na) 








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< 9 House Wren (female’. 34 Brown Thrasher. 
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Volume V of BIRD-LORE, the first number of which appeared Feb. 1, 1903. 


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= GOIPVIRKG Is, WO OZ ISOCISUNS Ss IRBID=—— 


VOL. Ill JULY, 19035. NO. 7 





An armistice seems to have been declared in the wordy conflict that 
has been going on for the last few months in magazines and the daily 
press concerning the Burroughs-Seton-Long controversy. While many 
may regret that this issue was ever brought before the public, it can- 
not but have a good influence on future bird literature. There certainly 
is enough truth that is of interest concerning bird life, without resort- 
ing to fairy tales and flights of imagination. Stories and even entire 
books based wholly on the imagination in place of observation are 
more than the public can submit to, and the controversy above referred 
to will probably have its effect in assuring the public of more accurate, 
even though it be less interesting reading. Fairy tales when sold as 
such, have their proper place, but when intended for a history of birds 
or animals, are no more to be tolerated than would be inaccurate 
geographies or other school books. 


July is probably the best month in the year for obtaining good 
photos of young birds. Provided that you can catch them, young birds 
after they have left the nest make much better pictures than those 
which have not yet flown. They show the family characteristics to a 
greater extent and are not so apt to look scared or as though they 
were about to fall off the limb. 

We have already received a large number of photos for our compe- 
tition and assurances of many more. Prints may be on any paper ex- 
cept blue print and no one is debarred from competing. 








GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herc dias.) 
At the top of the Flying Cage, Naticnal Park, Washington, D. C. 


236 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


CALIFORNIA VULTURE 


(Gymnogyps califortianus.) 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 237 


NATIONAL ZOO BIRD ITEMS, 


By JOHN W. DANIEL, Jr., with photographs by the Author. 


Ornithologists visiting the National Zoo at Washington are afforded 
the opportunity of viewing two fine living specimens of the California 
Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). When first received at the Zoo, 
both birds were immature, but have now attained full growth, and are 
splendid examples of the rare and interesting species they represent. 
During the warmer months, they have occupied a spacious wire enclos- 
ure on the edge of a body of woods in front of the entrance of the 
main building of the Zoo, where they have been the centre of attrac- 
tion to visitors. They spend most of the time perched on the limbs of 
a tree which their cage takes in. On warm, sunny days they some- 
times give the visitor a chance to see the greatest wing expanse a 
North American bird is capable of as they take their “sun baths.” 
With their wings spread out rigid and motionless in the sunshine, 
after the manner of the Turkey Vulture, they make a very striking 
appearance, the white under wing coverts and axillars showing in con- 
trast with the rest of the plumage. They are very tame and gentle, 
and great favorites with the keepers. At the sight of an approaching 
keeper with their food, if perching, they hastily come to the ground, 
and, with waddling strides, awarkardly follow him about as they 
receive meat from his hands. A lone specimen of the Black Vulture 
(Catharista urubu) occupied their cage with them and served to show 
the difference in size between the smallest and the largest of American 
Vultures. A photograph of one of the Condors is presented. 

A feature of much ornithological interest to be seen at the Zoo, isa 
large structure of iron framework and wire, covering considerable 
ground and enclosing several trees. It is known as the “‘flying cage,”’ 
and its scope is such as to allow the birds which it contains, room: 
enough to fly freely about and to enjoy as much liberty as it is possible 
for a caged bird to experience. So far, it has contained only water 
birds, Herons, Cranes, Ibises, Storks and Pelicans. Pools of water 
have been provided, and the margins of these, in summer time planted 
with tall grasses, lending an almost tropical aspect. White Ibises feed 
around the edges of these pools and Herons perch high in the tree 
tops. The Pelicans sit in groups on limbs which project over the 
water, and the Cranes and Storks stride about with an air of freedom. 
Photographs of some of these birds are given. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 








SANDHILL CRANE (Grus mexicanus.) 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 239 








BROWN PELICANS (Pelicanus fuscus.) 


BIRD INCIDENTS. 


IRD incidents without number are constantly 
coming under the observation of those who are 
on the lookout for them, and the writer deems 
the following of special interest. Wrens versus 
Sparrows: Some time since in the early spring, 
a pair of English Sparrows made up their minds 
to take possession of a bird house in our gar- 
den which a pair of Wrens had occupied for 
two previous years. 


Mr. and Mrs. Wren had not yet arrived, so 
ae there were none to dispute the Sparrow’s right 
or to suspend operations. All went well and the nest was nearing 
completion, when one bright, sunny morning the former occupants 
appeared on the scene and trouble at once began. They evidently 
resented the action of the Sparrows in taking the house which they 
anticipated using for a summer residence. An indictment of evacua- 
tion was at once served and being met by a show of sparrow impu- 
dence, forcible expulsion was next in order. 





240 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Mr. Wren took up his position on the front porch of the little house, 
and by a series of savage attacks and much loud scolding, succeeded 
in keeping the pair of sparrows off, while Mrs. Wren, working with 
desperate determination, proceeded to tear the nest apart and carrying 
the materials out the little back door, scattered them in all directions. 
My! what a shower of hay, straw, feathers, sticks, etc. This was con- 
tinued until the house was entirely cleared. Then, without delay, be- 
gan the process of reconstruction. During this time the sparrows did 
not sit idly by and see their work destroyed, but there was a continu- 
ous battle between them, and when the action became too pressing, 
both Wrens would make a grand charge which invariably resulted in | 
driving the enemy back. 

By and by the new nest was finished and although bad feelings existed 
for several days afterward, with frequent passages at arms, the spar- 
rows finally gave up the fight as hopeless, and Mr. Wren mounted the 
chimney, standing guard, and at the same time giving vent to his feel- 
ings in loud and spirited song. Of course our sympathies were with 
the victors. 

Catbird and Cherry Stone: During one of my many rambles through 
the woods, I discovered the nest of a Catbird in a clump of briars and 
upon drawing near, found it contained four little ones. Retreating for 
a short distance, I stopped and watched the mother bird who was great- 
ly excited at first, but seeing that I meant no harm to her little family, 
she proceeded with household matters. After giving the young ones 
two or three worms and other choice morsels, she brought a good- 
size red cherry and offered it to one of the nestlings. The little bird 
could not swallow it, so what did the mother do but take the cherry out 
of its mouth, remove the stone with her beak and feet, and then give 
it back to the nestling in a crushed state. This time it disappeared in 
a trice. The incident impressed me as being not only amusing but an 
excellent illustration of “bird sense.”’ 

Chippies Dividing Crumbs: While sitting under a shade tree in the 
yard, I observed a pair of Chippies eating two crumbs of bread. One 
crumb was much larger than the other, and of course the bird having 
the smaller one finished first. Then what? Simply this, the other 
Chippy at once broke his crumb in half and proceeded to place a por- 
tion of it within reach of his mate. In this way each had nearly an 
equal amount. Beautiful incident; well might man take this lesson 
home to himself; what an exhibition of love and generosity! what a 
different world this would be if people acted more on the principle of 
these innocent little birds! 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 241 


Robin Feeding Young: On one occasion I noticed a mother robin 
and two of her young on the ground under a large pine tree. She was 
busily engaged in feeding them, and it did not take long to see that 
one of the brood was much more advanced and understood things bet- 
ter. Presently it began searching for food on its own account and suc- 
ceeded quite well, but the interesting part was that it began to feed its 
feebler nest-mate in the same manner as the mother did, and continued 
to do so as long as I watched them. A good illustration of how close- 
ly parents are imitated, in the bird world as well as among human be- 
ings. Presently a red squirrel came down the tree, and its advent 
upon the scene excited the robin’s ire and she immediately gave chase. 
The squirrel had the advantage, however, as it ran around the trunk in 
spiral fashion, while the robin was obliged to keep poised in the air. 
Soon after this latter incident, the birds flew away. 

Song Sparrow: Early one spring while strolling through a clearing 
close by a brook, the writer discovered the nest of a Song Sparrow in 
a brush pile; it contained two eggs. Upon visiting the nest again a 
day or so later, two additional eggs had been deposited, and upon 
making a third call some time afterwards, the nest contained four 
young. On my return trip, the mother bird was sitting on the edge of 
the nest in the act of feeding the young. Upon approaching closer, 
she surprised me by remaining there, and I advanced near enough to 
place my hand upon her, stiil she refused to leave her precious little 
ones, but sat perfectly motionless, with the exception of a slight quiver 
of the eye. She remained in this position until I had retreated a good 
distance from the little home, evidently to make sure that no harm was 
intended. Here indeed was a striking instance of the protecting care 


and filial devotion shown by our birds towards their young. 
BERTON MERCER. 





DOVEKIE. 


A.O. U No. 34. (Alle alle.) 
RANGE. 
Breeds on the coasts and islands of the extreme North Atlantic, and 
winters on the Atlantic coast as far south as New Jersey. Sometimes, 
but rarely, found inland where they are driven by severe storms. 


DESCRIPTION. 


enethvooimeasextent, 15.5 in.2 tatk doo im: , “Bayes brown) bill’ and 
feet, black. Adults in summer:—Upper parts, head and neck, black; 
under parts, white, with the longer feathers of the flanks sometimes. 


242 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





DOVEKIE. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 243 


tipped with the black; scapulars edged and secondaries tipped with 
white. In winter:—White of the under parts extends to the bill and on 
the sides of the neck. The young are similar to the winter adults. 


NEST AND EGGS. 


These birds are very abundant in their breeding grounds on islands. 
in the Arctic Ocean, where they deposit their single pale blue eggs. 
among crevices in the rocks. 





HABITS. 


These pretty little birds, the smallest of the true family of the Auks, 
are known also by the names of “Ice Bird’? and “‘Sea Dove.’ They 
are so entirely sea-birds that they are only seen on land or in the 
vicinity of the shores during breeding season. At.other seasons, except 
during severe storms, they are found fifteen or twenty miles from the 
nearest land. They are the most numerous of the northern birds and it 
is said that in some places millions of them breed, they being so numer- 
ous as to dot the water and floating ice as far as the eye can see, and 
darkening the sky when they take wing. 

They are veterans in marine navigation and safely ride over the tops. 
of the highest waves, or else meeting them as they come, plunge bold- 
ly into them, emerging on the other side. At times, active as they are, 
they are unable to combat the severe storms and either perish by 
drowning or are driven far from their chosen homes and, thoroughly 
exhausted by the long flight, perish on inhospitable shores. 

Their food is composed mainly of small crustacea. These they pro- 
cure either on the surface of the water or by diving; they are experts 
in the latter art and are able to remain under water for two minutes or 
more. Their flight is very swift and is made at alow elevation. They 
are able to walk about on the land with ease, walking upright as do 
other members of the family, and supporting themselves on the whole 
tarsus. 


244 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


PRACTICAL JOKES AMONG BIRDS. 


Connected with one of the large western cities is a beautiful park. 
In this park are kept a great many birds and animals. Of course there 
are various large and small cages, and sometimes the birds and animals 
are bunched together. In almost every instance the creatures dwell 
together in perfect harmony. 

In one large, airy cage were kept two magpies (a male and female), 
a parrot, a crow and a pine squirrel. The park keeper and crowds of 
visitors have had a great deal of amusement in watching the antics of 
these creatures. They were always playing practical jokes upon each 
other. Everyone knows what natural thieves the magpies are. They 
will pilfer everything that can be carried away. After stealing all sorts 
of little articles, the magpies will carefully hide them away somewhere. 
They are like the wood-rat in their thievish propensities. Everything 
will be carried off and hidden whether or not they are of any earthly use 
to the animals. Apparently they steal just out of pure mischief. 

The two magpies in the cage were constantly up to all sorts of tricks. 
Generally these pranks were played at the expense of the old crow. 
The crow had a great habit of burying a part of his food; all that he 
could not devour at one time, was carefully hidden away for future 
need. True to his instincts, the crow in the cage did this; then his 
troubles began. The mischievous magpies would stealthily watch the 
crow and discover where he cached his food treasures. Then, when he 
was dozing away, or not closely observing, the thieves would sneak 
over, dig up what corvws had hidden, carry it away and secrete it else- 
where. 

When the crow would look for what he had buried he could not find 
it. Now the magpies would have their fun. They would slyly watch 
the crow, and greatly enjoy his puzzled discomforture. He would go 
looking about with a wise mystified air; this would set the scoundrelly 
magpies to screaming and chattering in glee. Finally one day the 
wary old crow nodded with his eyes open, and that was the way he 
caught the two theives. He quietly resolved on retaliation, though, at 
the time of discovery he gave the magpies a good thrashing. After 
this, there was no end of fun among the cage inmates. The magpies 
had to sleep and while they snoozed the crow got even. He would see 
where the magpies had hidden their stores, and would dig them up and 
hide them. Then the magpies would look and were puzzled, and the 
crow would have his quiet chuckle in one corner. From day to day 
this hide and seek game went on, but the crow held his own against 
the two pirates. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOUY. 245 


This sport helped to demoralize the pine squirrel. At the beginning, 
the little fellow seemed honest enough, but witnessing the general 
thieving, the squirrel took a hand. He began to steal and hide things 
belonging to both magpies and crow. This three sided game greatly 
complicated the war. 

Both the crow and magpies were fond of bright, brilliant things, and 
to add to the sport, the keeper would often toss into the cage little 
objects that attracted the bird’s attention. This increased the 
general pilfering and the lively little squirrel became an expert and 
confirmed thief, though he did not take sides. All this was very funny 
for the parrot. From her high perch polly watched the proceedings, 
sometimes with the gravity of a judge. She never deigned to take 
part, for that was below her dignity. However, now and then the 
parrot would chuckle, chatter and scream like a fiend at the four arch- 
conspiritors, when the game got pretty warm. 

Practical jokes generally end badly, so they did in this cage. War 
was finally declared between the crow and the magpies growing out 
of their thieving reprisals. From fun they fell to fighting, and this 
continued bitterly until the birds lost nearly half their plumage. So 
the keeper was finally obliged to separate them. The pine squirrel 
remained with polly. The magpies were placed in a cage with some 
guinea pigs and white mice, while the old crow was exiled among a 
flock of wild geese and ducks. 

Among their new associates, the magpies and crow had no incentive 
to practice dishonesty, while the pine squirrel, having no companion 


but polly, ceased further pilfering. 
J. MAYNE BALTIMORE. 


A PARASITE. 


BY FRANK H. SWEET. 


There are few things in nature which seem utterly worthless without 
a single redeeming quality to stay our condemnation. There are 
cowardly animals, and cowardly birds, and cowardly insects; and 
dangerous and destructive ones, too. But if we watch them closely, 
there are almost invariably some traits which commend themselves to 
us, goodness to their own, perhaps, or some tribal or family sense of 
honor or chivalry. Rarely is anything found in which even a lenient 
judgment cannot find something to commend—or, at least not to con- 
demn. 

But the cowbird, the parasite of the feathered world, seems in every 
way worthy of the unenviable distinction. Of all the American birds 


246 AMERICAN OWNITHOLOGY. 


it is perhaps the only one which has absolutely nothing to commend it 
to our admiration. It is mean and insignificant looking in appearance, 
has no gifts of song whatever, and in its marital and domestic charac- 
ter is thoroughly bad. Polygamous and utterly irresponsible for its 
offspring, this bird forms a striking contrast to other members of the 
bird world, and indeed is almost an anomaly in the animal kingdom. 
During the breeding season, with the true instinct of the skulker, an 
unnatural mother cowbird may be seen stealing among the trees and 
shrubbery, seeking for nests of smaller birds who are unable to pro- 
tect themselves. It rarely imposes upon a bird of its own size, but 
selects in a cowardly manner a small nest, as that of the vireos or 
warblers or chipping sparrows, in which to place a surreptitious egg, 
leaving the hatching and care of its young to the tender mercies of 
some already burdened little mother. 

In many cases, in order to insure proper attention to its own off- 
spring, it destroys the eggs already in the nest, by pricking them so 
that its own egg alone is finally hatched out. But in case the other 
eggs are left intact, so strangely does nature seem to connive with the 
interloper, the egg of the parasite almost invariably hatches a day or 
two sooner than the rest, and the big, clumsy baby cowbird soon grows 
sufficiently strong to crowd the legitimate family out of the nest. The 
wit of the smaller birds is, of course, sometimes equal to the occasion, 
and when a cowbird’s egg is deposited in the newly made nest they 
immediately build a false bottom or platform over the obnoxious egg 
and. leave it to rot while the legitimate brood is hatched in peace. 
The larger birds, such as the robin or catbird, make short work of the 
unwelcome addition to their store. 

But how great an instrument of destruction the cowbird proves itself 
to be, may perhaps be estimated when .it is remembered that it com- 
mences operations early in April and that in late June, at the close of 
the nesting season, it is almost impossible to find a nest of one of the 
smaller birds that has not been visited by some member of this ubiqui- 
tous pest. And the ungrateful young cowbirds have the family trait. 
As soon as they are able to go roaming, they desert their foster-parents. 
and join a flock of their own kind. 

If the shiftless cowbird does not find a convenient nest, rather than 
build one of its own, it will drop its eggs’ upon the ground, trusting 
them to fate, or worse yet, devouring them. 

Why do the smaller birds tolerate the:presence and parasitical oper; 
ations of the cowbird? This is one of the inexplicable problems of 
nature. A naturalist states that he once watched:a pair of bluebirds. 
for days disputing the possession of a hole in a post against all comers.- 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 247 


Big hairy woodpeckers, high holes and even bronze grackles, were 
driven off with a vigor which could hardly have been expected from so 
gentle a bird. Later, when housekeeping operations commenced, he 
found that the nest contained four pretty blue eggs; but visiting the 
nest again about a week later, he found only one bluebird’s egg, and 
that so pricked that it would not hatch, and accompanying it, three 
healthy cowbird’s eggs which the mother bluebird was carefully 
guarding. The cowbird in each case must have either driven the 
mother bird off the nest or have taken advantage of her feeding time 
to deposit the eggs. But even so, the previous conduct of the blue- 
birds left no room to doubt that they were perfectly capable of guard- 
ing their nest against the intruder if they so desired. 

That the smaller birds are perfectly aware of the obnoxious nature 
of the cowbird’s egg is proved by their trouble on some occasions to 
rid themselves of it. Why then do they tolerate the cowbird at all? 
Is the explanation found in the fact that the cowbirds go in flocks and 
hence overawe opposition? Or do they render some service in the bird 
world, as for example sounding the first alarm in the presence of dan- 
ger? Or is it possible that they take advantage of the night time to 
lay their eggs? Or have they in themselves the power of inspiring fear 
and terror which disarms opposition? What purpose does their exist- 
ence serve? Who knows? 





248 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. . 


Identification Chart No. 18, 





WADERS. 


No. 225. American Avocet, (‘Recurvirostra 
americana). 


Temperate North America, chiefly in the middle 
and western parts rare in the eastern United States. 
Length about 18 in. Bill curved upwards. Upper 
parts chiefly white, changing to chestnut brown on 
the neck, breast, and head, with the exception of 


‘around the base of the bill, which is white. Scapu- 


lars, middle wing coverts, and primaries black. In 
winter the head and neck are ashy or grayish. 


No. 264. Long-billed Curlew, (Numentus 

longtrostris). , 

Summers in temperate No:th America and winters 
in Cuba and Guatamela. Breeds in most of its 
North American range. Lergth 24 in. Bill meas- 
uring from q to 8 inches in length and much decurved. 
General plumage washed with rufous of more or less 
intensity. top of head, neck, back and wings varie- 
gated with black and rufous under parts streaked 
with dusky and sides marked with arrow heads. 


No. 265. Hudsonian Curlew, (Numentus 
hudsonicus.) 


Found throughout North America. Breeds in the 
far north and in winter migrates south of the United 
States boundary. Length about 18 in. Bill from 3 
to 4 inches in length, and curved as in the former. 
Pattern of the markings about the same as in the 
former species, but with none of the rufous coloration 
below and little of it on the upper parts. 


No. 266 Eskimo Curlew, (Numentus bore- 
alts.) . 
Eastern parts of North America, breeding in the 

far north and wintering south of the United States. 

Length about 14 inches. Bill from 2 to 3 inches in 

length and little decurved. Similarto the preceding 

species but without any median line through the 
crown and more heavily marked beneath with dusky 
arrow heads. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


No. 719. Bewick Wren, (Thryothorus be- 
wickit). 

United States east of the Plains and south of the 
northern tier of states. Rare in the Middle States or 
New England. Length about 5.5 inches. Upper 
parts brownish gray; wings barred with black; 
middle tail feathers brown, barred with black; outer 
ones white, barred with black. A prominent white 
supercillary line. Under parts grayish white. 


No. 719a. Vigor Wren, (7. b. spilurus). 
Is a western form of the Bewicks Wren. 
No. 719b. Baird Wren, (T. b. bairdt). 


Isa form that occurs in the middle and south- 
western portions of the U. S. It is scarcely dis- 
tinguishable from the eastern form. 


No. 721. House Wren, (7roglodytes aedon.) 
Eastern United States from southern Ontario 

southwards. Length about 5 inches. Upper parts 

grayish brown, lightly barred on the wings, back, 

and tail with dusky. Below grayish or brownish 

white, barred with dusky on the flanks. 

No. 721a. Parkman Wren, (7. a. park- 
mann). 

Pacific coast of northern California to British Co- 
lumbia. 

No. 721b. Western House Wren, (7. a. 
axtecus). 

Western United States. Both of these latter two 
species are described as paler than the eastern bird 
and with relatively longer wings and tails. 

No. 722. Winter Wren, (Troglodytes hie- 
malts). 

Eastern North America, breeding from northern 
United Stites northwards, and on the higher mount- 
ains south to Carolina. Length about 4 inches. 
Tail very short. Above brownish, almost reddish 
brown on the rump, wings and tail, and parts of back 
barred with dusky. Below brownish shading to 
~ grayish or whitish on the throat, and conspicuously 
barred with dusky on the flanks. 

No. 722a. Western Winter Wren, (T. &. 
pacificus). 

Pacific Coast from Alaska southwards. Slightly 


darker than the eastern Winter Wren, but hardly 
distinguishable from it. 





249 


250 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BARRED OWL. 


A. O. U. No. 368. (Syrnium nebulosum)- 
RANGE. 


Eastern United States from Nova Scotia southwards. West to the 
States bordering the western banks of the Mississippi River. They 
breed throughout their range. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length about 18 in.; extent 45 in.; tail9 in. Eyes very dark brown. 
Wings broad and rounded; tail rounded. Feet feathered to the toes. 
Upper parts brownish gray, barred with whitish or tawny; under parts 
whitish, the breast and throat barred with dusky and changing abrupt- 
ly into brownish stripes on the belly. Facial disk gray with concen- 
tric dusky rings about the eyes, and bordered with a mixed black and 
white specked band. As. with the other owls, they perch, generally 
with two toes in front and two behind. 

No. 368a. Florida Barred Owl (S. n. alleni) is a darker race of the 
Barred Owl and is found in Florida and very abundantly in Texas. 


NEST AND EGGS. 


~ Barred Owls nest from the latter part of February until early in May. 
Their nest is occasionally a deserted one of some of the hawks or 
crows, but more frequently they deposit their eggs in the hollow cavi- 
ty of atree. The same tree will be used year after year frequently in 
the face of continued persecutions. They lay two or three globular 
white eggs. 





Ts 


‘RICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


5 


A viv if 





Pkoto from life by Chas. W. Long. 


BARRED OWL. 


iS) 
at 
NO 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


HABITS. 


With the possible exception 
of the Sereech Owl, the Barred 
Owl is the most common mem- 
ber of the family in the eastern 
part of the United States, and 
without any exception they are 
the most noisy. As is the case 
with other owls, this one does 
the greater part of his hunting 
at night although he can see 
equally as well during the day 
time and _ especially — during 
cloudy weather, is frequently 
found flying about then. In all 
probability it is not so much a 
regard for their eyes that in- 
duces them to be birds of the 
night as it is their nerves. All feathered creatures regard them as foes, 
and should one show himself in the daytime he is persecuted for hours 
by all the birds in the neighborhood. To escape this they remain 
hidden in some shadowy retreat in the depths of the woods, from 
whence they come at dusk to quietly drop upon their unsuspecting 
prey, whether it be bird, animal or reptile, without the necessity of an 
exciting chase. 

The flight of the Barred Owl is very easy and, at times, very rapid, 
although the soft texture of their feathers makes the sound of the 
beating of their wings inaudible. They are usually solitary, and, 
except during the mating season, it is not common to find more than 
one of them in a locality. Their canny cries may be heard at all hours 
of the night in places where there is extensive timber land. Their 
voice at times has a very human sound, and it has frequently brought 
terror to the hearts of unfortunates who have been alone in the depths 
of the woods at night. Their cry ranges from several different inter- 
pretations resembling “‘hoo-hoo,’”’ several times repeated, to a wild 
burst of demoniacal laughter. 

They are now regarded as semi-useful birds; that is, they destroy a 
small per centage of poultry or birds useful to man, while the obnox- 
ious rodents form quite a large percentage of the diet. They are also 
fond of fish, which they catch by jumping into the water and seizing 
with their talons. They are quite valorous in the defense of their 
nests and young. While they do not attempt to strike the intruder 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 253 


with their talons, they will dash so close to him that he is frequently 
hit by the soft wings and involuntarily dodges, fearing the sharp talons 
with which he knows they are armed. When the female is incubating 
she will generally remain on the nest and allow herself to be removed 
by force, after which she will perch close by and express her disap- 
proval by snapping her bill, making a very impressive clicking sound, 
not unlike the forbidden snapping of fingers with which school boys 
were wont to attract the attention of the teacher. 





Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
Barred Owls are the most easily tamed and docile of all the members 
of the family. I have handled a great many of them, and have never 
seen but one that would make any attempt to grasp me with his tal- 
ons. This one was a very lively, playful bird, and if you attempted to 





Photo from life. 


254 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by Chas. W. Long. 
BARRED OWL. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 255 


stroke his breast would reach out his claws much in the same manner 
asacat will. If you drew your hand away of course an ugly scratch 
would result, but not from any design of the owl, for if the hand was 
allowed to remain he would not attempt to pinch or scratch. When in 
captivity they bathe as do other birds, by standing in the middle of the 
dish and splashing the water over them with their head and wings. It 
is probable that they go through the same performance when they are 
at liberty, although probably few, if any, ever saw them. They drink 
after the fashion of the barnyard fowls; filling their bill with water and 
then turning their face skyward and rolling their eyes in the most 
ludicrous way. 

The only sounds or signs of anger that they show is’ the loud snap- 
ping of the beak. As they sit dreamily on their perch, with their eyes 
half closed, they are aware of everything that takes place about them, 
and their very large ears catch every sound. Ihave often crept quietly 
up behind one when he was apprrently asleep, and clapped my hands 
loudly. Nota movement showed that he had any nerves. He slowly 
unclosed his eyes and deliberately faced about, and his great black eyes 
seemed to express amusement that I should have tried to startle him. 
On the other hand, a slight scratching, as of a mouse, would awaken 
him instantly, and he would watch intently to see the anticipated rodent 
appear. A\|ll his actions are either slow and deliberate or else so quick 
that the eye can hardly follow them. As you walk about one, without 
shifting his body in the least, he will turn his head to watch you until 
it has made nearly a complete revolution. From the extreme position 
on one side to the extreme position on the other an owl can make 
nearly two complete revolutions 
of the head, whereas a human 
being has to exert himself to 
make even half a revolution. 

It is to be hoped that farmers 
and sportsmen will cease kill- 
ing the large numbers of these 
birds that they do every fall, as 
undoubtedly they do their share 
of good for the community. 
Probably the greater part of the 
destructive work that is charged 
to them is that of the great 


horned owl, and even that could 
be avoided if farmers would 
take care to properly house 
their fowls at night. 








256 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


THE ORIOLE FOSTER-PARENTS. 

About my next door neighbor’s house and mine are numerous Nor- 
way spruces. These trees are tenanted by different birds at different 
seasons. ; 

During the cold winter the bluejays hold fuli sway, there being no 
other houseseekers but the English sparrows which soon seek other 
sites. 

At this season the jay is more welcome, perhaps, than at any other. 
We like to see its blue and white plumage against the green of the tree, 
and to hear its shrill call. No day seems too cold for this pert-looking 
visitor to be out and ridding the trees of unwelcome pests, the eggs. 
and larvae of insects. 

Suddenly, some afternoon, just as the spring is approaching, we 
hear a commotion in the trees. We know the grackles have come! 
Yes, there they are. They have come in large flocks. How delighted 
they seem to be. Such tilting, swaying and balancing! Such chatter- 
ing! Later as the season advances come the warblers and many others. 

One day, during the first week in July, a member of our family 
picked up a young bird that had evidently fallen from its nest. He 
carried the bird home, a distance of about two miles. I recognized it 
as a young Baltimore Oriole. We put it into a bird cage upon some 
dry grass, and dropped tiny bits of bread, fruit, insects and worms into 
its mouth when it opened it, as it did nearly every time we approached 
the cage. 

During the second day of its enforced visit we placed the cage upon 
the walk near a flower bed. We sat near enough to see but not to be 
seen, on a porch and watched it. Occasionally it gave a few. short 
‘peeps’? which gradually grew more sharp. Like a flash of flame 
came an adult Baltimore Oriole from the spruces! It hovered about, 
then lit on a low branch of a Balm of Gilead, then darted off. Ina few 
moments it appeared again only to fly away once more. Soon it flew 
back with a worm inits bill. It flew to a twig then to the ground near 
the cage. It hopped up to the cage, flew to the top. of it, held the 
worm down between the wires and fed the little one. Then it darted 
back to the spruces. The little one was all a-flutter. Again the oriole 
appeared to feed the little one and fly away. Soon came another old 
oriole. They kept coming, alternately, for two hours or more. Once 
one of them flew in at the open door fed the bird and flew away. At 
sundown they ceased to come. Our little bird put its head under its 
wing, apparently to go to sleep. We took the cage into the house for 
the night. Sometime before morning it died. The old birds did not 
come back again to the garden. CATHERINE C. KELLEY. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 2157 






KOU U 


R Younc, 
FRIENDS 


MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 







DEAR YOUNG FOLKs: 

The long list of birds which still come in, are of value in showing 
the greater interest taken in bird-lore by children everywhere. Joseph 
E. Jeffery, of Sioux Rapids, Ia., has identified 118 birds in 1902. 
Lewis Gannett thinks to put Massachusetts, Ohio and Pennsylvania 
“down’’ by his list of oxe hundred and fifty-nine birds seen in one year. 
Where are our Connecticut boys? we do not want to see them left 
behind when powers of patience and accuracy are being tested. I think 
any of us would be delighted to make the acquaintance of all the differ- 
ent birds which have been seen by Mr. Cyrus Carlton, of Providence, 
R. I., during the last two years. He sends us a list of two hundred and 
five birds identified during that time, also a list of one hundred and 
forty-seven birds identified in Florida since Jan. 2, 1903. 

One of our readers in New York State speaks of the scarcity of war- 
blers this year. The number which have called on us here in Connecti- 
cut on their way to their summer homes in the North, has been much 
smaller than usual. It may be they have travelled by a different air- 
line route this year, or perhaps the cold weather in the early part of 
May so delayed their arrival that they hurried past us. 

Many of the birds in this section came at least a week later than 
usual. We are sure that one bird will reach us on the proper date— 
and the American Eagle will be in evidence on July 4th. Up with your 
flags, boys and girls, and roll your echoing cheers across from ocean to 
ocean. 

Cordially your friend, 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


258 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ANSWERS TO JUNE PUZZLES. 


Brrps THaT TELL THEIR NAMES. 
No. 6, Chebec or Least Flycatcher. No. 7, Chewink. 


NUMERICAL ENIGMA. 


Baltimore Oriole. 





AN ENIGMA. 


Crow. 





CHARACTERISTIC INITIALS. 
Bob White, Northern Shrike, Baltimore Oriole, Song Sparrow, 
Meadow Lark, Mourning Dove. 


HOUR GLASS, 


Robin. 


jal we 


Wa 


Rae 


1a) 
ND: 


Py 
A 


S 





IS ITS NAME,? 


— 


WHA 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 





ROLL OF HONOR. 


Lewis Stiles Gannet, Rochester, N. Y.; Eunice Joslin, Webster, 
Mass.; Wm. Schneider, La Crosse, Wis.; Louise Jordon, Defiance, 
Ohio; Stafford A. Francis, Exeter, N. H.; Samuel D. Robbins, Bel- 
mont, Mass.; Lillian M. Weeks, Marietta, Ohio; Gerald B. Thomas, 
Livermore, Iowa; Isidor Rehfuss, La Crosse, Wis. 





EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


One day in April I was walking through the woods when I heard a 
sharp chatter, and looking up I saw a squirrel looking out ofa Flicker’s 
hole in a dead tree. On climbing up, I found five young squirrels and as 
I was climbing down I noticed another hole just below this one. The 
minute I put my hand in the hole I received a sharp nip, and on with- 
drawing my hand I was surprised to see a Saw-whet Owl. She had 
such a tight hold on my finger that I drew her clear out of the hole, 
when she flew off with a great snapping of her bill. In the nest I found 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 259 


five little owls, hardly bigger than an English Sparrow and all covered 
with white down. 
In a hollow stump at the foot of the tree I found the male bird with 
a field mouse in his claws. GERALD THOMAS, 
Livermore, l[a. 


I found a Kildeer’s nest this spring. There was not much of a nest, 
and what there was was right down on the ground, not in the grass or 
against a tree or bank or anything. It contained four pointed eggs,. 
which were gray speckled with dark spots and blotches. I did not see 
anything of the young birds, and I did not know whether they left the 
nest as soon as they hatched or not. Littran M. WEEKS, 

Marietta, Ohio. 


I went off into the woods the other day and got a stump with an old 
woodpecker’s nest init. I brought it home and fastened it to a post 
with some long screws, for the chickadees. I should not wonder but 
what the blue-birds will move into it after the first brood or at the 
beginning of next year. They go to it and inspect it quite often, and 
the other day they drove off a pair of chickadees who were investigat- 
ing the place. 

Near my home is a robin’s nest, and the young ones hatched almost 
a week ago (May Ist). STAFFORD A. FRANCIS. 

Exeter, N. H. 


We heard a note, loud and gutteral, that none of us had ever heard 
before. We raced to the river bank, and there not far from us were 
three crows chasing an American Herring Gull. It was the Gull which 
uttered the note, and he evidently did it without opening his bill, for 
he had a fish in his mouth. 

I investigated a crow’s nest and saw three large eggs in it. Not 
until I reached the nest did a crow appear, but by the time I reached 
the bottom there were twenty-six ready to peck my eyes out, and by 
the time I had finished counting them there were twenty-nine. 

I think I'll put Mass., Ohio and Penn. down by sending in my lists. 
In my life I’ve seen one hundred and seventy-four, and starting May 
13, 1902 and ending May 12, 1903, I’ve seen one hundred and fifty-nine, 
setting up something better than one hundred and sixteen. In 1903 
I have seen one hundred and nine already. 

Hoping Massachusetts will beat Ohio and take second, though not 
first place, I finish my lists. LEWIS STILES GANNETT, 

Rochester, N. Y. 


260 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


On May 3rd I saw a nest and climbed into a tree to look in. ‘There 
were three eggs in it and by their color, I knew it was a Robin’s. I 
walked a little farther along on the road, and soon saw a Robin sitting 
on a nest that was so near to the electric car that ran along the road, 
that it seemed as if one were in the car that one might touch her. 

I have taken the American Bird Magazine for a long time, and I look 
forward to the first of each month, the time when it comes. 

LESLIE BRADLEY, 
Boston, Mass. 


On a bright and sunny morn, 

In the merry month of June, 

I walked along the brookside, 
And I heard the Blue-bird’s tune. 


I listened to the Robin, 

And heard the Oriole’s song; 

The twitter of the Sparrow 
Seemed to cheer the world along. 


I saw the little Meadow-lark, 
And found a rabbit’s trail. 
As I passed the inland river, 
I saw a Sora Rail. 


I saw the small Kingfisher, 
Sitting by the side 

Of the lonely river, 

And looking at the tide. 


I saw the large Blue Heron, 
And the nest that she had made. 
I saw the small Field Sparrow, 
And the egg that she had laid. 


The coal-black crow was flying 
’Round the scarecrow’s funny head, 
In the field I passed that morning, 
Near the river’s stony bed. 


Byron KING, (age 12.) 
Taunton, Mass. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 201 


WHAT BIRD IS THIS? 


A few days ago while walking in a valley in which are several oak 
trees, I saw a bird which very much resembled the crow blackbird, 
but it was smaller and it’s plumage was not so glossy. The male was 
black except the crown of his head which was of a bronzed color. The 
female was smaller than the male, and of a brownish color with a light 
brown breast. 

The male chirped somewhat like a Robin. I know this bird must 
belong to the blackbird family, but do not know the name, and I wish 
some of the readers of AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY would tell me through 
this department. JOSEPH E. JEFFERY, 

Sioux Rapids, la. 


PUZZLES, 
A HIppEN BIRD. 


My first is in strap but not in halter, 
The next three you will find in falter, 
That’s four, the fifth you’ll find in me, 
My sixth is hidden in my skin, 

My seventh is always in begin, 

My eighth and ninth you will discover 
If you examine the word another, 

In winter, I’m as white as snow, 

Now when you guess it let me know. 


ALICE GARLAND, 
Boston, Mass. 





ENIGMA. 


IT am a small bird that migrates in the spring and fall and composed 
of eighteen letters. My 5-1-7-8 is a well known bird, my 18-10-9-11-17- 
6 is a part of a train, my 16-2-5-12-4 is to be fortunate, my 3-6-7-8-14 is 
a color often seen on birds, my 13-14-12 is used in writing about birds, 
my 15-6-13-9 is an effected laugh. SAMUEL D. ROBBINS, 


Belmont, Mass. 


ATER EOSIN VOR IN Tel OUE@ Graig 


NO 
OV 
iS) 


ENIGMA NO, 2, 


I am a beautiful bird composed of 15 letters. My 15-7-12-13 is what 
is always found in the ground, my 12-8.3 is a well known domestic 
animal, my 1-8-6-4 is an adverb, my 13-11-5 is what you open the door 
with. STUART M. FIRTH, 

South Orange, N. J. 


ENIGMA NO. 3. 


When nature spreads her robe of 12-14-6-13-10, 
The bird no longer now a 1-8-4-3-10-12-6-14, 
Builds her 10-6-1-7 ’neath leafy screen, 
Lest her birds from 2-3-8 in danger 
Be eaten ere they 5-3-4-12-6 have grown, 
And 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14 left to moan. 
May AGNES JOHNSON, 
Kansas City, Mo. 





SUGGESTED BIRDS, 


What birds are suggested by 
1. An evergreen tree. 


2. What your mothers do at a five o’clock tea. 

3. A tiny piece of fly paper. 

4. A colored letter. 

5. The object of many sportsmen. 

6. Something sometimes used by horseback riders. 
7. Something you make whenever you sew. 

8. A famous nurse who was much loved. 

9. An American Statesman (who is not living now). 


10. Act of a thief. 





GLEANINGS, 


Blind nestlings, unafraid, 

Stretch up widemouthed to every shade, 

By which their downy dream is stirred, 

Taking it for the mother bird. : 
LOWELL. 





A new door of happiness is opened when you go out to hunt for 
something, and discover it with your own eyes. VAN DYKE. 


yuh iat vival il a ut ui a lilt: dic le ly cdc 


>-PHOTO CONTEST 


FOR 19053 


We have decided to divide our photo contest this year into = 
three classes; the reason for this is that it is obviously hardly fair 
to judge between the merits of a photograph of an adult wild bird, 
a young bird, and a photo of a nest and eggs. Therefore we have 
subdivided the contest into these three classes. 


CLASS |. FREE ADULT WILD BIRDS. These may be on 
the nest, feeding the young, or in the brush or field. We shall 
NOT, however, consider CAPTIVE birds, or birds that have 
been wounded, whether they be tied out of doors or photographed 
free in the house or gallery. Awards as follows: 

ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash. 


CLASS Il. YOUNG BIRDS. These may be photographed in 
the nest or placed on suitable branches; in either case take great 
care not to do them any injury. Awards as follows: 

Ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash 


CLASS Ill. NEST AND EGGS. Nests must be in the nat- 
ural situations actually chosen by the birds, although of course it 
is permissable and desirable to tie back all branches and leaves 
that will mar the picture. 

Ist, $5.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3d, $2.00 cash. 











onnent eee 


l 





PIPARYPLYPPMPRPPDHUHApppRg RK gn vo pEys 


| 


All photographs which we retain for publication, whether prize 
winners or not, will be paid for at the uniform rate of 50 cents 
each, irrespective of the class. 

All photos which we shall be unable to use will be returned to 
the owners. 

Photos may be of any size, but 4x5 or larger are preferred. 
They may be made on any paper except blue print. Any one 
may send as many photos as they wish, and it is desirable to = 
send in a letter separate from the photos, any interesting notes 
concerning their taking. 


apm gg ypu 


egy 


CONTEST CLOSES OCT 1. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, 
WORCESTER, MASS. _ 


PPIP PP PPPPP PPP PPP PP PPP PR I 


Aneta lily cai ly 


1 Pp ppm) 


Studer’s Popular Ornithology 


The Birds of North America 


OVER EIGHT HUNDRED BIRDS FINELY COLORED 


The original drawings for the work were made from nature by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an artist of 
superior capabilities, who has made ornithology a life-study. Revised by John Graham Bell, Esq., Audubon’s 
companion in the field, and a well-known ornithologist and taxidermist. The systematic table, arranged ac- 
cording to the classification adopted by the American Ornithologist’s Union, was prepared by Frank M. Chap- 
man, Esq., Assistant Ornithologist at The American Museum of Natural History, New York, includes all the 
additions to and corrections of our North American species which have been made to date, with an index to 
page, plate and figure of each species, according to the A. O. U. number. 

There is no more attractive study than ornitholgy, the department of z».o0logy which treats of structure, 
habits, and classification of birds. The graceful forms, movements and habits of the feathered tribes have been 
celebratedin all ages by poets and artists, and have furnished the instructors of mankind with lessons of wis- 
don. But this admiration is not confined to the poet, the artist or the sage; it is universal. Wherever human 
beings are found, the forms, the plumage, the songs, the migraticns, the lovers and contests of birds awaken 
curiosity and wonder. No similar work containing so many beautiful and faithful pictures of living birds, and 
so much descriptive information, is now extant, or has ever been published, in this or any other country. 


This Elegant Book was published to sell for $40.00. We have a few copies which 
we offer at $18.00, express paid. 


Do a little canvassing among your friends who are interested in birds. You can easily 
secure forty subscribers to A. O. at $1.00 each and get this elegant book free. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 








$—<O>—<O- —<H—<]}—S <>-— O——<O.<P_ OH 


- LAN TERN 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 the living birds. 


50 CENTS EACH, $5.00 PER DOZ. OR FINELY COLORED, $1.00 EACH, $10.00 PER DOZ. 


oO & O—- << o- & 


1 Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. 
& 2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) | 27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. 

3 Woodcock on Nest. 28 Nest and E-gs of Bob White. 
~@ 4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 29 American Robin on Nest. 
( 5 Three Young Woodcock. 30 American Robin Feeding Young. 
« 6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 31 Five Young Chickadees. 

7 Nest and Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. 
@ 8 House Wren (male). 33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree. 

9 House Wren (female). 34 Brown Thrasher. 
&@ 10 Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 35 Brown Thrasher on Nest. 

11 Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 36 Wood Thrush on Nest. 


@ 12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. 


» CHAS. K. REED, 








o D999 99900 4-0-0 9-@- -6-@ 


r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 38 Pigeon Hawk. 
@ 14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 
15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 40 Barred Owl. 
16 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest 4t Screech Owl. 
@ 17 Red- -eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 42 Four Young Screech Owls. 
18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 43 Young Blue Jays. 
* 19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 44 Blue Jays in Nests. 
20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 45 Blue Jay Feeding Young 
@ 21 Ovenbird and Nest. 46 Loggerhead Shrike. 
22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 47 Phoebe on Nest. 
@ 23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 48 Hairy Woodpecker. 
24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. 49 Chimney Swift. 
@ 25 Young Field Sparrow. so Four Young Crows. 
4 ADDRBSS 


Young Wood Thrush. 


Worcester, Mass. 





BOYS 


GET IN ON THE 


Kite Flying Contest 


Send 1oc (3 months’ trial) and 
begin with the July issue which 
tells the whole story. 


MEN OF TO-MORROW, 
DEPT. O., ALBANY,N. Y. 


Guide to Taxidermy 


One hundred pages. Full of valuable 
information, with complete instructions 
how to prepare and mount 


BIRDS, ANIMALS and FISHES. 


Also a complete list of Ornithologists’, Oologists’ 
and Taxidermists’ supplies, valuable information 
for the amateur, recipes, etc. 


35 CENTS, POSTPAID. 


CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 


WOOD and MANDARIN DUCKS 
WHITE and BLACK SWANS 
PEAFOWLS, Etc., Etc. 


Mention AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY and 
large illustrated catalogue. 


SCHMID’S EMPORIUM OF PETS, 
WASHINGTON, D. Cc. 


American 
Ornithology. 


Vol. 1, 246 pages, cloth bound, 
$1.50 postpaid. 

Vol. 1, not bound, $1.00 postpaid. 

Vol. 2, 386 pages, cloth bound, 
$1.50 postpaid. 

Vol. 2, not bound, $1.00. 

Vols. one and two not bound, and 
subscription for 1903 » for 
postpaid. 


CHAS. K. REED, Worcester,{Mass. 


send for 







$2.50 


apo Dbeboseenececd cece : 
f NEST and EGGS 


of North American Birds 
By OLIVER DAVIE. 





Finely Illustrated. 
Thoroughly revised, 60opp. Fifth Edition. 
o Extra Cloth. Regular Price, $2.25. 
eZ My Price $1.50, Postpaid or given for four 


yen K. Boa oe a yard 

SSS SSSssS eee SSS 

Marine Shells 
and Curios 


Twelve shells and curios for soc, all 

good specimens. Colleciions of showy 

shells trom 25c to 51.00 by mail and 

safe delivery guaranteed. Illustrated 

Catalogue and nice shell for oc 
(stamps taken.) J. H. HOLMES, 
Dunedin, Fla. 


T) 


$ The Best Book on Eggs Published é 
WwW 4] 
w 
7] 













Standard 
Operators 
Can Do 


15°75 
More Work 


on the 


Fact 


ATALOGUE 


\/illiams than on any other Typewriter. 


Special Price 3.3% an ai 


machines sent to responsible parties. 


WILLIAMS TYPEWRITER CO., Derby, Conn. 
LONDON, 104 Newgate St, 


310 Breadway, NEW YORK, 








44 





o—0—0-0 -¢-6 0 -6-© 0 0 6-6 6-6-6 6 6-@ 


THE CONDOR 


A Journal of Western Ornithology. 
W.K. FISHER, Editor. 
J. GRINNELL and F. S. DAGGETT, 
Associate Editors. 


This is a 24 to 32 page illustrated mag- 
azine, Issued on the fifteenth of each 
month. It is published as the official organ 
of the Cooper Ornithological Club of Cal- 
ifornia, and reflects the enthusiasm of this 
energetic organization. 

THE CONDOR is just entering its fifth 
volume, having completed four volumes, 
each an improvement over the one preced- 
ing. The prospects for 1903 point toward 
a still further increase in size and general 
interest. 


SUBSCRIPTION, $1 PER YEAR 
SAMPLE COPY, 20 CENTS. 


Back volumes and odd numbers can be 
supplied; also the three numbers of the 
PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA series. 

Address ali communications to 


JOSEPH GRINNELL, 


Business Manager, PALO ALTO, CAL. 





0-0-0 -— 6-4 -©-0-@ © 





LOVERS 


of outdoor sports, 
and recreation will 


THE 
National Sportsman 


The handsomest, most interesting 


games 
find 


and up-to-date illustrated monthly 
Copy of lat- 
est number sent to any 


magazine published 
address on 
receipt of ten cents in stamps. Send 
for cash offer and premium list for 
new subscribers. 

Address, 


Subscription $1 
per year. 


The National Sportsman, 
63 Kilby St., BOSTON, Mass. 





The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, 
D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illus- 
trations, Colored Plates which show over 
a Thousand Species of American Butter- - 
flies with all their native beauty and _ bril- 
liance of coloring. This is a ‘*Popular 
Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies 
of North America.’’ It tells everything 
about butterflies, and tells itin a way any- 
body can understand. Every one interest- 
ed in Butterflies should own this book. 
Price is only $3.00 prepaid. 
Given asa premium for 10 new subscribers. 


Bird Homes, by A.R. Dugmore. With 
the nests and eggs of birds in natural col- 
ors, also a number of half-tone illustra- 
tions. Postpaid $2.00. 

Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Birds That Hunt and Are Hunted, 


by Neltje Blanchan. Gives colored DES 
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. 


Given as a premium for six new Speen 


Bird Neighbors, by Neltje Blanchan. 
Has 52 colored plates, and describes 150 of 
our song birds and other more common 
feathered neighbors. With the aid of 
these life-like plates there can be not the 
least doubt as to the idenfication of a 
bird. It is a sufficient commentary on the 
volume that there have been nearly 20,000 
copies sold since it appeared Postpaid, $2 
Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird Life, Popular editivun in_ colors. 
12 mo. cloth $2.00 postpaid. A Guide to 
the Study of our Common Birds by F. M. 
Chapman, representing 100 Birds in their 
natural colors. 


Given as a premium for four new subscribers. 


Birdcraft, A Field Book of Two Hund- 
red Song, Game and Water Birds. By 
Mabel Osgood Wright. With Eighty 
Plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Small 
4to 2.50 net. Postage 19c. 


Given as a premium for six new.subscribers. 


Bird World, by J 
Ralph Hoffman. A charming bird book 
for young people. With ten full-page 
illustrations by Ernest Thompson-Seton, 
Square 12 mo. Cloth. 214 pages. 
Given as a premium for three new subscribers. 


H. Stickney and 


Any of the above books will be sent prepaid on 
receipt of price. 


Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. 


AAA PALLLLLLLL® 


ZA 





























































































) 
) 
) 
; Rewversihle Back. 
‘ Ghe 
) 
: Inimitable 
‘ Ws | Camera 
) = 
| 5 | | | ‘ 
§ No fonsing sal, _—Pictures as you see them, 
, Gretna and While you see them, and 
) euehithe Hattie: has al At the desired moment. 
Simplicity, Portability ( 
; Accuracy, Speed é 
) 4 x 5, 15 inches Focal Capacity. 5 x 7, 21 inches Focal Capacity é 
‘ Equipped with the Graphic Focal Plane Shutter. ‘ 
) Get the little book of your dealer, or C 
, : 
» The Folmer & Schwing Mfg. Co. 
% 407 Broome St., New York. ‘ 
(Z 


RAN 














— ~ a Na) 


BIRD GLASSES 





Like almost anything else are of various grades of excellence and 
also like other things it does not pay to buy the cheap kind. 
Better spend a little more at first and get the. 


STEREO BINOCULAR 


























The new prism glasses giving the largest field, clearest brightest 
and only true stereoscopic image. This glass is used by the 


Armies and Navies of the great nations and by expert ornitholo- 


gists everywhere. 


BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL C9, 


ROCHESTER,N. Y. 


NEW YORK. CHICAGO. 





Vol 3. No. 8. AUGUST, 1903. 10¢ a copy, $1 a year, 


ay be 
Yj 


o 


WN 


WSS 


SSS 


ore 


<a yy4"4 , ie 
73,9 1xG », J: 
YP IAD 


YA 
Wy/, 


J 
| 
/; 





Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16, 1901 


FIVE DOLLARS 


WILL BUY A 





WY BOS 
The BEST for Bird Study and 
Equally Good for 


Mountains, 
Sea Shore, 
or Opera. 


® RB Bw 





Just See the Difference. 


How much plainer you can see 
the markings of the bird in the 
large circle. That is with the glass, 
and without the glass you see it in 
the small circle. Dont miss owning 
a pair of these at this low price. 


These Glasses are well made and 
especially adapted for the use of the 
bird student as they give about 
twice the field vision of ordinary 
ones and magnify nearly four diam- 
eters. 


They are in good strong leather 
case, silk lined, with strap by which 
they can be carried suspended from 
the shoulder. 








kes 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? 


Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. 


WS ae ee ae 








a 


A POPULAR HANDBOOK 
OF THE 


Birds of United States 
AND CANADA. 


BY THOMAS NUTTALL. 


aaa 


wae 





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, itshould find aplace 
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- 

_scribersto A. O. and GET IT FREE. 


CHAS. K. REED, 


A new edition, complete in a single | 
Worcester, Mass. ; 
) 











AN ORNITHOLOGIST | : 


Is not expected to be proficient in the other 
sciences; in fact it is about all one can do 
nowadays to keep up with his own spec- 
ialty. But an Ornithologist ought to 
know something about plants tor he is 
constantly associated with them, and that 


is why we wish to call your attention to 


THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 


This is not a technical journal—the gen- 
eral reader can understand it all—but it 
will keep you informed of the interesting 
features of plant life, better than any 
other publication. 20 pages monthly 
Sample for a 2-cent stamp. 
$1.00 a year. Address, 


WILLARD N. CLUTE & CO., 
Binghamton, N. Y. 


Subscription, 


Publishers, 


a nn 





2 Pees 








Photographic 
Literature, 


with beautiful illustrations will 
be sent you on receipt of 


TEN CENTS, 


(Silver or Stamps) 


We have a two years’ accumulation of photo- 
graphic magazines and will send you an assort- 
ment weighing two pounds, no duplicates, all 
complete, for ten cents (about cost of postage.) 

All are full of valuable information and we 
make this offer to you as one who would ap- 
preciate their contents rather than to sell them 
for old paper. Send to-day. 


WESTERN CAMERA PUB. CO., 
| SOUTH SEVENTH STREET, 
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 


LRARARAARANAAARAARARAARAARARAARARRRAARAARAR RE RR RRR 








Cais eis as 
Methods in the Art of Taxidermy 


By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘Nests and 
Eggs of North American  Birds”’ 


90 FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS. 


ae 


Zs 


S 


DODDS a DBD DS DDDDSP\D 





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, wae 


SEEECEGERKGEE 













The American Sportsman’s 
FAVORITE - MAGAZINE 


150 Beautifully Illustrated Pages 


WESTERNFIELD 





THE RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY 
ON ALL KINDS OF PACIFIC 


COAST SPORTS, | 
15000 CIRCULATION 





$1.00 PER YEAR 





4 Sutter St., San Francisc», Cal. 


FO 
TAXIDERMY iy inat 


BY MAIL 
Every bird lover should be able 
to mount his beautiful pets and 
specimens. Our school was or- 





ganized for the nature lovers and 
fillsa long felt war t among them, 
Best methods. Easily learned. 
15lessons. Tuition reasonable. 
Just what you have been wait- 
ing for. Special offer. Write 


eae =| TODAY for FREE literature. 
The N. W. School of Taxidermy (Inc.), Omaha,Neb., 
Bee Bldg. The only Taxidermy School in the world. 
Have Your Magazines Bound. 


Send your magazines to us prepaid (if well wrapped 
postage will be 10 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. 


JAMES P. BABBITT, 


— DEALERS INi— 


Supplies for the Naturalist and Taxider- 
mist; Fine Glass Eyes a Speciaity. 


TAUNTON, MASS. 


Bargain Lists free upon application. 
Large illustrated catalogue of Naturalists Sup- 
plies 2c. 


Naturalist Supply Depot 


DEALERS IN 
Supplies of all Kinds, Glass Eyes. 


Mounted Specimens a Specialty. 








Send roc for catalog 


FRANK BLAKE WEBSTER CO., 
Museum HYDE PARK, MASS. 


$50.00 


FOR GOOD 


BIRD 
PHOTOGRAPHS 


CONTEST ENDS OCTOBER Ist. 


For particulars see offers in May 


and July numbers of A. O. 


American Ornithology 


Worcester, Mass. 


WANTED:—Short- range photographs of wild birds, 
mammals and reptiles in nature. (Excluding the 
commonest passerine birds of the eastern U. S., as 
Robins, Bluebirds, and Chickadees). Good prices 
paid for satisfactory pictures. Address, Abbott H. 
Thayer, Monadnock, N. H., U.S. A. 


THE DOG FANCIER. 


ESTABLISHED 1801. 
A MONTHLY KENNEL PUBLICATION. 


The oldest, most popularand mest 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 DOG FANCIER. 


A sample copy will be sent free. 
Subscription price, soc a year. 


EUGENE GLASS, Publisher, 
Battle Creek, Mich. 


The Atlantic Slope Naturalist. 


A bi-monthly publica ion. Subscrip- 
tion 30 cents per year. Sample copy 
free. Address, DR. W. E. ROTZELL, 
Narberth, Pa. 















Gaxcidermists. 
Qi 


_SMourcustomerstwould 
fladly pay the differ- 
ence in cost bettween a 
inely carved shield of 
artistic design, and the 


common plain board. 












No. 19 
23: e eo el Shield: 


Ghe Lang Carving Cu., Curly 
Beecher Falis,Vermont, Birch. 


Manufacturers of Oil 
Gacidermist’s €ClOoodwork. Rubbed 


(Except Cases.) 








Studer’s Popular Ornithology 


The Birds of North America 


OVER EIGHT HUNDRED BIRDS FINELY COLORED 


The original drawings for the work were made from nature by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an artist of 
superior capabilities, who has made ornithology a life-study. Revised by John Graham Bell, Esq., Audubon’s 
companion in the field, and a well-known ornithologist and taxidermist. The systematic table, arranged ac- 
cording to the classification adopted by the American Ornithologist’s Union, was prepared by Frank M. Chap- 
man, Esq., Assistant Ornithologist at The American Museum of Natural History, New York, includes all the 
additions to and corrections of our North American species which have been made to date, with an index to 
page, plate and figure of each species, according to the A. O. U. number. 

There is no more attractive study than ornitholgy, the department of zsology which treats of structure, 
habits, and classification of birds. The graceful forms, movements and habits of the feathered tribes have been 
celebrated in all ages by poets and artists, and have furnished the instructors of mankind with lessons of wis- 
don. But this admiration is not confined to the poet, the artist or the sage; itis universal. Wherever human 
beings are found, the forms, the plumage, the songs, the migrations, the lovers and contests of birds awaken 
curiosity and wonder. No similar work containing so many beautiful and faithful pictures of living birds, and 
so much descriptive information, is now extant, or has ever been published, in this or any other country. 


This Elegant Book was published to sell for $40.00. We have a few copies which 
we offer at $18.00, express paid. 


Do a little canvassing among your friends who are interested in birds. You can easily 
secure forty subscribers to A. O. at $1.00 each and get this elegant book free. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


American Ornithology. 


A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass, 
EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. 


SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One 
Dollar yearly inadvance. Single copies, ten cents. Vols. 1! and II. 
$1.00, each. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. 
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. 


= ClOPIARUGEseGh, IGOR, INC (ClsWNS 5 1X, JR) E)8D}—$—— 


VOL. Ill AUGUST, 1903. NO. 8 





We are all glad to see sympathy extended to all dumb animals, either 
beasts or birds, but it is always best to be sure that you are right be- 
fore you proffer your assistance. A lady brought two young King- 
fishers to me. She did not know what they were but had found them 
beside the road while out driving and as she expressed it,— there were 
no trees or woods, or place for a nest, nothing but a sand bank on one 
side of the road and a pond on the other. These two dear little birds 
were right down beside the road; they seemed hungry and there was no 
mother bird to feed them so I took pity on them and took them home. 
I have tried to make them eat, but they will not touch anything I give 
them.’’ So much for not knowing. The poor little kingfishers died 
within two hours after she brought them in. They had left their nest 
in the sand bank and were exercising their wings while waiting for 
their parents to return with food from the above mentioned pond, when 
they were found by the kind but mistaken Samaritan. 


Another case.—A man this time essayed to be the foster parent. He 
worked in a shop from the windows of which he could see on the 
gravelled roof of an adjoining building. A Nighthawk had laid two 
eggs and hatched them on this roof although he did not know it before 
the young were two days old. He discovered them at this stage as 
they were sitting in the sun. He watched them frequently that morn- 
ing and finally saw a large bird sitting on the edge of the next building. 

He watched it until late in the afternoon and as it neither brooded 
nor fed the little ones he decided that it must have deserted them, so 
when he got through work he got the young ones and took them home 
intending to feed them and bring them up until they could fly. He 
meant well but the next morning they were beyond the need of further 
care. 


NATURE, OUR COMFORTER. 


Are you tired, fatigued, and weary, 
Worn with business and with care; 

Is your pathway rough and rugged, 
And your burdens hard to bear? 


Do you long for change and respite, 
From daily toil and commercial strife; 

Does the sterner world oppress you, 
And damp the brighter side of life? 


Turn then to the fields and meadows, 

Stroll through the woodland, by the brook; 
Listen to the voices of God’s creatures, 

Learn from pages of Nature’s book. 


There is gladness in the wild bird’s song, 
Some lesson in each blooming flower; 
There is cheer and comfort in this solitude, 

And new joy in each fleeting hour. 


We feel refreshed, repaid, content, 
With things thus seen and time thus spent; 
New hopes are born, new thoughts arise, 
Like the soaring lark in summer skies. 


In Nature’s world, a boundless realm, 
There’s wondrous beauty, wisdom, peace; 
In her we find sweet companionship, 
Till our earthly pilgrimage shall cease. 


BERTON MERCER.- 


204. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





CARDINAL. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 205 


CARDINAL, 


A.O.U. No. 593. (Cardinalis cardinalis) 
RANGE. 


Eastern United States; north to the Great Lakes and southern New 
England; west to the Plains. Cardinals are sub-divided into three sub- 
species which are found in the southwestern parts of the United States. 
They are;—Arizona Cardinal (swserbus), Saint Lucas Cardinal (zgnews), 
and Gray-tailed Cardinal (canicaudus). 

DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 8.5 in.; extent, 12 in.; tail, 4 in. Eye, brown; bill, pinkish. 
Adult male: —Intense fiery red, sometimes vermillion and in some birds 
rosy; the back, wings and tail are somewhat darker and obscured with 
grayish. Female:—above grayish brown; yellowish brown below, 
tinged in places with reddish; the crest is nearly as bright red as in the 
male. 

The first plumage of the young male is like that of the female but 
soon changes to that of the adult. 


NEST AND EGGS. 





The Cardinal nests very abundantly throughout the south. The 
nests are ordinarily placed in thickets not more than ten feet from the 
ground, although as is always the case with any bird, numerous except- 
ions may be found from the general rule. They have been found in 
‘brush heaps, on fence rails, on stumps, and probably do not hesitate 
to place their nest upon the ground if necessity warrants it. 

The nest is very loosely constructed of twigs rootlets and perhaps 
grapevine, and is lined with a few fine grasses and sometimes horsehair. 
Their eggs present quite a variation in markings and also in the tint of 
the ground color. The brownish spots are sometimes thickly sprinkled 
over the whole surface of the egg and sometimes very sparsely. The 
ground color varies from a cream color to a pale greenish blue. 
They lay from three to five eggs, although the majority of sets contain 
four. The nesting season usually begins about the first of May. 

HABITS. 


The handsome Cardinals are quite abundant within the limits of their 
range, and they are also quite well known without their boundries too, 


266 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


for they are excellent singers and are frequently met with behind the 
bars of acage. While they are hardy birds and live well in captivity, 
they soon lose their beautiful fiery red coat and adopt the dress of the 
female,—a dull grayish brown color. The female, too, while not equal- 
ing the male, has a very pretty song and for this reason is often caged. 

They generally live in pairs or small families in a section, where they 
generally remain throughout the year, except in the more northern 
portions of their range. In the Southern States where they are the 
most abundant, they are quite tame and frequent the neighborhood of 
the farm houses about which they generally manage to find an attract- 
ive bill of fare of various grains, fruits and insects. 

In spring, when they arrive in the Middle States where they are 
partially migratory, numerous contests occur between the male birds 
before they obtain their desired companions for the season. As they 
are quite strong birds and have powerful beaks, these contests are fre- 
quently disastrous to the vanquished party. 

Their loud, bold, defiant song is one of the most entertaining pieces 
of music that is heard from a feathered throat. It is distinctly a whistle 
rather than a song, as indeed are the songs of nearly all the birds. 





Photo by Paul R. Powell. 


NEST OF CARDINAL. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 207 


The notes are very varied, and while scores of listeners have tried to 
translate them into words, no two seem to be able to agree on what it 
does sound the most like. ‘“What cheer, what cheer’? seems to be the 
usual interpretation of the most common notes, a full, round, deep 
and mellow whistle. For several hours after sunrise, the Cardinal 
orchestra is heard in full tune; then it gradually dies down through the 
heat of the day, but along towards night the melody again breaks forth. 
A great:many, especially those in the south, consider the song of these 
to be superior to that of any others of our birds, but of course tastes 
vary, and without detracting in the least from the credit due the Cardi- 
nal, I do not think that the musical ability of this species equals that of 
the Goldfinches (my favorites) or several others of the northern birds. 





Photo by J. B. Pardoe. 


YOUNG BROAD WINGED-HAWK. 





ROBINS AND RED SQUIRRELS. 


Columns have been written concerning the piratical expeditions of 
the red squirrel. Although one cannot help admiring the nerve and 
the audacious temperament of this little quadruped, he is ever willing 
to undermine your confidence in him with his unwarrantable depreda- 
tions. 

Not all of his advocates will admit he is a pirate. It is not my pur- 
pose to condemn the little fellow, for he is one of many of my four- 
footed friends. His questionable acts are but the consequences of nat- 
ural laws. 


268 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Of all the tricks in which the red squirrel is an adept (those which 
have come under my observation) the persecution of the robin seems 
to be his chief delight. About my home are numerous large elms and 
maples, and near by, an orchard of apple trees, an ideal retreat for the 
feathered tribe. 

The robins build their nests within a few feet of my window. The 
tree sparrow is also abundant; and every year a pair of bluebirds make 
their home in a hollow limb of an old russet tree. Although there are 
no nut trees near, the red squirrels have chosen this semi-sylvan retreat 
for a foraging ground, and it is not uncommon to see two or more rac- 
ing through the tree-tops. 

It was during last nesting time, about midday, that I heard an un- 
usual commotion in the lofty tops of one of the great elms. I 
approached the locality to learn the cause. A half dozen robins were 
hopping about the tree top, uttering their short, sharp note of alarm. 
They wers soon joined by a flock of English sparrows, and the 
vehement chirping which soon commenced added materially to the 
general rumpus. Cautiously approaching, I gained a position from 
which I discovered the cause of the disturbance. In a fork of one of 
the larger limbs was a newly built robin’s nest. In the nest with his 
tail flattened out upon his back, sat a large red squirrel, evidently in 
the act of dining upon raw robin’s egg omelet. The robins were justly 
exercised over the operation, and their expressions of anger were 
seconded by full throated chirps from the sparrows. It was a veritable 
ornithological pandemonium, during which the maurader calmly 
munched his omelet, and then had the audacity to curl himself up for a 
nap. 

One immense cock robin, resplendent in his spring plumage, hopped 
from twig to twig, and scolded the invincible chickaree until his wrath 
overcame his usual caution. Suddenly he seemed to receive an inspir- 
ation;:'taking to wing, he rose to the height of twenty or thirty feet; 
here he poised, not unlike a hawk, then darted with greet speed direct- 
ly at the squirrel. Evidently his courage failed for he sheered off, just 
striking the squirrel with the tips of his wing. Mr. chzckaree merely 
ducked his head and remained in the nest. The seeming unconcern 
of the squirrel increased the rage of the robin and again he poised for a 
dive. This time he did not change his course, but projected his full 
weight against the squirrel in a head-on collision. The effect was in-. 
stantaneous, and a complete surprise for the squirrel. He was knocked 
completely out of the nest and:fell several feet before his sharp claws 
could obtain sufficient hold to prevent a trip to terra firma. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 269 


Encouraged by this event, the robins continued the attack and chased 
their enemy through the tops of several trees, until he finally dis- 


appeared in one of his many hiding places. 
NELSON. 


GARDEN NOTES FROM LOUISIANA, 


It was my privilege last season, to enjoy an intimate relation to my 
bird neighbors. They came fearlessly to pick up the food scattered 
for them; and the bird table in the rose garden was a popular resort and 
daily amusement for me. The robber Blue Jays took their repast with 
an air of insolence and greed, and not contented with all tiuey could eat, 
they carried away food for future use, with a boisterous clatter that was 
exasperating. The saucy House Wrens were so cunning, their quick 
nervous movements and blithe notes—‘‘cheery, cheery’’—were always 
my pleasure. 

The timid Bob-white had confidence to make its nest in a tangle of 
vines at the back of the garden, on the ground closely by the fence, 
and I hope nothing happened to its dozen eggs. They disappeared, 
whether as chicks or'viciously, I could not tell. The aristocrat of the 
garden was a Mocking Bird that had his nest in the wild trumpet vine. 
He owned the place, and even disputed my right to walk in the garden. 
He would watch me, flying from the housetop to the tree, uttering his 
call of danger. When he was hungry, however, he did not hesitate to 
order me to prepare his food, and would then come boldly to the bird- 
table while I stood motionless three yards distant. 

The Tufted Titmouse gave me a charming call in migration and spent 
the holidays in the garden, and ate freely from the table. A pair of 
Cardinals were the loveliest of all my feathered friends. They came for 
food timidly, and they were afraid of the Mocking Bird especially. 

The female was sick and the tender solicitude of its mate was beauti- 
ful. The male bird took a crumb from the table and carried it to his 
mate, but the bird was too ill for food, and later I found her cold and 
and lifeless on the ground. Tears of sadness filled my eyes, and re- 
sentment also, for I detected evidence that a cruel sling shot was the 
cause of the pathetic fate of the bird. My bright plumaged friend found 
another mate and they selected the vine over my window for their 
residence. When I discovered their intentions, I closed the window 
and shade and watched as secretly as possible. April 24th there was 
one gray, brown marked egg and every day one more until there were 
three in the nest. During incubation, the female bird would seem to 
get lonely and she would call—‘‘Choe, choe, choe,”’ until the male bird 


270 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


appeared in the tree near by and then she seemed satisfied. One morn- 
ing early she sought her mate to tell the good news. They returned to 
the nest together and tenderly talked to the dearest chick that ever was 
seen, and by night all three were hatched. ‘To me they were naked ugly 
little things, but they were objects of devoted care by the parent birds. 
Worms were their food at first, and then an oat-field near by furnished 
food for the hungry fledglings. They grew rapidly and one morning 
the old birds coaxed the little ones out of the nest, into the big world, 
and they were gone. The brilliant plumage of the cardinals makes its 
end atragedy. In Louisiana they are hunted and trapped for sale, as 
cage birds, until they are nearly exterminated. Their pathetic fate 
appeals to bird lovers, and unless something can be done for their pro- 
tection the Cardinal Grosbeak will be gone from the wild bird life of this 


State. 
Mrs. L. G. BALDWIN, La. 








YOUNG GREEN HERONS. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 271 


GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER, 
A. O.U. No. 410. (Melanerpes aurifrons): 
RANGE. 


The United States range of this bird is practically ‘restricted to the 
central and southern portions of Texas, from which it ranges south- 
wards throughout the northern half of Mexico. They breed throughout 
their range. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 10.; extent, 17 in.; tail, 3.5 in.; Adult male.—Upper parts 
with the exception of the head and rump, closely barred with black and 
white; rump, white; head and under parts a clear ashy gray; nape fore- 
head and nasal tufts, golden yellow; patch of scarlet adorns the crown; 
belly tinged with yellowish. Female.—Marked as the male except the 
red crown patch is replaced with the gray of the rest of the head. 

Young birds lack both the red crown patch and the yellow forehead 
and nape. 

NEST AND EGGS. 





Golden-fronted Woodpeckers breed abundantly along the Lower Rio 
Grande in Texas, making their homes high up in the live timber. Al- 
though they seem to prefer a live tree for their nest many of them have 
adapted telegraph poles to their needs and hundreds of them are found 
in these locations in some localities. They breed during the latter part 
of April and through May. Their five or six eggs'are a somewhat dull 
glossy white. 


HABITS. 


These beautiful Woodpeckers, while abundant in their locality, have a 
very restricted range and have yet to be met with in the United States 
outside of Texas. They are very diligent workers and are able to ex- 
cavate a cavity for their nest in the heart of a live tree. Both birds. 
assist in this work and they are very noisy, so noisy in fact that it is 
often the cause of the discovery of the nest and possibly the theft of 
the eggs. 

Both birds also assist in the incubation of the eggs, which occupies a 
period of about two weeks. The young remain in the wood hewn home 


272 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 











GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 273 


for from fifteen to twenty days and then spend a day or two clambering 
about the outside of the tree, testing their wings by little flights from 
one branch to another until they have sufficient confidence in their 
ability to successfully navigate the air, to launch forth into the world 
and gain their own livelihood. 

Both parents are very devoted to their eggs and young and, while 
they generally leave the nest-upon the approach of a human being, if it 
is molested they will return and defend it to the best of their ability. 
Their food consists chiefly of insects, with side dishes of fruit, berries, 
and grain. Taken as a whole they may be regarded as very useful 
birds and they should be well protected as such, as well for their beauty 
which would make them a welcome addition to any section of the 
country. About the only serious charge that is brought against them 
is their habit of boring into telegraph poles and converting these public 
necessities into dwelling places for their young. The birds have found 
these very advantageous places to serve as lookout stations and have 
found that as a rule they are less likely to be disturbed in these loca- 
tions, so in some sections they are quite generally used and as many as 
‘a dozen holes have been found in a single pole, thereby nearly ruining 
its usefulness. It is said that on some lines nearly all the poles were 
destroyed thereby entailing quite a loss which was charged up against 
the woodpeckers, and was the cause of a warfare against them in that 
section. 





Photo by J. B. Pardoe. 


YOUNG BROAD-WINGED HAWKS. 


274 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


GREAT DESTRUCTION OF BIRDLIFE BY THE ELEMENTS. 


It is quite probable that this year will rank as the most destructive to 
the birdlife throughout the country, of any within the memory of 
anyone living today. Rain storms, cloudbursts, and swollen rivers, 
together with numerous forest and brush fires have killed countless 
thousands of both adults and young birds. Unfortunately these cal- 
amities have occured during the height of the breeding season and there- 
fore allowed no opportunity for the escape of either the young or adult. 
Throughout May numerous small brush fires were daily occurances, 
while forest fires raged uncontrolled for weeks, and birds were forced 
to abanden their nests, eggs, and young and seek new locations. 

Still more destructive were the floods and rains that came in June. 
Of course the birds which suffered directly from the excess of water, 
were those whose nests were on or near the ground, but I think by far 
the greatest mortality occured among the warblers, flycatchers, vireos 
and other insect eating birds. Full as many of the young appear to 
have died of starvation as were drowned owing to the inability of the 
parents to get them a supply of food. 

“The beautiful colony of about thirty Purple Martins occupying the 
bird house of William C. Horton, Brattleboro, Vt., met with serious dis- 
aster during the long cold rain. June twenty-third it was noticed that 
there were no martins flying about, and -fearing that something was 
wrong an investigation showed that there were thirty dead little birds, 
some just coming from the shell,—others perhaps a week old. There 
were twelve unhatched eggs and two adult birds. The latter were on 
one nest and were covering four decaying babies. The nests were 
completely watersoaked and there is no doubt the little featherless 
babies died from lack of warmth and sunshine to dry the nests. There 
is no wonder the ever faithful martins fled from their homes during 
their breeding season, as the decomposing little ones and the water- 
soaked apartments furnished abundant reasons for the desertion. No- 
thing was seen of the colony after June 23 until July 2, when one 
pair returned, flew many times about their home but not daring to enter. 
Presently one of them alighted on the spire of the house and apparently 
said something to the other for they both flew away. It is not expect- 
ed that the birds will return again this year and it is our hope that the 
impression of the horror will not be sufficient to deter them from re- 
turning in 1904. The bird house is known as the Castle and a photo- 


AMERICAN OLNITHOLOGY. 275 


graph and full account of it’s occupants were given in the June 1902 
Ornithology.”’ Francis B. Horton. 

Although for more than two weeks, a cold steady rain fell, I little ex- 
pected to see the awful havoc which it had created when I took my first 
day’s outing after the storm. Scores of Red-wing Blackbirds nests 
which had been a foot or two feet above the water when last I had seen 
them, were entirely submerged. The water had formed miniature 
lakes in many hollows where Song and Field Sparrows had taken up 
the abode. Yellow Warblers, Redstarts, P-airie and Chestnut-sided 
Warblers were unable to get food for their young and the results were 
apparent upon inspecting the nests. In some cases the skillfully woven 
nests of the Red-eyed Vireos had made water tight baskets and the 
dexterity of the parents had been the cause of death of their little ones. 

Robins, Catbirds, Thrushes, Thrashers, Towhees, and Grosbeaks 
were also numbered among the unfortunates. 

Out of twenty-one nests that I had located as ‘being in particularly 
desirable positions to make photographs, but one escaped destruction. 
Twenty nests out of twenty-one destroyed;—seventy-five out of eighty 
young birds and eggs that the nests contained perished. ‘The one nest 
which escaped out of the number was that of a House Wren, a lively 
little body who seemed capable of providing food for her five little ones 
in spite of all difficulties; of course on account of its location in an old 
stump this nest was fully protected from the storm and remained dry. 
As many other localities throughout the country suffered a great deal 
worse than this, it is probable that this percentage of mortality 1mong 
the young birds is nut in excess of what the average will be. 

As these twenty-one nests were but a fraction of those that were in 
the locality and as this locality is but a infinitesimally small part of the 
territory which was invaded by storm and flood, it can readily be imag- 
ined that the sum total of young birds which perished will amount to 
hundreds of thousands. 

Although some of the birds have made new homes and if they escape 
further disasters will raise their brood of little ones, the great majority 
of those who lost will make no further attempt this year, and it is more 
than probable that for several years to come the numbers of certain 
species will be noticeably diminished asa direct result of this year’s 


disasters. 


276 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 19. 





BLACKBIRDS. 


No. 498. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius 
pheentceus). 


Distributed throughout North America south of the 
Great Slave Lake. Plumage wholly black with ex- 
ception of the shoulders which are reddish orange 
and white the colors blending together. Length 
about 8.5 in. Female—Above blackish brown 
streaked with lighter and tending to show median 
and superciliary stripes on the head: below whitish, 
streaked with dusky. Sides of head and throat are 
tinged with pinkish. This species of Blackbird was 
formerly subdivided into two subspecies, recently it 
has been still further subdivided by Mr. Ridgway. 
It is not necessary to note the distinction here. At 
best, they can only be determined by the use of mic- 
rometer calipers and then not with any degree of 
certainty. 


No. 499. Bicolored Blackbird (4gelaius gub- 
ernator). 


Pacific coast district of the United States from 
Washington to Lower California. | Wholly black 
with scarlet shoulders only slightly or not at all 
edged with buffy. Female like the preceding species. 


No. 500. Tricolored Blackbird (Agelatus tri- 
color). 


Range along the Pacific coast about the same as 
the preceding species. Shoulders a deep blood red, 
margined widely and abruptly with white. Female 
very similar to the preceding species except that the 
coverts are quite strongly edged with white. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY.  o77 


PUFFINS. 











No. 12. Tufted Puffin (Lunda cirrhata). 


Coasts of North Pacific from the Santa Barbara 
Islands, California, northwards. Adults in summer: 
Above blackish; below sooty black. Face white and 
ear tufts straw color. Eye white surrounded with a 
red ring: bill reddish. In winter: Bill duller and 
darker and smaller owing to moulting the scaly 
shields; no eye ring, and the feet are more orange. 
Young birds do not have the ear tufts and_the face is 
blackish. Length about 16in. 


No. 13. Puffin (Fratercula arctica). 


Breeds along the North Atlantic coast. South i 
winter to Long Island. Upper parts including a ring 
around the neck, black. Face, cheeks, chin and 
under parts, white. Eye white; feet and tip of bill 
reddish orange; base of bill greenish yellow. No ear 
tufts, but the upper eyelid has an upright horny 
appendage and the lower eyelid a lateral one. Young 
birds and adults in winter have smaller bills as in the 
preceding species and the face is blackish while the 
horns and eye ring are lacking. Length about r4in. 


13a. Large-billed Puffin (Frattercula arctica. 
glacialis). . 
A somewhat larger bird than the proceeding and 


the billis slightly relatively larger. It is found in the 
Arctic Ocean. 


No. 14. Horned Puffin (Fratercula cornicul- 
ata). 


Found on the coasts and islands of the North: Pac- 
ific. Similar to the two preceding species except that 
the blackish brown band across the breast extends 
upwards meeting the base of the bill ina point. The 
young and winter adults differ in the same respects 
as do the others of this family. 


No. 15 Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca 
monocerata) . 


Found along the whole Pacific coast of North Amer- 
ica. Upoer parts blackish, shading into gray on the 
breast, chin, throat, and sides. Thin lengthened 
tufts of feathers from above and below the eye. 
Bill orange colored and ornamented with an upright 
horn at the base. In winter the plumage is the 
sane with the horn lacking. 


278 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


MOULTING. 


By Dr. MorRIS GIBBS. 


All birds moult, and presumably twice a year, the moult with which 
we are familiar, the one in the late summer and early autuinn, which is 
more pronounced, often gives a bird a new coat of a different hue. 
Then the bird changes back to the original spring coat in color; but 
this latter moult is so gradual that we are hardly aware of the transition. 
The Bobolink change to an ochraceous in the summer, and then leaves 
us for the south, but- when he returns in the spring he has resumed his 
coat of black and white, soto speak. The Goldfinch, like the Bobolink 
changes to the less pronounced colors of the female, yet he stays with 
us all the year and resumes the sulphur yellow sometimes between 
October and April.~ Yet though I have taken the Goldfinch in the 
months of January, February and March I have been unable to find 
that this bird has a complete, that is, sudden change in the early spring 
like that of the fall. I mention these two species because they are to’ 
an extent alike in adopting the colors of the female, yet are entirely un- 
like in their winter habits. 

The Bobolink is the first to moult in the Great Lake Region. The 
moult of this one-brooded species begins by the middle of July, and 
earlier, and in the last of the month flocks of ten to an hundred may be 
seen in the meadows aid marshes, when all gradations of plumage may 
be seen, from the spotted black and white to the perfect fall coat. The 
complete moult takes considerable time, and throughout the operation 
the birds continue to flock and keep low, never rising much above the 
fence and weeds. The males and females are _ indistinguishable 
as they rise and whirl to a little distance. The once dashing songster 
no longer rises on fluttering wing to stimulate us with his ecstatic, 
rollicking song. Soon the augmenting flocks leave for the south; and 
down on the coast they are called reed birds, and later rice birds. 

The Goldfinch nests last, habitually, and it also moults last, for it 
rarely drops its spring coat until well into October, and I have seen a 
male in the bright sulphur coat in the very last of the month. A friend 
of mine took a set of Goldfinch’s eggs in September, and certainly this 
species does not moult until the duties of nesting are through with. 
The period of moulting depends on conditions affecting both sexes, and 
these conditions largely depend on the nesting. 

In a large majority of cases the moult takes place within a month 
after the nesting duties are completed, but this is not a rule as will be 
shown. It follows that the Hawks and Owls as early nesters, are among 
the early ones to moult. This is so, and out of over one hundred 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 279 


Hawks shot in early September only six gave the slightest evidence that 
the process had not been fully completed, while the Owls were all per- 
fect. Yet at the same date, of 206 Blue Jays and over 40 Crows which 
were examined, three-fourths of the Jays gave evidence that moulting 
was still in progress, pin-feathers still covering the heads of many, and 
several Crows plainly showed evidence of feather shedding. These 
observations were made from specimens shot by parties who went out 
to kill so-called game destroyers, a foolish practice, followed with a 
zeal worthy of a better cause. Herons of two kinds, and also a large 
number of Kingfishers gave evidence that the process was completed. 
Hawks and Owls, which are credited as raisers of a single brood, moult 
early. Every collector has seen flocks of Semipalmated and Least Sand- 
pipers and Semipalmated Plovers on the shores of our small interior 
lakes by August 10th. Itis well known that these small waders breed 
well to our north and only appear with us after nesting and moulting. 
Atleast I have yet to meet with any of these migrants from the far 
north which gave any evidence of moulting at the time they were with 
us. 

' Some birds are very tough looking individuals during the moult and 
while the feathers are coming in. At this season they keep quiet, and 
as much as possible out of sight. There are no species in my neighbor- 
hood which shed their wing feathers all at once, and all are capable of 
flying throughout the period. But at the north where the wild geese 
spend the season, the birds are often so badly handicapped by the tem- 
porary loss of their quill feathers that the natives catch them in large 
numbers. The only portion of the plumage that is shed together so 
that it is noticeable is on the head and neck, thatis in districts that I have 
visited. The shedding of the long feathers is gradual and hardly 
noticeable, but may be nicely observed in the quill feathers. It takes 
nearly a month for the completion of the process in the summer or 
early fall with birds the size of a hawk but there is no time when the 
birds are not fully able to move about in this section. Sometimes a 
robin or sparrow may be seen without a tail, but this is noticeable for 
only a few days, as the tail feathers growin very rapidly. If a bird’s 
quill feathers are cut off in the spring the bird will not be able to fly 
until the moult occurs in August, when the useless stubs are pushed out 
by the new feathers. Confinement and improper feeding, together with 
want of exercise will sometimes greatly retard the process of moulting, 
as I have repeatedly observed, and the same delay is often noticed in 
the exfoliation of captive serpents. 

Captive snakes are sometimes all of a month in removing their old 
slough, whereas the wild individuals are often seen to escape from the 


280 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


external mask in a minute or two, after the opening is well made for 
their exit. In the same way, pet parrots and other birds are sometimes 
all of six weeks in moulting, and I have seen some birds in confinement 
which had tag feathers hanging for months, and they have to be assisted 
at times to complete their change. 

The Scarlet Tanager is a good subject to study in August, for the 
bright red male gradually assumes the plumage of the female; at least 
I have taken these red specimens with more or less blotches of the 
yellowish-green in their coats, giving a decidedly peculiar appearance 
to the birds. This peculiarity becomes more pronounced as the season 
advances until the birds are nearly all over of a greenish hue. I have 
never seen a male in the late summer that was entirely of the color of 
the female, and judge that as soon as they reach this stage the band 
moves to the south. Brilliant birds nearly always lose much of their 
striking colors in the autumnal moult; that is the brilliant coloration is 
generally subdued, but many of them are even more attractive in their 
modest coats. 

There are some birds which are so secret in their moulting that the 
process has not yet been studied. I am in doubt as to the movements 
of the Baltimore Oriole in moulting, and am some in favor of admitting 
that these birds move to the south before performing this change. No 
birds leave us before moulting that I can learn of, yet I could never 
learn that the orioles moulted with us. If they do moult while still at 
the north then they are very secret in the act and must perform the 
change very rapidly, which is unlike their relatives the bobolinks and 
the grackles, which birds are easily observed. What is more, I have 
repeatedly seen brilliantly plumaged male orioles in Michigan as late 
as the twenty-eighth of August. As the orioles disappear very soon 
after this date, they must moult very quickly and then depart at once. 

The Hummer moults immediately after the nesting duties have been 
performed, and it is very rare to see a bright Ruby-throat after July 
15th, and I have yet to see a well plumaged male about the flowers in 
August, which is conclusive evidence that the Hummers moult early. 
The movements of these birds have been carefully watched for years 
as they sport among the flowers of our garden beds. 

Many birds make so pronounced a change in moulting that identifi- 
cation is difficult for the novice, and not rarely the advanced student 
fails. For instance the Black-polled and Bay-breasted Warblers are 
markedly different in the spring, but in the late summer it is exceeding- 
ly difficult to distinguish species, especially the birds of the year and 
the females. In many species the female takes the appearance of the 
immatures, and sometimes this is the case with the male as well; the 
whole family moving to the south as a uniformed band. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 281 


In many species the sexes are indistinguishable from the plumage at 
all times. This is noticeable in small birds, and among the Snipes and 
many other shore birds. As a rule the females are not much given 
to change in plumage at any time, though all moult as with the bright 
plumaged species. In some birds the males take on remarkable 
changes during the breeding season and drop these adornments after 
the nesting season is over. The Ruff is a remarkable example of 
seasonal change, while some of the Sandpipers develop peculiarities in 
anatomical structure, or at least at this season give peculiar expression 
to ordinarily quiescent functions. Many, as the plume bearing herons, 
are adorned in the spring alone. 

In nearly all species of birds where there is a difference in plumage 
in the sexes, the male is the smarter in dress. The only exception is 
among the Phalaropes, where the females are the more beautifully 
colored. And as a fitting accompaniment, these birds are among the 
most graceful creatures that swim, walk or fly. 


BLACK-NECKED STILT. 
A. O. U. No. 226. (Himantopus mexicanus.) 


RANGE. 


Found through temperate North America from northern United 
States southwards. It is rare in the eastern portions of the United 
States and is rather inclined to be southerly in its range in the western 
portion. 

DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 14.5 in.;'extent about 24 in,; tail, 2.5 in.; legs, 7.5in. Upper 
parts glossy greenish black; below white. Legs, reddish; bill, black; 
rump and tail, white. 





NEST AND EGGS. 


For a situation for their nest, Stilts select a small natural hollow in 
the ground; this is slightly lined with dry grasses, upon which the 
three or four eggs are laid. The eggs have a greenish yellow ground, 


28 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





BLACK-NECKED STILT. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 283 


and are heavily lined, spotted and blotched with blackish brown. Full 
complements may be found during the latter part of May. A favorite 
location for the nest is in the grass bordering some lake or stream. 


HABITS. 


In relation to the size of the bird, the Black-necked Stilts have long- 
er legs than any others of our waders. The long, red, slender, stilt- 
like appendages seem scarcely able to support the weight of their own- 
er, yet these waders are very graceful and strut and run about with the 
ease of their shorter legged companions. Their food is made up of in- 
sect, larvae, worms, small crustacea, etc. When securing their food 
they frequently may be seen standing in water up to their body and it 
is necessary for them to submerge their head, when they can reach the 
bottom with their long sensitive bills. Their wings are very long and 
swallow-like, reaching beyond the tail when folded. Their flight is 
very easy, swift, and graceful. Like a great many of the waders they 
have the habit of skimming first on one side, then on the other, thus al- 
ternately exposing their black back and white under parts; a flock of 
these birds on the wing therefore makes a very striking sight as the white 
aud black flashes in kaleidescopic fashion. The long lanke red legs are 
carried straight behind them and extend far beyond the end of the 
tail. Although frequently single pairs nest in a locality they usually 
go in quite large flocks and in some sections of the country where they 
breed several nests may be in sight at the same time. 

Having only rudimentary webs to their toes, they are poor swimmers, 
although frequently they will swim across a shallow inlet, making slow 
progress until their long legs touch the bottom of the other side, when 
they again assume their attitudes of grace. 

Because of their striking appearance rather than any qualities that 
they have as table birds, they are killed whenever the opportunity 
occurs. In localities where they are frequently shot at, they become 
very shy, otherwise their numbers would be a great deal less than they 
now are. In open pond holes where they can see for some distance 
they will rarely allow a gunner to get within gunshot but in places 
where the tall grass grows up to the edge of the water they will often 
hide rather than fly and will not start up until nearly stepped upon, when 
they will take wing and double a turn to get out of the way meanwhile 
uttering a sharp, metallic whistle. 


284 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





CORRESPONDENCE, 


E. W. Graves, lowa.—The bird you describe might be either the Al- 
der or Traills Flycatcher, more likely the latter on account of the lo- 
cality. The eggs of these two birds cannot be distinguished with 
certainty. 


Minnie Camp, Tenn.—The first bird about which you inquire is the 
Corolina Wren. It is not unusual for these birds to build in the corner 
ofa barn or shed and the nest is frequently arched over. (b). The 
Prothonotary Warbler is a golden color all over; very intense on the 
head and slightly greenish on the back. (c). The Tufted Titmouse 
is the last bird mentioned in your letter. 


Earl. Perey, Calif—(1). Arkansas Kingbird: (2). Ash-throated 
Flycatcher. 


Gerald B. Thomas, Iowa.—The hawk that you describe answers 
nearest to the description of the adult Red-shouldered Hawk. The un- 
der parts are a nearly uniform reddish brown, with black shafts to the 
feathers. The shoulder is quite noticeably brighter than the color of the 
rest of the upper parts. 


Clair P. McMorran, Wash.—The bird you mention is undoubtedly a 
Mountain Bluebird as it could hardly be mistaken for any other. 


Marjorie I. Crane-—The bird which you found under the lamp post 
was either a female or a young male of the Indigo Bunting. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 285 







BIRD CHAT Sw 
ENDS 


= os 





Address communications for this department to 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 


DEAR YOUNG FOLKs: 

Some of you have asked about an Audubon Society for children. 
Anyone under the age of eighteen years, by signing the pledge given 
below, may become an Associate Member of the Society and receive 
the Audubon button. By signing the pledge and sending a dime to 
the treasurer they may become Junior Members, and receive the Aud- 
ubon button and also certificate of membership. This is the pledge: 
“T promise not to harm our birds or their eggs, and to protect our 
birds whenever I am able.”’ I think the birds would carol special songs 
of thanksgiving if all the boys and girls would make this promise and 
keep it. 

Two of our little friends write of some partial Albinos which they 
have seen. There are many strange freaks of color in the dress of 
birds, some of them due to the fact that most of our birds of bright 
plumage wear quiet gowns like the mother bird until the second or 
third summer, when they don the gay colors. Several years ago I saw 
a beautiful group of six Scarlet Tanagers, and watched them taking 
baths in a clear pool in the woods. The coat of one of the number was 
in process of changing, and a curious looking bird he was. His wing 
and tail feathers were an olive green like the female, and instead of 
the scarlet feathers, the rest of his plumage was a very peculiar red, 
a kind of composite strawberry, brick and Indian red. He did not 
seem to be conscious of any difference between Himself and his fel- 
lows, but splashed the water about as merrily as the rest. 

Thank you for the many kind words for the magazine and this cor- 
ner. Cordially Your Friend, 

MrG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


2 86 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ANSWERS TO JULY PUZZLES. 


ASEM) DIN Bi RD: 
Ptarmigan. 


WHAT BIRD IS THIS? 
Cowbird. 
ENIGMA NO.1L 
Ruby-crowned Knight. 


ENIGMA NO, 2, 
Downy Woodpecker. 


ENIGMA NO, 3. 


Scarlet Tanager. 


SUGGESTED BIRDS, 


Cedar bird: 6. Longspur. 
2 Chat: Te \RGaoye, 

3. Least Flycatcher. 8. Nightingale. 
A ile paliciye OaamNcede 

5. Killdeer. TOS wR olin 


ROLL OF HONOR, 


McCormick Jewett, Chicago, Ill.; Alice Garland, Andover, Mass.; 
sally W. Orvis, Manchester, Vt.; Isidor Rehfuss, LaCrosse, Wis.; 
Gilbert Honax, Montclair, N. J.;> Charles Ae Abbott, Antrim aNeerie 
Raymond Hill, Uxbridge, Mass.; Naomi E. Voris, Crawfordsville, 
Ind.; Everett P. Walton, New Vineyard, Me.; E. Louise Jordan, De- 
fiance, Ohio; John A. Parks, Shaftsbury, Mich.; Marietta Washburn, 
Goodwin, S. D.; Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H. 


EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


I have put up two bird boxes, and am having some Tree Swallows 
build in them. They are very tame. SAMUEL D. ROBBINS, 
Belmont, Mass. 


There is an English Sparrow around here that I see quite often. It 
has two or three of its big wing feathers white, and one or two in its 
tail. Don’t you suppose it is a partial Albino? I saw a Song Sparrow 
the other day with one of his long wing feathers white. The English 
Sparrow shows more white when he flies. ALICE GARLAND, 

Andover, Mass. 


A Meadow Lark staid with us all winter. A nest of Wilson’s Snipe 
was found near here about a year ago, with three eggs. I have seen 
a partially albino Robin this year. JoHN A. PARKS, 

Shaftsbury, Mich. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 287 


Every year there comes a pair of Whip-poor-wills to a swamp about 
a quarter of amile from my home. This year I made up my mind to 
findtheir nest, so a few nights ago with a companion, I went down to the 
swamp. It was about fifteen minutes past eight and already the Whip- 
poor-will’s notes could be heard. On the edge of the swamp were 
low pines, and as we reached these the Whip-poor-will seemed about 
ten yards from us. As we walked toward him he circled above our 
heads and in a moment the female flew up from under our feet. We 
lit a match and looked about on the ground, and there by a stump on 
the pine straw lay a young whippoorwill beside an egg. The young 
looked as if just hatched and the next morning I went there and there 
sat two young ones and the mother within about a foot of the nest. I 
came away without molesting her. 

ORREN W. TURNER, 
Manbono.wN Ce 


I have been watching the nest of a Partridge or Ruffed Grouse. I 
found it May eighth. It was ona rock up against a tree. There were 
ten eggs. I visited it June first. The young birds had just hatched 
and were leaving the nest. Some of them were quite a ways from the 
nest. I have seen thirty-two different species of birds this year. 

CHARLES H. ABBOTT, 
Antrim, N. H. 


I have just come from my sister’s room, where I have been watching 
four young robins. The nest is built in a corner where the house jogs 
out, and you can touch it without putting your hand out of the window. 
Just as I looked out at them from behind the curtain, so as not to scare 
the old bird, there was a swish, and the old bird flew up and began to 
feed them. 

After she had gone I pushed back the curtain and looked at them. 
They were not at all afraid of me, but stared at me with their bright 
little eyes for all they were worth. 

They are dark brown with light reddish brown spots on top, and yel- 
low with dark brown spots underneath. Their heads are dark brown, 
with black streaks by the eyes. 

They are about the size of a Phcebe now. Their bills are long and 
black, and their feet are yellow. 

I went up to look at the Robins again, a minute ago, and when they 
saw me, two of them flew away. I went to another window to look at 
them again, and the other two flew and lit right under the window. I 


288 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


went down and caught them, and twice I put them back, only to have 
them fly away. 

Finally my mother and I got two to stay, and left them. When I 
looked out again, there were the male and female Robin, male and 
female Pheebe, (who,nest on the other side of the house,) and the male 
and female Song Sparrow, (who nest on the lilac bush,) sitting on the 
telephone wires and ye//zzg, no other word will express it, in concert. 

SALLY W. ORVIS, 
Manchester, Vt. 





ENIGMA NO. 1 


My whole is an appropriate name for a common bird and contains 
‘thirteen letters. My 13-7-8-4-2 is a man one hears of frequently. My 
.5-7-12-1 was too heavy for one horse to pull. It is never wise to grow 
'3-12-4-9. Most people hope some time to go to 10-2-12-3-11-9. The 
6-12-8-9 makes the birds lively. 

JEAN LAMPTON, 
Riverside-on-Hudson. 





ENIGMA NO. 2, 


My Ist is in cheat and also in chest, 
My 2nd in hay, but not in vest, 
My 3d is found in the short word set, 
My 4th in tub but never in yet, 
My 5th in the word ink is found, 
My 6th in brown as well as in ground, 
My 7th is in ducks and also in drakes, 
Now who can tell what bird this makes? 
SAMUEL D. ROBBINS, 
Belmont, Mass. 


ENIGMA NO, 3. 


I am a handsome bird composed of sixteen letters. 
My 13-15-6-16 is found in all large towns, 
My 1-2-16-14 is what most children like, 
My 3-5-6-9-12 are ornaments that people wear, 
My 13-8-2-6-1 is a high mountain in Europe, 
My 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-13-5-10-4 is another one of my names. 
A group of these 13-5-10-4-12 in a cedar, 11-3 or pine tree in a 
snowy landscape makes a very beautiful sight. 
RAYMOND HILt, 
Uxbridge, Mass. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 289 


ENIGMA NO, 4. 


My Ist'is in small, but not in tall, 
My 2nd is in wall, but not in hall, 
My 3d is in bearer, but not in either, 
My 4th is in low, but not in now. 
My 5th is not in fast but it is in slow, 
My 6th is in “Poll”? but not in cracker, 
My 7th is not in heathen but it is in weather, 
My whole is a bird which is common to all, 
And builds his nest with a hard mud wall. 
GILBERT HONAX, 
- Montclair, New Jersey. 


QUERIES. 


1. What bird “‘keels’’ its tail when flying, folding the feathers from 
the middle ? 

2. What birds roost in family groups in the form of a circle on the 
ground, with heads presenting outward ? 

3. What is blacker than a crow ? 


GLEANINGS, 
THE BusH SPARROW. 


A bubble of music floats 
The slope of the hillside over, 
A little wandering sparrow’s notes 
And the bloom of yarrow and clover. 
And the smell of sweet fern, 
And the bayberry leaf, 
On his ripple of song are stealing, 
For he is a chartered thief, 
The wealth of the fields revealing. 
Lucy LARcom. 


Pheasants are the wariest of all game birds, running at the crackling 
of a dead twig, and flying upon the least stir. Negroes believe that 
they can also smell human beings. The females have sole care of the 
eggs and young broods. 

MartTHA MCCULLOUGH WILLIAMS, 
(In Next to the Ground.) 


2¢0 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


LETTER PUZZCE. 


By Samuel D. Robbins, Belmont, Mass. 











ae 
Stk 





F 

YALIGL CHIT BK TBI K 
AMHWAIEUIUHIO.E KiB U/U 
LY UINIC|O/E[T|C/BIRIE|N| 1 |AlO|M| 


How many bird’s names can you find? Each bird’s name to begin 
with a letter on the margin and read in a straight line, forward, back- 
ward, up or down, or obliquely. No name to begin inside of the outer 
line. 

Special. We will send one of the;beautiful Brrp Games to the first 
subscriber from each State sending in the largest number of names to. 
Meg Merrythought. 


« 
OF seen Ra ae as Ist + ts “8. 
ES Bee . ina k * 





tells about their range and structure. 


WHEN 





AALAAAAARAALAARAARAAAAARAARAARAAAAARAARAARAAAAAAAARAAAAAMAA 


A ALAATAALAALAARAARAARAAAAARAARAARAAAAACAARAAAARAA ALAA AA RRA AMARA 


It figures 62 representative species of our 18 Families of Perching Birds and 
We give it to every one subscribing to 
Volume V of BIRD-LORE, the first number of which appeared Feb. 1, 1903. 


IN DOUBT 
Write to a member of the BIRD-LORE’S ADVISORY COUNCIL. There is 


one or more inevery State and Territory. 


THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, “ss: 


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BIRD LORE’S 
BIRD CHART 


Will Tell You. 








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Just what is Needed in Every School 
FOR NATURE STUDY. 


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all good specimens selected with speciai care to be of 
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contains Sea Urchins, Sea Horse, Resurrection Plant, 
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ieties, Sand Dollar, Silk Worm Cocoon, Sawfish 
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+ 
50 CENTS EACH, $5.00 PER DOZ. OR FINELY COLORED, $1.00 EACH, $10.00 PER DOZ. ¥ 
1 Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. \. 
2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) 27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. © 
3 Woodcock on Nest. 28 Nest and Ezgs of Bob White. 
« 4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 29 American Robin on Nest. eS 
{ 5 Three Young Woodcock. 30 American Robin Feeding Young. 
> 6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 31 Five Young Chickadees. 
7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. 
© 8 House Wren (male). 33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree. 
g House Wren (female. 34 Brown Thrasher. 
* 10 Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 33 Bro vn Thrasher on Nest. 
4 11 Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 36 Wood Thrush on Nest. 
@ 12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. 37 Young Wood Thrush. 
r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 38 Pigeon Hawk. 
¢ 14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 
‘e 15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 40 Barred Owl. 
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@ 17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 42 Four Young Screech Owls. 
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¢ 19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 44 Blue Jaysin Nests. 
20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 45 Blue Jay Feeding Young 
“> 21 Ovenbird and Nest. 46 Loggerhead Shrike. 
22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 47 Phoebe on Nest. 
@ 23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 48 Hairy Woodpecker. 
24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. 49 Chimney Swift. 
@ 25 Young Field Sparrow. 50 Four Young Crows. 
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a Thousand Species of American Butter- 
flies with all their native beauty and _bril- 
liance of coloring. This is a ‘‘‘Popular 
Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies 
of North America.’’ It tells everything 
about butterflies, and tells itin a way any- 
body can understand. Every one interest- 
ed in Butterflies should own this book. 
Price is only $3.00 prepaid. 
Given asa premium for 10 new subscribers. 


Bird Homes, by A.R. Dugmore. With 
the nests and eggs of birds in natural col- 
ors, also a number of half-tone illustra- 
tions. Postpaid $2.00. 

Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


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. 
Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird Neighbors, by Neltje Blanchan. 
Has 52 colored plates, and describes 150 of 
our song birds and other more common 
feathered neighbors. With the aid of 
these life-like plates there can be not the 
least doubt as to the idenfication of a 
bird. It is a sufficient commentary on the 
volume that there have been nearly 20,000 
copies sold since it appeared Postpaid, $2 
Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird Life, Popular edition in colors. 
12 mo. cloth $2.00 postpaid. A Guide to 
the Study of our Common Birds by F. M. 
Chapman, representing too Birds in their 
natural colors. 


Given as a premium for four new subscribers. 


Birdcraft, A Field Book of Two Hund- 
red Song, Game and Water Birds. By 
Mabel Osgood Wright. With Eighty 
Plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Smail 
4to $2.50 net. Postage toc. 


Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird World, by J. H. Stickney and 
Ralph Hoffman. A charming bird book 
for young people. With ten full-page 
illustrations by Ernest Thompson-Seton, 
Square 12 mo. Cloth. 214 pages. 
Given as a premium for three new subscribers. 


Any of the above books will be sent prepaid on 
receipt of price. 


Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. 


WHEN YOU GO INTO THE COUNTRY THIS SUMMER 
Take Along One of our 


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Disc 

Graphophones 773,°"° 
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Bands that you would like to hear, but 

If you have a Columbia Graphophone with you, you will have 
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THE COLUMBIA DISC GRAPHOPHONE is compact and easy to carry. 


THE COLUMBIA DISC RECORDS take up little room and are practically 
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FOR SALE BY DEALERS EVERYWHERE AND BY THE 


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San Francisco, 125 Geary Street. Chicago, 88 Wabash Avenue. 


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yy One of the H It orite Guns, Rifles and 
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SHIELDS and MOUNTS for Taxidermists. 


Cabinets for Collections of Minerals, Eggs and Insects made 
to order any size required at reasonable prices. 


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5 J. FRANK HOLT 


tae. GAR DINER, ME. 





a2 


No. &8, 82 in high, 37 in. 
Price $32. 


FRFT TD 


BIRD GLASSES 


Like almost anything else are of various grades of excellence and 





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also like other things it does not pay to buy the cheap kind. 
Better spend a little more at first and get the 


BAUSCH & LOMB ZEISS 











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The new prism glasses giving the largest field, clearest brightest 
and only true stereoscopic image. This glass is used by the 
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Entered a1 the Dact O ce at Worcester Mass as. second-class matter. Jan. 16. 1ra01 


WHEN YOU GO INTO THE COUNTRY THIS SUMMER 
Take Along One of our 


Columbia 
Disc 

Graphophones 376,°°"° 
Columbia Disc 
Records. RE 





The Theatres will be miles off, and so will the Singers and Comedians and the Brass 
Bands that you would like to hear, but 

If yeu have a Columbia Graphophone with you, you will have 
a substitute for these attractions. 


THE COLUMBIA DISC GRAPHOPHONE is compact and easy to carry. 


THE COLUMBIA DISC RECORDS take up little room and are practically 
INDESTRUCTIBLE. They may be used upon any talking machine using disc records. 
FOR SALE BY DEALERS EVERYWHERE AND BY THE 


COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY. 


Pioneers and Leaders in the Talking Machine Art. Grand Prize, Paris, 1900. 
New York, 93 Chambers Street. Boston. 164 Tremont Street. 
San Francisco, 125 Geary Street. Chicago, 88 Wabash Avenue. 





7 Are you in want Of 
ak Mocs a Cabinet for your fav- 
“4 One of the H It orite Guns, Rifles and 

| O Rods? If so don’tlock 
further. We have just 
the right thing. An 
sa up-to-date Cabinet 
9 adapted to the wants 

portsman S of all sportsmen. Made 

a a by the most. skilled 

workmen and of the 

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e Quartered Oak fronts, 
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S and best hardware. 
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We also make a specialty of MOOSE, CARIBOU and DEER 
SHIELDS and MOUNTS for Taxidermists. 





Cabinets for. Collections of Minerals, Eggs and Insects made 
to order any size required at reasonable prices. 


Estimates given on large Museum Cabinets and Cases for 
Collections of Birds and Animals. 


J. FRANK HOLT 


GAR _ DINER, ME. 








mel _ Ph 
No. 88, 82 in. high, 37 in. wide. 
Price $32. 


NEST and EGGS 
A monthly for boys and yovng men. é of North American Birds 2 
By OLIVER DAVIE. 


gDBBDEDBDDDEIECd CEES 
MEN of TOMMORROW é “h 


Published by Men of Today to interest 
and stimulate the Men of To-morrow to 
think, act and live nobly. 


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Guide to Taxidermy 


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BIRDS. ANIMALS and FISHES. 


Also a complete list of Ornithologists’, Oologists’ 
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The Best Book on Eggs Published 
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and recreation will find 


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The handsomest, most interesting 
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The National Sportsman, 
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The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, 
D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illus- 
trations, Colored Plates which show over 
a Thousand Species of American Butter- 
flies with all their native beauty and _bril- 
liance of coloring. This is a ‘Popular 
Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies 
of North America.’”’ It tells everything 
about butterflies, and tells itin a way any- 
body can understand. Every one interest- 
ed in Butterflies should own this book. 
Price is only $3.00 prepaid. 


Given asa premium for 10 new subscribers. 


Bird Homes, by A.R. Dugmore. With 
the nests and eggs of birds in natural col- 
ors, also a number of half-tone illustra- 
tions. Postpaid $2.00. 

Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


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. 


Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird Neighbors, by Neltje Blanchan. 
Has 52 colored plates, and describes 150 of 
our song birds and other more common 
feathered neighbors. With the aid of 
these life-like plates there can be not the 
least doubt as to the idenfication of a 
bird. It is a sufficient commentary on the 
volume that there have been nearly 20,000 
copies sold since it appeared Postpaid, $2 
Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird Life, Popular edition in colors. 
12 mo. cloth $2.00 postpaid. A Guide to 
the Study of our Common Birds by F. M. 
Chapman, representing 1oo Birds in their 
natural colors. 


Given as a premium for four new subscribers. 


Birderaft, A Field Book of Two Hund- 
red Song, Game and Water Birds. By 
Mabel Osgood Wright. With Eighty 
Plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Small 
4to &2.50 net. Postage toc. 


Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


Bird World, by J. 

Ralph Hoffman. A charming bird book 

for young people. With ten full-page - 

illustrations by Ernest Thompson-Seton, 
Square 12 mo. Cloth. 214 pages. 


Given as a premium for three new subscribers. 


H. Stickney and 


Any of the above books will be sent prepaid on 
receipt of price. 


Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. 


hive uth ic dil ll tl ill ang ei cl cc ic incl vl 


ill al 


$50.00 
PHOTO CONTEST 


FOR 1903 
CLOSES THIS MONTH 


We have decided to divide our photo contest this year into 
three classes; the reason for this is that it is obviously hardly fair 
to judge between the merits of a photograph of an adult wild bird, 
a young bird, and a photo of a nest and eggs. Therefore we have 
subdivided the contest into these three classes. 


CLASS |. FREE ADULT WILD BIRDS. These may be on 
the nest, feeding the young, or in the brush or field. We shall 
NOT, however, consider CAPTIVE birds, or birds that have 
been wounded, whether they be tied out of doors or photographed 
free in the house or gallery. Awards as follows: 


Ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash. 
CLASS II. YOUNG BIRDS. These may be photographed in 


the nest or placed on suitable branches; in either case take great 
care not to do them any injury. Awards as follows: 


Ist, $10.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3rd, $2.00 cash 

CLASS Ill. NEST AND EGGS. Nests must be in the nat- 
ural situations actually chosen by the birds, although of course-it 
is permissable and desirable to tie back all branches and leaves 
that will mar the picture. 


Ist, $5.00 cash; 2nd, $5.00 pair of Field Glasses; 3d, $2.00 cash. 











All photographs which we retain for publication, whether prize 
winners or not, will be paid for at the uniform rate of 50 cents 
each, irrespective of the class. 

All photos which we shall be unable to use will be returned to 
the owners. 

Photos may be of any size, but 4x5 or larger are preferred. 
They may be made on any paper except blue print. Any one 
may send as many photos as they wish, and it is desirable to 
send in a letter separate from the photos, any interesting notes 
concerning their taking. 


CONTEST CLOSES OCT 1. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, 
WORCESTER, MASS. 





yall lll lll cl 


he ep 


i] 


imp 


Ppp 


PRP PPP VO PPP PP POPP PP OPER VP OVS 


American Ornithology. 


A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass, 
EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. 








SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One 
Dollar yearly inadvance. Single copies, ten cents. Vols. I and II. 
$1.00, each. We can supply back numbers at ten cents per copy. 
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. 





—— COPY RIGHI 1OOs BY GHAS Ke REE) 


VOL. Ill SEPTEMBER, 1905. : NO. 9 





PHOTOGRAPHERS. 


Remember that on the Ist of October our bird photo contest ends. 
Be sure and get your pictures here before then. We have received a 
large number now and have assurance of many more. Seeif you can 
not send the best one. Terms and premiums may be found on an ad- 
vertising page in this number. 

Prints can be on any paper except blueprint and may be either 


mounted or not. 


Reports still continue to come in regarding the great destruction of 
birds during the recent storms. It will be several years before the loss 


of life sustained in these few weeks will be overcome. 


Commencing with September the Fall migration begins. This 
is only secondary to the Spring migration as the most interesting per- 
iod of the year to watch birds. It affords an opportunity for a vast 
amount of skill in identifying the young birds and the adults in their 


different plumages. 


WHAT THE BIRDS SAY, 


When light of morning is softly appearing, 
What are the voices we often are hearing 
As we lie half dreaming and half awake 
Listening to sounds the sweet birds make? 
The Whip-poor-will first breaks the still quiet hour, 
‘““Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will!’”’ His voice has great power, 
Repeating it over and over again, 
Now quickly, now slowly; a mournful refrain. 





CATBIRD AND NEST. 


The Goldfinch breaks in with a “sweet, sw-e-e-t”’ 
Then with beautiful notes makes his sweet song complete. 


292 AMLRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


The Chippy now comes with his ‘“‘che-che-che-che !”’ 
Not many birds are as early as he. 
“Phoebe, phoebe!’’ Hear the imperative call 
“Come, you don’t see me is heard above all. 
Now the Song Sparrow is singing alone, 
Sweetly and clearly in musical tone. 
Soon hear “‘Chebeck!’’ ’Tis the Flycatcher small, 
Crying “‘chebeck”’ in a querlous call. 
‘““Whitchery! Whitchery! Witchery !’’ Witch!” 
Comes from the Yellow-throat down by the ditch. 
“Very early! Very early! Wake up! Dilatory !”’ 
Says Robin Redbreast in all his glory. 
Joining with him is the Oriole heard, 
Questions he is asking of each little bird. 
Melodious, the solo which now arises, 
Tuneful with many and sudden surprises, 
‘Tis the Bobolink, that merry fellow 
With his black vest and coat trimmed with yellow. 
He flings his rich notes into the air, 
And warbles away with never a care. 
’Tis five o’clock! The sunrises! Hush! 
List to the wonderful song of the Thrush. 
High, clear, flutelike, smooth, descending, 
Pure, sweet and true to the very ending. 
Over and over, with varying trills, 
All through your soul and being thrills. 
At last ’tis silent! When there pours forth again 
Such a wonderful chorus as e’er heard by men, 
Each one singing his own refrain, 
Then all together and over again. 
Thus joyfully through the long summer moru 
In the air, the grand chorus of bird song is born. 


ELIZABETH S. HILL. 


293 


AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





CATBIRD. 


294 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


CATBIRD. 
A. O. U. No. 704 (Galeoscoptes carolinensis.) 
RANGE. : 

Eastern United States and southern Canada (in the interior); west 
to the Rocky Mountains. Winters from the Southern States to Pan- 
ama. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length, about 8 in.; extent, about 11 in.; tail, 3.5in. Adults and 
young: crown, black; under tail coverts, chestnut; rest of plumage, 
gray, lighter beneath, darker above and shading into nearly black on 
the tail; 

NEST AND EGGS. 





Catbirds nest in thickets, vines, bushes or low trees. It is rarely 
placed more than ten feet from the ground, and is much oftener found 
at less than six feet. The nests vary considerable in composition, but 
are commonly made of twigs, grass, leaves and rootlets or grapevine; 
it is nearly always lined with fine black roots. 


HABITS. 
The Catbird or ““Mockingbird of the North’’ is a common dweller in 





Photo by J. B. Pardoe. 


CATBIRD’S NEST. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 295 


open country either in the immediate vicinity of mankind or in local- 
ities which are seldom visited by human beings. They are one of the 
few birds which are seldom nicknamed, and which have few local 
names. The reason for this is that everyone, even if unacquainted 
with the species, will after hearing their song, ever after call them 
Catbirds. They have a certain call which they sometimes utter when 
angry or again may utter it right in the midst of their song; it does not 
take a very imaginative brain to liken this call to the mewing of a cat; 
hence, the name will always be associated with them. 





ON HER NEST. 


Although their dress is sombre and, gray they seem to be very proud 
and always wish to invite attention to themselves. Their manners are 
very impetuous and excitable; one instant they will be amiable, quietly 
hopping about the underbrush looking for their insect fare, the next 
they will be as angry as its possible for a bird to be, scolding and darting 
at you as though they would annihilate you, were it possible. Com- 
bined with their excitable nature, they have the most highly developed 
bump of curiosity of any birds that I knuw. Of course all birds are 


296 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 








FOUR CATBIRD’S EGGS AND OWNER..- 


curious to a certain extent, but Catbirds seem determined to find out 
what you are doing, and why you are doing it, and also what you are 
goiug to do next. They serve as the watchmen of the bird world and 
their note of alarm is one of the first to greet you when you visit a 
favorable locality. They are very pugnacious and fierce in the defense 
of their homes, and they appear also to have taken unto themselves the 
guardianship of the neighborhood for they are equally determined in 
the defense of the nests of other species. 

If you secret yourself in some thicket and while remaining quiet 
make some slight unusual noise, the chances are that a Catbird will be 
the first to put in an appearance to investigate. His contortions, both 
of actions and speech, are worth the trial to witness. Now standing 
on tiptoe, with his neck stretched to the uttermost, now squatted 
down, with his head down lower than his feet, he will regard you from 
all points of vantage. Should he chance to be in a pleasant frame of 
mind, he will greet you with a soft clucking “‘put, put,’’ followed by a 
purring ““‘meouw.’’ If you move or even remain quiet for a long time, 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 297 





Photo by R. H. Beebe. 


YOUNG CATBIRD. 


his anger will be aroused and a-series of cat-calls, stutterings and 
screeches will be hurled at you as rapidly as he can utter them. 

Their song is a remarkably sweet and varied one. It is an interpre- 
tation of the songs of all the feathered inhabitants of the neighborhood 
interspersed with various notes peculiar to the Catbird. At frequent 
intervals they will pause and utter their plaintive ‘‘meouw’’ and various 
cluckings and peepings suggestive of a hen with chickens. In fact this 
last mimicry is so natural that on several occasions when I did not 
know of the Catbird’s presence, I have been fooled into looking for the 
venturesome fowl which has strayed so far from home. 

While singing, their favorite perch is the extreme tip of some bush 
or the end of a branch on a tree, from which for minutes at a time 
pours forth a melody that for variety is not equalled in the bird world, 
in fact if it were not for their feline calls, they would have received the 
name of Mockingbird in preferrence to their more southerly relative 
who now bears the name. 

Their food consists entirely of insects from the opening of the sea- 
son until fruits begin to ripen when they like to feed on cherries, straw- 
berries, etc., to the disgust of the farmers who think only of the pres- 
ent evil, without regard to the former good that the birds have wrought 
them. 


2098 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





CATBIRD. 


What voice is this we hear so sweet, 
Broken, ’tis generally not half complete 
When a coarse, sudden ‘‘meou’”’ banishes doubt, 
For the Catbird sings sweetly, but never without 
Mixing in suddenly here and there, 
The cry of the cat in every air. 


ELIZABETH S. HILL 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 299 





CATLIRD ON NEST. 


THE CATBIRD'S SONG, 


The Catbird sings a crooked song, 
In minors that are flat, 
And, when he can’t control his voice 


He mews just like a cat, 
Then nods his head and whisks his tail 
And lets it go at that. 


OLIVER DAVIE. 


300 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


IS IT A WATER-THRUSH? 


One of the most interesting features in the study of bird life in a 


foreign land is the comparison of species with like species in the home- 


land. I have been much interested in following up the comparison of 
specie in this section of China with birds common to my home field of 
study in Tennessee, though I have found quite a number of birds 
which appear to be strangers to anything with which I am acquainted. 




















NESTING SITE. 
A Glimpse Of China. 


One of the most interesting specie with which 1 have met is what I 
should term a Water Thrush. The home of this bird is in the wild 
ravines of the mountain passes. The bird is somewhat the shape of 
the American Robin, but quite a little larger. The male is of a uni- 
form deep black with feathers tipped with blue giving the bird a de- 
cided blue tint. The female is about the same color with markings 
less distinct. 

I visited a wild ravine only a few minutes walk from my home where 
a clear little stream rushes down from the distant top of the mighty 


alata! 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 301 


mountain. This visit was paidin early April, and at that time I found 
a pair of these Thrushes (?) had chosen the ravine as a summer home. 
After a few minutes search among the rocks I found the great bulky 
nest of green moss and mud upon the bare face of an overhanging 
rock. The nest was wet with the spray from the ever roaring stream 
only a few feet below. ‘This nest has all the appearance of an abnor- 
mally large Phoebe’s nest except that the inner lining is of dried 
leaves and a few rootlets. The set of partly incubated eggs taken from 
this nest number four, and are of a white clay color with a purplish 
tint shading into a wreath around the larger end. The eggs are rather 
larger than those of a Brown Thrasher. 




















NEST IN SITUATION. 


The habits of this bird are peculiar to itself. JI have never seen the 
bird except in close proximity to some of the wilds of nature. The 
most common retreat is in some mountain gorge where a clear stream 


302 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


lashes itself into a spray over the cataracts and falls. Here the bird 
may be seen flying from rock to rock just above the spray of the cur- 
rent, and alighting upon some little pinacle, expanding its broad black 
tail as if delighting in its rich and glossy hues. These birds are quite 
solitary even during the breeding season. I have never seen them 
show the least fellowship with other birds, or even with those of their 
own kind. The note of the bird Che-e-e, uttered in a clear whistling 
tone. Other than this I have never heard a sound from the bird. 

In the accompanying pictures you will see the nest and home of the 
pair from which I secured a set of eggs. Upon first consideration you 
may lead to pronounce the bird an Ouzel, but I think there is hardly 
any resemblence between the two birds. This bird does not, so far as 
I have been able to detect, ever enter the water except, possibly, to run 
along on the shoals in search of insects and larva. 

I would be glad to have your ideas upon the subject, and any one 
addressing me at Foochow, China, will certainly receive an immediate 
reply to any matters of inquiry. Harry R. CALDWELL. 


MRS, CHICKADEE'S TRIALS, 


I have devoted much time to the study of birds this spring. A friend 
has accompanied me and we have enjoyed many delightful walks and 
seen many interesting sights. One day in the latter part of May, 
when we were walking along a woodsy road, we noticed the stump of 
a white birch which was about five feet above the ground and three 
inches in diameter. In the end was alittle excavation which we thought 
must be a chickadee’s nest; but there were no birds to be seen any- 
where around so we came to the conclusion that it had been abandoned. 
Several days later, while walking through the same road with a little 
boy, we called his attention to the cavity (supposing that the birds had 
left it) and as the little fellow leaned over to look he took hold of the 
stump which broke off in his hands. The look of astonishment on his 
face told that he had seen something unexpected. There sat little Mrs. 
Chickadee who looked at him a moment and then flew out and alighted 
upon atree near by. The little nest looked like a bit of felt lining the 
cavity, and in it were six little eggs. We placed the end of the stump 
in the soft ground while the dear little bird looked on saying “‘chick-a- 
dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee.’’? Then we left her and she went back to her 
eggs. Shortly after this we had a very severe storm. The wind blew 
a gale, trees lost their branches, many bird nests were blown away, and 
several baby birds found on the ground. We felt very anxious about 
Mrs. Chickadee, and as soon as possible went to see how she was 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 303 


getting along. The stump had been blown over, but the eggs were 
safe. We pressed it down into the mud so that it was once more up- 
right. Now we watched with renewed interest. Our patience was re- 
warded before long by finding that the little birds were hatched. 
Every day we went to visit our little family, and saw father and mother 
feeding the babies. They grew rapidly and we saw the little black 
heads thrust up reaching for the food, we thought they would soon be 
able to fly. One Sunday when we went to pay our daily visit, the old 
birds seemed to be unusually agitated; one of them flew in front of the 
nest and fluttered there without going in. We could not see the ba- 
bies as plainly as usual, the nest did not seem so full. We wondered 
if the older birds could be teaching them to fly. We'walked on and 
all the time that we were observing other things we heard the very 
loud call of the chickadees. On our way back we stopped opposite the 
nest, when, to our surprise and horror we saw coming out from the 
opening a little red squirrel who ran away as fast as possible upon see- 
ing us. We thought our baby chickadee had come to an untimely end. 
The poor little mother was fluttering about calling “‘chick-a-dee-dee’”’ 
in such a distressed tone, and a catbird, vireo, redstart and other chick- 
adees had come to help her sound the alarm. We felt so sorry for her, 
after all her trials and tribulations to lose her babies in this way, but 
much to our delight we found next day that three of the babies were 
safe, and now they have flown away and we can no longer make our 
daily calls, as the little house is empty. 
. MARGARETTE H. PRICE. 





LOON. 


304 AMERICAN ORNITITOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 20. 
FLYCATCHERS. 


No. 441.1: Rose-throated Becard, (Plaiyp- 
saris alaiae). 


Eastern Mexico; casually north to the Rio Grande 
valley in Texas. Length, 8 in. Upper parts dark 
gray shading to blackish on the wings and tail. 
Forehead and under parts whitish, washed with gray 
on the flanks. Crest black. Bill stouter than the 
typical flycatchers. 


No. 446. Couch Kingbird, (Tyrannus mel- 
ancholicus couchit). 


The whole of: Mexico north to the southern bound- 

~ ary of the United States. Length about 9 in. Upper 

parts grayish shading to blackish on the wings, tail 

and ear coverts. Chin and throat white; breast 

gray; rest of under parts bright yellowish. A_ partly 
concealed orange and yellow patch on the crown. 


No. 447. Arkansas Kingbird, (Tyrannus 

verticalis) . 

Western United States from the Mississippi to the 
Pacific. South through Mexico. Length the same 
as above. The coloration is very similar. The gray 
of the breast extends up on the throat leaving only 
the chin white. - The -yellow underparts are much 
paler. 





448 






No. 448. Cassin Kingbird, (Tyrannus vo- 
ciferans). 

Through Mexico and north through western 
United States to Wyoming. Size same as the fore- 
) going. Coloration similar to the last, with the ex- 
4 ception that the grav on the breast and throat is de- 
cidedly darker and the yellow still paler. 


y, yag No. 449. Flycatcher, (Pitangus derbianus). 


Throughout Central America and Mexico, north 
to the southern boundary of the United States in 
Texas. Length, 10.5 in. Upper parts olive brown- 
ish; wings and tail decidely chestnut color. Fore- 
head, edges of crown, chin, throat, and upper breast 
white, shading grad ally into the yellow of the un- 
der parts. Crown black, enclosing a yellow area. - 
Sides of head black. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


WOODPECKERS. 


No. 406. Red-headed Woodpecker (Melan- 
erpes erythrocepbalus). 

Ceatral portions of the United States and southern 
Canada; rare east of the Hudson River and west of 
the Rocky Mts. Length 9 in. Back, wings, and 
tail glossy blue-black; secondaries, upper tail coverts 
and under parts below the breast, white. Whole 
head, neck, chin, throat and upper breast crimson, 
sometimes bordered with black where it meets the 
white of the under parts. Outer tail feathers often 
tipped with white. Young. Red of the adults re- 
placed with gray, streaked with blackish. Under 
parts dusky white or grayish. Feathers of the back 
edged with gray. 

No. 407. Ant-eating Woodpecker, (Melan- 
erpes formictvorus). 

From Mexico north through western Texas, New 
Mexico and Arizona. Lengthoin. Area about eye, 
around bill, back, wings, tail and breast, black; face, 
base of primaries, upper tail coverts and underparts, 
white. 


4o07a. California Woodpecker, (M. f. bairdt). 
Pacific coast from Oregon southwards. 
4o7b ~=Narrow-fronted Woodpecker, (M. f. 
augustifrons) . 
Lower California. , 
No. 409. Red-bellied Woodpecker, (Melan- 
erpes carolinus). 
The United States east of the Rockies and south 


of New England. Length, 9.5 in. Whole crown | 
and nape red. Back and tail black barred with white. — 


Rump white and underparts grayish white. The fe- 
male has the nape only red, the crown being grayish 
brown. 


No. 410. Golden-fronted Woodpecker, (Me- 
lanerpes aurifrons). 


Northern Mexico and southern Texas. Similar to 
the last except that the nasal tufts are yellow, the 
nape orange, and a small patch in center of the crown 
red. The female lacks the patch in the center of the 
crown. 


Nom 41.) Gila Woodpecker, (Melanerpes 
uropygialis). 
Southern Arizona and Calif. The same as the 
last without the yellow nape and nasal tufts, the 


center of the crown only, having a crimson patch. 
Female without color on the crown. 





405 


306 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BROWNIE, 
The Story of a Feathered Pet. 


BY LEANDER S. KEYSER. 


T was natural to call him Brownie; first, because 
he was of a tawny color; second, because the 
name of his species is Brown Thrasher; not in any 
wise because he was as trig and handsome as we 
suppose the brownies of the story books to be. 
A young thrasher is not an Apollo—far from it. 
At first he felt distrustful, nestling shyly down in 
his little berry box, which was lined with soft 
grass, and blinking at his queer captors, who 
looked so different from the papa and mamma 
thrashers which had hitherto been his purveyors. 

If I remember correctly, he would eat nothing 
the first evening. He even refused food the next 
morning, although he must have been very hungry after his long fast. 
To induce him to eat I had recourse to a little finesse, for you know, 
all‘is fair in love, war and natural history. I drew a cover over him, 
the woolen rag under which he had slept, then left him for a while. 
Presently I quietly approached him, holding a pellet of food between 
thumb and finger, and carefully pulled back the cloth so as to expose 
his beak, but without uncovering his eyes. At the same time I made 
a slight, scratching noise, somewhat in imitation of the sound made 
by the approach of the parent birds. The ruse was successful. Open 
flew the capacious mouth, and down went the food into the cavernous 
throat. Another morsel was ready for him in a moment, and was pre- 
sented to him, with the cover drawn back from his gleaming eyes. He 
hesitated for a fraction of a second, then gulped down the proffered 
soodie. 

That was the beginning of our friendship—Brownie’s and mine. 
Do you want to reach a young bird’s heart? Then travel vza of his 
maw. My little pensioner’s alert brain discovered at once that I would 
minister to his gastronomical needs, though of course he did not put it 
in quite that way, and thenceforth there was no trouble in feeding him, 
except to keep his voracious demands supplied. He wanted his meals 
quite often, and wanted a good deal at a time, and yet he has no gour- 
mand; for when he had enough, and he knew well wen he had enough, 
it was no use to offer him more. The utter nonchalance he showed 
when food was presented to him after his maw was filled, was really 
comical. He couldn’t say ‘“‘No!’’ in words, but he could flick his bill 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 307 


to one side, and blink his wise little eyes, saying as plainly as could be, 
“No more at present, thanks!”’ 


Although Brownie 
had never been outside 
of his nest,ina day or two 
he conceived a violent 
prejudice against re- 
maining in the soft crib 
which had been improv- 
ised for him. He 
wanted to get out ona 

' perch. So he lifted 
himself on his unsteady 
—— legs, flapped his wings 
a few times, Auterad ¢ over the rim of the box, and went hopping awk- 
wardly about on the floor of the cage, sometimes jamming up against 
the wires. Presently he espied a low perch. He took aim for it, pro- 
jected himself toward it by the use of his springy legs, and struck it 
with his mottled breast. A scramble followed, bringing his wings 
into use, and at length he succeeded in grasping the rod with his claws, 
drew himself upon it, and sat there as contentedly as if all his life had 
been spent in such a position. : 

It is interesting to study birds at close range in this way, to make 
special note of the strength of their natural instincts. Each bird, even 
if taken from the nest at a very tender age, will follow most of the 
peculiar habits of its kind, learning things gradually but surely. Who 
taught Brownie how to use a perch, or that a perch was meant to be 
used at all? Heredity must have been his only tutor, something in 
his very organism that demanded that kind of a resting place. 

Erelong he learned to hop from one perch to another, for his first 
cage was a small one; but his early attempts were tentative, and not 
always successful, and he had more than one awkward scramble and 
fall. Sometimes he would strike the floor with enough force, appar- 
ently, to knock the breath out of his body, but, after looking around a 
few moments in innocent surprise, he would try again. His instincts 
impelled him to perch and flit about, but he had to gain expertness by 
practice. 

In a few days he was transferred to a large cage, which was set out 
on the rear porch. Placed on the sanded floor, he hopped a while, as 
if enjoying his larger freedom. Then he began to look up fora perch. 
Presently he espied one that was quite low, and sprang upon it. But 
his eye straightway espied another a little higher, and he leaped up to that. 





308 _ AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


However, he was not yet satisfied, for he saw still higher perches, and 
so he bent his legs and went through the motions of springing, but 
the distance was so great that he feared to make the adventure. See- 
ing he was dissatisfied, I lifted him to the highest perch in the cage, 
about four feet from the floor, where he sat and preened his feathers in 
perfect contentment. Young perching birds will usually seek the high- 
est perch in the cage. 

It was wonderful how rapidly my tawny pet grew. Huis progress 
could be noted almost from day to day. Inavery few days more he 
was able to fly all about his large cage, and flit up and down the stair- 
case of rods at will. In acquiring the fine art of eating after the man- 
ner of the adult bird, he seemed to make the slowest advancement. I 
suppose it was fully five or six weeks before he wholly ceased to take 
his food by opening his mouth for it and receiving it from the hand. 
Still, by degrees he learned to pick up his food, and the more he pick- 
ed up of his own accord, the less feeding by hand was required, until 
by and by he refused entirely to take his meals in the juvenile way. 

His chief difficulty seemed to be to work the tidbits back into his 
throat, so as to be able to swallow them. Again and again he would 
pick up a morsel, and try to swallow it, but would inadvertently flip it 
away to another part of the cage, or perhaps out upon the porch floor. 
It always requires a labored effort for young cage birds to learn to eat 
by picking, but the art is always mastered sooner or later. Brownie 
first learned to swallow flies, which I caught for him and of which he 
was very fond. 

Every bird student is aware that the thrashers in the wild state are 
often seen digging on the ground in the woods, usually beneath the 
bushes, scattering the leaves and soil with their beaks. My pet soon 
exhibited this thrasher proclivity by digging in the earth and sand on 
the floor of his cage. How he loved to scatter it all about, and also to 
pull up the paper on which it was spread and tear it to shreds! When 
ever he could get hold of a corner or an edge of the paper, he would 
pull it up to see what might be concealed underneath. 

I have said that the first thing he learned to eat according to the 
adult fashion was a fly. That is true as far as real food is concerned; 
but in reality the first objects he picked up and swallowed of his own 
accord were tiny clods and pebbles. All my young birds seemed to be 
aware that something hard and gritty was necessary for digestion, for 
long before they made any attempt to pick up their soft food, they 
would greedily pick up bits of earth and gravel and swallow them with 
apparent relish. It was surprising to note the size of some of the 
pieces they swallowed. Sometimes, after refusing other kinds of food, 


AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 309 


they would fly to the bottom of the cage and take ina relay of gravel. 

Long before Brownie had learned to help himself to his food he dis- 
played a benevolent spirit that caused me no little surprise. A pair of 
young Orchard Orioles, just taken from the nest, were put into the cage 
with him. They were sweet little birds, of almost a golden yellow, 
and deserve a monograph all to themselves. A little comedy was enact- 
ed when Brownie and the Orioles were introduced. Coming face to 
face with one of them, Brownie looked narrowly at his chirping neigh- 
bor a moment, then squatted upon his haunches and opened his mouth 
as widely as he could, expecting the little thing to feedhim. Ofcourse 
the Oriole also opened zs mouth, and there the two feathered babies 
sat, gaping at each other, the one looking like a giant compared with 
the other. This little farce was played again and again, to the infinite 
delight of the human spectators. 

The Orioles were almost incessantly 
chirping for food, as is the habit of 
young birds of this species in the wild 
state. After a few days, Brownie must 
have made up his mind that his little 
comrades were suffering from hunger, 
and for this reason he exhibited the 
benevolent or paternal disposition to 
which I have referred. One day I gave 
_himafly. Instead of swallowing it, he 
chirped and twittered in a sweet, coax- 
ing way, and leaped up to the perch 
beside one of the orioles, which turned to him with open mandibles. 
Then what did Brownie do but try to put the fly into the Oriole’s mouth? 
He did not succeed that time, for he had not yet learned to manipulate 
the fly with sufficient skill, but it was evident that his intentions were 
sincere. Instead of getting the fly into his little charge’s throat, he 
could not loosen it from his own bill, and so, the first thing he and I 
knew, he had swallowed it himself. However, he soon learned by 
practice and experiment to hold a fly in the end of his bill, and thrust it 
down into the Oriole’s throat. Sometimes, oddly enough, after he had > 
pushed the fly down into the throat of one of his little friends, he would 
try to recover it, as if he regretted his generosity and wished he had 
eaten it himself. 

But Brownie was not all suavity. A young Blue Jay was added to 
my little aviary. After he had learned to eat from my hand and had 
mastered the art of perching, he was put into the large cage with the 
other birds. This was too much for Brownie’s equanimity. He re- 





310 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


sented the stranger’s intrusion. He dashed at the Jay, and struck him 
savagely with his long, lancelike beak, and drove the squawking young- 
ster all over the cage floor. Several attempts were made to induce the 
thrasher to receive the new guest with hospitality, but he simply would 
not submit to the Jay’s company, and that was the end of all argument; 
and so Brownie was given another large cage all to himself, for I fear- 
ed he was beginning to abuse the Orioles, and here he was very happy 
for a while. 

He was beginning to twitter an elaborate little song with his mandi- 
bles closed. Nor did he neglect his calisthenics, for at frequent in- 
tervals he would take a vigorous turn in his cage, performing feats 
that excited our wonder. Sometimes he was taken out of his cage for 
a little while to make a meal on ants, of which he was especially fond. 

My young birds always grew nervous as night approached, seem- 
ing to realize that a time of peril was coming, atime when they would 
be helpless in the power of an enemy. Back and forth they would flit, 
calling in a distressing way, until darkness had come, when they would 
settle quietly on the highest perches. It became necessary at night to 
cover the cages with carpet as they were too large to be moved into 
the house. Because I neglected to do this one night my pretty oriole’s 
were destroyed by a cat. At first as I moved the cages about and 
covered them, the Thrasher and Jay became greatly agitated, but in a 
short time they knew what it meant, and would settle contentedly on 
their perches as soon as I began to arrange their bed chamber for the 
night. It really seemed as if they were safe from prowlers when thus. 
protected. 

Brownies discontent'began when I put a young Robin into his cage. 
The Robin was about as old as himself, and had an independent and 
somewhat irritable disposition, and so when Brownie approached him , 
he, (the Robin) who now found his freedom greatly curtailed; for 
whenever he flew near the red-breast, that bird would snap viciously at 
him. I could see that Brownie was not happy and he seemed to look 
reproachfully at me, as if he thought I had done him a great injustice 
to obtrude that unwelcome robin upon him. When the cage door was 
opened he would try to escape. Several times he succeeded, and once 
he remained out in the trees so long that he was almost famished, and 
was glad to come back to his cage where his wants were all supplied. . 

But in a week he had forgotten his experience out-of-doors, and the 
spirit of discontent seized him again; so he slipped past me one day 
when I opened the door, and escaped to the tall trees of the yard. 
Supposing he would soon return I did not pay much attention to him. 
The day passed and when night came I could not find him. I felt very 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 311 


uneasy about himon account of the presence of cats and Screech Owls in 
the neighborhood. The next morning he was nowhere to be found, 
_andas he did not appear during the day, I concluded that his outdoor 
adventure had cost him his life. 

Two or three 'weeks passed and Brownie was beginning to be a 
memory, when, one day an acquaintance living fully a block away 
invited me to visit him and see his pet bird, and tell him what its 
species was. From his description of the bird and his manner of se- 
curing him, I knew that his pet was Brownie. I went to call on him 
and from a mark on the bird’s lower mandible made sure of his iden- 
tity. The following is the story my neighbor told me. 

One day he was sitting in his rear yard beneath a tree, when a brown 
bird, with feathers sadly bedraggled, flew down upon his shoulder, 
chirping and coaxing and fluttering in a pitiful way. The man rose 
and frightened the bird away, but the little wanderer saw an apple in 
the man’s hand and dashed down on the hand and began to peck greed- 
ily at the apple. It was obvious that the poor bird was almost starved. 
The gentleman and his family gave their little visitor food and drink, 
of which he partook heartily, and then they placed a cage, with the 
door open on the porch. The bird soon entered the cage, where he 
seemed to feel that he had at last reached a place of safety. His 
plumes were crumpled, his tail was almost gone, and there was a raw 
place on his forehead, proving that he had passed through some dan- 
gers during the few days that he had spent out-of-doors. If he could 
recite the story of his adventures, it might prove an exciting tale. 

For many months he remained in my neighbor’s possession, a beau- 
tiful and cherished pet. It was not long before his feathers had grown 
again and I have never seen a Brown Thrasher clad in so rich a garb, 
almost as soft and smooth as velvet, its rich brown iridescent, while 
the groundwork of his vest was a sheeny cream color, picturesquely 
mottled and striped with brown. His golden eye was as bright and 
intelligent as the eye of a person. 

He made rapid progress in his music lessons, and erelong the house 
was ringing with his dithyrambs, the quality and form of his songs 
being like those of the thrashers in their native wildwood. If given a 
hard piece of toast or a cracker, he would first soak it in his water cup, 
then eat it. By way of dessert he relished a fly or a spider, or an ant, 
while his staple diet was prepared mocking-bird food, varied with a 
good deal of fruit. 

No bird pet was ever more devotedly loved or better cared for, and 
he seemed to reciprocate the affection lavished upon him. I am sorry 
to be compelled to say that his end was tragical. In attempting to 


212 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 
swallow a long piece of cord string it got wrapped around the root of 
his tongue, so that he could not release himself from it. When his 
agitated mistress tried to come to his relief, he gave the string a sharp 
jerk that pulled his tongue out of root—an injury that he did not long 
survive. His guardians were stricken with a grief that they could not 
describe without tears, and they mourned the loss of their pet as if he 
had been a human member of the household. 








Photo by E. E. Johnson. 
GREEN HERON. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 313 


ANSWERS TO QUERIES. 


F. A. Currier, Mass.—Can you please name the following birds for 
me? No.1. Small yellow bird about the size of an Am. Goldfinch, 
with black spots on each side of the head; found in a swampy place. 
(Maryland Yellowthroat.) No. 2. About the size of a Chippy Spar- 
row, yellowish head, greenish back and tail; below, clear yellow with 
short black stripes on side of throat and breast. Found on high land 
in low trees. (Prairie Warbler). 


Geo. W. Fiske, Jr., Me.—Any paper except blue print is satisfactory. 
Solo, Aristo, Velox, or Vinco are perfectly adapted for reproduction. 
Prints may be either mounted or not. Solio toned in plain hypo 
makes a very good print and if thoroughly washed is absolutely per- 
manent. 


Mrs. J. G. Hutchinson, lowa.—The bird you describe is the Orchard 
Oriole in the second year when it has the black face and throat. At 
this period they have the song perfectly developed and it cannot be 
told from that of the adult. 


G. J. Giles, Texas.—A few days ago I saw a Phoebe guarding a part 
of our yard. It flew at every chicken which passed the spot, and snap- 
ped it’s bill to drive them away. I looked there and found a young 
Phoebe in the grass. I did not know before that a Phoebe would snap 
it’s bill. Can you tell me what kind of a Phoebe is found in east 
central Texas ? (Snapping the beak is a common trait in all the fly- 
catchers.) Say’s Phoebe and the Black Phoebe are both found in 
your locality, also the common Phoebe of the East during the winter. 
Without a description it would not be possible to say which bird you 
saw. 


Edwin Troup, Ontario.—I had a rather unique experience yesterday, 
(Aug. 3). It was a purely albino Barn Swallow and evidently a bird 
of the year as it had down around it’s eyes. It had probably been 
hatched in our own barn as a good many hatch there every year. It 
was entirely milky white except the shoulders which were pink. It 
was flying about a field near the shore of Lake Ontario nearly all day. 
Occasionally it rested on a wire fence near the house where it was 
watched by several persons with field glasses. I have never heard of 
an albino Swallow before and perhaps other reader may observe this 
one onits way south. (A number of albino Barn Swallows are in dif- 
ferent collection and albinism probably occurs oftener in this species 
than among any of the other Swallows. 


314 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


B CHAT §S wits 
R YOU Ke 


RIENDS 


Address communications for this department to 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 





DEAR Younc Forks: . 

On one of our “Birding” trips a small boy remarked, “‘I think this is 
as much fun as playing.’’ ‘I judge by your letters that many of you 
spend much time in becoming good friends with the tree-top inhabi- 
tants. Do you think it is as much fun as playing? In one of my 
recent rambles a Catbird came from a thicket and scolded me loudly 
and long. Perhaps I passed too near the nestful of maltese catbirds. 
He made a great ado, seeming to think he was the sole owner of the 
jungie and screamed “‘no trespassing allowed here?’”’ However, I was 
not sorry that he came out and spoke to me, for otherwise I might not 
have seen his curious plumage. The middle feather of his tail was 
pure white, which showed very clearly against his trim feathers~ of 
gray. 

I think most of our young folks like “‘pi,’’ so we offer you some this 
month. Do not hesitate to send in your answers if you cannot solve 
every puzzle. I would like to have you write also, what you like best 
in our department, and the kind of puzzles which please you the most. 
Keep your eyes open during September for the migrants who may call 
on you—dressed in their winter garb—on their way to sunny climes, 


hundreds of miles distant. 
Cordially, Your Friend, 
Mrc MERRYTHOUGHT. 





ROLL OF HONOR, 
Roy B. Noble, Cromwell, Conn.; Louise Jordan, Defiance, Ohio; Ev- 
erett P. Walton, New Vineyard, Maine; William Schneider, LaCrosse, 
Wis.; Stafford Allen Francis, Exeter, N. H. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 315 


ANWERS TO AUGUST PUZZLES, 


ENIGMA NO. 1. 
Devil Downhead. 


ENIGMA NO. 


KS) 


Catbird. 





ENIGMA NO. 3. 
Cardinal Grosbeak. 


ENIGMA NO. 4. 
Swallow. 


QUERIES. 
1. The Grackle. 
2. Bob White. 
3. His feathers. 





EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


I want to tell the young readers to look out when looking in any kind 
of anest. I made a bird house once and after several birds had been 
taking possession of it, I thought I would let some good bird have it. 
So I cleaned it out and it was taken right away by the Wrens, and after 
a while the English Sparrows took it. I went one day up to my bird 
house and thought I would see how many eggs there were in the nest. 
I put my hand in the nest, and I jerked it out pretty sudden, for I felt 
as if a needle was being put through my fingers. AsI jerked it outa 
bumble bee followed, so I got away for a few minutes and then de- 
stroyed the bumble bees and the nest. 

Another time when I was out in the woods I saw a large nest like a 
crow’s. I climbed up to it and as I got to the nest a snake jumped 
out, so you see it is hard to tell whether it is dangerous or not. I 
hereafter inspect the nest before I use my hands in it. I wish the 
AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY good success. 

FRANK F. FRANCE, 
Platteville, Wis. 


I thought some members of our “bird corner’? would like to hear 
about my adventures at Roslyn, L. I. 

My brother had heard from Mr. Chapman that there was a very fam- 
ous heronry there, so we thought we would like to go and visit it. 
We started out one morning with all our photographing apparatus, 
camera, tripod, tubing, etc. When we got there we found a pretty 


316 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


decent place or rather house to stay in over night. We started out the 
day we arrived to the heronry and found it simply full of Black Crown- 
ed Night Herons and nests. ; 

We found a nest that was sixty feet from the ground and my brother 
climbed up and photographed the eggs which were in the nest. It 
took him a long time as the nest was in such a bad place. At last we 
rigged up a fake camera and left it by the nest, hoping to get a picture 
of the mother bird sitting on her eggs, which no one has been able to 
accomplish. We went home that night leaving the fake by the nest. 

Next morning we got some crackers and chocolate for our lunch and 
started out for the heronry again. My brother climbed up again and 
put the real camera in the place of the fake one. He tied a long black 
thread to the shutter and let it down to me. He then came down him- 
self. He hid me where the birds could not see me from the nest. He 
said that he would go a long way off and give a low whistle when the 
bird was on the nest, so that I would pull the string. 

Now there happened to be another nest right next to this one. We 
focused on one of the nests, but neither bird came. My brother said, 
“‘let’s focus on the other.’’ So up he went for the third time and fo- 
cused on nest number two. Then, of course, the bird came on nest 
number one. For the fourth time he went up and focused on that nest, 
but neither bird came. 

It was now growing dark and we could not see to take any more 
photographs, so we went home that night and tried to be satisfied with 
the luck we had had in taking the eggs which came out very well. 

CLARENCE C. AssortT (age 10), 
New York, N. Y. 


There is a small pond not far from my house and as I was walking 
around it the other day I came suddenly upon a Black Duck swimming 
in asmallinlet. I stood perfectly still and the duck after looking at 
me a minute, slowly sank from sight, keeping the same position that 
he was swimming in. (head erect). 

I watched closely to see where he would come up. After a while I 
saw a faint ripple about eighty yards away and a small black head 
came up about an inch out of the water and in a second was gone. 
Pretty soon it came up again about eighty yards from where it first 
appeared. It then sank as before. He did this three times in all and 
then came up for good. If I hadn’t seen the duck’s head as it rose, I 
should probably have thought the ripples were made by a fish rising to 
the surface. STAFFORD A. FRANCIS, 

Exeter, N. H. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 317 


PI. 


The 7Zalagalet or Brush Turkey lives in Australia. It is of black- 
ish brown color and is almost as large as our domestic ketruy. 

The TZalaglet are usually found in small sclofk, and make their 
stens together, heaping up with their feet immense mounds of veath and 
decayed vea/es, which are used year after year. Each egg is separately 
drieub and thached by the thea of the zus, and the fermenting 
treah. 'They are partially uncovered by the parent birds during the 
day. Nearly a szel/bu of eggs are sometimes found in one heap. 





WHAT IS MY NAME? 


I am a bird about as long as a Bobolink with olive-green plumage 
and brown wings, and two very long feathers in the center of my tail. 
My home is among the gardens and jungles in China and India. I make 
a safe, cosy cradle for my babies by sewing other leaves to a green 
leaf hanging down from a tree, using my bill for a needle, and wool or 
vegetable fibres, or siik from cocoons for my thread. This cup I line 
with soft plant down and grass. Here no snake or monkey can dis- 
turb my little ones in their swinging home. 


CHARACTERISTIC INITIALS, 

What birds are these whose initials appear in capitals below, and 
whose songs, colors, or habits are thus described ? 

1. Builds Eyrie. 
Prettily Flushed, 
Intrepid Beauty. 
Fearless Character. 
Sorrowful Outcry. 
Cherries Wanted. 
Ever Surplanting. 


SS 


HIDDEN BIRDS. 

In each of the following sentences, if you look carefully, you will! 
find the names of some well known birds. 
1. Why Rob, I never thought it was you. 
2. ‘‘Mamma,”’ said little Willie, ““Bob W. hit Esther on her head.’” 
3. Grace is below Lillian in the spelling class. 
4. The widow rented the white house on the farm. 
MARIETTA WASHBURN, 
Goodwin, S. D. 


318 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ENIGMA. 
I am composed of 23 letters. 
My 7-21-12-9-5-17-22-18 is a small but lively bird. 
You should 1-2-11-8-10 the birds when they come back in the spring. 
My 13-14-15 is a household pest. 
If you are 3-4-5 well when you are young you will never 7-11-1-2-21- 
18 it 

My 16-20-11-9-9 is a fine game. 
‘6-20-8-4-10 yourself rather than your friend. 
Don’t 19-22-15 about trifles. 
My whole is a bird which builds a queer nest. 

STAFFORD A. FRANCIS, 

Exeter, N. H. 





GLEANINGS, 


“The sobered Robin, hunger-silent now, seeks cedar-berries blue, 
his autumn cheer.’’ 


A singular accident is reported from Utica, N. Y. A few days agoa 
large Blue Heron alighted on a wire carrying power from the Newton 
Falls station to one of the local sub-stations of the Utica and Mohawk 
Valley R. R. Co., and shortly thereafter the bird’s bill came in contact 
with another wire. Immediately the current was cross-circuited, the 
fuses at the sub-power station burned out, the wires broke, the power 
stopped and the 22,000 volts that the wires carried wrought havoc with 
the bird. Scores of trolley cars on the city and surburban line were 
stalled and for five hours, or until the cause of the mischief was dis- 
covered and the damage repaired, all electric traffic in the Mohawk 
Valley was suspended. (CHRISTIAN HERALD.) 















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free. Address, DR. W. E. ROTZELL, 
Narberth, Pa. 








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 most popular book on 
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States. 


The book has hitherto been made only in two 
volumes, and the price has been $7.50 net. In 
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The illustrations of the birds faithfully rend- 
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CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 








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Methods in the Art of Taxidermy 


By Oliver Davie, Author of ‘"Nests and 
Eggs of North American  Birds’”’ 


90 FULL: PAGE ENGRAVINGS. 








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Chas. K.Reed, Worcester, Mass 
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1 Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. J 
2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) 27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. 

3 Woodcock on Nest. 28 Nest and Ezgs of Bob White. 
4 4 Nestand Eggs of Woodcock 29 American Robin on Nest. - 
i 5 Three Young Woodcock. 30 American Robin Feeding Young. 
> 6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 31 Five Young Chickadees. 

7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. 

8 House Wren (male). 33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree. 

9 House Wren (female). 34 Brown Thrasher. 

to Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 35 Brown Thrasher on Nest. 

ir Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 36 Wood Thrush on Nest. 

12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. 37 Young Wood Thrush. 

r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 38 Pigeon Hawk. 

14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 

15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 40 Barred Owl. 
| 16 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest 41 Screech Owl. 
~ 17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 42 Four Young Screech Owls. 

18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 43 eens, Blue Jays. 
> 19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 44 Blue Jays in Nests. 

zo Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 45 Blue Jay Feeding Young 
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6 23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 48 Hairy Woodpecker. 

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> 25 Young Field Sparrow. 50 Four Young Crows. 
© ADDRESS 
» CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 
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SPECIAL PREMIUM: —For twelye new subscrib- 
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will send this collection prepaid by express or freight. 


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$4.20 FOR $2.00 


Another Combination Offer that Means Something. 


BIRDS AND NATURE one year....... .. 
* Ten Back Numbers BIRDS AND NATURE..... 1.50 
60 Colored Pictures BIRDS AND NATURE 


Tho total amount of value. ........ 


BIRDS AND NATURE, Monthly; 48 pages, 8x10 inches; per year, $1.50. 
nature, and illustrated by colored photography. 
publishes pictures of birds, animals, insects, flowers, plants, etc., 


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ALL FOR 


A magazine devoted to 
It is the only periodical in the world that 
in natural colors. Eight 


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favor. 


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It has other attractions in addition to its” beauty, and must win its way to popular 
I wish the handsome little magazine abundant prosperity.” 


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may meet with the success it so well de serves,—F’.. 


_and I trust that your efforts to popularize the study 


of ornithology, 


M. Chapman, Associate Hditor “The Awk”’ 


* A bound yolume of Birds and Nature may be substituted for ten back numbers. 


A sample of this magazine and of the Child Game for a dime and two pennies—I!2 cents in stamps. 
Send for Catalogue. 


A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, 


203 Michigan Ave., Chicago. 








Tip Top” 


that Daus’ 

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Studer’s Popular Ornithology 


The Birds of North America 


OVER EIGHT HUNDRED BIRDS FINELY COLORED 


The original drawings for the work were made from nature by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an artist of 
superior capabilities, who has made ornithology a life-study. Revised by John Graham Bell, Esq., Audubon’s 
companion in the field, and a well-known ornithologist and taxidermist. The systematic table, arranged ac- 
cording to the classification adopted by the American Ornithologist’s Union, was prepared by Frank M. Chap- 
man, Esq., Assistant Ornithologist at The American Museum of Natural History, New York, includes all the 
additions to and corrections of our North American species which have been made to date, with an index to 
page, plate and figure of each species, according to the A. O. U. number. ; 

There is no more attractive stujy than ornitholgy, the department of zoology which treats of structure, 
habits, and classification of birds. The graceful forms, movements and habits of the feathered tribes have been 
celebrated in all ages by poets andartists, and have furnished the instructors of mankind with lessons of wis- 
don. But this admiration is not confined to the poet, the artist or the sage; It is universal. Wherever human 
beings are found, the forms, the plumage, the songs, the migrations, the lovers and contests of birds awaken 
curiosity and wonder. No similar work containing so many beautiful and faithful pictures of living birds, and 
so much descriptive information, is now extant, or has ever been published, in this or any other country. 


This Elegant Book was published to sell for $40.00. We have a few copies which 
we offer at $18.00, express paid. 


Do a little canvassing among your friends who are interested in birds. You can easily 
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FIVE DOLLARS 


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The BEST for Bird Study and 
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be carried suspended from the shoulder. 





ges-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? 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 













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Vol. 3. No. 10. OCTOBER, 1903. {0c a copy, $1 a year, 


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Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan. 16, 1901 





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REV. H. C. MUNSON, Buckfield, Me. 
Published by the 
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SUBSCRIPTION PRICE 
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RIESE SESS SR SESE SE SE SRE 
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4 

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AUTUMN, 
EpWARD BAMFORD HEATON. 


There is a cadence in the whispering woods, 
> Tintings innumerable midst fading green; 
As if sweet Nature nourished many moods, 
Glad on the hills, pensive in vales between. 
Sooth, loth is she to change the summer sheen 
For all the dyes which Autumn’s fingers lay 
On wood and prairie, deep’ning with each day. 
Softly Zephyrus waves the aster’s crown, 
The fringed Gentian drops her cup of blue; 
Aloft floats lazily the milkweed’s down, 
Floats on and on, we wonder as we view, 
And long with it to float to landscapes new 
Where hills in mist and languorous valleys lie 
Mysterious, past the curtains of the sky. 


The grove is silent, save for garrulous jay, 
Or the hoarse croak of slowly flapping crow, 
Or merry chatter where the chipmunks play, 
And on the prostrate log chase to and fro. 
No more the forest aisles a song shall know, 
Until that morn, when from his hills divine, 
Clad with fresh beams, Spring’s mounting sun shall shine. 


The year is halting; See! his face is old! 
Scant grow the leafy honors of his head; 
Gone is that jocund look, that frontage bold, 
Which Spring and Summer on his features shed; 
For he on nectar and ambrosia fed— 
Nourished by bees and steeped in honey dew 
He wotted not of Time, how swift he flew. 


Within the copsed-fringed openings of the wood 
The wind the brown nuts strew along the ground; 

Glad youths with laughter rouse the solitude, 
And fill the welkin with a merry sound. 

In Autumn’s hands the season’s wealth is found, 
Huge pippins and the russet’s golden glow 

And all the sweetness which the months bestow. 


The breaths of night have bleached the maize-filled plain, 
Ricks, clover-scented, shapely, fill the scene; 
The threshing floors are full of golden grain 
From the deep bays the mighty beams between; 
Gathered where turtle-doves the stubble glean, 
Where whistling quails salute the hazy noon, 
And soft-winged owlets sport beneath the moon. 


Yet oft there comes from the inclement north 
Breathings which startle, thoughts that fill the eyes 
With apprehension, for there stalketh forth 
Snow landscapes, sheeted hills, and drifting skies, 
And mountains bound, and forests in disguise, 
And cattle shivering in wintry shed, 
And the whole world lying stalk and dead. 


320 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ARCTIC TERN. 
Ne. 71. (Sterna paradisaea.) 


RANGE. 

Generally distributed thioughout the Northern Hemisphere; breeds 
in North America from the New England States northwards and win- 
ters towards the southern parts of the United States. 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length from 14 to 18 inches according to the length of the tail; 
extent about 39 in.; tail from 7 to 8in. Adult in summer:—Bill slender 
and acute,and of a deep red color, usually without any black on the tip. 
Feet unusually small and weak and of a slightly paler shade than the 
bill. Upper parts pearly blue fading into white on the tips of the 
secondaries and on the tail. Under parts a little paler than the upper. 
A broad black cap extending from the bill to the nape and including 
the eyes. In winter the difference is chiefly in the black cap. The 
forehead is then white as is the greater part of the crown, shading 
by lines into the black crescent that is around the nape. ‘Young sim- 
ilar to the winter adult except that the back is somewhat mottled with 
dusky. 





NEST AND EGGS. 


Breeds abundantly on both the coast and interior from New England 
northwards including Alaska. They breed in colonies generally on a 
small island. Their nests are placed anywhere above high water, 
either on the sand or in the short marsh grass. A slight hollow lined 
with a few grasses is the limit of their ambition in the nest building 
line. They generally lay three eggs, and rarely four and probably 
five. The ground color. of these varies from a blue green to an olive 
buff and they are specked and blotched with various shades of brown 
and lilac. In size, color and markings they are indistinguishable from 
those of the Common or the Roseate Terns. The Common and Arctic 
Terns are frequently found nesting on the same islands. : 

HABITS. 

This “Sea Swallow” is a more northerly distributed bird than the 

Common Tern, although in some of the more southerly breeding 








AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 

















ARCTIC TERNS. — 


Wo 


322 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


places, the latter are associated with them. They are one of the most 
graceful creatures that flies, and one who has not seen them can form a 
faint impression of them by watching the gambols of a Barn Swallow, 
whose manouvers over the land are outdone by theirs over the sea. 

Nearly every harbor and bay along the Atlantic coast has it’s Tern 
island, although the casual observer would never be aware of it. A 
few Terns may be seen floating, sailing, turning or diving but one 
would be unaware of the hundreds and sometimes thousands that are 
ready to take flight as soon as a foot is placed upon their island, when 
from the shrill cries one would imagine that they had stumbled upon a 
nest of huge hornets. They are of a timid nature and beyond making 
a great outcry, they rarely make any attempt to defend their homes, 
although frequently one more bold than the rest may make a dash 
uncomfortably close to the observer’s face and cause him to unwitt- 
ingly duck his head. Their chief anxiety appears to be in seeing a 
large object moving on their island, for if you cover yourself up with 
an old sail or evenif you sit down and remain perfectly still they will 
gradually come back and settle upon their nest, only to fly off with 
louder outcries than ever when you:start to leave. Their little fluffy 
gray young ones are very cute both in looks and action, for they will 
cuddle down and remain perfect'y still, thereby making themselves 
look exactly like one of the surrounding stones, and very often escap- 
ing observation. . 

Owing to the very efficient protection that is generally being given 
them now, it appears as though they would increase in numbers and 
maintain their place along our shores instead of disappearing as they 
were in a fair way to do a few years ago.,. 





HUDSONIAN CURLEW, 


A 
° 

w 
co 
or 


(Numenlus hudsonicus.) 


RANGE. 


Found throughout the whole of North and South America; breeds in 
the far north and migrates to the far south. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length about 18 in.; extent 32 in.; tail 3.5 in. Bill curved and 
between three and four in. long. Upper parts variegated with brown 
aud whitish. Top of head blackish brown with a prominent median 
and lateral stripes. Tail ashy brown with numerous black bars. 
Under parts dull white streaked with brownish on the neck and breast 
and with arrow shaped spot on the sides and under parts. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 














3 


3 


324 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


NEST AND EGGS. 


The Hudsonian Curlews nest about marshy ponds in the far north. 
The eggs are laid in a slight hollow in the ground; this is nearly 
always lined, but sparsely, with a few dried grasses. The eggs are 
deposited about the middle of June. They are three or four in number, 
pear shaped, with an ashy greenish ground and boldly dashed and 
spotted with umber. 





HABITS. 


This wader is known among gunners in different parts of the country 
by various names. Perhaps the more common are Short-billed and 
Jack Curlew. These birds are less common than the larger and longer 
billed Curlew and not nearly so numerous as the smaller Esquimaux 
Curlew. They are also deemed to be more wary. They are a great 
deal more often met with in the interior than on the sea coast, frequent- 
ing marshy ponds in preference to more open bodies of water. 

Especially does this apply during the breeding season. During the 
winter flocks of ten or twelve individuals may be met with occasionally 
along the coast, although more often there will be but two or three 
individuals among a flock of some other species of waders. As they 
are exceedingly good eating they are persistently hunted during the 
season. Although exceedingly shy they are very easily decoyed by a 
clever imitation of their whistle. Their flight during migrations is 
generally accomplished in the form of a wedge. They always alight 
facing the wind, especially if it should be blowing at a good rate, so if 
their flight happens to be with the wind they will fly past their 
intended alighting place and swooping up into the wind drop gently 
down to the ground with upstretched wings. They are excellent swim-_ 
mers and frequently get beyond their depth while wading for food. 

In winter they feed chiefly on small crabs, worms and minute crus- 
tacea. In summer they add to this diet numerous insects and various 
kinds of buds and berries. Their call is uttered while on the wing and 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 325 


is a whistle that may be likened to a repetition of their family name 
“Curlew.” 

During the latter part of April they pass us on their way to the 
breeding grounds which are in the Arctic regions, mainly in the inte- 
rior. Here during June their set of eggs is laid. These are very large 
for the size of the bird and are very dark colored. The young follow 
their parents almost as soon as they are out of the shell and are devot- 
edly attended by the latter. 

If approached they hide behind a stone or squat down in a hollow 
where they attract surprisingly little notice, the parents in the mean- 
time doing their best to attract the intruder away. During the breed- 
ing season one of the adults may often be seen standing on one foot, 
dozing on a fallen down or decayed tree. As soon as the young are 
strong enough, the family starts on it’s southern, journey which 
frequently continues until they reach the extremity of Patagonia in 
South America, thus making one of the longest migratory flights of 
any of our birds. 


OUR FEATHERED NEIGHBORS. 


few years ago, while living in the 
village of West Grove, Chester coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, I observed an un- 
usual number of different birds in 
our own immediate yard and garden, 
nearly all of which built their homes 
within the narrow limits of our prop- 
| erty. Being deeply interested in bird 
doings, and appreciating their friend- 
ship andconficdence, I carefully watch- 
ed the progress of their daily labors, 
and their respective traits and indi- 
vidual habits. Our buildings con- 
sisted of a house, small stable and 
carpenter shop, and I was much grat- 
ified to see so many pretty birds 
nesting at our very doors. 

In the front yard stood three tall 
pine trees. In one of these a pair of 
Black Birds made their nest and 
: reared two broods of young, and a 
Gold Finch also chose one of the lower branches of the same tree, in 





326 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


the forks of which the clever little fellow built a most beautiful cup- 
shaped nest. It appeared to be made of various mosses, lichens and 
soft materials, closely woven and cemented together, and the lining 
inside consisted of thistle-down. Four pretty eggs were deposited in 
due course and, as far as I know, the young were safely raised and de- 
parted with their parents in the Fall. I had the pleasure of seeing the 
entire family frequently perched on the seed salad stalks in our garden 
feeding in fearless content. 

On both sides of the front porch was a lattice covered with woodbine. 
In the top of one of these a Robin chose to build her home and showed 
remarkable tameness during the entire nesting period. On the back 
porch, also covered with woodbine, a pair of Chipping Sparrows built 
their nest, a beautiful little piece of workmanship, displaying skill and 
good taste. A happy little family was raised here in safety. Not ten 
feet from the Chipping Sparrow’s nest, we nailed up a little wooden 
box which was tenanted for several years by a pair of House Wrens— 
in all probability the same two. These little birds afforded us many 
hours of pleasure watching their cunning ways and listening to their 
cheery song. In another box raised on a high pole in the garden, we 
had a pair of Purple Martins for two seasons, and they helped to swell 
the population of our bird community. Placed in a hedge row border- 
ing the yard, I observed each year, the nest and eggs of a Song Spar- 
row, and their happy notes were to be heard all day long. Near this 
hedge stood a willow tree, in the drooping branches of which (high up) 
a Baltimore Oriole swung her basket nest and added her sweet vocal 
powers to the summer concert. In a small briar patch in the corner 
of the garden, a Cat Bird made her home and became quite tame, rais- 
ing four little ones successfully. In the eaves of the shop (although 
not wanted or cherished) the English Sparrows held sway, and we de- 
stroyed their nests and eggs on many occasions, as they repeatedly 
tried to drive away some of our other pets. 

Summing up we have a total of ten birds which nested within our 
small domain, and in each instance they seemed to feel a sense of se- 
curity and protection from all harm. In addition to those nesting on 
our premises, we were favored with frequent visits from many more, 
such as Vireos, Orioles, Cardinals, Indigo Birds, Chickadees, Nuthatches, 
Snow Birds, Sparrow Hawks, Flickers, Pine Finches, etc., according to 
the time of the year. 

Prior to the summer in question, my father had been very ill, and as 
he was then getting better he spent many days on the porch. THis 
afforded ample opportunity for him to study our birds, and they in like 
manner became so accustomed to his presence that they were quite 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 327 


fearless. Especially was this the case with the Chipping Sparrows 
above mentioned. They became unusually tame during the season, 
and the mother bird finally ate out of father’s hand or would sit on the 
toe of his boot and pick crumbs from his fingers. 

Father kept a little tin box close by in which he had small pieces of 
rusk and bread, and the birds soon became aware of this fact, and he 
had only to rattle the box a little; when the mother Chippy and her 
little family would come down from the trees and sit on the porch 
floor waiting to be fed. BERTON A. MERCER. 





THE WESTERN NIGHT JAR. 


The instinct that prompts both bird and beast to shield and protect 
from harm, their young, has been, is, and always will be, one of the 
strong characteristic traits of the animal world. This predominating 
disposition is shown from the cruel, treacherous tiger, down to the del- 
icate humming bird. Innumerable instances might be given. 

All persons acquainted with Natural History know to what cunning 
tactics the ordinary quail and pheasant and other birds will resort to 
lead the chance intruder away from the vicinity of their nest or help- 
less young. The birds will feign disablement, flutter about as if wings 
and legs were broken, etc., so as to be followed and thus decoy persons 
away from the spot. 

One of the most artful and cunning of all birds at practicing this de- 
ception that I can recall is the well known ‘“‘Night Jar.’ Both in the 
Old World, and on the Western Hemisphere, this bird is variously 
known as the “‘Nighthawk,” ““Goatsucker,” “Fern Owl,” “Churn Owl,” 
and by other sobriquets. 

Essentially, it is a bird of the night. It is a nocturnal wanderer, 
and with our childhood memories the Night Jar is always associated 
with the dying day, the mellowing gloaming and the gentle summer 
evening. Its plaintive “‘cher-r-r-r,” from the sky, its wide, wheeling 
flight, its rapid downward swoop, and loud jarring notes are familiar 
sights and sounds to all of us. 

Like the owl, the Night Jar is silent and hidden in the grayish 
light of day. Before daylight the bird flits away to some quiet se- 
questered spot. Most any place that affords seclusion is chosen for a 
temporary retreat. Clefts in the rocks, under logs, in hollow stumps, 
under brushy and weedy coverts, on limbs of trees, are its favorite day- 
light resorts. 

Its color is so peculiar that it readily assimilates with its surround- 
ings, and is not so easily distinguished. In selecting its day retreats, 
the bird shows its cunning instincts of self protection. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 











Photo by J. E. Seebold. 


NIGHT HAWK ON NEST. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 329 


Though the Night Jar can boast of no brilliant plumage, yet there 
are certain rich markings—a harmonious blending of colors—black, 
brown and a suggestion of yellow. The abnormally large head, half 
hawk-like beak and the large, beautiful eyes, with their soft, touching, 
melancholy expression, are distinguishing features that attract and 
elicit admiration. 

The Night Jar expends neither time or labor in building its nest. It 
is even more careless than the mournful cooing dove in this respect. 
The eggs are deposited any where an the ground, generally in some 
little hollow or slight depression. Two eggs are usually laid; but very 
' rarely more than that number. The eggs are of a dark greenish color, 
and may be readily taken for speckled pebbles, unless closely inspect- 
ed. From two weeks to 20 days are required in the incubating process. 
The female never deserts the nest, unless in quest of food. Sheseems 
to be entirely alone during the hatching period, for I have never yet 
seen the male in attendance, or show any domestic disposition. 

If one comes suddenly upon the bird when she is setting, it is with - 
_the greatest reluctance that she will desert her post. One may 
approach within a few feet—nay even almost place a hand on the 
mother bird. Only as a last extremity will she desert her charge. She 
will look at one with her great liquid eyes with such an appealing ex- 
pression, hovering and fluttering, meantime, around her eggs or callow 
brood, as if begging the intruder not to harm them. 

Should anyone discover the Night Jar in the vicinity of her nest, 
without having seen the latter, the bird will instantly resort to strategy 
to lead the person away. Many times have I had such an experience. 
Knowing the bird’s cunning deception, I have often “humored’’ her 
trick, following closely in the halting, fluttering walk. She would move 
in all directions, almost under my very feet at times, making frantic 
struggles as if badly crippled. However, the bird was too wise and 
too quick to ever allow me to put my hands on her. 

If followed persistently, the Night Jar will lead one away from.the 
nest for what she considers a safe distance. Then suddenly she will 
take wing and soar away, but never in the direction of eggs or brood, 

I have often paid no attention to the bird’s efforts to decoy me away 
but would remain near the spot looking for the nest. These tactics 
would make the mother all the more frantic. Sometimes she would 
fly almost directly into my face to make me desist, and in various 
other ways seek to direct my attention to herself. 

Occasionally I have tenderly picked up the young and held them for 
a few moments in my hands. Such actions never failed to greatly ex- 
cite the mother. She would flutter wildly all about my head, uttering 


330 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. . 




















Photo by J. E. Seebold. 
NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHT HAWK. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 331 


plaintive little cries, and would never cease until I replaced them in the 
nest. 

Young Night Jars soon acquire the use of their wings, when they 
flit away with the parent bird. The Western Night Jar is a very harm- 
less, inoffensive creature. Its principal food are flies, gnats and other 
winged insects. These are caught by the bird in its twirling zigzag 
flight through the darkened air. Often they approach very near the 
earth, flitting hither and thither in the mad chase. They are very 
swift of wing—nearly equalling the Swallows in speed and seem tire- 
less. 

Out west, particularly in the northwestern states, the Night Jar is a 
migratory bird, and is only seen during the spring, summer and early 
fall months. However, there are exceptions, for occasionally I have 
seen and heard them as they flitted through the dark, wintery skies. 
During the warm season these birds are seen in large numbers in some 
regions of the west. The breeding season extends from the middle of 
May to the first of August. oo . 

“Bull-bat”’ is another slang name given to this peculiar bird. This 
‘appellation is due to its large, chubby-shaped head, and the fact, that, 
bat-like, it flies mostly during the night. 

If discovered and disturbed during the day in its retreat, the bird 


will swiftly flit away to some other congenial covert. 
J. MAYNE BALTIMORE, 





332 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 21. 


FLYCATCHERS. 


No. 451. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, (Mp- 
todnastes luteiventris) . 


Found through Mexico and Central America; 
north to southern Arizona. Length 8 in. Upper 
parts olive brownish, the feathers having black cen- 
ters. Crown with a yellowish median stripe border- 
ed with dusky; a white supercilia’y stripe; a black 
‘Stripe from bill through eye, Under parts pale yel- 
low, shading to white on the throat and streaked 
with black. Wings blackish, broadly edged with 
whitish. Tail and upper coverts bright rufous with 
black streaks in the centers of the feathers. 





No. 452. Crested Flycatcher, (Mviarchus 
_ crinitus). 


United States east of the Plains and north to 
southern Canada. Length about 8.5 in. Head, 
throat and breast ashy gray; lower breast and under 
parts yellow; back olive gray; wings, blackish, edg- 
ed with white and the inner webs of the primaries 
chestnut, as are the tail feathers. 


No. 4534. Arizona Crested Flycatcher, 

(Mytarchus mexicanus magister.) 

From southern Arizona south into western Mex- 
ico. This is a paler form than the Pree and 
the ashy throat, while lighter is more clearly defined 
against the lemon color of the under parts. 


Ze 


No. 454. Ash-throated Flycatcher, (My- 
larchus cinerascens). 


> Western portions of the United States from the 

Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and from the latitude 
of Oregon south through Mexico. Still paler than 
the above, the ash in the throat being replaced by 
a dull white. 


= 


No. 455a. Olivaceous Flycatcher, (Myiarchus 
lawrencett olivascens) . 


Arizona and Western Mexico. Back an olive 
green. Tail and wings with less chestnut on them. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


THRUSHES. 


No. 756. Wilson Thrush, (7urdus fusces- 
cens). 


Southern British Provinces and eastern United 
States; south in winter to Central America. Length 
about 7.5 in. Upper parts a pale reddish brown with 
hardly any olive tint. No great contrast between the 
color of the back and tail. Below white with the 
sides and breast grayish and the latter also with 
faint spots of dusky. 


No. 756a. Willow Thrush, (7. f. salicicola.) 


Found in the valleys of the Rocky Mountain Re- 
gion. This species lacks the tawny coloring on the 
back that the preceding one has. Otherwise it is 
very Similar. ; 


No. 759. Dwarf Hermit Thrush, (Turdus 
aonalaschkae). 


Very similar to the Eastern Hermit Thrush except 
that it is smaller,and somewhat darker. Pacific coast 
regions of North America. 


No. 759a. Audubon Hermit. Thrush. (7. 
a. audubont). 


Rocky Mountain region. A slightly larger variety 
than the following, being 7.75 in. in length. 


No. 759b. Eastern Hermit Thrush, -(7. a. 
palast). 


Eastern North America and breeds from the north- 
ern States northwards. Length about7.25 in. Up- 
per parts an olive greenish contrasting greatly with 
the bright reddish brown of the tail and upper coverts. 
Under parts white shading into grayish on the sides. 
Throat pure white but the breast and sides quite 
heavily spotted with dusky. 








333 


334 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


A HUMANIZED JAY, 


By MARGARET WENTWORTH LEIGHTON, 
24 Melrose Highlands, Mass. 


It was on a Sunday afternoon in mid-June that little J-J came to the 
home of his adoption. His budding wings were tinged with exquisite 
blue, and his tail had just begun to peep forth, a row of blue feathers a 
quarter of an inch long tipped with white. He had been in our poses- 
sion less than ten minutes when he opened his mouth (a fiery red cav- 
ern almost large enough to engulf his whole person) and cried for food. 

‘What shall we give him 2”? was the momentous question. 

“A worm,” suggested one. 

“Some bread,’’ said another. 

“Try raw egg,” spoke a third. 

J-J accepted all of these suggestions with alacrity. He gobbled 
down worm after worm, and as for the egg he tried his very best to 
swallow the spoon every time a dose was administered to him. After 
a hearty meal he settled down with his head beneath his wing for an 
after-dinner nap, but what was our dismay, when scarce five minutes 
had elapsed, to hear our pet calling as lustily for food as though he 
had been fasting half a dozen hours instead of minutes. 

For the first fortnight a great deal of time was devoted to this little 
gourmand for what was one to do when he cried so piteously and flut- 
tered his wings so appealingly ? At the earliest glimmer of dawn he 
awoke ravenously hungry and began to scream lustily and beat about 
the cage, breaking his wing and tail feathers in his mad attempts to 
burst his prison bars. These struggles continued with slight intervals 
for rest until six o’clock, when we appeared and were rapturously 
welcomed. 

During the second week of his adoption he learned to pick up a 
wriggling worm from the ground, but when flies were given him they 
invariably escaped until it occured to me to clip their wings before 
before offering them to him. 

J-J was a most affectionate little being, The burden of his song 
was ‘““To be near thee, to be near thee, alone is peace for me,”’ and his 
life text ‘“‘Whither thou goest I will go; were thou lodgest I will 
lodge, and thy people shall be my people.’ If I seated myself at one 
side of the room and he was in another part of it, his first act was to 
fly as near to me as possible, perching on my shoulder or head when. 
he was allowed to doso. He loved to sit on the typewriter and listen 
to its click click. He would follow us all about the house and yard, 
and watch with deepest interest whatever work was in progress. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 51515) 











Photo by Ernest Harold Baynes. 


J-J’S FIRST HOME. 


While I was studying him he was evidently at the same time making a 
study of me. Beside watching closely all my occupations he explored 
the labyrinth of my ear, and tried to pick off the few freckles with 
which I am ornamented. 

Our back piazza is broad and shady with a flat railing running around 
two sides. This railing was J-J’s chief delight. He would trip back 
and forth, flitting from side to side, his crest raised and his wings 
spread in an ecstacy of joy. No sooner had I established myself for 
writing or sewing than he would skip over to my table, tear a bit from 
the first loose paper he could seize, and hide it beneath some of the 
other papers. His eye was speedily attracted by anything glittering. 
The scissors were an unending wonder to him. Rings and bracelets 
he tried with all his little might to peck or pull from their owner’s 
arms or fingers. One unlucky day he espied my thimble on the 
window ledge and taking it in his beak danced about in the greatest 
glee. 

Sunday was an eventful day in J-J’s life. Just back of the piazza is 
a high stone wall, the boundary of a piece of wild land on which grow 


336 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 

















Photo by E. Harold Baynes. 


Jos. 


young oak’s, cherry, hop hornbeam and hickory trees. This is a 
favorite resort of birds that come to feast on the seeds of the hop 
horn beans and the cherries. Sometimes J-J was tied with a long cord 
to one of these trees where he delighted to flit about among the low 
branches, but I had to keep my eye almost constantly upon him lest he 
unwittingly commited suicide by hanging. On the third Sunday morn- 
ing after his arrival he was tied in this grove when all at once a pierce” 
ing scream rent the air. It was so entirely different from any sound 
he had ever uttered that I could not believe it came from him till I saw 
a beligerantly inclined robin dashing at him. I rushed to the rescue 
and from that time forth J-J seemed to consider all birds his natural 
enemies. When he was held up to a mirror he gave the same fright- 
ened screamed and struggled to get away from the Jay in the glass. 
At another time he was introduced to a mounted Partridge. This he 
at first rezarded with abject terror but after close observation and con- 
siderable reflection he decided to challenge it to fight and uttered 
several screams of defiance. When it was moved toward him he flew 
at it, attacking it furiously with his powerful beak. As he flitted to 
and fro on the railing his Jay folk often flew near and were almost 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 5Ou, 








Photo by Chas. P. Price. 


J-J ON A FAVORITE PERCH. 


constantly screaming to each other in the trees close by. He gener- 
ally ‘regarded them with complete indifference. 

He amused himself for hours hiding scraps of paper, chips, pebbles, 
bits of glass and surplus food in nooks and crannies among the rocks 
and moss, or if in the house under the furniture or in out of the way 
corners. Sometimes he dropped a tiny pebble into a rip in my shoe 
between the sole and the upper. Then he cocked his heed on one side 
and peered down the hole saying as plainly as words could do, “where 
has that pebble gone?’ This habit is instinctive with Jays and their 
cousins, the Crows. It is said that thousands of trees all over Arizona 
have been planted by the Jays burying the seeds, mostly pine nuts. 

J-J religiously practised Mr. Hale’s advice to look up and not down. 
His eyes were ever cast heavenward. He liked to watch the Swallows 
skimming high in the blue and listen to their lively twittering. He 
loved to reach the highest perch that he possibly could and ever aimed 
at the tree’s topmost bough. 


338 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


It was on the same Sunday he had the adventure with the robin that 
he was initiated into the delights of bathing. 

I offered him a tin hand basin half filled with water. He hopped 
round and round it, finally alighting on the edge, but as to plunging in, 
would he dare? Not quite, though he made a feint at it. When a 
flower pot saucer was given him he eagerly hopped in and began to 
flutter his wings and tail and duck his head with the sang froid of an 
habitual bather. Later in the day he went to walk, riding on my wrist. 
He needed but a hood, and I a white palfry, to transport us back into 
the days of chivalry, when ladies rode forth to the hunt with their 
hooded falcons on their wrists. In the course of our wandering we 
came to a tiny brook threading its way through a tangle of wild roses. 
jewel-weed and ground-nut vines. Here we seated ourselves to rest 
and no sooner did J-J spy the sparkling water than he hopped down 
and took another plunge. 

Whenever he felt like having a splash, even though the day was 
cold and rainy, he knew how to ask for it. He had two ways of doing 
so which spoke as piainly as words could do. The most appealing 
was when he crouched, breast down upon the floor and fluttered wings 
and tail as if he were already in the water. The second was when he 
jumped on to the edge of his drinking cup, dipped in his head as far as 
possible, then lifting it gave it a vigorous shake that sent the drops 
flying half across the room. 

During J-J’s second month he was introduced to an old toad in the 
garden that had grown plump on the caterpillars of the brown-tail 
moths, the angle worms and insects with which I had fed him. The 
first thing the Jay did was to jump upon his back and give him a sharp 
peck, by doing which he learned that toads are not beings to be trifled 
with. Hereceived a mouthful of such an acrid fluid that for almost an 
hour afterward he was coughing and endeavoring to spit it out. He 
never beheld a toad afterwards without fleeing from it in terror. 

J-J was as neat about his person as a cat and spent a great deal of 
time drawing his feathers through his beak to remove any dirt which 
may be clinging to them. After each meal, indeed after every mouth- 
ful or two, he cleaned his beak by wiping it on his wooden napkin, a 
twig or chair back. 

Living in a somewhat musical atmosphere had sufficient influence 
upon J-J not only to make him a singer, but an exquisitly sweet one. 
It is my custom to practice singing for a half hour every morning. 
Now our pet had never been allowed access to the parlor, but one 
morning as I was playing a prelude, he appeared at the doorway and 
peering curiously about, cautiously ventured a hop or two over the 


AMERICAN ORNITUOLOGY. 339 


threshold. Not meeting with any opposition he skipped boldly in and 
perched on the lower round of a rocking chair. He seemed to be 
listening with fixed attention. This performance was repeated for 
several mornings, until all at once he essayed a bit of song himself. 
His maiden efforts were so ludicious that I could but pause to laugh, 
when he immediately stopped and nothing would induce him to begin 
again, though later in the day I heard him trying to imitate sounds 
made by neighboring chickens. Every day he practiced with me, and 
if he felt quite jubilant, he would warble or whistle when he thought 
himself unobserved. He had his favorites among songs,—James 
Hogeg’s “Skylark,’’ a song in which the Lark’s notes are imitated, 
“Come Let Us Sing’’ (from Mendelssohn’s 95th Psalm,) Rubinstein’s 
“Voices of the Woods,” “Bonnie Laddie.’’ Patriotic songs filled him 
with inspiration. He was a thorough believer in the union of the blue 
and the gray, Dixie’’ being no less exhilarating to him than the “Star 
Spangled Banner,’’ the Cuban National Hymn, or “Marching Through 
Georgia.’’ He always listened to a new piece before attempting to join 
in. Now, two months after his adoption he sings most exquisitly, not 
any of the tunes that he hears, but little ones that he improvises. 

J-J is a creature of moods. Nothing will induce him to sing unless 
the spirit moves. His musical fancies are most curious. Sometimes 
in the midst of a soft, low, whistling song he will break into a wild, 
harsh cry which does not seem in the least to mar the effect in him, 
though to us it is as if an angel melody became suddenly a brigand 
scream. What change of mood accounts for it we can never conceive. 
Nothing external occurs to explain the transition. If he notices any- 
one watching him he immediately hushes his song, but if one can peep 
at him unobserved he will be hugely entertained by the airs and graces 
which are equal to those of the most popular prima donna before the 
footlights. 

He often converses with me, using now the low eck eck sound, and 
when he does not wish to jump upon my hand and be transported to 
some different place, a little protesting noise which says as plainly as 
words ‘‘No, no—I won’t, I won’t.’’ If I give him a choice tidbit such 
as a daddy-long-leggs or a fat cricket, he never fails to express his 
satisfaction and thanks in a form of speech which he reserves for that 
purpose. Ifheis out of sight and I call, he answers with a soft jay 
(here am I.) . 

He is inspired to express his feelings in song by many different 
sounds—running water, the wind in the trees, a thunder storm, the 
humming of the sewing machine, upon which he delights to sit when it 
isin use. In his intervals of song he amuses himself by trying his 


340 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


hardest to pull out a large, nickel-plated screw which moves up and 
down with every revolution of the wheel. 

J-J loves his playthings as well as any of the children do theirs,— 
some little bells fastened to the window curtain, which he rings, a tiny 
brass Indian and a black-headed pin with which he juggles. 

His back and head at first gray, are now dusted with a glimmer of 
blue—faint, elusive, like sunlight on rippling water or the bloom on 
the plum. 

He is withall a most whole-souled little fellow, entering into every 
vicissitude of life with ardent enthusiasm, full of affection, loyalty and 
good will. His nature is optimistic, his temperament joyous and even 
though he does live in semi-captivity he is fully as happy as his breth- 
ren of the wild wood. 





BIRDS OF A VILLAGE, 


Nestling in the heart of a picturesque valley and surrounded for sev- 
eral miles in all directions by beautiful rolling country, lies the pretty 
village of West Grove, Pennsylvania. It is located in the south eastern 
portion of Chester county, and was for many years my home and hunt- 
ing ground. 

There was considerable woodland in the locality, also a number of 
varieties of coniferous trees, and the latter proved a great attraction 
for the birds, especially those appearing in the autumn and early win- 
em 

The following table shows the different species of birds personally 
observed either in the village proper or within a radius of two miles 
from it. 


Crow House Wren 

Blue Jay Winter Wren 
Robin Kingbird 
Blackbird Pewee 

Red-wing Blackbird Wood Pewee 
Bluebird Crested Flycatcher 
Brown Thrasher Least Flycatcher 
Wood Thrush Gold Finch 
Catbird Scarlet Tanager 
Oven Bird Red-eye Vireo 
Cow Bird Yellow-throated Vireo 
Baltimore Oriole Green Heron 


Orchard Oriole Belted Kingfisher 


AMH#HRICAN: ORNITHOLOGY. 341 


American Redstart kKilldeer 

Barn Swallow Meadow Lark 

Bank Swallow Spotted Sandpiper 
Chimney Swift Mourning Dove 

Purple Martin Maryland Yellow-throat 
Chickadee Indigo Bird 
White-breasted Nuthatch Night Hawk 

Flicker Sparrow Hawk 

Downy Woodpecker Marsh Hawk 

Bob White—Ouail Red-headed Woodpecker 
Cardinal Grosbeak Screech Owl 

Chipping Sparrow ; Ruby-throated Hummer 
Song Sparrow Golden-Crown Kinglet 
Field Sparrow Towhee (Chewink) 
Fox Sparrow Turkey Vulture 
White-throated Sparrow Yellow-billed Cuckoo 
Snow Bird (Junco) Yellow-breasted Chat 
Cedar Waxwing Brown Creeper 

Purple Finch Yellow Warbler 
Carolina Wren Great-horned Owl 


In the above list no attempt is made at grouping according to season, 
but the names are given as observed during the course of the year. 
A large number of the birds named were regular breeders in that sec- 
tion. In addition to the above, Wild Geese were frequently observed 
on their migratory trips, but as a rule they traveled at a great elevation. 
However, we could distinguish their “honk” ““honk,’’ and see the “V”’ 
shape of their line. Cranes were also observed at different times, and 
on one occasion an adult Bald Eagle was shot in a woods about three 
miles distant. 

Summing up we have a total of seventy (70) varieties of birds, 
which is a good representation for the small district canvassed, and 
doubtless there were others which escaped my notice. 





342 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


sIRD CHATS WITH 


"OUR YOUNG 


_FRIENDS 


Address communications for this department to 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 





My DEAR YOUNG FOLKS: 

Please observe carefully the heading above. 4// communications 
for this department are to be sent to the address given. A number of 
the letters for this corner have been sent to Worcester, one was sent 
to Belmont, Mass., and another to Waterville, Ct. The Roll of Honor 
this month includes only those who sent answers to the August puzzles, 
exclusive of the letter puzzle, as to print the names of the one hundred 
and twenty-nine who sent replies would crowd out too much else. You 
can see too, why we could not send personal replies as some of you re- 
quested, One reader sent in a list of forty-eight birds, several others 
also increased their lists by the names of birds never before heard of, 
or not found according to the conditions given. There were seven 
who would have been entitled to a game had their answers been re- 
ceived earlier. One boy found in the puzzle ‘some suet for all the 
birds to eat.’’ Another boy asks whether the English Sparrow is in- 
cluded for protection by the Audobon Society. Although I agree with 
Dr. VanDyke that the English Sparrow is a ‘little beast’? and should 
not be included in the kingdom of ornithology, it would not be exactly 
safe to leave them out, would it? As there are many other valuable 
sparrows and sparrow-like birds, which would be apt to suffer from 
careless bovs. 

Girls, remember that the pledge holds until you are eighteen, and a 
member will not wish to be seen with her hat ornamented with the 
feathers of dead birds. 

We have received the following names of those who desire to take 
the children’s pledge of the society. 

Harold J. Hinson, Lithbridge, Canada, Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, 
S. D., Harold I. Orne, Melrose H’ld Mass., Minnie Camp, Knoxville, 
Tenn. 

We would echo the words of one of our reader, ‘“Yours for Bird Pro- 
tection, now and all the time.”’ Cordially your Friend, 

Mrc MERRYTHOUGHT. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 343 


BIRD-BUFF. 


A NEW GAME. 


Seat the company, (with one exception) in a circle and give each a 
number. One person blindfolded and standing in the center is called 
the Falcon. 

He calls out two numbers, the persons having these numbers must 
at once rise and change places with each other without going outside 
of the circle. If either is touched by the Falcon before he gains his 
seat, he must imitate the song or call of some bird. The first person 
identified by his song takes the place of the blindfolded Falcon in the 
center, and again calls out two other numbers. If the game lags at 
any time the Falcon may call out the name of any bird, when everyone 
must change seats, at the same time imitating the song of the bird 
whose name is called. The Falcon will then be pretty certain to se- 
cure a bird to take his place as catcher. 

If desired, forfeits may be required of any one who repeats the song 
of abird which has already been given. 


WINNERS OF BIRD GAMES FOR AUGUST LETTER PUZZLE. 


1, Isidor Rehfus, Wis.; 2, Gardner B. Weeks, New York; 3, Barbara 
H. Missley, Penn.; 4, W. P. Agee, Jr., Arkansas; 5, Leroy B. Noble, 
Ct.; 6, Scott Merritt, Iowa; 7, Miriam Inglis, lowa; 8, Wm. J. McKen- 
zie, W. Ontario; 9, Huldah Chace Smith, R. I.; 10, Margaret Jennison, 
Miche sible Ac lo Marshall Nebraska; a2. ikl W-obtardy,, Mo Ds ss iis: sip 
M. A. Mitchell, Washington; 14, Marjory Lester, Kan.; 15, Elma Brant- 
ingham, Ohio; 16, Fanny M. Chapman, Me.; 17, Marjory L. McIntire, 
Me.; 18, G. L. Harrington, Minnesota; 19, George Boyer, Mo.; 20, Mrs. 
George L. Mason, Vt.; 21, Robert H. Mans, Del.; 22, Bonnell H. Stone, 
Cas 2o. bowin- ti Porbush, Mass: 24. Alvan Be otuant, Massie. 25. 
ilonatio IN. Eracitt, so. Dakota: 20, Arthur D. Muiler Ne He: 27) Ma. 
Delatush, New Jersey; 28, Wm. F. Klett, W. Va.; 29, Minnie Camp, 
Menne-30. Naomi H. Voriss Inds; 31. (©. .Wi Wilson, Key--) 32, (Bonner 
Coffey, Tex.; 33, Albert Gersdorff, D. C.; 34, Ernest Seeman, North 
Carolina; 35, Lester D. Summerfield, Nev.; 36, H. Dinwiddie Martin, 
Va. 


ANSWERS TO SEPTEMBER PUZZLES. 


PI. 
1. Telegalla 7. Leaves 
2. Turkey 8. Buried 
3. Telegalla 9. Hatched 
4. Flocks 10. Heat 
5. Nests Obs Sia 
63) Barth Ze Sd deneide! 


{See Brehel 


344 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


WHAT IS MY NAME? 
Tailor Bird. 
CHARACTERISTIC INITIALS, _ 
Bald Eagle 4. Fish Crow 


it 
2. Purple Finch 5. Screech Owl 
3. Indigo Bunting 6. Cedar Waxwing 


7. English Sparrow 


HIDDEN BIRDS. 
Robin, Bob White, Heron, Owl, Wren. 


ENIGMA, 
Great Crested Flycatcher. 


~ ROLL OF HONOR. 


1.. Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, S. Dakota; 2, Geoffrey J. Giles, 
Comfort, Texas; 3. Charles D. Robinson, Winslow, Me.; 4, Barbara 
Missley, Landisville, Pa.; 5, McCormick Jewett, Traverse, City, Mich.; 
6, Louise Jordan, Defiance, Ohio; 7, Ida Agnes Veronica Conway, 
Upper Troy, N. Y.; 8, William Schneider, LaCrosse, Wis.; 9, Naomi 
E. Voris, Crawfordsville, Ind.; 10, Chas. H. Rogers, Crosswicks; N. J.; 
11, Anna Kocher,’ Walberts, Pa.; 12,-Sally. W. Orvis, Manchester, Vt.;. 
13, G. L. Harrington, Langdon, Minn.; 14, Paul Ravelin, LePorte 
Gity; la; 15; O.. Ss Briggs, San. Jose, Hl; 16, Robert Wilson, Wooster, 
Ohio; 17, R. B. Crispill, Kingston, N. Y.; 18, Huldah Chace Smith, 
Providence, R. I.; 19, Chas. Abbott, Antrim, N. H.; 20, Raymond Hill, 
Uxbridge, Mass.; 21, Clayton White, Leadbury, Ontario; 22, Marjory 
Lester, Kinsley, Kansas; 23, Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H:; 24, Sam- 
uel D. Robbins, Belmont, Mass.; 25, A. L. Marshall, Weeping Water, 
Neb.; 26, Isidor -Rehfus, LaCrosse, Wis.; 27, Eleanor Pope, Racine, 
Wis. 


EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


I found the nest of a bird built on the ground in a clover field. The 
eggs were white with dark red spots thickest on the larger end. The 
bird was very brave, remaining on her nest until I put my hand within 
about one foot of her. She was lighter colored than an English Spar- 
row and had yellow streaks over her eyes. The nest was small, made 
of fine grasses and sunken into the ground. I also found a Marsh 
Wren’s nest ina swamp. It had no visible opening init, and was bound 
to the swamp grass. PauLt Cy RAVLIN; LaPorté-Cityelae 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 345 


My best August hunt was made yesterday, (Aug. 3d) 44 species in 
eight hours and fifty minutes. My whole summer’s list from this lo- 
cality is séventy-one, including Mourning Warbler, Black Duck and 
Summer Yellowlegs. CHARLES H. RocG#ERsS, Crosswicks, N. J. 


We all prize our Bird Magazine very highly. This is our second 
year, and we cannot get along without American Ornithology. 
A. L. MARSHALL. 


As amagazine it is the best of its kind. I take Bird-Lore, The 
Condor, Bird & Nature, and one or two others. But of them all I 
think there is no match for the Bird Magazine. 

BROMELL H. STONE, Oxford, Pa. 


We have fifteen nests of Barn Swallows in our buildings, so there 
are swallows skimming through the air catching insects almost incess- 


antly during the day. MARIETTA WASHBURN, Goodwin, S. D. 
In 1902 and in May, 1903, I found nests of the Bluebird containing 
pure white eggs. CLAYTON WHITE, Leadbury, Ont. 


I have found nests of 33 different kinds of birds this year. I was in 
the woods the other day and all of a sudden a large brownish form 
melted into a nearby tree. I followed and found it to be a Barred 
Owl. It was a large bird, about twenty inches long, and had zo ear- 
tufts. This last distinguished it from all other owls, most unmistak- 
ably, together with its superior size to most of them. The same day I 
saw a Yellowlegs on a small inland pond. 

LEWIS STILES GANNETT, Bennington Center, Vt. 





One of my friends has a big barn and in it are over forty swallows’ 
nests. Before the rainy weather they were flying all around the barn 
but near the end of the month of rainy weather there were hardly a 
dozen left. I went up in the top of the barn and found up there on 
the floor five or six old swallows and lots of young ones lying dead. 
In almost every nest there were either rotten eggs or dead young ones. 
The floor was covered with dead swallows. In a bird house on the 
side of the barn were four dead white bellied swallows. 

STAFFORD FRANCIS, Exeter, N. H. 





In the letter I wrote you before I told you about a pair of Blue Gros- 
beaks that nested here last year. They came back this year, but they 
had to build four nests before they could raise any young ones, for the 
Blue Jays destroyed their eggs every time. We drove the Blue Jays 
away and now the Grosbeaks have raised two litters of young ones. 
All together the Grosbeaks have built five nests this year. There is a 
pair of Yellow Warblers around here this year. 

Margory LESTER, Kinsley, Kan. 


346 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


THE HUMMING BIRD. 


Every summer a pair of Humming Birds come and spend the most 
pleasant part of the season in our grove. He hovers over the bloom- 
ing flowers and sticks that long slender bill in, sucking up the sweet- 
ness of the blossoms. They often alight on the boughs and dress 
their glossy feathers with their long bills in a very dainty manner. 

One summer a pair nested in our grove, and in vain I searched for 
the tiny home. One day toward the last of the summer, I found one of 
the young Hummers trying hard to hide from a cat who was determined 
to catch it for its evening meal. The poor little frightened bird lit on 
a neighboring rose bush and allowed me to come so near as to stroke 
his glossy back. But when I made a movement to pick him up he flew 
away. 

A few days afterwards, on a wet, rainy day when in the garden, I 
heard a faint sound near me. Stooping down I saw the wet form of 
a Humming Bird. As I placed him in my hand he struggled as if in 
pain. His feathers were dry in a short time after he was placed by the 
stove. I put him in a cage and fed him honey from Four O’clock 
blossoms. He sucked it up and flew about the cage as though he was 
as well as ever. About an hour afterward a little rustle was heard and 
the lifeless body was found on the bottom of the cage. 

MARIETTA WASHBURN, Goodwin, S. D. 

(I think the Humming Bird has never been known to live in captiv- 
ity.) 


ENIGMA. 
My Ist is in jump but not in run, 
My 2nd in hump and also in hum, 
My 3d and 4th you’ll find in hold, 
My 5th you’ll find in the word abode, 
My 6th is in coffe and also in tea, 
I am a small bird called a ]-2-3-4-5-6. 
GEOFFREY J. GILES, Comfort, Texas. 


SUGGESTED BIRDS. 


What birds are suggested by— 
Where bread is baked. 
A girl’s name. 
A foolish person. 
A colored bird. 
A royal fisherman. 
An old Indian Woman. 
An expedition for fun. 
Part of a fence. 
LEWIS STILES GANNETT, Burlington Center, Vt. 


COND UF WWE 


A Million Every Month. 


By manufacturing and selling a mil- 
lion records every month the Columbia 
Phonograph Co., has achieved the end 
for which it has long been striving— 
the reduction inthe price of its High 
Speed Moulded Cylinder Wax records 
from fifty cents, each, to twenty-five 
cents. Simultaneously with this re- 
duction in price a new record, greatly 
superior to any that has ever been 
offered for sale is being furnished—a 
black, super-hardened record, both 
durable and brilliant and combining 
Sweetness and smoothness with re- 
markable volume. These records will 
fit all talking machines using cylin- 
drical records and the facilities for 
manufacturing them have been in- 
creased to an extent that will enable 
the Columbia Phonograph Co., to pro- 
duce a practically limitless supply. 

While improved processes of manu- 
facture and the simplifying of talking 
machine construction have resulted in 
the price of Graphophones being re- 
duced, from time to time, until they are 
now sold at figures that bring them 
within the reach ofall, the price of 
cylinder records has, in the meantime, 
remained at fifty centseach. For many 
insuperable reasons it has never been 
possible until now to sell records at 
the popular price that has finally been 
fixed for them. But continued and 
unceasing improvement in Columbia 
facilities has, at last, brought the out- 
put to a point where it is possible to 
cut the price in half, while instead of 
impairing the quality of the product 
to secure this end, a better article is to 
be furnished than ever before. This 
could only be done by increasing the 
sales to the enormous figures they 
have now reached and which are cer- 
tain to assume bewildering propor- 
tions, with the reduction in the price. 


The Columbia Phonograph Co., the 
pioneer and leader in the talking ma- 
chine art, was the first to furnish a 
really meritorious record for fifty cents 
and while its records are far superior 
to those of previous years, the fact is 
admitted, on all sides, that Columbia 
records in all stages of their develop- 
ment, have always been the best that 
were made. And this is truer now 
than ever before. While the superior- 
ity of Columbia records would justify 
their sale at a higher price than that 
of any competing record, their reduced 
price means that the purchaser is to 
have the very best records ever man- 
ufactured and to have two of them at 
the price he formerly paid for one. 

Preparations have been made with 
the utmost thoroughness to meet the 
emergency which a reduction in the 
price of cylindrical records to twenty- 
five cents, each, was certain to preci« 
pitate. In anticipation of an unprece- 
dented demand for the new and vastly 
improved records, the factory of the Co- 
lumbia Phonograph Oo. is running day 
and night and every possible arrange- 
ment has been made to fill all orders 
with reasonable promptness, however 
heavy those orders may become. 

To make better goods than its com- 
petitors and sell them at popular 
prices has always been the aim of the 
Columbia Phonograph Co. Desirous 
that the public should test its claims 
as to the superior quality of this new 
product it offers for a limited period to 
give a reco-d free to any user of a talk- 
ing machine who will call at any one 
of its stores and mention the type of 
the machine he is using. If not con- 
venient to call, a record will be mailed, 
on receipt of ten cents to cover postage, 
and the information as to the type of 
machine in use. 


LUCKY OLD SHOES 


Two shoes ona Gene Rapid pellers: 

_ tools and W y mail 
gold_ wire for| PINS 10 cents and list, 
jewelry. Sea shells for fairs, dealers, etc., 25 
aan each different kind, with engraved list, 
25c postpaid.. J, F, Powell, Waukegan, 1. 


Three months trial 


Subscription to \- 








ACHIEVEMENT 


A monthly for people who want to 


>endus your name and ad- 2 

= dress and we will send vou 2 
dozen packages of our NEW 

=\ON CORROSIVE GOLDINE = 


make the most of themselves. 


= PENS. After you have sold = 


PRINTING = 
them at 5¢ per pkg. send us the = 


noney and receive a PRIZE 
& such as vou may selec: t from 
our large list. 


Inspiring stories. Articles about 
people who do things. 


A Liberal Education for Young Peo- 
ple especially. 





WRITE FOR DIRECTIONS HOW TO 
MAKE $50 AMONG YOUR 
NEIGHBORS. 


You are at NO EXPENSE as you do not pay for 
the pens until you sell them. Valuabe prizes for 
BOYS, girls, men and ladies. We want you as our 
agentin your city. Dept. E., The Pen Mfsg.. 
Company, Butler, Pa. 





STAMPS Stamp Album with SO diff. scarce 
Mer stamps.China,Old Mexico,P Rico,cte. ONLY Sc. 
WA) 500 foreign only 10c. Agents wtd. 50 to 75% 
commission. New Catalogue and $1.00 worth 
of coupons FREF. Webuyoldstamps Est 1885 
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ACHIEVEMENT, 


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uy 


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$4.20 FOR $2.10 


Another Combination Offer that Means Something. 


BIRDS AND. NATURE one year....... ........ $1.50 | Rp 
* Ten Back Numbers BIRDS AND NATURE... 150) MAUL FOR 


60 Colored Pictures BIRDS AND NATURE...... 1.20 


i ; 
[ 
‘SB2.10 
Tho total amount of value............... $4.20 | . 


BIRDS AND NATURE, Monthly; 48 pages, 8x10 inches; per year, $1.50. A magazine devoted to 
nature, and illustrated by colored photography. It is the only periodical in the world that 
publishes pictures of birds, animals, insects, flowers, plants, etc., in natural colors. EKight 
full- -page plates each month. 

“It_is one of the most beautiful and interesting publications yet attempted in this direec- 
tion. It has other attractions in addition to its” beauty, and must win its way to popular 
favor. I wish the handsome little magazine abundant prosperity. ~"_Onhas. R. Skinner, State 
Supt., Albany. JV. 

“You have certainly, hit upon the method of reproducing natural colors with remarkable 
fidelity to nature.—Dr. Elliott Coues. 

“Your magazine has certainly had a phenomenal success, and is entirely worthy of its 
cordial reception.—J. A. Allen. Hditor of “The Auk, 

“Most of the pictures are astonishingly good. I like them so well that I shall put them ies 
on the walls of my rustic retreat, “Slab Sides.”—John Burroughs. 

“When one considers the low price at which you sell Brros, the number and excellence of 
the plates are surprising, and I trust that your etforts to popularize the study of ornithology, 
may meet with the success.it,so well deserves,—/. M. Chapman, Associate Editor “The Awk”’ 





* A bound volume of. Birds and Nature may be substituted for ten back numbers. 


A sample of this magazine and of the Child Game for a dime ani two pennies—I2 cents in stamps. 
Send for Catalogue. 


A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, 203 Michigan Ave., Chicago. 















e e > The Original and mechani- 
V cally perfect 

of outdoor sports, games Safety Razor 
and recreation will find ee ee rr aetie 
ury in your daily 
THE shave. If you are 
traveling, you will 
‘ find it most conven- 
National Sportsm eae 
p an and easy to manipul- 
ate. During the hot 
a ‘ weather it guaran- 
The handsomest, most interesting 2es you Mee: face 
F ash orany other dis- 
and up-to-date illustrated monthly == cantina. by us- 
c ae S : = ing a razor not in 
magazine published Copy of lat- condition, which is apt to be the case while away 
from home. The Star Safety Razor, is made by 
est number sent to any address on Kampfe Bros. (original inventors of the safetv razor) 
a 3 . for over 28 years, is used daily by over 5000,000 peo- 
receipt of ten cents in stamps. Send ple, This proves it to be a razor of merit. Imitators 
- 3 5 have tried to copy our razor, but if you insist upon 
for cash offer and premium list for getting the “3 STARS” (our trade-mark), you will 
5 ere be sure of satisfaction. Every razor is carefully 

new subscribers. Subscription $1 ested before leaving our factory. 
= THE NEW STAR STROPPER guarantees abso- 
ME wiegiic Address, lute perfection to the user of the razor. Send for cat- 

: talogue. 
The National Sportsman, Razor complete, $2.00. New Star Stropper, $1.50- 
3 Sets, $3.50 and up.- 
63 Kilby St., BOSTON, Mass. i 
KAMPFE BROS., 8-12 Reade St., New York: 
e@ e Or all leading dealers in high class cutlery. 

















O—O—<C— O_O O—O-_O_ OO —C—_O_O-_ O_O © © © © © © ©_© ©—@ 
Y aw J p © 
<> 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 the living birds. 
‘; 50 CENTS EACH, $5.00 PER DOZ. OR FINELY COLORED, $1.00 EACH, $10.00 PER DOZ. Y 
t Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. v 
4 2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) 27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. S 
3 Woodcock on Nest. 28 Nest and Ezgs of Bob White. 
4 4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 29 American Robin on Nest. ro 
5 Three Young Woodcock. 30 American Robin Feeding Young. 
6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 31 Five Young Chickadees. 
7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 32 Chickadee at Nestin Bird House. 
8 House Wren (male). 33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree: 
9 House Wren (female . 34 Brown Thrasher. 
zo Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 35 Bro vn Thrasher on Nest. 
tr Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 36 Wood Thrush on Nest. 
12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. 37 Young Wood Thrush. 
r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 38 Pigeon Hawk. 
14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 
15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 40 Barred Owl. 
| 16 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest 41 Screech Owl. 
17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 42 Four Young Screech Owls. 
18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 43 Young BlueJays. 
é 19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 44 Blue Jays in Nests. 
20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 45 Blue Jay Feeding Young 
é> 21 Ovenbird and Nest. 46 Loggerhead Shrike. 
22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 47 Phoebe on Nest. 
> 23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 48 Hairy Woodpecker. 
24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. 49°Chimney Swift 
> 25 Young Field Sparrow. so Four Young Crows. 
@ ADDRBSS 
>» CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass. 
oO O_O © > © © ©_-©§ © © © ©_©-_@- -© © © © 


BOOKS ror tHe HOLIDAYS 


- “FREE AS PREMIUMS = 








The Wood Folk Series, by William 
J. Long. Way of Wood Folks. Fascin- 
ating descriptions of animals and birds as 
seen at play in their homes. Square 12mo. 
Cloth. 214 pages. 75 cents. 

Given as a premium for 2 subscribers. 

Wilderness Ways. A second volume 
of ‘‘Ways of Wood Folks.” Written in 
the same intensely interesting style that 
makes its predecessor so popular. 200 
pages. 75 cents. 

Given as a premium for 2 subscribers. 


Secrets of the Woods, with full page 
Pictures, illustrative initials, and head- 
pieces by Charles Copeland. Square 12mo. 
Cloth. 75 cents. 


Given as a premium for 2 subscribers. 


School of the Woods, with 12 full-page 
pictures and 300 marginal sketches, illus- 
trative initials, and chapter decorations by 
Charles Copeland. Handsomely bound 
in cloth with a design stamped in full gold, 


gold tops. Square 12mo. $1.50. 
Given as a premium for 4 subscribers. 


Bird Portraits, by Ernest Seton-Thomp- 
son. Pictures of familiar birds by this 
distinguished artist, with descriptive text 
by Ralph Hoffman. Beautifully bound 
in cloth with a cover design in three col- 
ors, fIL.50. 

Given as a premium for 5 subscribers. 


Mother Nature’s Children, by Allan 
Walter Gould. The love and care and 
mutual dependence of living things, from 
human beings down to the plants, set in 
an imaginative framework for children. 
With 205 illustrations. Square, 12mo. 
Cloth. 265 pages. $1.00. 


Given asa premium for 3 subscribers. 
Brooks and Brook Basin, by Alexis E. 
Frye. Every brook basin is regarded as 
a miniature world. The form of the book 
is a story adapted to the minds of children, 


in which Nature speaks for herself. With 
full-page illustrations. tz2mo. Cloth. 
11g pages. 75 cents. 


Given as a premium for 2 subscribers. 


Bird Homes, by A.R. Dugmore. With 
the nests and eggs of birds in natural col- 
Ors, also a number of half-tone illustr.t- 
tions. Postpaid $2.00. 


Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


CHAS. K. REED, 








The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, 
D. D. has, besides hundreds of text illus- 
trations, Colored Plates which show over 
a | housand Species of American Butter- 


| flies with all their native beauty and _bril- 


liance of coloring. This is a ‘Popular 
Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies 
of North America.’”’ It tells everything 
about butterflies, and tells itin a way any- 
body can understand. Every one interest- 
ed in Butterflies should own this book. 
Price is only $3.00 prepaid. 
Given asa premium for 10 subscribers. 


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. 


Given as a premium for six subscribers. 


Bird Neighbors, by Neltje Blanchan. 
Has 52 colored plates, and describes 150 of 
our song birds and other more common 
feathered neighbors. With the aid of 
these life-like plates there can be not the 
least doubt as to the idenfication of a 
bird. It is a sufficient commentary on the 
volume that there have been nearly 20,000 
copies sold since it appeared. Postpaid, $2 
Given as a premium for six subscribers. 


Bird Life, Popular edition in colors. 
12 mo. cloth $2.00 postpaid. A Guide to 
the Study of our Common Birds by F. M. 
Chapman, representing 100 Birds in their 
natural colors. 


Given as a premium for four subscribers. 


Birdcraft, A Field Book of Two Hund- 
red Song, Game and Water Birds. By 
Mabel Osgood Wright. With Eighty 
Plates by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. Small 
4to %2.50 net. Postage roc. 


Given as a premium for six subscribers. 


Bird World, by J. H. Stickney and 
Ralph Hoffman. A charming bird book 
for young people. With ten full-page 
illustrations by Ernest Thompson-Seton, 
Square 12 mo. Cloth. 214 pages. 75c. 
Given asa premium for three subscribers. h 


Any of the above books will be sent prepaid on 
receipt of price. 


WORCESTER, MASS. 








What is Daus “*JTip Top” 


that Daus’ 

Oo Prove ‘ti. 

> Duplicator 

is the best, simplest and cheapest device 

for making 100 copies from Pen-writ- 

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ea size No. 1, $7.50, subject to the trade dis- 
2 =j counti of 33 1-3 per cent or $5.00 net. 


FELIX F. DAUS DUPL ICATOR CoO., 
Daus Building, 111 John St., New York 















































































































































Belgian Hares! Barred Rocks! Italian Bees! 


ENTE SE REDD OH) Secs Winey Geese aces ntceenrenes 0.00 EACH 
BUCKS, CWOMOMONTEHS Ol, Dis ete ue oo $5.00 TO $0. 00 EACH 
2 YOUNG OS FRINTON US COON Cr BNO CHC sa ceceeess ace eranen pence a icecece oreo $10 ie 


YORK STRAIN-BARRED ROCKS, PER TRIO $O 
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ITALIAN HONEY BEES, full colonies, in ’8-frame dove-tailed hives, in fine condition, and 
the best honey-gatherers in the country, $8.00 each. Personal supervision insureg fine 


selections. 
ERNEST A. DEMPWOLEF, York, Pa. 


EE 


What Bird Is This? 


BIRD LORE’S 
BIRD CHART 


~Will Tell You. 





It figures 62 representative species of our 18 Families of Perching Birds and 
tells about their range and structure. We give it to every one subscriding to 
Volume V of BIRD-LORE, the first number of which appeared Feb. 1, 1903. 


WHEN IN DOUBT 
Write to a member of the BIRD-LORE’S ADVISORY COUNCIL. There is 


one or more inevery State and Territory.. 
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, “7escent and fhulberty ois Harrishure, Pa. 
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FIVE DOLLARS. 
Will Buy a Good Field Glass. _ 


The BEST for Bird Study and 
Equally Good for 


Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera. 


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 tour diameters. 


They are in good strong leather case, 
silk lined, with strap by which they can 
be carried suspended from the shoulder. 





se8>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? 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 










Gaxidermists. 
Do 


» our customers would 
gladly pay the differ- 
ence in cost bettwween a 
finely carved shield of 
artistic design, and the 
common plain board. 







No. 19 


2:-e Shield. 


Ghe Lang Carving Co., Pay: 
Beecher Falls,Vermont, HN 


Manufacturers of Oil 
Garidermist’s COoodtwork. Rubbed 


(Except Cases.) 


Vol. 3, No. U1. 


y4 a 


Y 
Y/y LAX 


SS 


SSSA 


WM 


SSS 


NS 


~ 


XS 


\f 


“ 


Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. 


<i 


NOVEMBER, 1903. 


A, 


VASE. 


Ga7% 
ZX VU) 


We 
Ve 
Vd 


10¢ a copy, $1 a year, 





Jan. 16, 1901 





THE SONG OF THE 


BROWN THRUSH 


ON A TALKING MACHINE RECORD 


Was recently reproduced before the American Ornithologists’ Union 
by Prof. S. D. Judd. 


WITH A 


@xosBl ONE _ A ei sa, Columbia Graphophone 
DOO 





—_ Pant You may take records of 
; songs of birds in captivity. 








Write tor our circular 
How to Make Records at Home. 
Sent free upon request. 


COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY 


New York, 93 Chambers St. Chicago, 88 Wabash Ave, 
Beston. 164 Tremont St. San Francisco, 125 Geary St. 








Are you in want of 

a Cabinet for your fav- 

One of the H It orite Guns,. Rifles and 
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further. We have just 

the right thing. An 

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i| Sportsman § ofall sportsmen. Made 
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e Quartered Oak fronts, 
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We also make a specialty of MOOSE, CARIBOU and DEER 
SHIELDS and MOUNTS for Taxidermists. 


Cabinets for Collections of Minerals, Eggs and Insects made 
to order any size required at reasonable prices. 


Estimates given on large Museum Cabinets and Cases for 
Collections of Birds and Animals. ; 


J. FRANK HOLT 


Neen use high, 37 in. se GAR DINER, ME. 


Price $32. 





BOOKS ror tHe HOLIDAYS 


ANY BOOK PUBLISHED FREE AS A PREMIUM 


We will allow you fifty cents on every subscription (either new or renewal) you may send us at $1.00 
each in payment for ANY BOOK AT PUBLISHERS PRICE. For a$2 book send us four subscriptions, 


for a $3 book six subscriptions, or two subscriptions and $2 cash. 


get YOUR OWN SUBSCRIPTION FREE. 


The Wood Folk Series, by William 
J. Long. Way of Wood Folks. Fascin- 
ating descriptions of animals and birds as 
seen at play in their homes. Square 12mo. 
Cloth. 214 pages. 75 cents. 

Given as a premium for 2 subscribers. 

Wilderness Ways. A second volume 
of ‘‘Ways of Wood Folks.”’ Written in 
the same intensely interesting style that 
makes its predecessor so pupular. 200 


pages. 75 cents. 
Given as a premium for 2 subscribers. 


Secrets of the Woods, with full-page 
pictures, illustrative initials, and head- 
pieces by Charles Copeland. Square 12mo. 
Cloth. 75 cents. 

Given as a premium for 2 subscribers. 
School of the Woods, with 12 full-page 
pictures and 300 marginal sketches, illus- 
trative initials, and chapter decorations by 
Charles Copeland. Handsomely bound 
in cloth with a design stamped in full gold, 


gold tops. Square 12mo. $1.50. 
Given as a premium for 4 subscribers. 


Bird Portraits, by Ernest Seton-Thomp- 
son. Pictures of familiar birds by this 
distinguished artist, with descriptive text 
by Ralph Hoffman. Beautifully bound 
in cloth with a cover design in three col- 
Ors, $1.50. 

Given as a premium for 5 subscribers. 
Mother Nature’s Children, by Allan 
Walter Gould. The love and care and 
mutual dependence of living things, from 
human beings down to the plants, set in 
an imaginative framework for children. 
With 200 illustrations. Square, 12mo. 
Cloth. 265 pages. $1.00. 


Given asa premium for 3 subscribers. 


Brooks and Brook Basin, by Alexis E. 
Frye. Every brook basin is regarded as 
a miniature world. The form of the book 
is astory adapted to the minds of children, 
in which Nature speaks for herself. With 
full-page illustrations. t2mo. Cloth. 


119 pages. 75 cents. 
iven as a premium for 2 subscribers. 


Bird Homes, by A.R. Dugmore. With 
the nests and eggs of birds in natural col- 
ors, also a number of half-tone illustra- 


tions. Postpaid $2.00. 
Given as a premium for six new subscribers. 


CHAS. K. REED, 


Secure two NEW subscribers and 


The Butterfly Book, by W. J. Holland, 
D. D. has, besides hundreds of text  illus- 
trations, Colored Plates which show over 
a Thousand Species of American Butter- 
flies with all their native beauty and_bril- 
liance of coloring. This is a ‘‘Popular 
Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies 
of North America.”’ It tells everything 
about butterflies, and tells itin a way any- 
body can understand. Every one interest- 
ed in Butterflies should own this book. 
Price is only $3.00 prepaid. 
Given asa premium for [0 subscribers. 


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. 

Given as a premium for six subscribers. 


Bird Neighbors, by Neltje Blanchan. 
Has 52 colored plates, and describes 150 of 
our song birds and other more common 
feathered neighbors. With the aid of 
these life-like plates there can be not the 
least doubt as to the idenfication of a 
bird. It is a sufficient commentary on the 
volume that there have been nearly 20,000 


copies sold since it appeared Postpaid, $2 
Given as a premium for six subscribers. 


Bird Life, Popular edition in colors. 
12 mo. cloth: $2.00 postpaid. A Guide to 
the Study of our Common Birds by F. M. 
Chapman, representing 100 Birds in their 
natural colors. 

Given as a premium for four subscribers. 


_ Birderaft, A Field Book of Two Hund- 


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1 Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 


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Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 

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Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 

Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 
House Wren (male). 

9 House Wren (female). 

to Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 

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A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass, 
EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. 
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One 
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COPY RIGHh LOO3 by CHAS Ke eRe ED 


VOL. II NOVEMBER, 1903. . NO. 11 





Our photograph contest, which ended October Ist, brought 
with it several pleasant surprises. The general average excell- 
ence of the prints far surpassed those sent in our last competition; 
and the whole number of photographs received in all three classes was 
a few over a thousand. The improvement shown in the work of a 
large number who contributed photos in the contest last year, is very 
marked and most gratifying, as is also the large increase in the num- 
ber of pictures showing adult birds. This large number of photos rep- 
resents a great amount of work and patience, but undoubtedly the 
makers of them have become far more intimate with bird life than they 
could in any other way. Judging them was also a difficult matter; we 
have considered them both photographically and ornithologically and 
make the following awards: 

Class 1.—Live adult birds: lst, Kinefisher with Fish,” by Roe 
Beebe, Arcade, N. Y.; 2nd, ““‘House Wren with Spider,’’ by Geo. C. 
Embody, Bradford, Pa.; 3rd, “Bluebird at Nest,’ by J. H. Miller, 
Lowville, N. Y. 

Class 2.—Young birds: lst, ““Young Chickadees being fed by the 
Adult,’”’ by Lispenard S. Horton, Hyde Park, N. Y.; 2nd, “Young 
Kingfishers,’ by J. H. Miller, Lowville, N. Y.; 3rd, “Young 
Shrikes,’’ by R. H. Beebe, Arcade, N. Y. 

Class 3.—Nests and Eggs: Ist, “Nest and Eggs of Cooper’s Hawk,”’ 
by G. L. Fordyce, Youngstown, Ohio; 2nd, ““Nest and Eggs of Bank 
Swallow,” by F. R. Miller, Toledo, Ohio; 3rd, “Nest and Eggs of 
Canada Goose,”’ by P. B. Peabody. 


THE NORTHERN NIGHTINGALE. 


(GAMBEL SPARROW.) 


Hush, my heart and let me listen; 

Where dewy boughs in moonlight glisten, 
Sways and swings in happy dreaming 
Though waking oft, exultant seeming, 

For the sake of his love in the green fir tree, 
The little gray bird in the still night sings, 
‘““Sweet, sweet won’t you listen to me? 
Sweet, sweet, so rich are we.”’ 


““Sweet, sweet, won’t you listen to me?” 

A nest so low in the green fir tree, 

A little gray bird in the nest beneath, 

All circled round with a honeysuckle wreath; 
O hush! be still my beating heart, 

The little gray bird takes up his part, 
‘‘Sweet, sweet, so rich my dearie, 

So rich my dear and nothing fear we.’’ 


The night goes on and the moon sinks low, 
The sky in the east begins to glow, 

The boughs in the breeze move to and fro, 
A little gray bird in joy now sings 

“Sweet, sweet, the night was eerie, 

Sweet, sweet, awake my dearie.”’ 

And all day long he sways and swings 

The zephyr again the question brings, 
‘““Sweet, sweet won’t you listen to me? 


Sweet, sweet, so rich are we.”’ 
E. INEz DENNY, Seattle, Wash. 


348 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


THE NUTTALL WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, 
By WM. ROGERS LORD. 

Every locality on our continent has its own special birds, sufficiently 
numerous to be called common, whose songs are of especially fine 
quality. There are everywhere generally recognized ““the two or three 
best” singers. For a considerable extent of longitude and latitude in 
New England and the Middle Atlantic States, we have, for example, 
the Song Sparrow and the Wood Thrush. Further north, the White- 
throated Sparrow and the Hermit Thrush. 

On the Pacific Coast, in western Oregon, through the Puget Sound 
region in Washington and into British Columbia, there are two birds 
which are in every field or upon every bush, inviting the attention of 
even the dullest ear to their marvelously rich and altogether fine sing- 
ing. These are the Western Meadowlark and Nuttall (till lately, when 
renamed, the Gambel) White-crowned Sparrow. Let me introduce the 
readers of American Ornithology to the latter, a subspecies of our 
Eastern White-crowned Sparrow. This bird passes the winter in Cali- 
fornia but appears in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, about April Ist. 
It is not only very abundant but also fond of civilization and a never 
wearying and always beautiful singer. Wherever you go about the 
vacant lots of a city, even one as large as Portland, the fascinating 
song of this little creature greets you. There is a tender plaintive 
quality in the bird’s voice that adds to its charm, a timbre not unlike 
that of the White-throated Sparrow of the east, and some would say 
the song is quite as fascinating, while all would agree it is very little 
less so. . 

The bird further draws every bird-lover to him, when out of the dark- 
ness of the night, comes sometimes as often as once an hour, his loving 
and lovely song. If there is woodbine or honeysuckle about the porch 
or piazza, itis not unlikely the nest may be placed there. One can 
imagine what delight is in store for the human family behind the win- 
dows, if ears and eyes and hearts have been opened at all birdward. 
There is a further fascination about the bird in the matter of song, since 
he is a tireless singer, defiant of storm and hot sun. From morn till 
eve, and at times from eve till morn, as I have stated, he utters his 
sweet invitation to hear him. At midday when the sun is burning, 
most birds are silent, retiring to shade or brook, but this little fellow 
sits upon bush or low tree and repeats his melody a hundred times. 

The form of the song varies in widely separated localities. Within 
limited ranges, the song is very nearly uniform. About Portland, 
Oregon, the common song has been translated by a sensitive listener 
into ‘Sweet, sweet, listen to me won’t you?”’ But around Puget Sound, 


349 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





GAMBEL WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. 


350 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


in the vicinity of Seattle and Tacoma, the song is of different form and 
perhaps of a slightly different quality. The appearance of the bird, 
both in form and color, is exquisite. The form is symmetrical through- 
out, the body rounding with a perfect head and dainty, finely and beau- 
tiful yellowish bill. The crown, with alternating black, or dark, and 
and white stripes, furnishes a striking and lovely feature. The breast 
is gray with a tint of brown init. The back has arich variety of smoky 
or olive-brown with sepia-brown or black markings. Taken all in all, 
one would have to travel far to find a more enticing bird. Imagine 
our White-throated Sparrow all about in our New England towns, 
nesting in our vines and hedges and singing day and night. Those 
who know the latter can appreciate the happiness of the bird-lovers of 
the Pacific Coast in the ministry of the Nuttall White-crowned Sparrow. 

There is another subspecies of the White-crowned Sparrow whose 
summer habitat is further north, beginning perhaps in northern Wash- 
ington and extending to Alaska. This bird is known in the latest or- 
nithological nomenclature as Gambel (formerly the Intermediate) White- 
crowned Sparrow. His appearance is so like the Nuttall, that no one 
but an expert can tell the difference, and then the bird would probably 
have to be in the hand. But not only is his home widely separated in 
the main, but there is the absence of a mark, besides the lighter general 
color, which distinguishes him from his relative further south. In the 
Nuttall Sparrow the pale yellow on the edge of either wing, while the 
edge of Gambel is ashy. The song too is different and yet not so dif- 
ferent but that, were it only a matter of song, the birds might be 
classed together. 





THE NORTHERN NIGHTINGALE 


or Gambel Sparrow is quite numerously represented on the shores of 
Puget Sound. As a pioneer child in the early days, 50’s and 60’s I 
listened with delight to its song, especially when I heard it at night. 
On account of this habit of waking and producing its sweet notes at in- 
tervals, throughout the night, it has been aptly called the “‘Northern 
Nightingale.’’ Some have called it the ““‘Sweet-Eva-Bird’”’ as they 
fancied its song resembled the words “‘Sweet, sweeter Eva.’’ Others 
translate it “Sweet, sweet, won’t you listen to me?’? To my ear it is 
quite plainly spoken by a majority of the birds ‘““Sweet, sweet, so rich 
(or witch) are we’ Either some are not as proficient as others or the 
song is varied, sometimes cut short at ‘‘are.’’ In the borders of, or in 
the openings in the great forest, it builds its nest a few feet from the 
ground, often in a young evergreen tree, likely the Douglas fir, the 
boughs of which may be twined with sprays of the orange-scarlet honey- 
suckle. The father bird sits on the top central twig and sings devoted- 
ly day and night. Frequently I have seen them about dwellings, 
perched on a porch railing or neighboring shrub, singing as fearlessly 
as in a great forest. E. INEz DENNY. 


351 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





GAMBEL WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. 


352 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


A BIRD CENSUS. 


The taking of a “Bird Census”’ of any considerable territory of our 
country would furnish a sound basis for future calculation on the in- 
crease or decrease of certain species. Why have not more of our bird 
observers taken up something at once so interesting and beneficial ? 

First of all, the benefit to observer or ‘“‘census-taker:’’ The amount 
of this unwittingly accomplished cannot be overestimated. The work 
necessitates a constantly alert eye, an eye ready for the slightest mo- 
tion close at hand or on a distant hillside; a constantly alert ear, ready 
to catch the slightest but distinctive chirp nearby, or a distant song; 
a constantly alert mind that will supplement the eye and ear by naming 
readily the bird seen or heard, and will remember where certain 
birds have flown to avoid a second counting. All these things neces- 
sarily develop the senses and mind thus exercised. “But, there is a 
great deal of work connected with all this, is there not?’’ No, the 
nearest approach to work is pleasurable routine and there is very little 
of that. 

Here is my method of recording a day’s outing: For the field I use 
a 4x6 memorandum book. In abbreviation I enter at the left of a page 
a list of the birds I expect to see (this is easily obtainable from former 
data of the same locality). With field glass hanging from my shoulder 
and pencil and paper in hand, I proceed to count. From yonder pas- 
ture come the plaintive notes of a Field Sparrow; opposite ““F’d Sp.” 
comes al. Three Towhees cross my path; 3 opposite Towhee. When 
more Field Sparrows are heard, the preceding figures are crossed out 
and new ones put down. When the bird is in song a small circle fol- 
lows the name. The sex sign may be used for rare birds. When I[ 
want to record locality more definitely I use colored pencils; for in- 
stance, red fo a certain farm house or bridge, and green deyvond. ‘This 
gives a double field for comparison. Notes of peculiar happenings in 
the bird world, or of nests, or wild lowers may be written on the other 
side of the page. On my return these notes are written in my Journal, 
and together with remarks on the weather, and anything else that will 
characterize the day and aid me to recall it. 

Across the sheet the totals may be placed; the number of individuals 
for the month, and the number of times seen. At the foot of the page 
are two more totals; the number of individuals for the day and the | 
number of species. The list of birds as made out at the end of the 
month may be in alphabetical or family order. 

Now, if I have succceeded in showing some of the advantages of 
this method, let me contrast the old. In almost all lists of birds—from 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 353 


local lists in pamphlet form to those in the most scientific publica- 
tions,— general and almost meaningless terms prevail. ‘Abundant, 
common, not common, tolerably common, quite common,’’ these are 
in common use. How little they mean! (and how much they are sup- 
posed to mean.) But each person has his own standard and what 
“common’’ means to one person may mean “not common”’ to another. 
I can convey to no one any definite idea when I say “‘not common mi- 
‘grant.”” How many more is “common than “not common?” ‘Toler- 
ably common, quite common,” what are their opposites? To be good 
terms their opposites must be good. If lists would give some num- 
‘bers, some real data, it might be possible to conceive of things. And 
‘what an unsystematic, unscientific spirit these loose words reveal ! 
May every sincere observer who reads this, remember that the world 
is changing and that “the kind I’ve always bought, therefore buy it 
again” won’t do. Norman O. FOERSTER. 


HOW A MOCKINGBIRD LEARNS A TUNE. 


By ANNA HEaD. 


A nest-full of very young Mockingbirds were bought of an Indian 
boy on the wharf at San Diego; California, and brought home on the 
steamer in a cigar box. For some time they had to be fed by hand on 
flies, worms, and hard boiled egg, and in this way became extremely 
tame. 

One of them proved to be a fine male and for eleven years was the 
delight of our household. He knew not only every member of the 
family by name, but greeted even certain favored guests in a special 
way. His chief expression of affection was a very soft whisper, hardly 
a chirp, uttered with half shut eyes and feathers ruffled up, while he 
humped his back and drew his head in between his shoulders. He 
showed his dislike of our maid whose broom was his great terror, by 
strutting up and down with his tail and wings spread like an angry 
‘Turkey cock, and scolding in a harsh, grating tone. 

I wished to see if he could learn to sing a strain of human music in 
addition to his own wild melodies, which held us fascinated in the 
moonlight nights of spring. So I kept his cage beside me while at 
work and whistled over and over two lines of Bonny Doon, “Thouw’ll 
break my heart, thou bonny bird, A warbling on the greenwood tree.’’ 
I thought the intervals in that strain had something of the ‘“‘woodnote 
wild’’ and ought not to be hard for him. All day, and day after day I 
kept it up, and still Mockie showed no signs of interest. He kept un- 
usually still, however, with his head often on one side and his eyes half 


354 AMHRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


closed, and never interrupted me once with his hilarious outbursts, so 
I was encouraged to persevere. 

After several weeks of this, I was one day called by the maid 
“Come quick,” she said “the bird is singing your tune.” I went with 
her to the door and peeped in. There sat Mockie on the back of a chair 
singing over to himself, but perfectly correct, the whole strain. He 
sang it very softly, and seemed shy about his accomplishment, for as. 
soon as he saw he was observed he interrupted the sweet notes with an 
impatient ‘“‘chack, chack.’’? After a few days he gained confidence and 
sang out boldly and loud, even before an audience of strangers. But 
he was always prone to interrupt himself mischievously, at the very 
climax of the song, with some droll squawk, the imitation of a wheel- 
barrow, or other uncouth sound. This song he never forgot till his 
death, and taught it to his young birds, who, however, never equalled 
him in their performance of it. Another indication of his ear for mu- 
sic was that he usually kept silent while the piano was being played, 
and seemed to listen with interest, as he had done while he was learn- 
ing the song. Sometimes he would sing a sort of accompaniment of 
soft, single notes, quite different from his usual song. These were 
in harmony with the piece played, and I was so much struck with this 
fact that I wrote them down on the score of a Beethoven Sonata. The 
notes were not continuous, but came in tentatively now and then, as a 
novice with the violin might try to strike a note in harmony from time 
to time. I believe if a simple composition had been played to him 
often enough, these notes would have assumed definite form, and the 
bird would have appeared with assurance in the role of a composer. 

The fact that he still sang the song characteristic of the race, though 
taken so early from the nest, might be thought to have some bearing 
on the vexed question discussed by Lloyd Morgan in “‘Habit and In- 
stinct’’ on whether song is an inherited instinct or learned by tradition, 
from the parents. But it should be remembered that night and day 
from the time he chipped the egg till the Indian kidnapped him, he had 
heard his father’s song, which may have well made an indelible im- 
pression on so retentive a memory. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 355 


BLACK TERN, 


A. O. U. No. 77. (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis) 


RANGE. 


Found through the whole of temperate America from Alaska south- 
ward into South America. 


DESCRIPTION. 


Length, 9.5 in.; extent, 24 in.; tail, 3.7 in., forked for about one inch. 
Adults in summer:—Head, neck and under parts black; whole back, 
wings and tail lead gray; primaries are black, frosted with white; un- 
der tail coverts are white. Winter adult:—Forehead, sides of head, 
neck all around, and entire under parts white. Crown grayish, shad- 
ing to darker off hind head and continuing as a bar through the eye; 
upper parts paler than in summer and the feathers with white edgings. 
Young:—Similar to the winter adult but the upper parts are brownish 
and the sides of breast and body are washed with gray. 





NEST AND EGGS. 


Black Terns breed chiefly in the interior in reedy marshes. The 
eggs are very commonly deposited on the little islands of decayed 
vegetation found floating in such localities. When built in the marsh 
grass a slight nest is built of the dead grass. The eggs are laid from 
the latter part of May to well into July, and frequently two broods are 
raised in a season. Three eggs comprise the full set. The ground 
color varies from greenish to brownish and they are heavily blotched 
with brown and fainter traces of lilac. 


HABITS. 


The pretty little Black Terns, which next to the Least Tern are the 
smallest that we have, are very common in the interior portions of the 
country. In April and May, upon the approach of the breeding season, 
they congregate in large flocks about the reedy sloughs of the West. 
Here they attend the duties of nesting, caring for the young, and in- 
structing them in the arts of flying until the middle or latter part of 
October when the greater part of them have left for warmer localities 
in which to pass the winter. During migrations they fly chiefly at 


356 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





BLACK TERNS. 


Adult and Young. 


AMERICAN ORNITIIOLOGY. 357 


night and at a great height. The day time is passed in rest or in feed- 
ing about the marshes that they pass on their way South. In the Fall 
and Spring they are a great deal more common along the coasts than 
during the breeding season. They are very strong fliers and are fre- 
quently met with in the middle of the ocean. 

Except during migrations they do not usually fly at a great eleva- 
tion. Their movements while on the wing are the equal of those of 
any others of the family, as is shown by their scientific name of Hydro- 
chelidon, which signifies ““‘Water Swallow’. Their movements on the 
land are graceful although they do not do much walking, trusting to 
their wings rather than their feet in moving from place to place. Their 
head is carried well down on the shoulders and the body is horizontal 
with the wings well up on the back. They live chiefly on insects, 
worms and young fish and frogs, which they catch on land or by dip- 
ping their heads into the water, rarely swimming except from necessity. 





Photo by P. B. PEABODY. 


NEST AND[EGGS OF BLACK TEEN. 


358 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


A SEPTEMBER CANOE TRIP. 
VINCENT E. GORMAN. 

September is an interesting month to bird-students. It is then that 
Nature’s summer freshness is turning into the gold and scarlet splen- 
dor of autumn. The birds are stirring about after their long August 
rest, some are singing, and all are preparing for their southern jour- 
ney. Having passed the moulting period, they are now dressed in 
brand-new suits. 

Such was the conditon of things in the out-door world when a friend 
and I arrived at the “‘lake’’ one afternoon early in the month. ‘This 
lake was not a large budy of water—perhaps half a mile long by an 
eighth wide—and was locally called “‘the lake’’ to distinguish it from 
smaller ones, known as ‘“ponds’’. We were soon seated in my canvas 
canoe and paddling up the lake. 

Both of us were enthusiasts in ornithology, and we now turned our 
attention chiefly to the birds. Along the lake-side were several tele- 
graph-wires, literally loaded with swallows. At our approach they 
darted off, skimming close to the water with that airy, graceful flight 
common to members of this family, and this gave us a chance to iden- 
tify them. The tree or white-breasted species was most common, and 
named in order of their abundance, we also saw the eave, barn and 
bank varieties, besides the so-called chimney swallow’’. 

Proceeding on, we heard the squawk of a heron, and looking up recog- 
nized the little green species, winging rapidly toward an alder thicket. 
Not long after, the green heron’s larger relative, the American bittern, 
was observed. As it was the first I had seen this year, I took care to 
get anear view. It flew past with a rather slow and labored flight; it 
was brown on the back, had long legs and neck and a wide expanse of 
wing. A bird following the same profession as the two preceding now 
appeared in the person of a kingfisher. He was a handsome fellow 
with his blue back, ruddy under-parts and upright crest. After flying 
around several times, making two or three bullet-like plunges for sun- 
fish, he headed straight for the canoe, about a foot above the water, 
and coming like an arrow, he shot directly toward us. When he was 
about ten feet from us it looked as if something would happen, but 
just as he was about to collide, he swerved aside like a flash, giving 
his rattling alarm as he went. I have read of the extreme timidity of 
this bird, but this one was either singularly bold or else did not see 
where it was going. 

My friend now suggested that we should paddle up the brook that 
filled the lake. Accordingly, we worked briskly for a few minutes and 
found ourselves at its mouth. Here the spotted turtles peeped curious- 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 359 


ly at us from bunches of pond-scum, and many-colored dragon-flies 
poised on shimmering wings. The brook flowed in winding curves 
through the woods, and being unmolested by intruders, the birds and 
other forest creatures were quite abundant. 

Now we were allowed sight of a bird rare in this locality—the Horn- 
ed Grebe, or water-witch. In this instance it certainly earned its popu- 
lar name, for it played us a neat trick. When we approached, it dove 
beneath the surface and swam for nearly a hundred yards before ap- 
pearing. This was repeated until we gave up our attempts to get 
nearer. 

Soon after this we heard a prolonged ciucking call and noticed a 
long-tailed, pigeon-like bird. A glance at the under side of its lengthy 
caudal appendage, revealing white spots, showed it to be a yellow-bill- 
ed cuckoo. He was perched on a sapling, eating a small caterpillar, 
and so absorbed was he that the canoe glided quite close. I could 
have touched him with my paddle, and when disturbed he flew only a 
few yards. Much has been written about the cuckoo’s shyness, but 
this one was without trepidation, and I have seen a number of others 
exhibiting the same characteristics. 

Cedar-birds were plentiful—there were nearly as many as in May or 
June, when large flocks visit the head-waters of the lake. How soft 
and silky these waxy-winged beauties look, yet what a disappointment 
that they have no song. 

Shallow water now warned us that futher progress would be perilous 
to the sides of our frail craft, so reversing our stroke we were soon at 
the boat-house, and our little canoe trip was at an end. We had a bi- 
cycle ride of four miles before us, however, and on the way home we 
saw the following birds: Flicker, Robin, Crow, Phoebe,Catbird, Song- 
sparrow, Bluebird, Sparrow and Marsh Hawks, and Least Flycatcher. 

Though not an unusual number of birds had been seen, we had both 
enjoyed the afternoon, and had at least learned some interesting things 
about the September birds. 





A RARE PET, 


A druggist here who is very fond of pets, and has many kinds, has 
now added to his list a Ruffed Grouse, (Tetrao umbellus). The bird 
is a full grown female and was captured ina strange manner. It was 
seen by a boy to go under some small evergreens and brush, and as 
she did not go out as he approached the place, his curiosity led him to 
put his hand into the brush to see what had become of her, and as he 
did so she stepped into his hand. He carried her home and let her go 
in the barn. The next day as they were working around the barn, she 
went out through one of the doors which they had left open and flew 
down to. the woods back of the house, and they thought they had lost 
her, but she was not gone more than two hours before she returned 
and entered the barn, then they closed the door and caught her and 
took her to this druggist who has had her nearly two months. She 
seems no wilder than a hen, and allows one to handle her as he would 
a pet bantam. This is the first time I ever saw a tame grouse, and I 
did not suppose they could be tamed. Has any reader of this maga- 
zine known of a similar case? CALVIN C. MANLEY, Milton, Vt. 


360 


AMURICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 22. 





No. 604. Black Throated Bunting or Dick 
cissel, (Spiza americana). 

The United States east of the Rocky Mountains 
and chiefly west of the Alleghanies. Rare in the 
southern parts of New England and New York. 
Length about 6.5 in. Male:—Above grayish brown 


with the middle of the back streaked with black. 


Throat and line extending on each side to the bill, 
black; middle of breast yellow; rest of under parts 
white; cheeks. gray, separated from the crown by a 
white stripe; shoulders chestnut. Female similar, 
but paler and the throat patch lacking or spotted. 


No. 618. Bohemian Waxwing, (Ampelis 
garrulus). 
Whole of Canada and south in winter regularly to 
the northern tier of States; south to Colorado in the 


- West and rarely to New York and Massachusetts in 


the East. Adults:—Length 7.5 in. General color a 
brownish ash shading into brighter brown on the 
crest and sides of head; a frontal line which extends 
through the eye, and the chin and throat velvety 
black, the sides of the latter bordered with white; 
under tail coverts chestnut; tail ash and shading to 
black towards the end which is broadly tipped with 
yellow; primaries tipped with yellow; secondaries and 
primary coverts tipped with white; Secondaries 
shafts tipped with horny, red, waxlike appendages. 


No. 619. Cedar Waxwing, (Ampelts cedror- 


um). 

Length 6.75 in. General color shading from a 
purplish chestnut on the fore part of body to clear ash 
on the rump, and through yellowish on the belly to 
white on the under tail coverts; black frontlet bor- 
dered with white on the forehead and chin edged 
with white on the sides. Wings plain but with the 
waxlike appendages as in the preceding species. 
Tail tipped with yellow. 


No. 628  Yellow-throated Vireo, (Vireo flav- 
ifrons). 

United States east of the Plains. Length about 

gin. Above bright olive green; below olive yellow- 

ish, shading into white on the belly. Ring about the 

eye and superciliary line, yellow; wings dusky, and 

crossed by two white bars. 

No. 683. Yellow-breasted Chat, (/cferia vir- 
ens). 

United States east of the Plains. Length 7 in. 
Upper parts olive green; below bright yellow, chang- 
ing abruptly to white on the belly superciliary stripe, 
spot on lower eyelid, and maxillary line white; lores — 
black. 683a. Long-tailed Chat (I. V. longicauda) 
Western variety. Back more grayish and tail long- 
er. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 301 


No. 509. Lazuli Bunting, (Passerina amoe- 
na). 

Western United States from the Plains to the Pa7 
tific. Length 5.5 in. Male:—Head and neck all 
around, and entire upper parts of rich azure blue, 
slightly obscured by blackish on the back. Under 
parts white except the breast adjoining the blue, 
which is brown; a broad white bar crosses the medi- 
an coverts and sometimes a narrow one at the tips of 
the greater. Female:—Above yellowish brown, 
sometimes with faint bluish edges and crossed by 
two brownish white wing bars. 


No. 600° Varied Bunting, (Passerina verst- 
color). 


From southern Texas southwards. Length 5.5 in. 
Male:—General color purplish, more red on hind 
head and blue on top of head and rump; lores black. 
Female like that of preceding except that it lacks the 
wing bars. 

No. 601. Painted Bunting, Nonpareil, (Pass- 
erina cirts). 

Common in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. 
Length 5.5 in. Male:—Crown, hind neck, and sides 
of head bright blue; back yellowish green; rump and 
tail purplish red; under parts bright vermillion; wings 
dusky. Female:—Above yellowish green and below 
yellowish white. Orbital ring vermillion. 

No. 654. Black-throated Blue Warbler, 

(Denroica coerulescens) . 

- North America east of the Plains. Breeds from 
northern United States northwards. Length 
about 5 in. Male:—Above dark slaty blue, lighter 
and brighter on the forehead; back with black 
streaks down center of feathers; throat, sides of head 
and-breast black, this extending along the sides in a 
continuous band or broken streaks; wings and tail 
dusky, the former with a broad white patch at the 
base of the primaries and the latter with white spots 
on the inner webs of outer feathers near their ends. 
Under parts white. FFemale:—Olive brownish above 
and dull whitish below, but always to be recognized 
by the characteristic white blotch at base of primar- 
ies; this may be a mere speck but it is always pres- . 


ent. 
No. 658. Cerulean Warbler, (Dendroica 
coerulea). 

Eastern: United States, rare in New England. 
Length 4.5 in. Male:—Upper parts sky blue, the 
middle of the back and also the crown with black 
markings; below white; streaked across the breast. 
in the form of a ring with dusky blue; wings with ~ 
two broad white bars and tail with white spots near’ ~ 
the tips of outer feathers. 





362 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


A BIT FROM SPARROWLAND, 


By ALICE J. NICHOLS. 

Our Jersey home had an unused room, the window blinds of which 
were always kept closed, but with the shutters open. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sparrow were perhaps students of social or household economics and 
did not believe in a room being utterly unused, or perhaps they 
specially admired the view from that window looking out upon the oaks 
and hickories and tangles of grasses and ferns, and the wild, sweet 
things which Nature seems to create for the mere pleasure of it. At 
all events we found them busily at work one early spring morning 
carrying straws for a nest and weaving them together inside our win- 
dow blind. Later on by cautiously raising the window when the 
mother bird was absent, we could see into the nest, and counted four 
speckled white eggs. After a time we heard twitterings and peepings 
and knew that four tiny babies were cuddled up in their little straw 
home. Then we did not dare raise the window for fear of possibly 
harming one of the wee mites, and had to content ourselves with put- 
ting our faces close to the window, getting sometimes a side-ways 
glance at them. One day while the mother was away I was endeavor- 
ing to see them when Mrs. Sparrow suddenly returned and found the 
face of one of those great humans pressed close against the window by 
her babies. I have never seen a more frightened creature. She hop- 
ped up and down with fear, if one may speak of ““hopping”’ in the air, 
and seemed to almost lose her senses at thought of the great peril she 
fancied her children to be in; then flew to the oak tree in front of the 
window where she could keep guard. I made haste to go away, sorry 
and ashamed for having caused pain to the mother-heart of even a 
sparrow. 

I was away from home then for two months, when I returned I was 
told that my little sparrow family had long ago been taught to fly and 
had gone away, and now a second brood was just ready to leave the 
nest. Well, sparrow birds are much alike to casual observer, and it 
would doubtless be just as interesting to watch these as the first ones, 
so I sheltered myself in the swing under the trees with a book, but 
ready to note if anything interesting occurred. There was much fly- 
ing and fluttering going on, the little ones venturing out as far as the 
limbs of the nearby oak tree, and then dashing back home again, evi- 
dently a bit fearful of the big world beyond. After a time I noticed 
that the father bird would drive away the little ones as fast as they 
came back to the nest, scolding in language which, while I was too ig- 
norant of their speech to fully understand, had a fearful sound. Evi- 
dently he was saying. “Now young sparrows, you are grown up and it 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 303 


is time you were out in the world. Your mother and I have fed you 
ever since you were born, and we’ve had to hustle to do it, too. Why 
we ’ve hardly had time to breathe some days. Now you are as big 
and strong and fat as birds need be, and you must do your own hust- 
linia’. 





Photo from life by C .A. Smith. 


ENGLISH SPARROWS. 


Three of the birds seemed to take this plain language to heart and 
evidently thought best to obey, after a few mild protests, but one, per- 
haps the oldest, had a mind of his own. Again and again he flew back 
to the window shutters and was immediately chased away by his father 
who vociferated loudly his displeasure. Finally the young gentleman 
even ventured into the nest. This was a straw too much (no pun in- 
tended!) for his father’s patience, and by the squawking which came 
from within one could imagine something unpleasant was happening. 
A second later both dashed wildly out, the younger in advance close- 
ly pursued by his irate parent. He flew down into the grass not far 
from where I was sitting, and his father following, proceeded to ad- 
minister such a strong drubbing as I hope few disobedient children 
ever receive. I think that father sparrow must have been a Puritan of 
the old school, certainly none of them could have been sterner or 
stricter in rearing his children, or could have administered punishment 


304 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


more severely. But it seemed to have the desired effect. Young 
sparrow betook himself to the woods and I am sure never ventured to 
put so much as his bill inside the old home again. 

This last spring the same pair of sparrows, presumably, made their 
nest inside the same blinds, leaving the old nest deserted and making 
a fresh one at the opposite end of the window. The mother had been 
setting on the eggs for a week or ten days when the family suddenly 
had an unusual burden put upon them. It came about this way. 
Across the street a pair of sparrows had built a nest beneath the eaves 
of a house, and the boy who owned the family who rented the house, 
was amusing himself with his sling-shot when he accidentally shot a 
stone at the nest and down it came with three half-grown birds in it. 
The weetlings were uninjured, but what to do with them was a prob- 
lem, for the eaves were out of reach of the longest ladder in the neigh- 
borhood and there was no possible way of getting the nest back. The 
boy, Charlie, ran in great.excitement across the way to his friend An- 
drew, the boy who owned the family who lived in our house, to get the 
advice which one boy is sure to have for another. Andrew remember- 
ed the teacher at school telling them that even English sparrows would 
care for another bird’s children if placed in their nest, and they immed- 
iately decided to try the experiment. They carefully brought the bird- 
lings from across the way and carried them upstairs, and cautiously 
opening the window put them gently into the nest. The parent birds 
were away for a few moments, but when they came back two more 
astonished or frightened birds you never saw. They flew out quickly 
and stayed in the oak tree a long time, twittering and chirping in ex- 
- citement, and no doubt consulting together what was best to be done, 
and trying to explain this strange phenomenon—a family of bird babies 
dropped into their nest without the preliminary of being hatched. Fin- 
ally the mother left the tree, the father staying to keep watch that no 
other unheard of thing happened to disturb the peace of their home. In 
a few minutes she was back, bringing another female bird with her. 
Was it the mother of the little stranger, or an old maid aunt of the 
family who stood ready for emergencies? Not being on intimate 
enough terms with them to ask we could not tell, whoever she was she 
understood the necessities of the situation, and presently all three were 
hard at work trying to fill the apparently bottomless capacities of those 
little ones. Day after day the three cared for them till they were well 
grown and ready to fly, and then, when they had been properly taught 
that greatest of bird accomplishments, and had gone away to the wood- 
land, the strange lady sparrow disappeared also. 

Meanwhile the eggs in the nest had been kept warm and in proper 
condition, possibly by the young birds’ constant presence, for a week 
or so after the stranger birdlings had been taught to fly they hatched 
out and Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow had another set of mouths to feed, and 
another brood to teach tu fly and to be well mannered and obedient. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 305 


LITTLE BLUE HERON. 


A. O. U. No. 200. (Ardea coerula.) 
RANGE. 


Southern portions of the United States; north casually to New Eng- 
land. Breeds abundantly along the Gulf Coast. 
DESCRIPTION. 


Length 24 in.; extent, 42 in.; tail4 in. Adult (blue phase):—Gen- 
eral color slaty blue, changing to purplish on the head and neck. Bill 
bluish; eye yellow; legs and feet black. White Phase:—Entire plum- 
age white with the exception of the bluish primaries and sometimes 
traces of bluish elsewhere. 


NEST AND EGGS. 


ia 





Little Blue Herons breed in large communities in the swamps along 
the Gulf Coast. The nest is simply a frail platform of sticks through 
which the three or four pale bluish eggs may sometimes be plainly 
seen. The eggs are laid during May or June. 


HABITS. 


Little Blue Herons are one of the many fishermen of the South. In 
their general habits they are very similar to the Green Heron of the 
North, except that they nest in larger colonies than do the Green Her- 
ons in the North. In the isolated swamps along the Gulf they build 
their nests in the mangroves or willows in company with Louisiana 
Herons and the little Egrets or snowy Herons. Here if undisturbed, 
they sit quietly all day, basking in the sun, going fishing late in the 
afternoon and early in the morning. Their food consists almost en- 
tirely of small fish, varied occasionally with small frogs and insects. 
Fish they catch as do other herons by standing motionless in the water 
until the victim comes within reach when it is caught unerringly be- 
tween their long mandibles. Like the Reddish Egret these birds have 
two color phases, in the white one of which they are very similar to 
young birds of the Snowy Heron and doubtless are often mistaken as 
such. 


AMLRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 








LITTLE BLUE HERON: 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 307 


MY FEATHERED FRIENDS. 


By EMMA M, DOAK. 


ome of my earliest recollections are of a pair of Chipping Spar- 

rows that built their nest in our yard. We scattered crumbs for 

them until they became so tame they would eat from our hands, 
and carry crumbs to the nest to feed the little ones. How delighted 
we were! We were almost afraid to breathe for fear we would fright- 
en them. After they became accustomed to eating from our hands we 
would open our fingers and let a tiny foot slip through and then gently 
close them around the slender little leg and “‘Chip”’ was a prisoner, but 
we never kept himlong. He would pull to get loose and at the same 
time turn his little head to one side and look up at us as much as to 
say: © Did you know you were holding my foot? Please let me go 
for my babies are hungry.’’ And he would fly away with food for the 
baby birds and quickly return for more. 

For the last.three winters I have greatly enjoyed feeding some of 
the birds that stay with us during the cold weather. I first fed a pair 
of White-breasted Nuthatches from a small box tacked to an apple tree | 
near the window. They were very fond of pumpkin seeds which they 
would carry off and wedge into the rough bark of the tree and then, 
hanging head downward, peck out the kernel. 

The next fall I thought I would get better acquainted with them, 
and tacked a box on the windowsill. They soon became so tame they 
would come to the box when we were just inside the window. They 
would come early in the morning and, if the box were empty, they 
would peck on the glass or cry: ‘hank, hank, yank, yank,’ which was 
their way of asking for their breakfast. 

Hoping to attract other birds I tied some beef bones to the branches 
of atree near the window, and one day soon after was pleased to see 
several Crested Titmice on the tree. They were so shy they would 
fly away if anyone went near, but the next morning seeing the Nut- 
hatches carrying nuts from the box they came too, and what a busy, 

$F, happy time they had trying to see which 
/ could carry off the most. Before spring 
they would take nuts from our hands. They 
are also fond of sunflower seeds, fat meat, 
and sweet cake. 

Several kinds of Woodpeckers also came 
to the tree and box; among them was a pair 
of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, the first of the 
kind I had ever seen. 





368 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


In April the Titmice left for their home in the North and the others 
went to the woods to begin housekeeping, but when winter returned 
they all came back and seemed to feel as much at home as they did 
in the spring. 

Beside my old friends there are three dear little Chickadees—the 
first I have seen for years—and occasionally a pair of Blue Jays. 

Several of the common Blue-birds have been with us all winter but 
they do not come for food. I often wondered why they remained be- 
hind when the others went to the sunny South. Butit was very pleas- 
ant to hear them singing when the mercury was near Zero, and to see 
them flitting about when the ground was white with snow. They 
frequently spent the night in an old Robin nest near the house. 

During a week or two of very cold weather in February when every- 
thing was covered with snow and ice I scattered grass seeds on the 
snow near a window and they were appreciated and enjoyed by a flock 
of thirty or more Tree Sparrows and Juncos, and one day a beautiful 
Cardinal came. His bright red coat showed off to good advantage 
with the snow for a back-ground as he hopped about in his dignified 
way among the sober-colored Sparrows and Juncos. 

I also enjoyed furnishing nest material for the birds in the spring- 
time. It is so interesting to watch them and see what they like best. 
The Purple Grackles and Robins would take all the cord and string 
they could get and, sometimes, other things. A handkerchief that 
was drying on the grass disappeared and was not found until the falling 
leaves revealed it. A Robin that had been building her nest in a grape- 
vine near by had evidently been pleased with it for 
she had carried it off and woven one corner into her 
nest. No doubt she thought she had the finest home 
in the neighborhood. 

The Baltimore Orioles and Yellow Warblers would 
take only white material. One Warbler’s nest was 
made almost entirely of strips of muslin. They 
would come for them when I was only a few feet 
away and would fly off with a foot or more of string 
streaming out behind them. The nest was a cute , 
little rag-bag, but sad to say it was scarcely complet- hay 
ed when it was destroyed by some cruel bird to % 
adorn its own home, and the busy, happy little pair that had flitted 
about like tiny sunbeams at once left the vicinity, and let us hope they 





fared better elsewhere. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 369 


Twice I have saved Orioles that seemed to be 
trying to commit suicide by hanging. An old 
bird in search of nest material found a strong 
thread on a bush in the garden. It was tangled 
about the twigs and, in trying to loosen it, Mr. 
Oriole became entangled also. The thread was 
twisted about one foot and also about his neck, 
and he was fluttering and pulling with all his 
strength to get loose, while his excited mate hov- 
ered near. The other was a young bird. I no- 
ticed it fluttering strangely by a deserted nest in 
an old pear tree. A second glance showed us that it was a prisoner. 
It had for some reason returned to its old home and became entangled 
in the horse hairs that hung from the nest. One of the hairs was twist- 
ed about its neck and in its struggles to get free it had only twisted it 
tighter and was then gasping for breath. As the nest was beyond my 
reach, I hastened to the house and returned with a broken hoe with 
which I managed to reach the branch on which the nest was built. The 
branch was partly decayed and broke easily and nest, bird and all came 
tumbling to my feet. I quickly released the little prisoner and carried 
it to the house to show to the rest of the family, but in trying to hold 
it so that the wondering eyes of my baby nephew might get a peep at 
it, it slipped from my hands and was gone like a flash leaving me with 
a feeling of thankfulness that I been permitted to save its life that it 
might help to brighten the earth with its beauty and song of gladness. 


EMMA M. DOAK, Hookstown, Pa. 


A BIRD INCIDENT. 

One evening my attention was attracted by a persistent tapping at 
the window, the curtain of which was drawn up so as to allow the light 
to shine out upon the vine-covered piazza. Going outside, I found a 
a little gray bird fluttering against the pane. It allowed itself to be 
taken in the hand, and then the cause of its unusual behavior was mani- 
fest. The tiny claws were quite bound up and entangled with spider 
web, so that perching was impossible. We gently unwound the mass 
and freed the slender feet, and then set the bird at liberty. It flew 
away, and did not return again to the window. 

It was a little plain Crested Titmouse, at that time no uncommon 
bird in shady Oakland, from which the axe and the English Sparrows 
have since driven it. While we were freeing its feet, the long crest 
kept rising and falling with excitement, but not, I hope with fear. A 
pair had their nest in an old stove pipe hole in the house, though they 
usually nest in hollows of oaks, and never being molested had become 
quite familiar. ANNA HEAD. 








370 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


BIRD CHAT Swi 
OUR | YOUNG 


RIENDS. 


Address communications for this department to 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 





DEAR YOUNG FOLKs: 

A pair of Bluebirds have their summer home in a box in an oak tree 
near by. Last winter they rented it, (furnished, I think) to—can you 
guess to whom? A bright-eyed little fellow with a red fur coat and a 
bushy tail. Here he kept cozy and warm through winter snows. He 
was not a tidy a housekeeper, however, as Madam Blue, for when he 
vacated in the spring, the floor was strewn with shells, and the house 
was nearly filled with the straw mattress which he left behind, and if 
we had not cleaned house before Mr. and Mrs. Blue arrived, I fear they 
would have sought a new nest. You may find summer homes of the 
birds with many queer tenants, on your winter walks in the woods, not 
only the squirrels take possession of these deserted homes, but in the 
cradle where babies in feathers swung in summer sunshine, you may 
find the little field mice rocked to sleep by the cold winds of winter. 

In the Enigma, the Great-crested Flycatcher, in the September num- 
ber, the number of letters should have been given twenty-two instead 
of twenty-three. We wish you all enjoyment this month in our Amer- 
ican holiday. Cordially your friend, 

MrG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


ROLL OF HONOR. 

Charles Alexander, Gloversville, N. Y.; Charles H. Abbott, Antrim, 
N. H., Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, S. Dakota; Louise Jordan, De- 
fiance, Ohio; Jean Lampton, Elmira, N. Y.; Huldah C. Smith, Provi- 
dence, R. I. 








ANSWERS TO OCTOBER PUZZLES. 
ENIGMA. 
Phoebe. 
SUGGESTED BIRDS. 
1. Ovenbird; 2. Phoebe; 3. Jay; 4 Indigo Buntine-= 5 mold 
Squaw Duck; 6. Lark: 7. Rail. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 371 


EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG, 


It seems as if it had been raining for the last two weeks. The rain 
may bring joy to the heart of the farmer, but it. brings grief to the 
ornithologist, for it is destroying hundreds upon hundreds of Red-wing- 
ed Blackbird’s eggs. It may destroy a few Bobolink’s and Meadow 
Lark’s eggs. I know of a Yellow Warbler’s nest with young in it, 
which the rain made the mother desert. The Blackbird’s build in the 
tall grass close to the river and the rain has made the river flood up 
over the grass. STAFFORD FRANCIS, 

Exeter, Neo: 


TI would like'to tell you more about the two bird boxes I put up, and that 
you mentioned in the August number of the A. O. The Tree Swal- 
lows in the first box I put up got a splendid nest all made and then 
abandoned the box. I wondered if they left because their front door- 
step got knocked off, or whether they foresaw that some boys were 
going to smash it to splinters on the Fourth of July. The Tree Swal- 
lows that thought of building inthe other box, left, and some House 
Wrens have taken it and reared two or three broods successfully. 
The box was spared on the Fourth as the noise of smashing the first 
box roused somebody who stopped the mischief. I shall put up more 
and better boxes next year, and see that they are not touched on the 
Fourth of July. SAMUEL D. ROBBINS, 

Belmont, Mass. 


I looked up the chimney one day and saw the nest of a Purple Mar- 
tin. It may have been a Chimney Swallow’s nest, but it was a family 
of Purple Martins that were living there, for the next day there was a 
fire started, and two birds were found dead in the fireplace afterwards. 
The chimney is perfectly straight, and I think that the birds were suf- 
focated by the smoke. The nest is still there as I saw it only yester- 
day. SALLY W. OrRvVIS 

Manchester, Vt. 





ENIGMA NO. 1. 


I am composed of 8 letters. 
My 1-2-3-4 is the shape of my head. 
My 5-3-4 is a boy’s name. 
My 7-6-5 is one of your bones. 
My 8-1-2-3 is a gentle bird. 
My whole is a fairly common wood bird. 
LEwIs S. GANNETT, 
Bennington Center, Vt. 


372 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ENIGMA NO, 2. 


My first is in queen, but not not in king. 
My second is in furs, but not in swing. 
My third is in paint, but not in brush. 
My fourth is in hist, but not in hush. 
My fifth and last you will find in lame. 
My whole is a bird, but what is its name ? 
GEOFERY J. GILES, 
Comfort, Texas. 





ENIGMA NO, 3. 


The name of a bird is to be found in each sentence, the figures in the 
blank spaces indicating the number of letters in the omitted words: 

(a) When you see me flying over the —4— where my nest is, my 
long forked tail will tell you what sort of —7— I am. 

(6) My mate has yellow instead of the —3— that catches your eye 
as I —5— out from among the leaves. 

(c) Iam a shy lover of —5—, but though I am called a —6— I am 
really a warbler. 

(dq) My nest is to be found up in the —7—, and when my young 
ones leave it their flight is nearly as swift as my own. 

ISABELLA McC. LEmMMon, 
Englewood, N. J. 





QUERIES. 
1. What birds have the longest tongues? 
2. What birds have the largest tongues ? 
3. What birds have the smallest tongues ? 
4. How many broods are raised in one season by the English Spar- 
Ww 


row? 


5. What bird lays one egg and hatches it before laying another ? 





SOME CURIOUS HOMES, 

Come, boys and girls, we want you to go with us on a flying trip to 
some curious dwellings, built by tiny architects, without tools or hands. 
As arrangements for a wireless flying machine have not yet been per- 
fected, we shall have to be content with the old fashioned travelling 
carpet of the ancient magician. There is room for you all, now if you 
are ready for a start, close your eyes and hold your breath for an in- 
stant. (Cz-gam/ Here we are in the center of the Dark Continent 
where we will inspect the homes built by the Social Weaver Birds for 


AMLRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 373 


their young. Hundreds of these birds combine in building an immense 
tenement house, for protection from the common evening snakes. 

All unite in building a straw roof attached to a large branch of a 
tree, beneath this each couple builds its own apartment, each room 
Opening upon what might be called a corridor, which has many en- 
trances from the outside world. The nests are often several months 
in building, as they are often torn to pieces and rebuilt several times 
before the owners are suited. They are made of fine twigs, grasses 
and fibres, moistened by the saliva of the bird, and woven together so 
firmly that trees are sometimes thickly covered with nests built by 
many generations of birds. Other members of this family weave 
strangely shaped nests. Some hang like a gourd hanging by its stem, 
others small at either end, and globelike in the middle, and some re- 
semble nicely padded willow baskets. The Mahali Weaver Birds place 
thorns with the points outwards in the walls of their nests for defense. 

In another species we find Mr. Gold-fronted Weaver at his ease in a 
separate home while Mrs. Weaver ministers to the needs of the family. 
We cannot tarry to call on others of this interesting family, but as we 
May never visit Africa again we will call before we leave upon a pris- 
oner. Do you see that beak, nearly a foot long, thrust through an 
opening in a hollow tree trunk? That belongs to Mrs. Hornbill, who, 
closed in a dark cell, must pluck her own feathers to carpet her nest, 
lay her eggs and hatch her little ones. How came she in such a plight? 
Alas! a cruel husband is the jailer. He closed the prison door, gather- 
ing mud and plastering up the entrance, leaving just enough room for 
my lady’s beak. But he is not altogether cruel, for day after day, he 
works hard to supply her with choice berries and fruits, until the little 
family have reached years of discretion and are released from confine- 
ment. 

Now we will hasten to India and stop for a moment to see Mrs. Baya, 
also a weaver, who is a great pet about the houses of the natives, and 
is trained to do a variety of tricks. Little Mrs. Baya with her strong 
curved bill has woven a remarkable tubular structure of various veget- 
able substances. As this sways from a palm branch, or perhaps from 
the eaves of a native hut, the infant Bayas greet us from a round win- 
dow in the side of the nest. 

In India, too, in the dense forests we shall find the nest of the 
Klecho, one of the Swifts, with walls of the thickness of parchment; 
composed of feathers woven together and cemented with the bird’s 
saliva. The nest is built only large enough to just hold the one egg, 
and so the walls are too delicate to bear the weight of the mother bird. 


374 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 


She is obliged to perch over the nest and support herself upon the sur- 
rounding branches when sitting upon the eggs. 

Here we must tarry until December, when our magic rug will carry 
us to visit other curious homes in China and in our own country. 


GLEANINGS. 


Many birds feed their mates while sitting, but that bird of odd ways, 
the Hornbill, has a unique way of presenting his offering done up in a 
neat package. He swallows the fruit as he finds it, but not for his own 
benefit, for when he comes to the nest he recovers it snuggly wrapped 
in the lining of his gizzard. OLIVE THORNE MILLER. 





HERMIT THRUSH. 


In the deep solemn wood at dawn, I hear 

A voice serene and pure, now far, now near, 

Singing sweetly, singing slowly, 

Holy! oh, holy, holy! 

Again at evening dusk, now near, now far,— 

Oh, tell me, art thou the voice of bird or star ? 

Sounding sweetly, sounding slowly, 

Holy! oh, holy, holy! EMILY TOLMAN. 





We have had so many write us in regard to the “Letter Puzzle’ in 
the August issue, to give the list of birds found that we give the larg- 
est. Quite a number from different states had these, but the Bird 
Game was only given to the A/RST one trom each state. Brown Creep- 
er, Crow, Sparrow, Linnet, Martin, Catbird, Goldfinch, Brown Thrash- 
er, Myrtle Warbler, Kingfisher, Kingbird, Siskin, Hen ?, Junco, Wren, 
Cuckoo, Turkey, Chickadee, Phoebe, Nuthatch, Jay, Plover, Gull, 
Oriole, Robin, Rail, Shrike, Teal, Owl, Chat, Eagle, Flicker, Ibis, 
Kinglet, Auk, Bobolink, Redstart, Stork, Coot, Ricebird, Eider, Moa, 
or forty-two in all. 


What bird is this whose nest is thus described by Davie:— 

‘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 
extended down for twenty-one inches, and was stuck full of red breast 


feathers of the—-—.”’ 
O’er head the balanced hen hawk slides, 


Twinned in the river’s heaven below.—LOwWELL. 


NEW 
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923 Arch St., Philadelphia, Penn. 








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Are you interested in Botany, Ento- 
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OF THE any Branch of Nature Study. 
, 7 Weare headquarters for Naturalists’ Supplis, 
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AND CANADA. CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


BY THOMAS NUTTALL. Game of Birds 


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ariisinsct nid midstpe pilanbook or A series of fifty-two illustrations 
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The book has hitherto been made only in two 
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The illustrations of the birds faithfully rend- 35 CENTS POSTPAID. 
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Studer’s Popular Ornithology 


The Birds of North America 


OVER EIGHT HUNDRED BIRDS FINELY COLORED 


The original drawings for the work were made from nature by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an artist of 
superior capabilities, who has made orniths gy a life-study. Revised by John Graham Bell, Esq., Audubon’s 
companion in the field, and a well-known ornithologist and taxidermist. The systematic table, arranged ac- 
cording to the classification adopted by the American Ornithologist’s Union, was prepared by Frank M. Chap- 
man, Esq., Assistant Ornithologist at The American Museum of Natural History, New York, includes all the 
additions to and corrections of our North American species which have been made to date, with an index to 
page, plate and figure of each species, according to the A. O. U. number. 

There is no more attractive study than ornitholgy, the department of z»o0logy which treats of structure, 
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This Elegant Book was published to sell for $40.00. We have a few copies which 
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Do a little canvassing among your friends who are interested in birds. You can easily 
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SISTINE MADONNA. 
The one-cent Pictures are 6 to 10 times this size. 


FIVE DOLLARS 


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CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 














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Vol. 3. No. 12. DECEMBER, 1903. [0c a copy, $1 a year, 


4 U4 f Vf Dy Zi . i Z 





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Entered at the Post Office at Worcester, Mass. as second-class matter. Jan.-16, 1901 
















THE SONG OF THE 


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OOOO 





1 Chippy Family (6 Chipping Sparrows). 
2 Preparing Breakfast (6 Chipping Sparrows.) 
3 Woodcock on Nest. 
4 Nest and Eggs of Woodcock 
5 Three Young Woodcock. 
6 Ruffed Grouse on Nest. 
7 Nest ani Eggs of Ruffed Grouse. 
8 House Wren (male). 
9 House Wren (female). 
1o Cedar Waxwings Feeding Young, 
1x1 Cedar Waxwing on Nest. 
12 American Redstart (male) Feeding Young. 
r3 American Redstart (female) and Nest. 
14 Prairie Warbler (male) Feeding Young. 
15 Prairie Warbler (female) and Nest. 
16 Red-eyed Vireo on Nest 
17 Red-eyed Vireo Feeding Young. 
18 Wilson’s Thrush and Nest with Eggs. 
19 Wilsons Thrush Feeding Young. 
20 Chestnut-sided Warbler on Nest. 
2r Ovenbird and Nest. 
22 Black and White Warbler on Nest. 
23 Field Sparrow Feeding Young. 
24 Field Sparrow Cleaning Nest. 
6 25 Young Field Sparrow. 


~~~} -O—¢ 


© ADDREASS 


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O—O_$O_O_O_O—_O_©O_ OOO OO - O_O _©O_©_©_©—_-©— - YO © OOO @ 


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26 Nest and Eggs of Grasshopper Sparrow. 
27 Grasshopper Sparrow on Nest. 
28 Nest and Ezgs of Bob White. 
29 American Robin on Nest. 

30 American Robin Feeding Young. 
31 Five Young Chickadees. 

32 Chickadee at Nest in Bird House. 
33 Chickadee at Nest in Tree. 

34 Brown Thrasher. 

35 Brown Thrasher on Nest. 

36 Wood Thrush on Nest. 

37 Young Wood Thrush. 

38 Pigeon Hawk. 

39 Bluebird at Nest Hole. 

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42 Four Young Screech Owls. 

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46 Loggerhead Shrike. 

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A Magazine Devoted Wholly to Birds. 


Published monthly by CHAS. K. REED, 75 Thomas St., Worcester, Mass. 
EDITED BY CHESTER A. REED, B.S. 





SUBSCRIPTION PRICE in United States, Canada and Mexico, One 
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FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION, $1.25. 





COPYRIGHT, 1903 BY CHAS. K. REED——— 





VOL. Ill DECEMBER, 1903. NO. 12 





This issue completes the third volume of American Ornithology. 
We are pleased with the numerous expressions of appreciation which 
we have received during the year. We are ready at all times to accept 
suggestions as to how we may make the magazine of more value to 
our readers. Commencing with the January number we shall give, 
each month two or more full page colored plates of birds. These will 
be designed to show the male and female birds in the breeding plum- 
ages and in the winter, and also the young where the differences are 
appreciable. As wehave a very large and fine assortment of photo- 
graphs of live birds, and nests and eggs, the illustrative features will 
be better than in any previous volume. 





DO NOT FAIL TO RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AT ONCE 
IN ORDER TO SECURE OUR HANDSOME BIRD CALENDAR. 





We wish to call the attention of our readers to the new bird book- 
\Color Key to North American Birds) which is advertised in this issue. 
This is a very important hook for all bird lovers or students and it 
should be in the hands of all our readers. By ordering it at once you 
can be sure of a copy in time for Christmas. 


THE MARTYRED THRUSH. 


The Farmer strolled his orchard through, 
Where inthe sunlight glowed, 

Apples that in such numbers grew 
The trees bent with their load. 


He found a few pecked by the birds 
Among his portion vast, 

The birds were doomed with cruel words, 
Their days of peace were past. 


A thrush, from his favorite tree 
Its sweetest melody sang, 

The changing notes fell wild and free 
Till all the orchard rang. 


A shot, it shook the orchard wide, 
The air with smoke was filled, 

A crimson jet the brown breast dyed 
And the sweet voice was stilled. 


Upon the soft green turf he lay 
Where winds were sighing low, 

No more to sing at break of day 
When skies are all aglow. 


And is that song forever lost, 
Lost in the mystic past? 

What cared we for the fruit it cost 
If its sweet charm might last. 


HATTIE WASHBURN 


AMERICAN ORNITUOLOGY. 


376 





winner 3rd prize in Class I. 


Photo from life, by J. H. Miiler 


BLUEBIRD. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 377 


A FREE LUNCH FOR BIRDS. 
le Wea lbs I1D,S. a ODS) 


CATBIRD started it by flying down on an old 
carpenter’s sawhorse that I fished out of the 
river. It stood on the edge of a bank which 
sloped down to a thickly wooded ravine 
about eight feet from the house. The 
heavy branches of an oak tree hung over 
within a foot of the bench so it made a safe 
and easy approach for the birds as well as a 
quick retreat in case of alarm. 

A few crumbs, accidentally dropped on the 
. bench, caught the quick eye of the catbird. 

When they were gone, he looked about, and 
flicked his tail in a way which plainly said to those who understand 
bird language, ““That was pretty good; I’d like some more, if you 
please.’ I laid a handful of cracker crumbs on the bench in anticipa- 
tion of his return but along came a breeze out for mischief and blew 
them away. Around a ten by fourteen inch board, I| nailed inch strips, 
which the birds like to stand on, and fastened that securely to one end 
of the bench. On the other end, I nailed a board just large enough to 
hold a pan of water. This left three feet of space between victuals 
and drink for the birds to sit and wait their turn at the frugal board. 





Only the catbirds knew about it at first and they became regular 
boarders, coming with such frequency that they certainly could not 
spend much of the daylight in searching for other food. Then a big 
brown thrasher discovered the free lunch and he happened to come 
just after I emptied a big dish of cottage cheese on the board. I have 
seen hungry creatures eat but I never saw anything to compare with 
the manners of that brown thrasher. He gobbled the cheese so rapid- 
ly that he had to crane and wriggle his neck to get it down. After he 
had eaten what appeared to be more than his own weight, he flew 
away with a huge chunk inhis bill. Very soon he returned with his 
wife and together they made frequent trips to a distant thicket. The 
catbirds showed equal fondness for the cheese but were better mannered 
than the thrashers and did not eat so long between visits to their nests. 

The sparrows found the lunch counter very soon; nothing ever es- 
capes them, but the big birds kept them in check and they sat with sur- 
prising meekness and patience on surrounding branches waiting their | 
turn, or they hopped around in the grass picking up the crumbs that 
the big birds flung overin their greediness. 


378 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


The latter part of June, several weeks after the lunch counter was 
started, a big shiny crow blackbird, or bronzed grackle, called to in- 
vestigate. He was evidently pleased with the accommodations and en- 
joyed his meal for he soon returned with his wife. The next day they 
thought it would save time to bring the whole family. The four rusty, 
awkward young ones sat on the inch strip side by side squawking vig- 
orously while the parents stood in front of them and literally stuffed 
them full. The next day they only got an occasional morsel by way 
of encouragement from the parents who seemed to think that if their 
children could not help themselves when they stood ankle deep in food, 
they would have a hard fight for life. 

Blackbirds are clannish so these visitors brought all their neighbors 
and relatives until the climax was reached when I counted thirty birds 
feeding at one time. A pound of crackers melted away like dew before 
the sun. 

The chewinks, flickers, mourning doves and redheaded woodpeckers 
were all frequent visitors, but I have never seen a robin dining there 
although they are very plentiful. Our large wild cherry tree is entire- 
ly given over to them every summer. Other birds seem to respect 
their colonization rights and leave their tree alone for nesting purposes. 
It may be that the robin is an old fashioned bird and holds to a diet of 
worms as the only safe and reliable food for young robins. 

The redheads were the last to discover the lunch counter. I was 
watching two thrashers and a catbird when a whirr of wings and a 
sharp warning clack, which sent the other birds flying, announced the 
arrival of a redhead. He critically sampled the dry brown bread, 
crackers and cold oatmeal, then flew away with a lump of brown bread 
as big as a hickory nut. Ina few minutes he was back again from a 
neighboring telephone pole into which he seemed to be stowing away . 
the food. 

Even the casual observer must note the selfish spirit that dominated 
these pensioners of my bounty. The sparrows drove each other away. 
The catbirds chased the sparrows and while they were at it, down 
came a thrasher and took possession only to fly at the arrival of a 
group of belligerent blackbirds. Then down swooped the redhead 
with such a whirr that all the birds scattered. 

The latest arrival was a red squirrel who picked out the biggest 
pieces of cracker and sitting up, ate them, not only with evident relish, 
but much better manners than the birds exhibited. 

The catbirds showed the least fear and ate the greatest variety of 
food. They are very fond of meat and fat and seemed to find some- 
thing good even when Shep had deserted his bone. Corn meal mixed 


AMLRICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 379 


with water.seemed to be the least acceptable to all the birds, probably 
because they could not carry it away. The cottage cheese was taken 
in preference to anything else, crackers next, then bread. Remains of 
strawberry, raspberry and blueberry cake were untouched until other 
food grew scanty. Uncooked cereals they would pick at but could not 
carry away and this seemed to be the chief motive for visits to the 
counter, during the early part of July when growing families demanded 
so much food. Hard boiled eggs were eagerly disposed of, the yolks 
first. Potatoes were left to harden and be thrown overboard. Boiled 
macaroni was eyed suspiciously until the cheese was gone, then test- 
ed and found tolerable by a mother grackle who flew away with two 
three-inch pieces dangling on either side of her bill. 

I must confess, I would not have invited the blackbirds to my feast, 
not on account of race prejudice, but chiefly because of their discordant 
voices and quarrelsome ways. Then I do not like the looks of 
their cruel and expressionless eyes, stuck on the side of their irridescent 
heads like yellow buttons. The young ones squawk for food as if they 
were strangling to death and it is distressing to hear it. Early in the 
- morning when all the birds are hungry, they are too intent upon help- 
ing themselves to pay much attention to each other. About eight 
o’clock one morning, I saw one redheaded woodpecker, three thrashers, 
six sparrows, two catbirds and four blackbirds all eating at one time on 
or around the bench. An hour later one big domineering grackle suc- 
cessfully kept every other bird away by his threats and sharp thrusts 
because he had had enough himself. 


A WOODLAND APARTMENT HOUSE, 

Even the beasts of the field and the birds of the air seem to have com- 
menced the adoption of modern ideas in this progressive age. Last 
spring we found what might be called an animal apartment house. 
The whole structure occupies a space of but six feet in length, three 
feet depth, and seven feet in height, yet it was occupied by four families 
at the same time. The basement or ground floor was given over to a 
pair of chipmunks. Their home was dug in the earth directly under the 
dead trunk ofa fallen oak tree, which composed the structure proper. 
The chipmunk’s home is hidden by the plant life which has grown up 
about the tree trunk, and consequently does not appear in the illustration 
of the “apartment house.’’ In this illustration, five-eighths of an inch 
from the left margin and one and one quarter from the bottom is an 
opening in the stump, which is the entrance to the stronghold of a pair 
of House Wrens. This family occupied what might be called the first 
floor of the house. A little more than half way up on the right hand 


380 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





THE APARTMENT HOUSE. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 381 


portion of the stump may be seen a Downy Woodpecker hanging on 
just below a small round hole. Here he and his mate reared four young 
Downies. About a foot above the Downy nest,a number of small holes 
bored in the stump give evidence of the presence of a few ‘‘Yellow- 
jacket”’ bees who have taken the upper story of this house for the sum- 
mer. So much for characters that take prominent parts in this sketch. 

We were wandering aimlessly along a narrow path, that wound through 





_ Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
DOWNY WOODPECKER, (female). 


a favorite wood, when the musical, gurgling notes of a House Wren 
arrested our footsteps. He was evidently in a pleasant mood, for song 
after song came from the same place just beyond the brush which 
separated the woods from the fields beyond. Owing to certain peculi- 
arities in his song and to sudden interruptions from time to time in the 
midst of his song, we stole forward to see what he was about. We 
parted the branches and saw the songster just as he left the top of a 
stump and a Downy Woodpecker dashed by in the very spot where he 
had been sitting. It was apparent that there must be some feud be- 
tween these birds and it required but a second glance at the stump to 
decide what the trouble was. 


382 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


The presence of two holes in the stump, each of which was peculiar- 
ly adapted to the use of the two birds, gave evidence that the Wren and 
Downy had each decided to make this their abode for the summer, as a 
matter of fact, the Downy Woodpecker probably had one or two eggs 
already laid when we found the place, although we did not look for 
several days to see what the nest contained, knowing the aversion 
that they have to being disturbed early in the nesting period. 

We decided that the Wrens must have put in their first appearance 
on the very morning that we happened along for they had just com- 
menced work on theirnest. Considering the quiet domestic life that the 
Downies are wont to lead, it is little wonder that they objected to the 
presence of the boisterous and inquisitive pair of Wrens. They thought, 





DOWNY, (on the Wren’s stump.) 


and correctly, that the continual song of the male Wren, musical though 
it was, would surely betray the hiding place of the one spot most dear to 
them. The male Downy took upon himself the task of driving away the 
unwelcome neighbors. His persistency was commendable but the lack of 
good generalship on his part rendered the efforts futile. Instead of de- 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
DOWNY WOODPECKER (male). 


384 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


voting his energies to, preventing the building of their nest, he would 
make a fierce dash at the Wren every time he commenced asong. The 
Wren seemed to greatly enjoy this, regarding it as bird play, and with 
a break in his song would dodge his adversary and continue his vocal 
efforts more energetically from his next perch; meanwhile, the female 
Wren was as busy as she could be, carrying into the hole load after 
load of dried grasses, feathers, hair andtwigs. She was so industrious 
that she very nearly if not wholly completed the nest the first day. 
This Downies nest, being situated so low down(only five feet from 
the ground), we were very desirous of doing nothing that might cause 
them to leave, for we had especially been looking for the nest of these 





Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 
COMING OUT. 


birds and this one was in an ideal location for photographic purposes, | 
consequently we did not look into it or attempt to take any pictures un- 
til the eggs had hatched, although one of us visited the locality nearly 
every day to see what progress the two contestants were making in 
their warfare. The Downy never overcame his dislike for the Wren, 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





Photo from lifety C. A. Reed. 


NOT AFRAID. 


385 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 386 


and while his attacks lacked the vim that he had first put into them, he 
always drove the Wren away at every opportunity, even when his own 
young were large enough to leave the nest. 

One morning when we called on our two acquaintances, for they were 
now not in the least timid and would be apparently unmindful of our 
presence when only a few feet away, we found that both Downies were 
very busy supplying the wants of a nest full of little ones that had 
hatched during the previous day. For the first time since finding them 
we examined the nests of both the Wren and the Downy; the former 
we found to contain six eggs, the nest being only a few inches down in 
the stump which was inclined to the ground at quite a sharp angle; the 
front portion of this nest was built high so that it was impossible to see 
the contents without pressing it down with a stick. The outside por- 
tion was made almost wholly of sticks, while feathers formed the larger 
part of the inside. The Downies home was a more difficult one to ex- 
plore. The entrance was exactly an inch and a quarter in diameter and 
was as round as though bored with an auger. They figured about as 
closely as possible when drilling this hole for there was no spare room 
when they were entering, their wings being forced closely down against 
their sides; inside the stump it widened to about four inches in diameter, 
thus making a very cosey home for their young. In order to see the 
bottom of the nest we had to have recourse.to two mirrors, one a strip 
of glass an inch wide and the other an ordinary mirror to reflect light 
into the hole by means of the first which was held inside; by this 
means we found that there were four naked little ones lying at the 
bottom of the hole on a bed of chips which had fallen within while the 
house was being built. 

While we were looking over the nests a shrill whistle and then mut- 
‘tered grumblings coming from some where down in the groundwere our 
first intimation that we were intruding on the premises of a Chipmunk. 
We subsequently found that he too hak hid troubles occasionally. All 
was well while he kept his place on the ground floor but when he ven- 
tured up on the stump, either the Wren or Woodpecker would be sure to 
see andtry to dislodge him. It was comparatively easy for him to dodge 
the Woodpecker for they are not very agile while on the wing, but with 
the Wren it was a different matter, for by using both wings and feet he 
could scramble around the trunk even faster than could the Chipmunk. 
His attacks were very furious and were accompanied by a violent chat- 
tering sound, and he rarely failed to drive away his four footed neigh- 
bor. 


AMERICAN ORNITIIOLOGY. 387 


I believe it is as yet an undecided question whether the Chipmunks 
to any great extent, trouble breeding birds, but I hold the opinion that 
they are responsible for the loss of a great deal of bird life. At any 
rate, nearly all birds seem to regard them as their enemies and fre- 
quently attack them when they are found among the branches of a tree, 
as they very frequently are. 

Both the male and female Downy would enter and leave the nest 
without regard to us, even though we were standing nearly within 
arm’s reach of the hole. Consequently we were easily enabled to geta 
large series of photos, some of which are reproduced here. The adults 
made trips alternately at intervals of about every five minutes, one 
generally remaining in the nest until the other had arrived, when the 
one who was within would come out with a rush, entirely frustrating all 
my attempts to get a picture of both birds at the same time, one cling- 
ing to the tree and the other just coming out of the hole. Nearly al- 
ways the birds would bring only what they could conveniently carry in 
their beaks, but occasionally one would make a “‘strike’’? somewhere 
and return with a large mass of white grubs and insects protruding from 
his bill. 





: be 


Fho‘o from life. 


HOUSE WREN. 


388 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


1t was while watching this feeding of the young Downies that we first 
discovered that the upper flat was occupied by “‘Yellow-jackets.’’ We 
had supposed that the holes which we noticed above the Downies were 
made by the Woodpeckers. At different times we had seen what 
appeared to be small clouds of dust or smoke emitted from these 
smaller holes, as though some one were inside and blowing outward 
through them. As we looked we saw a bee enter one of these open- 
ings. Investigation revealed the fact that each of the holes from 
which we had observed the clouds escaping were occupied by bees, 
which as they bored would kick the borings out. Evidently the Down- 
ies feared these insects for on several occasions when a bee would hap- 
pen to fly near, they would appear to dodge them, and once we saw 
one of the Downies make a complete circuit of the stump in his endeay- 
or to escape them. At another time we saw one of the birds catch one 
of the bees and carry it to the young ones, showing that while they did 
not like the insects as neighbors they did not object to using them as 
food. 

The young were gradually taking on a suit of feathers similar to their 
parents and on the twentieth day from the time they hatched, they left 
the nest. Except for being perhaps a trifle smaller, they were the exact 





Photo from life by C. A. Reed. 


YOUNG DOWNIES. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 389 


counterpart of their parents, but they looked much better than the latter 
as their plumage was fresh and fluffy while that of the parents was con- 
siderable frayed at the edges. The young climbed all over the stump, 
even to its highest point. They were even more fearless than their 
parents, indeed they had not as yet ever met with anything to cause 
them to know what fear was. They allowed us to pick them up 
without offering to try to escape. After we had made a number of ex- 
posures of them as they climbed about the tree they were grouped at 
the end of a limb as shown. My father then placed his hand on the end 
of the limb, whereupon three of the little Downies of their own accord 
immediately climbed to his coat sleeve and the remaining one was 
placed upon his hand. Although some might claim that it was-personal © 
magnetism that drew the little birds to him J think that their subsequent 
actions will prove that they merely regarded him as a convenient step- 
ping stone, for they one by one climbed to his shoulder and made their 
maiden flight to the woods beyond. 

A few days later when we tapped gently upon the limb in which the 
young Wrens were located, a wild scramble ensued, and six bright and 
active little brown birds made a dash out into the world, some going 
between the fingers of the hand that was clapped over the entrance to 
restrain them. The most diligent search under the stumps and'through 
the long grass failed to reveal more than one of them. ‘They scampered 
through the grass like so many mice and hid themselves just as effec- 
tively. The Chipmunk now has full possession of the apartment house 
for both the Wren and Downy have moved away, not however before 
they had completely exterminated the colony of bees. 





390 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


i 
be Oe 





KITTIWAKE GULL. 





AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 301 


KITTIWAKE, 


A. O. U. No. 40. (Rissa tridactyla- 
RANGE. 


Northern parts of North America. South in winter:to the*Great 
Lakes and New England. It is replaced on the Pacific Coast by the 
Pacific Kittiwake (R. t. pollicaris). 

DESCRIPTION. 

Length, 18 in.; extent, 36 in.; tail, 5 in. Adults.—Bill yellowish; 
feet blackish; eye ring red. Whole head, neck, and under parts, also 
tail white. Back or mantle bluish gray. Tips of the primaries black. 
In winter the back of head and neck and also sides of breast are nearly 
the same color as the back. Young birds have the bill black and there 


is a well defined dusky spot in front of, and another behind the eye. 
NEST AND EGGS. 


A very abundant species breeding on the islands of the Atlantic Coast 
from New England northwards. Also breeds abundantly on rocky 
cliffs, placing the nests on the narrow ledges. ‘The nests are made 
chiefly of seaweed. They lay two, three, or very rarely four eggs early 
-in June, or the latter part of May. They have a buffy or greenish 
ground color and marked with blotches of brown and lilac. 





HABITS. 


Though not very common birds in the limits of the United States, 
these gulls are one of the most numerous in the Arctic Regions. They 
build their nests in large numbers on Bird Rocks in the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence, being one of the few Gulls which make a practice of placing 
their nests in other situations than onthe ground. They are very noisy 
birds and their notes when angry, especially, sound like the repetition of 
the name, “‘Kittiwake, Kittiwake.’’ Their flight is very easy and buoy- 
ant, and they can also swim and dive well. Sometimes they hover over 
their prey in the water and then suddenly dash at it. They are not at 
all shy and are easily tamed, and often kept in confinement where they 
are said to live a great many years. They feed chiefly on small fish 
and shell fish. 


392 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


Identification Chart No. 23. 


No. 309. Sage Grouse (Centrocercus uro- 
phasianus). 


Found in the Rocky Mt. region of United States 
from New Mexico northwards. East to Nebraska 
and the Dakotas and west to the Sierra Nevadas in 
California. Length from 22 to 30 inches, the smaller 
dimensions being for the female. Plumage much 
variegated with black, white, buff and brown. Under- 
SS parts black. Female smaller and with a shorter tail. 


Ring-necked Pheasant§(Phasianus torquatus). 


This is one of the varieties that have been intro- 
duced into this country and seems to thrive here 
better than any of the other varieties of pheasants, 
especially in the northwestern portions of the United 
States. Length of male from 30 to 32 inches; fe- 
male about 24 inches. The female is entirely differ- 
ent in plumage from the male. The markings are 
somewhat like those of the Sage Grouse but the 
coloration is more brownish, and the belly is whitish. 
The central tail feathers are much longer than the 
outside ones. 


No. 310.G Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo 
silvestris). 


The common Wild Turkey is found in eastern 
United States from Pennsylvania to Florida. Mer- 
riam Turkey (Merriami) is found in the middle 
southwest; Florida Turkey (osceola) is found in 
southern Florida, and Rio Grande Turkey in the ex- 
treme southwest. Practically the only differences in 
these birds are in the coloration of the upper tail 
coverts. Length about 4 feet. 


No. 311. Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula mac- 
callt). 

Found in the southern parts of New Mexico and 
Texas. Adults.—Entire plumage dusky tinged on 
the back and wings with olive brownish. White 
tips to the Outer tail feathers. 





AMERICAN ONNITHOLOCY. 393 


No. 182. Flamingo (Phenicopterus ruber). 


Found along the Gulf Coast but more particularly 
in Florida. Length from tip of bill to tail from 40 to 
48 inches. Adults.—Color varies from a rosy red in /# 
‘salmon to white, lighter on the back; primaries and ///# 
secontanes black. Young, grayish above, lighter |) 
iDeLOW. 


‘No. 183. Roseate Spoonbill (Ajajauajaja). 


Pound along the Gulf States, particularly in Flori- 

da. Adults.—-Length about 32 inches. Neck and 
breast white, with the slightly lengthened feathers on 
the back of head and breast tinged with carmine; 
rest of plumage pink, with the shoulders and tail 
coverts carmine; tail a dingy buff color. Young, 
chiefly white, with the shoulders and tail coverts 
pinkish and no buff to the tail. Whole head and 
throat of adults bare. Bill flattened, very broad and 
thin at the tip 


» 


No. 185. Scarlet Ibis (Guara rubra). 


Has been found in former years along the Gulf 
Coast but no U. S. Records have been recently f 
made. Common in northern South America. 
Adults.—Length about two feet. Entire plumage & 
scarlet, except the tips of the primaries which are 
black. Young are grayish or brownish from which 
plumage they change gradually to the scarlet, the 
head and neck being the last to change. 





304 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


YELLOW-LEGS. 
A. O. U. No. 255. (Totanus flavipes.) 
RANGE. 
Found throughout North America. Except for an occasional pair 
that remain to breed in the central portions of the United States, they 
breed north of our borders. 


DESCRIPTIONS. 


Length about 10 in.; extent, 20 in.; tail, 2.5 in. Except for size, the 
Lesser Yellow-legs is identical in plumage to the Greater Yellow-legs. 
Upperparts blackish, or dark grayish, specked with white; head and 
neck streaked with white and gray. Upper tail coverts mostly white; 
tail barred with white; underparts white, streaked on the breast and 
flanks with dusky, generally in the shape of arrowheads. The winter 
plumage varies but little from the summer, being somewhat lighter on 
the back and with fainter breast markings. 

NEST AND EGGS. 


Yellow-legs nest about the Ist of June, laying their three or four 
eggs ina tuft of grass, within which a few dried grasses have been 
wound in the semblance of a nest. The eggs have a grayish or buff 
background and are boldly blotched with varying shades of brown with 
fainter shell markings of lilac. 





HABITS. 


These birds are chiefly migrants within the United States, large num- 
bers of them passing through in the fall and fewer returning to their 
breeding grounds in the spring. Those that neglect to return with 
their comrades on the march northwards are the luckless individuals. 
that have fallen victims to the aim of the sportsmen, for these waders. 
are among those that are much sought by those who delight in killing. 
They travel in flocks, sometimes in company with their larger and al- 
most identical relative, the Greater Yellow-legs. They are easily called 
to decoys by an imitation of their whistle. The hunter who is con- 
cealed behind a blind, waits until the flock is about to settle among the 
crude decoys which are perched out on the sand, and then witha well 
directed shot, kills or maims sometimes several ata time. Very often 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 395 





YELLOW-LEG. 


390 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


a flock, even though it has just been decimated by an attack of this 
kind, will immediately return to the same decoys upon a repetition of 
their call and meet with a second loss, before they decide to keep 
away from such an unhealthy locality. They are quite shy if they see 
a man on foot, but they have yet to learn that the invisible man, the 
one who is concealed behind a brush heap is the more dangerous. 

It is almost impossible to stalk them when they are feeding along the 
marsh as they are very keen sighted, which fact very often saves the 
lives of other varieties of shore birds, for on rising the Yellow-legs. 
give warning cries which startle all the other birds that may be within 
hearing. 

Although large numbers of them are found along the coast in the 
fall, they are, I think, the most numerous in the interior along the 
fresh water marshes. 

They do not stop but a few weeks in the United States and the ma- 
jority pass along and spend the more severe part of the winter in 
South America. Their food is the same as that of the majority of the 
waders, small crustacea and worms. They wade quite deep while 
feeding, immersing their head and neck to reach the morsels that are 
below water. It is said that they are good swimmers also, using their 
wings rather than their feet as paddles. 





BIRD-WIT. on 


By EDGAR BOYER. 7 


Several instances have come under my notice, in studying. bird life, 
that lead me to believe that our little brothers of the air are eifted-with 
a higher order of intelligence than they are usually credited with. “They 
either possess some pretty. sound sense og else 1 their instinct is certain- 
ly wonderful. 

A few summers ago a pair. of wrens chose for a nesting site the 
twine-box of a binder. The box was cylindrical in shape and might 
have comfortably sheltered half a dozen pairs of wrens. It was of 
sheet metal and the wrens gained entrance by four two inch holes in the 
sides, which served as either doorway or window. They half filled the 
box with all shapes, sizes and kinds of sticks, small sticks of course, 
and yet some of them were very large for a little wren to carry. I 
watched them as they built and noticed that they left a hole down 
through the sticks on one side and naturally supposed they would line 
this for their nest. Then several days passed but they made no further 
progress. I couldn’t imagine why they didn’t line the nest. Every 
time I approached the box both wrens were there ready to give to me 
a tongue lashing which they kept up until I beat a retreat. One day, 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 397 


after nearly a week, curiosity having taken a strong hold on me, I de- 
termined to investigate and regardless of the ear splitting chatter of 
the wrens within a foot or two of my head, I raised the lid of the box. 
Until now I had satisfied myself with merely peeking in through the 
holes. When I looked in from above a gallon of innocent looking 
sticks with a hole down through one side was allthat met my eye. I 
thought the sticks looked rather thin on the opposite side however, 
and on drawing them aside, the real nest was revealed to me. It con- 
tained six eggs. The entrance was so hidden by projecting sticks, as 
to be unnoticeable. Of course when one visited the nest daily, asI did, 
he would be almost sure to discover the ruse sooner or later, but a 
casual passerby would in all probability have, on peeping through the 
hole into the box, taken for granted that the nest was not yet complet- 
edand gone on his way while the little wren settled down on her eggs, 
none the worse for the seemingly narrow escape. In the course of a 
couple of weeks every egg had transformed into a helpless, featherless, 
skinny mite of a bird. A few days later, knowing the harvesting sea- 
son was rapidly nearing, I thought I would transfer the young wrens 
- from the twine box to another I had fastened up nearby, but when I[ 
went to the nest I found it empty. Perhaps my frequent visits had 
made the wrens feel uneasy and they had removed their young ones to 
a new home. 

Another occurrence that seems to prove a bird’s intelligence was the 
act of a mother quail. 

A few years ago, in an out of the way corner of the farm, I surprised 
a family of Bob-whites in the act of taking a dust bath. We discovered 
each other—they and I—at about the same moment. Without a mo- 
ment’s delay the male whirred away leaving the others to care for 
themselves as best as they could. There were nearly a score of little 
ones, and from the glimpse I got of them, as they scurried here and 
there over the trampled weeds, they were but a few days out of the 
shell. In less time than it takes to tell it they had disappeared, in a 
manner as mysteriously as it was sudden. Not until the last of the 
little ones was out of sight did I turn my attention towards the mother 
bird, who was stumbling and tumbling over the weeds and gradually 
working her way toward some standing weeds a short distance away. 
She lingered as if to attract my attention as much as possible. They 
had all taken me soby surprise that I had not left the spot from which 
I had first seen them. After they had all hidden I walked to the place 
where the little ones had been, but not one of them could I see. All 
was very quiet for perhaps ten minutes and then I heard the mother 


398 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


call, from out in the weeds. No answer came till she had repeated it 
several times, then there was a very slight rustle about my feet, as 
some half dozen little black and brown creatures appeared coming 
front under weeds, fallen grass and anything that would afford them 
concealment, all running towards the mother just as fast as their little 
legs would carry them. After they had gone a few feet they would 
suddenly dart under the first cover that offered, as if afraid the danger 
was not. yet over. Then others would appear all making for the 
mother’s call. In their haste their little feet persisted in catching in 
the grass, tripping them and frequently turning them heels over head, 
but they were instantly up and gone again. Sometimes they would 
run squarely into obstacles they could never have hoped to mount. 
Perhaps they expected such things to fade into air—it looked that way 
to me anyhow—but I fear they only caused their heads to ache from 
the hard knocks. Finally sixteen had entered the weeds and evident- 
ly reached the mother’s side but she kept calling. I suppose the six- 
teen were all she had as I saw no more in the open space, and won- 
dered why she kept calling, when, as if in answer to my thought a 
very faint and frightened “‘peep’’-like note came from somewhere near 
my feet, and another little fellow soon ventured from his hiding place 
and proceeded with all possible speed towards his mother. O, how he 
did run. A moment later the old bird ceased calling and I could hear 
the contented chirps of all as she led them off through the weeds. 
During the latter part of May, 1902, a meadow lark’s nest was dis- 
covered in a meadow in which a few cows were kept. When discover- 
ed, the nest contained four young birds, perhaps a week old. The 
nest was a typical example of the meadow lark’s skill, fairly well con- 
cealed, and very cozy inside. I noticed with pleasure the thrifty ap- 
pearance and rapid growth of the little birds until they were pretty well 
feathered out and then, one day when I went to make them a visit I 
found instead of the nest a cow’s track in the bottom of which was a 
bloody mass of flesh and feathers. Four little mangled corpses, all 
that was left of the four little quiet, bright eyed creatures I had looked 
down upon only a few hours before. As this nest was all that had at- 
tracted me to tne meadow, I went there no more for nearly two weeks, 
and then I went for the special purpose or finding if possible their new 
nest, for I knew enough about them to know they would not cry long 
over spilt milk, so to speak. Almost as soon as I reached the mea- - 
dow, I heard that well known sputtering cry that always greeted me 
when I went there. I perceived the lark in the top of a tree, fifty yards 
from me, whereCwith head erect and tail nervously twitching she sat 
for several minutes every now and then uttering that peculiar protest. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 399 


After a little she left the tree and sailed out across the meadow, alight- 
ing on a weed that swayed to and fro and with weight. 

Here she assumed the same nervous attitude and manner as before but 
only fora moment when she dropped lightly into the grass. A quarter 
of an hour later I flushed her in that very spot, and, on examining the 
grass, soon located the doorway to her nest, a veritable little bower, 
and one of the finest specimens of bird architecture it was my pleasure 
to behold. I had thought the first nest a good one but it was as no 
nest at all when compared with this one. The door was concealed and 
gave entrance to a little room four or five inches in diameter, and ten 
inches long, at the back of which reposed five eggs which detracted 
none from the beauty of the little home. It is probable that the birds 
in concealing this nest with such pains did so thinking to avoid a re- 
petition of the first sad accident. 





OLD FRIENDS FAR FROM HOME. 


By CHAS E. INGALLS. 


Previous to the Klondike gold excitement, very little was known of 
the animal life of Alaska, and especially of that portion of it bordering 
on Behring Sea and the great interior drained by the mighty Yukon 
river. Many surprises awaited those who were the first to spy out the 
land with eyes trained in the school of observation. 

The bird life especially, was very abundant and interesting. Forms 
new and strange to eastern eyes coming under observation almost con- 
stantly. The observer was ever expecting strange sights, and expec- 
tations were being coined into realizations at almost every turn and 
Coues Key was always close at hand and in demand constantly. 

Personally I can say the most pleasant surprise of all was experienc- 
ed as I first stepped ashore at St. Michael’s on a pleasant July morn- 
ing. 

I saw a flash of feathery light before my face that seemed strangely 
familiar. 1 stayed and tried to follow it with my eyes but it had gone 
behind a building and I turned my attention to the strange beings more 
or less human who formed one of the rarest exhibitions of types of the 
genus homo ever brought together by that most powerful of all agen- 
cies for good or evil-gold. But again that strange but familiar sprite 
claimed my attention and the other wonderful features ethnological, en- 
tomological and zoological of the unique gathering were all forgotten 
in the stronger attraction exercised by a Barn Swallow—yes, it was 


400 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 





surely he. Dear old Hirundo. The same iridescent blue claw hammer 
coat, the same brown vest and white duck trousers. Describing the 
same matchless curves to the accompaniment of the same sweet twitter. 
And yes, there is the same nest plastered, not to the rafters of 
a barn, for there were no barns in St. Michaels as there was nothing 
to put into them, there being neither horned cattle nor horses, only a 
flock of sheep which had to be shipped south to spend the winter, 
but on the rafters of an open porch of one of the old log buildings 
built by the Russians when they first occupied this country over two 
hundred years ago, and when the writer was there used by the 
U. S. Government as a Custom House. Here our little friends had 
built their nests. The situation most like that usually choosen by the 
Pewee at home, but still a typical Barn Swallow’s nest lined with 
feathers, not of the barn yard fowl as is the case at home where they 
are easily gathered right under the “‘swallow hole’”’ of the old barn but 
of rarer species, even the soft down of the eider ducks which were. 
abundant near shore and possibly some rarer still, may be of the Rosy 
Gull or other fair wanderer of this northern clime. 

St. Michaels, Alaska, looking towards the sea and showing nearly all 
the frame buildings in the place, offices of the commercial companies 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 401 


and the U. S. custom office, whose flag is seen in front of the next to 
the last building on the left. 

I spent some time at St. Michaels and I never tired of watching 
these birds so well known throughout their range, which covers the en- 
tire continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Arctic 
Circle to southern Brazil. They seemed like old playmates from my 
Massachusetts home and I often found myself in the vicinity of the 
custom office quarters, which was the last building on the left of the 
photograph, taken facing directly out over Norton’s Sound. 

On July 12th, the eggs were laid and incubation had evidently begun. 
On August 22nd when I was again at St. Michaels not a swallow was 
to be seen. : 

I saw nests of this swallow on the face of a cliff a few miles below 
Nulato on the Yukon River. They were built in a compact colony. of 
ten or more nests under a slightly projecting shelf of rock and may 
safely be taken as examples of what this species must have used. as 
nesting sites before that interloper—the white mau—began to build 

_shelters for his crops and stock, called barns, the rafters of which were 
adopted by A/zrundo as nesting places and who by that act became at 
once a ‘barn swallow.’’ At about the same time probably his. cousin 
Petrochelidon adapted himself to new conditions and changed from a 
Cliff Swallow to an Eave Swallow to the lasting benefit of all concern- 
ed. 


Zi sl SW Bee 
NG W 


Za 
WS 
Ke. LZ 

whe 
Ww 






SS 
‘ 


Us 


402 . AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


A HAIRY WOODPECKER. 


ATHER early one morning during the 
first week of June, my sister came to 
my room and told me that there was a 
bird in her room downstairs. I asked 
her what bird it was, but she was un- 
able to tell me. She had gone into the 
room to get something and had found 
a bird between the window and the 
screen! My sister at once pulled up the 
screen releasing the bird into the room. 

I hurried down and to my surprise 


found a female Hairy Woodpecker. 





From my sister’s description of the 
bird- I had been unable to guess who our prisoner was. 

One window was open and I opened a second one, pulling the shades 
down half way so that the bird would not kill herself by flying against 
the window-panes in trying to escape. 

The Woodpecker fluttered about the room, evidently very much 
frightened. She occasionally clung to the mouldings, bracing herself 
against the wall with her tail. Several times she perched on the cur- 
tain-poles, and once, hung absolutely upsidedown from one of those 
rods, at the same time craning her head around to be sure of where I 
was. : 

I had been in the room some time, and during that time the Wood- 
pecker made no attempt to escape, so I took the screen out of the third 
window, and was just going to open the window, when I looked around 
and found that the poor frightened bird had successfully escaped while 
my back was turned. 

I was very much surprised to find that a Hairy Woodpecker ever came 
near houses in warm weather. I supposed he remained invariably in 
the woods. It was also a mystery to us all how it succeeded in getting 


between the window and the screen. 
JEAN LAMPTON. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 403 





GREEN HERON NEST. 


404 AMERTCAN OnNITHOLOGY . 


} CHAT Sw 
OUR YOUNG 


\__ FRIENDS 


Address communications for this department to 
MEG MERRYTHOUGHT, 156 Waterville Street, 
Waterbury, Ct. 









DEAR YOUNG FOLKs: 


We bring to you greetings for December. What pleasant visits we 
have had in our corner with little friends scattered throughout all the 
states of our Union, and even over the Canadian borders. 

We hope that this month, which closes the second year of these Bird 
Chats, may be a milestone which shall mark progress in good fellow- 
ship between our young folks and out of door life, for such sympathy 
makes the life broader, and brings with it a great deal of fun, as- 
many of you have discovered. 

We are grateful to the many lads and lasses who have given Uncle 
Sam messages to bear to this corner,—birding adventures, puzzles and 
words of good cheer. 

There is a chance this month for you to work a little problem in 
arithmetic. If the statement is true about the increase of the English 
Sparrow, how many will gather at the family reunion of one 
sparrow couple at Thanksgiving time? 

One of our readers sends a different view of the hummer in captivi- 
ty, perhaps some of you can give another instance. Another reader 
gives an interesting account of one of those curious accidents in Bird 
Land, which are more common than we may think. ; 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, I am 

Your friend, 


MErG MERRYTHOUGHT. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 405 


ROLL OF HONOR, 


Huldah Chace Smith, Providence, R. I.; Stafford A. Francis, Exeter, 
N.H. Geoffrey J. Giles, Comfort, Texas; Everett P. Walton, New 
Vineyard, Me.; Earle Tiffany, LaCrosse, Wis. 


ANSWERS TO NOVEMBER PUZZLES. 


Queries. 1. The tongue of the woodpecker is pointed at the end, 
with a number of barbs, and he can extend it four or five times the 
length of his bill. When he has broken away the bark of a tree with 
his powerful bill, he suddenly darts out his long tongue and spears an 
unsuspecting insect and instantly brings it into his mouth. 

No. 2. The largest tongues are owned by birds of the duck family. 
By the delicate sense of touch possessed by the tongue, members of 
this family collect their food. They thrust the bill into the mud, and 
from the mouthfuls, select by means of the tongue alone, what they 
wish for food, rejecting other matter. 

No. 3. Nighthawks and swallows have the smallest tongues, these 
birds also have the largest mouths in proportion to the size of the body. 
_As these birds capture insects while flying and swallow them whole, 
taste is out of the question, anda large tongue would only be in the 
way. 

No. 4. The English sparrow lays her first seven eggs in March 
setting upon them about two weeks, within a fortnight after this brood 
leaves the nest, a second nestful is ready, and so on until the end of 
September. 

No. 5. Some owls lay one egg and hatch it, before laying another. 
The first bird hatched must “mother”? the second egg and keep it 
warm while the real mother is searching for food. (From N. Hudson 
Moore.) 

ENIGMA, 

1, Ovenbird; 2, Quail; 3. (a) The Barn Swallow, (b) Redstart, (c) 

Waterthrush, (d) Chimney Swift. 


EXTRACTS FROM OUR MAIL BAG. 

I have observed sixty-six birds since June Ist. Most of these birds 
breed in this vicinity. Page 41, Vol. V, of “Birds and All Nature’ 
tells how a Humming Bird was tamed and kept in captivity. 

GEOFFREY J. GILES, Comfort, Texas. 


SOME CURIOUS HOMES. 

Ci-gam! Now our magic carpet bears us to the Chinese coast where 
at the base of the cliffs an almond-eyed Celestial waits to row us into a 
dark cavern on the water’s edge. Here we find the nests of the edible 
Swifts shaped like a quartered egg she'l, fastened to the walls of the 


406 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


cave. They are formed by a saliva-like secretion from two large 
glands beneath the Swift’s tongue, and resemble a mixture of gelatine 
and the white of an egg. Some are of a clear white color, others, 
probably older nests, are a dark brown. We have not the time now to 
regale ourselves upon bird’s nest soup, but must hasten homeward, 
passing on the way the playgrounds in Australia where the Bower Bird 
in the breeding season woos his mate with ruffled feathers in an absurd 
dance. 

The walls of the ball room are built by the male bird of twigs and 

. sticks. He selects a place near berry-bearing plants, which he clears 
of leaves and rubbish. Here he weaves an arched bower about a foot 
long with an opening at each end. The female birds then bring deco- 
rations for the floor, of gay feathers, and arranges about the entrance 
every variety of decoration,—bones, shells, glass, and bits of gay cloth. 
These are added to and re-arranged each day. The nests are built a 
short distance from these bowers. 

In New Guinia we find a closely related Garden Bird which builds a 
cone-shaped hut of the straw-like leaves of an orchid. The leaves and 
blossoms of these orchids keep fresh for along time. The birds bring 
green moss and cover the space before the hut, and scatter over it 
flowers, fruit and insects of bright colors, which they replace when 
faded with fresh ones. Here they go through curious dancing antics 
similar to those of the Bower Bird. 

But we must not linger too long on foreign shores when so many 
wonders await us in our own land. 

We should like to stop in Merrie England and search for the cunning- 
ly concealed nest of the Chaffinch. 

Its thick outer walls consist of green moss, rootlets and grass inter- 
woven with webs stolen from various insects, and covered with bits 
from the bark of the tree so that it seems a part of the branch on which 
it is placed. It is a perfectly round ball, open at the top, with a soft 
lining of hair, feathers and fibres. 

Now we are transported across the great waters, and enter our own 
land by the Golden Gate to visit some California homes. Here is the 
beautiful purse-shaped nest of the Bush-tit, seemingly out of all pro- 
portion to the size of the tiny bird. 

The bird suspends a nest nine inches in length and five inches in 
diameter from the branches in low thickets. The nest is composed of 
dried leaves of white sage, pink plant down, bits of mosses and lichens, 
and thickly lined with soft feathers with an entrance on the side near 
the top. In the upper part of the nest, the walls are thin, increasing to 
the thicknéss of one and one half inches towards the bottom. 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 407 


Here, too, we may pass the nest of the Road Runner or Chapparral 
Cock. Itis an ordinary looking affair, broad and flat, but did you 
notice where it is placed? In the center of a prickly bed of cactus, 
which affords a bulwark against danger. One may also find in the 
Same spiny thicket, nests of the shy Cactus Wren. 

In southern California we find the Arizona Hooded Oriole. These 
birds drill holes in the broad heavy leaves of the fan palm, with their 
sharp bills, and tie their nests to them by passing fibres through these 
holes, thus providing an umbrella to protect from sun and rain. The 
birds pass the fibre back and forth through the leaf to each other, one 
being on each side of the leaf. 

Now we come to a hollow tree, where, perhaps six feet from the 
ground, lives the beautiful Wood Duck. Mrs. Duck does all the work 
in this household, and when she goes to her club she tucks the eggs up 
snugly in a blanket of softest down which she has plucked from her 
own breast. Sometimes this home is some distance from the water. 
Then the mother takes the duckling by the wing or back of the neck in 
her bill, and carries it to the water and drops it, where it seems at home 
at once. Many other water birds furnish their nests with downy feather 
beds, notably the eider, which often piles the fluffy lining so high with- 
in its seaweed nest that the eggs are hidden from view. 


A PRISONER AT HOME, 


While looking for nests in the spring, I saw a pair of House Wrens 
building a nest in a hole of a limb in an apple tree. 

For several days they were as happy and busy as bees, but one day 
as I went by the nest the male bird seemed very much excited. 

I watched him but could not see why he should scold and coax so 
hard. He would fly to the dead limb in which the nest was placed, and 
call as though calling his mate. 

Seeing no enemy I looked into the hole and there was his mate on 
the nest, so I went my way. ‘Two days later I paid them another visit, 
as I approached the nest I could hear nothlng of the wrens. Upon 
looking into the nest I saw the female there again. I then went away 
to retnrn the next day, she was still there but nothing did I see of her 
mate. ‘Then I struck the tree several times with a stick, but she did 
not leave the nest, so I took a stick and touched her with it but she did 
not pick the stick nor move, so then I got a curved stick and reached 
back of her and pulled her to the opening, here I took hold of her and 
pulled her out; out she came, nest, eggs and all; because she had two of 
her toes caught in the horse hair which lined her nest. 


408 AMERICAN ORNITIUOLOGY. 


She was dead and cold. I did not wonder any longer why the male 
was so anxious. I took the four tiny eggs which she had laid, to re- 
member poor Jenny Wren by. 

FRANK SmitTH, Grand Rapids, Mich. 


THE COMING OF PHOEBE. 


There’s a grand old river that I well know, rolling, ever rolling, 
from its source in northern New England hills, rolling on by meadow 
and hill, rolling on to the sea. 

From that river can be seen, rising skyward, a towering hill covered 
with grand old trees. 

Deep in the heart of that hill men labor daily rending from it pieces 
of its strong heart oi stone. For near a hundred years agone have 
they wrought and the old strong heart yielded of its store, and boats 
have carried of it down the flowing river for the various uses of men. 

With their strong arms wrought, they, three sturdy generations of 
laborers, shaping and lifting the blocks wherever the Master Mind 
directed. 

“The old order changeth, yielding to the new,’ and now engines 
are the motive, however, which move huge wooden arms, with strong 
iron fingers, that, swinging here, swaying there, left the stone where- 
ever the Master Mind shall desire, to the waiting levers. 

Two men control engines twain, one grave taciturn, absolute monarch 
of the little shanty which covers the steel and iron helper under his 
control. None conversed with him save when he graciously accosted 
them, while his fellow engineer called gaily to the laborers and held 
daily counsel with the wild things whose homes were in the forest 
which surrounded the old stone quarry. 

Lo, on a day in a sweet spring, three seasons agone, we heard a 
sweet voice calling softly, “‘Phoebe! Phoebe! Phoebe-oe-oei’? from out 
shanty of the solitary. Who was it? What lady, what lady had dared 
that which no man was rash enough to do,—univited to invade the 
domain of the taciturn engineer? But the lady, (and it was a very tiny 
lady) nothing daunted settled her dress of softest tinted feathers and 
crooned to herself and to all whom it might concern, that she liked 
the place and would make it her home. And she did. The monarch 
of all he surveyed stepped down from his pedastal and became the 
devoted slave of Mistress Phoebe and the little family which came. 

Only the softest tones were permitted lest the little mother be dis- 
turbed. Onthe days when the engine was required to use the long 
arm, incessantly swinging here, swaying there, the little mother was 


AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 409 


troubled in her ministrations, and hesitated at the doorway. The de- 
throned one meekly taking a dish of water, with a little stick dropped a 
drop of water into each little wide opened mouth; this he did whenever 
an extra noise troubled Mistress Phoebe, till the little ones came to 
know him. 

So-for three Springtimes came the little Phoebe. After the third 
flying away of a little flock the sheltering shanty was pulled down. 

Let it be builded again ere the coming of the Phoebe, Phoebe, 
Phoebe-eo-eo-e0, for when the wild things shelter near men, prosperity, 
plenty and Peace come also. 

PHILA M. PARMELEE, Haddam, Conn. 


GLEANINGS, 


At home, abroad, wherever seen or heard, 
Still is the Sparrow just the selfsame bird: 
Thievish and clamorous, hardy, bold and base, 
Unlike all others of the feathered race! 
The bully of his tribe—to all beyond 
The gipsy, beggar, knave and vagabond! 
Mary Howitt (1871). 


The Cock-partridge, a well-travelled bird who knew the settlements 
and their violent perils, watched with indignant apprehension. Not 
without purpose had he come whirring so tumultously up the trail, a 
warning to the ears of all the wood-folk. His fear was lest the coming 
of this grey man-figure should mean an invasion of those long, black 
sticks which went off with smoky bang when they were pointed. He 
effaced himself till his brown mottled feathers were fairly one with the 
mottled brown bark of his perch, but his liquid eyes lost not a least 
movement of the stranger. 

(In the Heart of the Green Woods.) 


HIDDEN BIRDS, 


Concealed in these sentences you will find some part of a bird. 
1. What ails you Walter? 
Zap, o SUS EO lost 
3. He wishes to win goodwill from all. 
4. He will be a king some day. 
5 and 6. The old man bequeathed his many acres to his son George. 
7. That is a wonderful feat, Herbert. 
8. The cover to that dish is broken. 
Mary TuFts, Boston, Mass. 


410 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 


ENIGMAS. 


Find the name of a bird in each sentence, the number of letters‘is in- 
dicted by the figures. 


(a) Look for me flying over some broad—5—when you may know 
me from any other—4—by the white spot at the base of my tail. - 


(6) I fly in the late afternoon rather than at—5—and unlike a. I 
am not really a—4—. 


(c) All the—6—was used to color mybright feathers so none was 
left for that little brown —4—my mate. 


(7d) Iam often found far north: of—8—and my loud clear whistle is 
very different from the bubbling song of the house—4—. 


(ec) The place to find me is an old over grown—5—,but my breast 
is not spotted, so do not mistake me for a song—7—. 


(f)They call me—4—because my head is white, but it is as well 
feathered as that of my relative, the golden—5—. 
IsABELLA McC. LEmMMon, 
Englewood, N. J. 


ENIGMA. 


I am composed of 14 letters. 
My 1-6-5 is to caress a dog, 
My 3-4 is a preposition, 
My 14-9-4 is an instrument of war, 
My 5-3-13 is a metal, 
My 11-9-10 isa large measure, 
My 7-6-2-7 is what we will be some day, 
My 8-12-13 is for storing grain, 
My whole is a beautiful song bird of the south. 
GEOFFREY J. GILES, 
Comfort, Texas. 





And all the throng that dwell in nests and have the gift of song, 
Whose household words are songs in many keys, 
Sweeter than instrument of man ere caught, 
Whose habitations in the tree top even 
Are half-way houses on the road to heaven.—LONGFELLOW. 


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many times the subscription price, are: Finely illustrated stories by practical 

FEATURES writers; How, When, and Where to go Shooting and Fishing ; Game, Fish 
and Forest Preservation; Popular Natural History; Kennel Department ; 


Photography, Etc., Etc. 


OUR UNPARALLELED SUBSCRIPTION OFFER. 


With each year’s subscription ($r.50) we send postage paid a /vee choice of six large pictures of hunting 
and fishing scenes by distinguished artists (size 19x 25). These pictures are worthy of agood frame. They 
are better subjects than cin be purchased in the art stores. State whether you desire a trout, bass, dog, 
moose, ducking or Indian picture. With a five years’ subscription ($7.50) we will send the entire set of six 


pictures. 


ADDRESS THE PUBLISHERS: 


John P. Burkhard Corporation, 33 West 21st St., New York. 


“A Complete Bird Dictionary.” 
Color Key to North American Birds, 


FRANK M. CHAPMAN 


ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF ORNITHOLOGY AND MAMMALOGY 
IN THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 


Author of “‘Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America,”’ 


“‘Bird-Life,’’ Etc. 
With Upward of 800 Drawings 
BY 


CHESTER, AY REED, Bis: 


ILLUSTRATING IN COLORS NEARLY EVERY 
SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 


‘©The plan of ‘ The Color Key to North 
American Birds’ seems admirably designed 
to simplify the identification of birds in the 
field, and the book should be of great as- 
sistance to those who study ‘birds through 
an opera-glass.”’’ J. A. ALLEN, Curator 
of Mammalogy and Ornithology, American 
Museum of Natural History. 





“The ‘Color Key to North American Birds’ 
seems to me to mark the greatest advance yet 
made in popularizing the study of birds. That so 
serviceable a book can be offered at such a low 
price is a striking example of the ‘open door’ in 
the pursuit of knowledge that distinguishes the 
present age—what a boon it would have been to 
some of us who were groping our slow and uncer- 

_tain way along these lines forty years ago!”’ 
E. H. RUSSELL, Principal, State Normal School, 
Worcester, Mass. 


ce $2.50 — 


Crs Sue ine ee 
75 THOMAS STREET, WORCESTER, MASS. 





HOLIDAY BOOKS 
FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE 


































































































1 
Neil 
ui \ 
yi BUT 

Ta 





Wood’s Natural History, 80 illustrations. 

Animal Stories for Little People, 80 illus- 
trations. 

The Adventures of Robinson 
illustrations. 

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, 42 illus- 
trations. ‘ 

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, 9) illustrations. 

Vic, the Autobiography of a Fox-Terrier, 
by Marie More Marsh, illustrated. 

Under the Stars, by Florence Morse Kings- 


Crusoe, 70 


ey. 

The Story of the Robins, by Sarah Trim- 
mer. 

Alexander the Great, King of Macedon, by 
Jacob Abbott, 5t illustrations. 

Julius Cesar, the Roman Conqueror, by 
Jacob Abbott, 4! illustrations. 

Jackanapes, by Juliana H. Ewing. 


The Christmas Stocking. by Elizabeth 
Wetherell. 

Laddie,. by the author of “Miss Toosey’s 
Mission.” 


Exploration and Adventure in Africa, 89 
illustrations. 

Gulliver’s Travels, §0 illustrations. 

Water Babies, by Charles Kingsley,*4 illus- 
trations. 

A Child’s Life of Christ, 49 illustrations. 

Aisop’s Fables, 62 illustrations. 

Swiss Family Robinson, 4v illustrations, 

Christopher Columbus and the Discovery 
of America, 70 illustrations. 
3unyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, 46 illustrations. 

A Child’s Story of the 3ible. 72 illustrations. 

Flower Fables, by Louisa M. Alcott, 5u 
illustrations. 

Aunt Martha’s Corner Cupboard, by Mary 
and Elizabeth Kirby, 44 illustrations. 

Through the Li oking Glass and What Alice 
Found There, 50 illustrations. 

Jessica’s First Prayer, by Hesba Stretton. 

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, by 
Rudolph Hrich Raspe. 


For every NEW SUBSCRIBER that 
you may secure for us at one dollar each, 
you may select one of the following books, 
which will be promptly mailed to you post- 
paid. The books are handsomely printed 
on fine, heavy book paper, 
type, bound in cloth with handsome cover 
désigns, 
making the most attractive series of juv- 
enile books ever offered as 
Each subscriber will have one of our 
beautiful Art Bird Calendars for 1904. 


large clear 


and are profusely illustrated, 


oremiums. 


_ Young People’s History of the War With 
Spain, 50 illustrations. 

Heroes of the United States Navy, 60 illus- 
trations. 

Military Heroes of the United States, 60 
illustrations. 

Queen Elizabeth of England, by Jacob Ab- 
bott, 49 illustrations. 

_ Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, by John 
S.C. Abbott., 4 illustrations. 

Miss Toosey’ s Mission, by the author of 
“Laddie.”’ : 

A Blue Grass Beauty, by Gabrielle E. Jack- 
son. 

The Story of a Short Life, by Juliana H- 
Ewing. 

Mother Goose’s Rhymes, Jingles and Fairy 
Tales, 234 illustrations. 

The Story of the Frozen Sea, 70 illustra- 
trations. 

Making a Start, by Tudor Jenks. 

The Story of a Donkey, by Madame La 
Comtesse De Segur. 

The Sleepy Kine , 77 illustrations. 

Rip Van Winkle, ‘by Washington {rving, 46 
illustrations. 

A Child’s Garden of Verses, by Robert 
Louis Stevenson, 10U illustrations. 

Tales from Shakespeare, by Charles and 
Mary Lamb, 65 illustrations. ; 

Mixed Pickles, dl illustrations: 

Little Lame Prince, 24 illustrations. 

Battles of the War for Indepetidence, by 
Prescott Holmes, 70 illustrations. | 
Battles of the War for the Union, by Prescott 
Holmes, 80 illustrations. 

Dicken’s Child History of England, 80 illus- 
trations. 
fi Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell, 50 illustra- 

1ONS. 

Andersen’s Fairy Tales, 75 illustrations. 

Grimm’s F airy Tales, 50 illustrations. 

Grandfather’s Chair, by Nathaniel Haw- 
thorne, 68 illustrations. : 


If you wishto make Christmas Presents of any of these books we 
will send them postpaid for 50 cents and enclose your name ona Christ- 


mas card. 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 


What is Daus “*T ip Top Ks 


that Daus’ 

O Prove t,t" 

Duplicator 

is the best, simplest and cheapest device 

for making 100 copies from Pen-writ- 

ten and 50 copies from Typewritten 

original we are willing to send a com- 

plete “Duplicator” without deposit on ten 
days’ trial. 





































































































No mechanism to get out of order, no 
washing, no press, no printer’s ink. The 
product of 23 years’ experience in Dupli- 
cators. Price for complete apparatus, 
size No. 1, $7.50, subject to the trade dis- 
counti of 33 1-3 per cent or $5.00 net. 


FELIX F. DAUS DUPLICATOR CO., 
Daus Building, 11] John St., New York 
































































































































Barred Rocks! 


Belgian Hares! Italian Bees! 


FINE BRED DOES..... : $0.00 EACH 
BUCKS, 61010 MONTHS OLD. — | ut) eS $5.00 TO $20. W0 EACH 
PY OUNGEDOHSAND 1eyOUNGIBUCK Get suena $10 HA 


YORK STRAIN BARRED ROCKS, PER TRIO $5 0 
PENNSYLVANIA RED BIRDS, OR CORN CRACKERS ....$5.00 BACH 
ITALIAN HONEY BEES, full colonies, in '-frame dove- tailed hives, in fine condition, and 

the best honey-gatherers in the country, $8.00 each. Personal supervision insures fine 


selections. 
ERNEST A. DEMPWOLEF, York, Pa. 





For Christmas Gifts 


The World’s Great Picturs. 


ONE 
CENT 
EACH Postpaid. 


for 25 or more. 120 for $1. 
2.000 Subjects © 


Send 25 cents for 
25 Art Subjects, or 
25 Madonnas, or 
25 On Life of Christ, or 
25 Landscapes, or 
25 Dogs, Kittens, etc., or 
25 Famous Men, or 
23 Authors and Poets, or 
25 For Children. 
Each set in a portfolio. 
Or 13 Pictures in Colors, or 
5 Extra Size (10 x 12) or 
A Beautiful Art Booklet, or ~ 
Art Booklet-Madonnas, 

or 50 cents for 
Any two 2sc. Sets,-or 
so Perry Pictures, Assorted or 
25 Pictures in Colors, Birds, 
etc., or 
tt Perry Pictures, Extra Size,or 
Portfolio 25 Pictures, NewYork 
Edition, 7x9. Gems of Art. 





SISTINE MADONNA. 
The one-cent Pictures are 6 to 10 times this size. 


The Perry Pictures. 


Gold Medal, Paris Exposition. 


or $1.00 for 
Any four 25c Sets, or 
so New York Edition, or 
23 Extra Size, to x 12, or 
Christmas Set, No. 2, 120 pic- 
tures, 5 1-2x8, all in the new 

Boston Edition. No two 

alike. or 
r20 Perry Pictures, your own 

selection trom 2,000 subjects. 

Or The Perry Magazine. 

Send $1.50 for 
The Perry Magazine and 
50 New York Edition or 
so Pictures in Colors—to new 
subscribers only. 

Send three two-cent stamps 
for Catalogue of tooo miniature 
illustrations and two pictures. 

Do not wait until December— 
the busiest month in all the year 
with us. Satisfaction guar- 
anteed. 


Order today. You will wish to order again when you see how 


beautiful the Perry Pictures are for Holiday Gifts. 


THE PERRY PICTURES COMPANY, 


Tremont Temple, Boston. 
146 Fifth Ave , New York 


BOX 208. MALDEN, MASS. 
Send all Mail Orders to Malden. 


= ae 
NOTHING BETTER FOR | 


+ Christmas + Gift. 


Pr 


The BEST for Bird Study and 
Equally Good for 


Mountain, Sea Shore or Opera. 


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, with strap by which they can 
be carried suspended from the shoulder. 





ka@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? 


CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. 







Gaxidermists. 
Qi 


our customers would 
gladly pay the differ- 
ence in cost between a 
Finely carved shield of 
artistic design, and the 
common plain board. 









No. 19 
<3:-e Shield. 


Ghe Lang Carving Co., Curly 
Birch. 


Beecher Falls,Vermont, 


Manufacturers of : Oil 
Gaxidermist’'s COoodwork. Rubbed 


(Except Cases.) 


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