etiaae byl! aT TTA AA (LT | i) : cal | | / eT | | LEE | Vil | a | oo | qc | AAT HHT Hil f iit | i i | i i \ i ) | Hh HATH Ht je Ni Hil | ANN HEE FETE me Mi fiites : Hi | i} | Ah } i i HALT TAT | HH | iy i Ny | { ; | TU ATALY LAE A a a i ile i WE | ATH | | : | { | f é ee gilgy aoe \ : \ me. ‘ SS _— = Se eee ee eee ee See eee ee ne a a pe ear ee Bila 1* A\\e This edition is limited to Five hundred numbered copies of which this 1s Copy Number MAZE! a ES Ee Ee Ss eg rege me — IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE. ee —— i\ ~* - 7 < : - 2 ‘ = e J : ~ on ~~ -~ in ee a ee ee ne se Idylls of Bird Lite Bird and Nature Essays BY BERT G. HOCHWALT EDITED BY he. PRAXIDES BLANDFORD HOCHWALT WITH INTRODUCTION BY WILL WILDWOOD AND MEMOIR BY J. O. AAHBURTON 1923 CopyRiGHT, OCTOBER, 1923 PRAXIDES BLANDFORD HOCHWALT All rights reserved. A. F. HOCHWALT COMPANY PUBLISHER pias Dedication To a Bird Lover an (: ©o : ERT, man, husband, father, Companion, lover of birds. Whose heart was ever in\tune a With Nature, b $ Sharing her secrets and | 7 Opening the wonder-world | ~ To his or ‘a ° ° va Grateful wife, Praxides, ; and \ | Daughter, Constance Marie. i | LS Fel <_< CONTENTS PAGE | PTe PPh Tey Re BEML PLOW nettle 6 AA Tol aa SP AAADEAES) Se ARG a RAR MO ag Ld a LO 9 RTTETOUU CLIO’ Mee eee Eee he ee Maal anal Tip eae, fa 11 PIBINOM Of Dern CTA TOCIWaALlacmir nia nin ulrcia hit Carin tiara 15 Springtide IBY sea UbRae/ eakpw ye) ou aCeds rho Ok NNR Alm ae EATEN ty ete RUIN Fey gal 29 The Romance of Mr. and Mrs. Bob White......{/... 45 FIOM Ce Uicn ta they DOR. dir ano anemia nhs Nar 56 The Domestic Affairs of the Sora Rails.........{ SOA PK aN: 1 Sod es Wd ape acecy EWG ae Reh na Voteae ye em OE LAA AIA Be i ae ard OA i 2) 3 70 | ¥ TERI ards ReNnGeZVOUS frit deci e ial leiel eae ives 78 i. Summertime | ee IeIDIES OleAt DLLs hOVEL INT) cet neaany tii, Mey men anna, de 89 : SHES O DET Se VLCTAUL por cet pehe teoae cUgh cele ae Len ec me eae og 95 The Robin as an Insect Destroyer..... FURL eae 99 TMAVeS TBD NT Yo stearate )RM CREST Us ari oY Pen est LADO fC 101 wy / Autumnal Days PN TETLTTI TUR ea oe oa ne Iie DIG RSPR LCL NPIL IS Ie a ene 109 ANG OPE Fa lagea it @ Yertel otei es eed de eee ane TDn) aaron aug a bn) Wasa 111 ) CO TAUTA eae Cn Fer ee terete rare Out hae got 118 | Winter Months Our Feathered Winter Residents.................% 127 AuWinrets Walkin PlicnwOOd oo)... utes wugeeht 140 tg eh a nay eng inne ag hi eta tin cent note —. i Gece api ——— — —_ rt na \We < s\>” “ 2510 Pesos tr < pikes Seat See ys a ae FOREWORD HIS collection of Nature-essays now presented to the reading public, is not a scientific treatise, but the plain notes and impressions of an amateur bird-lover. The young spirit that has since passed away, endeavors to have us take an interest in bird life. There exists, in fact, a three-fold interest in this subject: the zsthetic, the intellectual and ‘the cultural. The appeal that the color, the sound and the flight of birds makes, enriches our sense of the beautiful. The study of\the kinds of birds, their manners and habits, and their_relations_to.us are interest- ing and useful subjects for the mind’s attention, and the store house of our knowledge. Furthermore, any subject that. can i help us wing our flight heavenward, has its cultural effect \in . taking us out of the materialism found in our daily lives. The \considerdtion of Nature, and in particular the interest in bird life, unfolds to us the order of Providence, furnishing us with so many shore pathways to the Creator. The purpose of editing the present collection of essays is not-to offer this slight contribution to-the literature of Nature study, but rather, as a tribute of lové and gratitude to a com- al panion who loved Nature, and who inspired me with an interest in the feathery kingdom. May this offering show the way to others and present new visions of refinement! The essays have been arranged according to the seasons. This order seems to be the natural way, even though the divi- sions are\not balanced in number, owing to the untimely death of the author. | I wish to thank the editors of The Sportsmen's Review Sand’of Birds and Nature for the permission to publish several | essays in this collection. -I am very grateful for the aid which my friends have given in the various stages of the publication. Praxipes BLanpForp HocHWALT. March 21, 1923. [ 10, | \ ee ~~, oa INTRODUCTION By Witt Witpwoop (FRED E. POND) N the brief span of an ideal life of rare promise — closing when he had but reached the early prime of manhood — Bert Hochwalt had given evidence of natural talent ag a writer on outdoor recreation, showing a spirit of keen rosin boase: asm, and a knowledge of birds, gained through habits Of close ~ observation, which combined to make his essays remarkably Bee entertaining and instructive. ar The many friends whose good fortune it was to know him , \. intimately, found charm and inspiration in his companionship. Rolding high ideals, seeking field and forest for study of bird life and all the animate life therein, he had the enthusiasm of / Ja young Audubon, and a chat or a stroll with Bert Hochwalt » < \was a delight to his associates. Manly, in the true sense of the % ort there was in him a spirit of chivalry, a determination to I Beet aistice to all; in fact, he was one “in whose brave-spirit IN ature fused the tenderness of woman.” Although fond of healthful open-air recreations, particu+ latly those of the fields and woods, he loved the pursuits of [ 1 ] F FA 4 ~ fr A \vad/ the naturalist to an evefi greater degree than thdseof the sports- man — as clearly Gemonetrited in his writings. His descrip- tions 6 the haunts and habits of favorite song and game birds ate etl pen pictures. Every season of the year had charm for him, and his impressions of scenes and places are given in graphic style, stimulating in the reader a desire for Nature study. . There is an object lesson, pleasantly given, in each of the | Aaa inthis volume, and I venture to mention especially “The Romance of Mr. and Mrs. Bob White,” as a classic conveying an ideal worthy of preservation in the minds and hearts of all sportsmen whose cherished recreation is with dog and gun afield in pursuit ofthe game birds mentioned. Therein is inspiration for a sportsman-naturalist. Avoiding the technical phrase and coldly scientific method of many writers-on ornithology, Bert Hochwalt’s charming chapters relating his experiences among birds seem to take the reader along with. him in his rambles. to enjoy companionship with the birds — songsters and feathered friends of the game bird species. FAVS Many sportsmen and Nature lovers who have read and ad- mired — as a writer of this brief commentary —/the delightful... wal [AZ] sketches from Bert Hochwalt’s pen at the time of their publica- tion, several years ago, will appreciate the re-publication in more enduring form—an appropriate tribute to his zeal as a naturalist, his genuine manliness, and an abiding remembrance of the good influence that will be thus carried through life with those holding fond memories of one whose early death ended a most promising career. [13] MEMOIR “There was a boy; ye knew him well, ye cliffs And islands of Winander!—many a time, At evening, when the earliest stars began To move along the edges of the hills, Rising or setting, would he stand alone, Beneath the trees, or by the glimmering lake.” William Wordsworth. ~ O the subject of this biographical sketch, could William Wordsworth have addressed his poem. From\his child- hood days there became manifest a great love/for the out-of-doors. In his boyhood hours and short-lived manhood days, his predominant interest lay in the Kingdom of the Birds; _,. Albert G. Hochwalt was born at Dayton, Ohio, ree 1893. His parents were of families, well-known and highly respected in the community. The father, early< associated— with a group of literature-loving youth, was already atthe . birth of young Albert, a nature-writer and traveler./. Despite. the frequent absence, the parent’s love of birds, |became’ the | child’s possession. In addition to this early influence, the » abiding interest of a devoted mother who lived for her children, manifested itself in that finer feeling and sense of delicacy that made up the soul of the boy-naturalist. LARS ————————— ee IN cen patie lintigts sede —_—, a nn ee ey co ert ent NE ee ans ff “ ID¥LUS OF BIRD LIFE et Guild's father, Albert Frederick Hochwalt, whose a > iF + NN nal appears in almost every out-door magazine of the \\ \ \gountry, is an authority on animal life. He was, undoubtedly, Ihe J Hoy’s first inspiration. Young Albert at the age of six, 7) jhad, already acquired a knowledge of birds, and could dis- | _tinguish quite a number of them. The study of birds had cy the. senior Albert’s hobby, but the son was to take a still ( A greater nereee He was indeed, an apt nature student. In thé pictures snapped, when the lad was ten years of age, his \ voy pose was one of conscious quest for the birds in the trees. ) ,_pLearning to read, he turned naturally to the subject that a was. already i inspiring to his youthful mind. A collection of > fature books became one of his early ambitions. He would read for hours, following his author-guide in the adventures ‘which he jwas \to duplicate in fact. Prolonged residence at “Highwood farm along the Stillwater River gave him oppor- \tunity to gain in bird lore. Here, shis=first«adventures were undértaken in the woods arid™ along the river bank. His library was a treasure trove for him. The books! were well thumbed. Upon” his réturn from evéty adventure i in birddom, he ae hasten to the authorities on the subject and seek C) “new! Hee Giima, solution to a new problem that/ bafiled him) ek \ \ \ ™ \ IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE Young Albert had the ideal company of three-younger brothers who early learned to appreciate their big brother’s He terest in birds. No better companion could these boys find, than their father. He was playmate, instructor, guide and father to| the growing lads, and they responded whole-heartedly to the moulding influences of the paternal parent, “The eldest. son, however, was to resemble most the father i in literary talent ahd love of Nature. Young Albert’s jteachers in the elementary 1 classes recall his interest in the collection of insects . and love : iy for observation. Here, he was already, an interesting. com: aA panion, manifesting an advanced knowledge in the denizens of “ie ee the woods. . il \ He attended the High School of the University of Dayton, _ from 1907-1911. lovevor flowers manifested itself. Huis interest in Nature quitk- Nace \ ened. | \Though at all times a good sportsman and ry ‘real Amer ‘ \ican boy, with his interest in baseball, peaeeroallt ‘lawn tennis, ‘a study ‘of Nature at unlooked-for moments would: shold bis. attention, Because of this predominating interest some o/s For want. of a Th his second year of Eien School’ at the’age ‘of fifteen, Tie wrote his LT], classmates facetiously termed him “caveman.’ better name this word signified the- embryo naturalist/) During the time of his high s school career, a Yd IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE first Nature story. In the early winter of 1908 he spent a few days on the farm, “Highwood.” Upon his return home he penned his observations and submitted the article for publica- tion. It was accepted by the Sportsmen’s Review and ap- peared inthe January, 1909, issue under the title: “A Winter’s W alk in Highwood.” The die was cast. Bert, as young Albert was called, now resolved to observe Nature even more and to hectnas: the beauty thereof to all who would listen. His interest in walks increased, and many a companion unlearned in the beauties of Nature followed at first unwillingly, but returned with the deep interest of a convert, in the glory of création and eyes opened to new visions of Nature’s miracles. Notes taken on his observation-walks now took form and in 1910; at the age of sixteen, he wrote the essay: “Birdlife in Spring.” It was published in the Sportsmen’s Review of the sanie-year. Bert G: Hochwalt finished High School in 1911 and entered the office of one of the public utilities of his native city, Dayton, Ohio. His days were spent in industrious work at the desk; but‘the love for the out-of-doors never deserted him. Every half-holiday and Sunday, along with the big vacations, he shook the city’s dust to roam in the woods or to paddle his canoe; but, [18 J IDYCUS/OF ‘BIRD’ LIFE all the while with that spirit of observation, that learned how to linger when fainter hearts grew weary. In 1914 he wrote, as a result of his observations, and at the request of Fred EK. Pond (Will Wildwood), the article: “The Romance of Mister and Mistress Bob White.” ‘This charming essay appeared/in /the holiday number of the Sportsmen’s Review. In the same issue appeared the article: “Our Feathered Winter Residents.” The following year saw the publication of ““The Robin’s Menu,” in the April issue of the Sportsmen’s Review. A yeat_atter he wrote, “The Blue Bird’s Repast,” and “The Robin, an/Insect Destroyer.” Besides showing the romance of bird-life, our youthful author could not lose sight of the practical value. To his filial affection for his parents and his admiration for the out-doors, a new love now entered his life. He wrote of romances, but he, too, was the hero of a charming romance with his lady-love. On the first day of the most beautiful month of May, 1917, Bert G. Hochwalt was married to Miss Praxides Marie Blandford. This charming young lady appreciated the ‘tastes of the young benedict, and was his most appreciative Com- panion in his out-door studies. His great love for Nature was not to diminish; it was to be enhanced by the greater love, for the companion of his too short a life. [ 19 | ADYLLS OF BIRD LIFE™ Many had been the walks in the days of his courtship, but now they were to be more frequent. During the long vacation he left the city, and with his | young wife dwelt along the Miami in their little cabin, “Justamere Shack.” In these happy days of carefree hours, he could indulge to his heart’s content in his wanderings among the bird haunts of these shores. His cheery invitation, in tones ecstatic, called to come and see the glories of bird-land, never left him go alone. There was always a companion. To the uninitiated, however, there was the first remonstrance, “Do 4 hot scare the birds,” and the second one, “Can’t you see?” i Oris: writing now kept pace with his notes. Among the “beautiful and \ ideal surroundings of “Justamere Shack’ he Prepared the essay: “Rambles of a Bird-Lover.” The walks that he took on the autumnal days of 1918 inspired the beautiful word-painting: “Autumn.” | A little fairy appeaked at his ‘home during this year. T he “a little Visitor was Miss Constance Marie Hochwalt. The father S heart rejoiced and a still greater sympathy was> -mattifested for thé singing: life i in 1 the forest. iy, A reserved interest in the habits of/ ld ra pee led him | Uk revisehis,notes of 1916 and to publish the study, entitled: L200] Vii hs ~ IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE “Old Head Hunter.” It appeared in the magazine, “Birds and. Nature,” of 1918. On May 30, Decoration Day, of 1919, he attended the last family reunion at “Justamere Shack,” his ideal/haunt for bird- lore. Sure to leave the crowd, he returned to the wondering party with the invitation, “Let me show you a new bird-nest.” Bert Hochwalt was not unsociable, but he would be certain to go to his favorites, the birds, and share with them the time.of | his recreations. | \ The year 1919 promised to be one of unusual literary ? activity for the young author, who,was now assured of readers. er He was invited by a Nature Magazine to write) al bird article | each month. The notes and souvenirs. of his Aspibe were brought out from the desk and there evolved the folowing studies : “Home Building in the Bog,” “The Domestic Affairs of the Sora Resa “Bob Whites at Home,” “The Mallard’s Rendezvous;” “Afield in October.” | < Here was more than promise, but the: Lord of Nature loved | Wey ahat soul attuned to His Creation. [ 21 ] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE In July, 1919, commenced a siege of illness which de- veloped into a wasting affliction that finally took him from this earth in March, 1920. At one time during his illness a change of climate was sought to give him a fighting chance. At first he refused to take the proffered opportunity, for he could not leave his wife and child. “I’d rather be home with you,” was his justification. But even here, his love for his birds and the trees and flow- ers did not dampen. They brought him daily courage to fight “his losing battle. He appreciated his flower-laden apartment and noticed the birds whose music penetrated his room. A beautiful coincidence occurred in this last illness. All the winter of nineteen hundred and nineteen, two birds were VW fréquent, if not daily visitors at his residence on Forest Avenue. 7 3 Ti the garden adjoining the house two robins with white stripes on-their backs came up to the very window of their Bperset tees ® | a brother. A> ie — \ > ‘ In a final attempt to bring about a cure, the father induced. _ the son to accompany him on atrip South. He seemed to rally; but /his return home hurried the final summons to a new life. a. His last words were uttered! when someone, askéd"the name of @ JE f yy ~~, ~*~ i IDYLUS*OF BIRD LIFE the bird now singing. The bird-lover answered: “The Cardinal.” Here was the passing of a great soul. —T’wenty-seven years old, on the eve of real authorship, he was called to an eternal life. His essays must not be read as if a series of technical studies, but as the true, yet romantic quest of the ‘bird’s troubadour. | J.O. ASHBURTON. [23] ry iyi 4 {DYELS OF BIRD LIFE A FEW OF THE BIRD FAMILY The Old Bob White, and chipbird ; The flicker and chee-wink, And little hopty-skip bird Along the river brink. The blackbird and snowbird, The chicken-hawk and crane; The glossy old black crowbird ; And buzzard down the lane. .. The yellowbird and redbird, \ The tom-tit and the Cate The thrush and that redhead bird \The rest’s all pickin’s at! | The jay-bird and the bluebird, | _/ The sap-suck and the wren— The cockadoodle-doo. bird; And our old settin’. hen’? \ James Whitcomb Riley. f2J = i oe a bo fai jae op) Sy Ones Yo ‘a Os ~a a ea “ht, te Sh \ — mE ee... ene ee eS E — an - 4 ae sa \ _ pj ; <— ¥ SPRING Hark! the hours are softly calling Bidding Spring arise, To listen to the rain-drops falling From the cloudy skies. To listen to, earth’s weary voices, Louder every day, Bidding her no longer linger On her charm’d way ; But hasten to her task of beauty Scarcely yet begun. r, Adelaide A. Proctor. ltt — > « nema SaaS et Sane ~ ———— ——— a A SS BIRD LIFE IN SPRING “Hear how the birds on ev’ry blooming spray, With joyous music wake the dawning day.” Alexander Pope. S the last dreary days of Winter pass and the early ones of balmy Spring appear, the first feathered songsters begin to arrive from the Sunny South. Everything in Nature takes on a new lease of life, and everybody is joyous and light at heart. The fast returning birds fill sweet fragrant out- of-doors with their exquisite notes. Signs of re} uvenated Spring are seen everywhere. The naked trees of Winter take ona rich leafy covering, and the orchards are filled with the fragrant blos- soms of the pear, apple and cherry trees. Before youthful Spring _has fairly proceeded on its way, all of our feathered friends have arrived from their distant journeys. The orchards areé alive \with robins, catbirds, orioles, blue jays, bluebirds;wrens, car- dinals and scores of other songsters too numerous to™mention, As the weeks take on warmth and—verdure thése feathered neighbors begin their nesting season? It is concerning this mo ment in the bird’s life, around which I shall weave my story. One sunshiny afternoon, about the latter part of April, as I was.coming home’from school, I noticed a pair of blue jays [29] LOY ELS OE BIRD SELES flitting about a tall elm that stood along the road. They were apparently seeking a suitable place for a nesting site. Soon their nest would contain two or three greenish-colored eggs. I noted the fact and marked the tree. For several days after, I saw nothing of my new friends, and I decided that they must have selected a more secluded place for their home. About a week~after my discovery, I saw Mr. Jay carrying a twig, at ‘about a quarter of a mile from the elm. As I walked along the ‘road, noticing the rich display of Nature on every side of me, { happened to see that Mr. Jay had flown down toward the tree. IT hastened along the macadamized road until I came to the spot, and>there, sure enough, this restless bit of anatomy was busy constructing a rude nest, which, because of its high altitude, appeared to be of the same color as its surroundings. As soon . / as Tmade my appearance, and as long as I remained watching | these busy marauders, they kept up a constant screaming, which, seemed to} me as if they were trying to tell me in blue- jay Pio For several weeks after I continued to watch the jays, Aras Mr./Jay sat in a nearby oak, teday to defend he ‘brooding mate [ 30 ] ja neuage, to anal my own business. } ae a : finally the mother took to the nest. As I passed day after day, s > Fn TIDY EUS FOR BURDILIEE from the chance attacks of passing hawks or other bird ene- mies. I did not attempt to disturb these birds while they were brooding. One day as I passed, I saw the nest minus Mother Jay, and knowing that she had gone off to feed, I quickly ‘ Ae climbed the tree, and with some difficulty succeeded in reaching | } | | the rude abode. There, on a soft lining of horsehair, Deepa bly gathered along the road, I saw the prettiest little eggs imagin- ~ \ | | able. They were three in number, and about as big ag a robin’s y | t ~ egg, greenish-yellow in color, sprinkled here and there with : an f 7 reddish-brown and dull lilac spots. yee os b> vi } : an In due time three featherless jays sprang into/ eristence/ Ne | i i and they kept their parents busy filling the little hung sty route wi N | J \ About four days after their entry into this world, I éimbed up b iF! '\ to their rough but secure home, and viewed the feathetless, halin | starved little fellows. Their eyes were still closed, (and they 192 \, thrust their tiny bodies about in a blind fashion. | ue ead ) ‘i i L ‘ Owing to our spring vacation, which occurred At‘this time, is a I did not have occasion to visit the jay family, after nt} second intrusion into their home. But when school resumed; about \ i __ two weeks later, I saw two of the young Jays perched on a Lp NG | 4 | above their home and ready to launch out into the cruel world, | [3h] {DYLLS OF BIRD LIFE and shift for themselves. What had become of the other fellow? I cannot say, but I hope that some swooping hawk did not make \\a breakfast on its diminutive body. After this I necessarily severed my connections with my blue jay acquaintances. It was on a warm afternoon, in the middle of May, during a\lull in a hotly-contested tennis game, while resting with a number of companions in the cool shade of a row of sweet syringas that bordered the court, that I was attracted by hearing the rustle of leaves directly back of me and about five feet from the ground. Curious to know the nature of the commotion, | began an investigation, and after five or ten minutes, I was too excited to take\the exact time, I found the ragged but well-made nest of a pair of catbirds. It was the “papa bird” who had dis- turbed me while he was busy feeding his-modest little brown- eyed mate, who sat silently brooding over her nest, apparently undisturbed by this close proximity of danger. As soon as I discovered this précious, chance of studying the catbird and its habits, I lost all interest in the tennis game, although it)was my serve, the score was forty love, and I had,a [| 32 | Ny IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE girl friend for my partner. We decided to quit the game for that afternoon, so as not to disturb the little brooding mother in the nearby bushes. The next morning, although Jupiter Pluvius 7 7 , 1ad opened the flood gates of heaven and the-rain was coming down in torrents, I visited my newly-discovered feathered light I found that the rain had left the nest untouched. Not to take any chances] hastily built-a-sort of shelter to protect the brooding bird. By noon the clouds shifted, and old Sol again smiled upon the earth. This same day was the last I saw of my catbird friends), All during the time the catbird’s mate was brooding, his long, glorious song~second he bell bird or woedthrush-in exquisiteness of O . “| et © t- fo cr O bet ov tone, was heard throughout the day. I did not get to see the five pretty dark green-blue eggs, as they_had quickened before I distovered the pair. The mother bird scarcely left the nest, save to ‘trim her glossy black and slatey-colored feathers early in the morning. Despite my early rising one morning at half past four, to get a peep at the contents of the nest, it appeared had secured double trimming the-day before, inasmuch - bets 5 * ca) as ifs Le 2) as she remained brooding all day. About ten days after my discovery, 4 saw, while strolling through the orchard back ofthe house, the mother bird busily | = ' 2 _ _ ‘ao ~~ ee ene eee IDYLUS: OF BIRDUEIFE gathering food. At my approach she hastily flew in the direc- tion of the syringa bushes, and I guessed that the young were -out a0, the shell. When I reached the nest I found that I had ‘ guessed rightly. Five hungry little downy birds thrust their heads out\of the nest. The mother bird had been there before ay approach, and now the father appeared, and fearlessly ‘epagred the nest and gave his supply of food to the hungry Cage This industrious pair of little workers had more than /they could take care of in supplying the babes. Occasionally vi i} hélped them along, by bringing berries and crumbs, and I soon ition their entire confidence. In about ten days the young left | | phe nest) and, as these neighborly birds are summer residents, | Swe had the profound pleasure of listening to their sweet song ue rie through ‘the long weeks of summer and autumn, until the \ ty 3 \d fmisravoty period took them southward. > Aa evening in early May, just as twilight was beginning ‘fo pervade the atmosphere, I was coming through an open @ “woods, a short-cut from the city to my home, when | heard, ae <\4 | ‘clear, ‘distinct song of a brown thrasher as hé) was bidding an=) | Neh othe Gey goodbye. The song. ‘that reached my eats came from “yA \j f } 5 ‘searched about for an hour, but with no success. IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE the wood to the left of me, and having plenty of time I deter- mined to discover the possessor of that exquisite song. Care- fully threading my way over the thick carpet of the last year’s leaves, I had proceeded about a hundred feet, when I perceived the most beautiful brown thrasher of my birdy career. He, fvas sitting on the topmost branch of a red haw, and his aafl kept tof twitching and wagging about as if to help him express his emotions. As soon as he saw me, for | had unnecessatily. eX- \ ag \ i . & Ying ~~ posed myself, he was off like a flash, and I knew that my ‘chances' SL Asi About a week tater } for it was now time for the thrasher to mate, I made'a speciglé for seeing him again that night were gone. ¢ } trip to the woods to look for the nest which I thought must. fhe there. I began by searching the low shrubs and bushes; being unsuccessful after two hours of hard work, and as it had grown” dark, I gave up my search for that night, but not without hope of finding the thrasher’s abode. glimpse of the male as he darted through the trees, and I Ni ae after ‘night I continued the hunt, and at last, after a week of LediAls away.” I reached home that night just as soft evening gently and slowly stole over the world, and silently, one by one, the stars began dotting the heavens. I did not visit the quail nest until about two weeks after my discovery., As it takes about twenty-four days, however, to hatch.a brood, both-birds assisting in the incubation, I decided to make another journey to the place. I finally found the op- portunity.. When I reached theirshome, the-mother bird was silently brooding, and her eggs must have quickened, as she was not inclined to flight as is usually the case, and so.I-did not dis- turb her. To’show that I was her friend I distributed some crumbs about the nest. After this, every two days I visited them, and when I came, sometimes the male, and sometimes the [ 40 | IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE female was present. In about ten days’ time the brood was hatched. The little downy Bob Whites, comicalto behold, fae lowed their parents about the ground, learning from both of them which berries, seeds and grasses they might eat. As ] was watching them one day the mother bird uttered a shrill “wee teek” and instantly the whole bevy, as a flock is-called in sports- man’s parlance, ran to the protecting wings of their mother. About a week later I again visited the nest. ‘This time the birds were nowhere to be seen; they had probably located\in) the woods hard by, as the weather was unusually warm for this time of the year. { One evening while returning from a visit to my quail friends, I heard the rich, mellow “cheo! cheo! cheo!” of a car- . dinal in a willow that overhung the river. I followéd the course ‘of the stream about a mile. The surrounding country was a typical place for red birds and I heard no less than four of these sweet songsters during that whole glorious ride. I did not stop to investigate the haunts of this American nightingale, as it was-late in the evening, and I had to-hurry home. The next day being Saturday, and Tafose just as the first gray streaks Lid IDYLLS OF BIRD.LIFE of dawn began to brighten the western horizon, intent upon getting acquainted with the possessor of that sweet song | had heard'the night before. I was well on my way of exploration before the rosy-hued horizon-overtook me. After an hour’s steady walking I heard a faint “cheo! cheo! cheo!” sounding. I took my rifle, which I ‘Usually carried on such expeditions as this one, and strode fqhickly into the thick line of trees that skirted the river. The /stream, by the way, scarcely deserved the name of'river, as it Was not much more than a mere mud hole, and dry during half vthe year. At the present time it contained about four feet of "\) /tearing my clothes on the sharp thorns of the bushes, scratching \ i my. face and hands, and once I sank ankle-deep into some nee \ caused by; the rain. As I continued down the edge of the stream, » of assy over my head, and without warning a female cardinal — \\\ | head, I saw her nest, situated about six feet’ from. the ground) \\\\Ah Wied) wlazily-running water. The edge of the stream was a thickly- \ “mattéed‘mass of wild rose, blackberry bushes, and grape vines ; Af y by DS a typical nesting location of the cardinal. 1 scrambled about, peerine into every bush that might contain a nest, a red sen ; flew past me down the stream. Looking up directly over ny —s ‘Vs gi \ . 8 “ih a ilooming dogwood, overgrown with wild’ grapévines, twigky ts A Ay IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE tendrils, and roots, heavily intertwined with grass. The eggs were four in number, and bluish white, mottled over with brownish and dark lavender specks which gave them a beautiful | appearance. After examining the nest and its surroundings, I sat down on a nearby log to rest. Since the cardinal was one of my favorite acquaintances of our feathered neighbors; I de- cided to tarry. I saw Mrs. Cardinal across the way Lptlatey aah anxiously for me to leave. As soon as I perceived this, ({ moved \ We sat down. Presently I saw the faithful aristocratic little bird? dart across the river and settle upon her nest. (Caan { - iN While sitting on the moss-covered logs I besah to feet \ rather sleepy, and as I had risen very early that morning I was ‘soon dozing off into the arms of gentle Morpheus. i do not “know how long I had been oblivious of my surroundings, but, / < / as | am an easy sleeper, | was awakened by feeling something \\creepy passing over my feet. I quickly opened my eyes and was “ horrified at seeing a very large water moccasin or “ no ) RX “mouthed” snake gliding over me. Apparently, I was co cotton- new to him, and at every move he would stop to investigate. rene, that this specimen of snake is very poisonous, ‘I reé-/ ¥ Being as s quiet as use See gece my heart, which was beat, Yi , ; yi A a Ver Sw se f 4 lik’ Ve) ' UAV back the way I had come, about a hundred yards, and ‘again. ‘ i us ADYELS OF BIRD LIFE ~ ing like-a trip-hammer, nearly betrayed me. After about fif- Cen minutes, the worst I had passed through in my life, the snake moved on. Satisfied with his scrutiny, he glided leisurely away. I picked up my rifle and vowed that he would never bother‘anyone again. Taking careful aim, although the sight was somewhat shaky before my eyes, I fired, hitting him squarelyin the head. After quivering a few moments, in which his tail thrashed about wildly, he stretched his full length and lay still. I left him lying where he fell, and bothered no more about him. The morning had well advanced, so I quickly got out of the woods and made for home. About two weeks after my acquaintance with the “reddest red bird”, I had ever seen, I approached the nest, and found to my delight that it had been usurped by four tiny, hunery birds, who kept their parents busy supplying them with TOOdaMi LIne few weeks they were old enough to leave the nest, and four more red beauties were added to our neighborhood to help cheer us up during the long Winter months. On many a green branch swinging, Little birdlets singing Watble sweet notes in the air. Flowers fair There I found. Green spread the meadow all around. wd. | Nithart. THE ROMANCE OF MISTER AND MISTRESS BOB WHITE AND FAMILY “Sweet now at morn and eve the quail Repeats his plaintive, whistling note, And softly fall the answering cries That over wood and corn-field float.” McLellan. HILE strolling through a stubble field one bright, balmy morning in the early Spring of nineteen hun- dred thirteen, the clear, staccato call of a Bob White came to me on the clarified morning breeze from an adjoining corn field. I paused a moment to listen to those enchanting notes which are music to the sportsman’s ear. Again, “Bob White! ah, Bob White!” rang out clear-and pure from the corn field. This time an answering “Bob White!” emanated from the stubble. The whistle was repeated and answered nu- merous times that morning, for it was the mating season of these game birds. They say that in the domain of Bob White, mates are not easily won, and in one particular case I can vouch for the state- ment. With the aid of a pair of field glasses and a screen of blackberry bushes, I witnessed a most thrilling battle between [45] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE rival males. They would come at each other with the fury of game cocks, fighting desperately, pecking and striking at each other as if their lives depended upon the issue, and, indeed it did; for in that fight the love of a sweetheart was involved. All his while the object of their attentions, the little brown de- mure Miss Bob White, was perched on a stump nearby, viewing with_evident satisfaction the battle, which was staged on her Pg sdccount. Finally, the vanquished bird, thoroughly beaten, slowly retreated; and, with an envious eye watched from a dis- tance, the proud victor strutting about before his queen; she, by a seeming indifference, concealed her admiration for her hero. The attitude of the female bird only added to his anger. Spying the disgruntled rival, the conqueror sent him into igno- minious flight by a few well directed blows. aN few weeks after this episode I re-visited the locality, Whicli was eoniy a short distance from town, intent upon finding my newly-acquired Bob White friends. To my delight, I dis-} ( covered both birds busily engaged in collecting grasses, leaves: we and mosses for a large, clumsy nest, that was being made on the f. old worm-eaten rail fences. It was a perfect place for con- 2a cealment; blackberry bushes concealed it from the hungry eyés. | Bp of passing hawks, and the depredations of mischievous boys, Use — : 1" : “s Jf | ‘ oe, ». aa SBN / quietly and quickly left the vicinity. + | uttering his cheery notes from morning until night. | He is very LY es Odo LO i LEE Food was to be had in plenty, for a corn field was partly enclosed by one of the fences, and the other surrounded an old stubble field. Adjacent to this site was a blackberry thicket where the fruit was available in season. At intervals the cock bird would ~ pause in his work, mount the top rail of the fence, and boldly utter his “Bob White! ah, Bob White!” which his denture mate _ coyly answered by her unobtrusive notes, which, rararorera rede 4 }?? by human methods, sounds like “Here’s me \ \ . / 4 ‘ / / Several weeks slipped by; the season was early May when.—.y/* — > LY “tirnye— |\ I again visited the nest. It contained fourteen creamy eggs) > ) arranged with the utmost care, so as to economize space. On/ fi By this occasion I saw neither of the birds. They probably were” \ \\ feeding; but, as both male and female assist in the incubation, I \ I knew that one of them would be back in a short time, sol / } During the twenty-four days it requires for incubation © _+the male Bob White is much in evidence, strutting about and fearless during this time and will endanger his own life-trying to distract the attention of some enemy from his silent brood- ing mate and her nest full of eggs. Mistress Bob White 1s sel- [ 47] 4* fV1AS OF BIRD LIFE © dom if ever seen during this period; she being busily engaged witht he eges and scarcely finding the time to snatch a few \ mouthfuls of food. Her consort covers the nest during her absence. ! »Onéjorning just as Aurora was casting her spell upon the earth, I stole out to see how Mr. and Mrs. Bob White and the \ nest full of eggs were faring. As I was crossing the road that leads up to the corn field in which their home was located, I saw the birds leading a flock of downy little ones into a wood patch on the other side of the road. I counted twelve chicks, Nas they scampered for safety under leaves and other available hiding placessat my approach. It was very\interesting watching this brood of Bob Whites follow their mother about, for in this they are precisely the same as young chicks in charge of the mother hen. They soon learned what hemes cereals, seeds and grasses they must eat. The) parént birds are untiring in\theiréfforts to protect their young. The mother bird on the approach of an enemy, will utter a shrill warning “wee-teek !’”and, while all-the’ youngsters aré scampering for a place of safetx she feigns lameness or re- sorts to some other artifice in her endeavors to lead the enemy in-another’direction. [ 48] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE About a month subsequent to the foregoing episode, I paid another visit to this interesting bird family. I found that the young had grown wonderfully during that time and were now. so nearly their full size that it was difficult to‘distinguish them from the adult birds. They could now tasily, provide for them- | selves, but at the least approach of danger they would scamper to places of safety in the same manner = when they were.downy chicks. If one remained very quietly in his place of vantage where he could not be seen, he ws rewarded by hearingthe faint but pathetic “Loi! loi! loi!” asthe mother called her brood‘ to her and endeavored to gathet them under her protecting wings. ‘These were, however, quite unequal.to the occasion since her family had grown so large. | The Summer days passed and ‘the birds were now. full grown. From out of the meadows and the stubble came the \ whistle, “Bob White! ah, Bob White!” clear and distinct as in -_ \the early) days of Spring, for the young were now: fully grown and just as sure on their wings as their parents, One clear, frosty peering in early November, I atcidentally discovered the bevy, huddled together in a protecting covert, alaleiar ake not having yet stirred about for their-morning meal. ‘It 1s/not often that one is enabled to-approach a bevy like this, but for — IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE once fortune was with me. I approached very carefully, and as they flushed I counted twelve birds, including the parents, which, of course, could not be distinguished. There were two _mnissing, and I presumed those were young birds who had fallen --WVictiins to\some swooping hawk or prowling fox. Next ne man, the hawk and the fox, notwithstanding many St ¢éments made to the contrary, are the worst enemies of the w ffi “es quail. So sudden is their attack, that the poor, frightened birds | On have a chance to escape. The laws of Ohio have pro- i Whibitéd quail shooting for two years, so at least my bird family /ig0immune from fatalities on that score during the Winter. \\ A view of the fact that the young birds were now full grown, \ I felt that there was a reasonable chance of the bevy getting Pay, j through the season unless the weather became too inclement. bon ff SEz J \ A (King Winter was coming on in leaps and bounds, and I resolved < “to befriend my little proteges wherever I could. } “December went by rapidly and January was ushered 1 in, }\ eg \cotd and severe. 1 awoke one morning to find it snowing, and” a Ss pon looking out I saw that the ground was covered to a depth — = | “of nearly a foot. Immediately I thought of my poor Bobs eXh,. y* i “posed to all the rigors of this wintry morning, ‘and, a Heaiedee to. si help fipem if possible. So dofinine heavy clothing: and substan“) \ al , [ 50 i Oh ff ; eg \ IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE tial footwear, | started out with a big bag of cracked corn and wheat, another of marble dust, a water pan and a small axe. The marble dust or its equivalent is one of the essentials toward keeping birds alive in the winter, for unless they have some kind of grit, which aids in the digestion of their food,’ all, the other provisions are of no avail. They cannot live aa nOut something of this nature. When I reached the coverts which the birds used, eave down a sapling, selected two forked boughs for uprights and drove them into the ground, allowing about two feet 1 in height Upon each of these I placed a straight branch and thet pat the / branches and twigs crosswise on these, thus forming a slantipg shelter two feet high in front and sloping to the eround i in the rear. From the adjoining corn field I gathered fodder, which I ond \ &,~ = i és) < \ ‘SF Leen placed on this retreat to make it impervious to snow and-mois“—— ture, and then upon the top, more boughs were placed to-give the \improvised lean-to an appearance that harmonized with the sur- toundings. When my work was done I was well pleased with \the result, for it formed a perfect shelter which would protect any bird that might make use of it in the most inclement weather. scraped the snow away inside and scattered thé food that I brought with me, and also the sand and the pee which I Ee i) f ai, ' i iit ws \ Di i babies itand bo p | } f ft oa Al ay Py f/ ADYWAS OF BIRD LIFE filled with water from the brook. The opening of this little she@thced the south, so that the birds might be protected from \ the noe wind. Before leaving the place I searched about the vicinity to see how the birds had weathered the storm. Under ik 7 fa lofy-hauBing cedar on the edge of an adjoining piece of timber 7 ‘ land, I found traces which indicated that my birds had found -shelter‘from the severe northerly blasts. I did not see the Bob Whites this particular morning; they were probably out feed- ing as best they could among the snowdrifts. It was still snowing when I started for the city, about two ae miles-distant. The immaculate white landscape and its beauti- ful surroundings were formed into a blurry vision as the snow was blown about in a blinding disarray. Even at that I was not alone/in my Shilly walk to town. A tiny tufted titmouse and several chickadees that accompanied me part of the way tt = kept cheering me.on with their sweet twittering, hopping from ,/ twig to‘twig a/few feet above my head; maintaining their ince sant chatter. It was bird cheer of the most entrancitig variety fora day like this: A-red flash flared ahead of meas a cardinal flitted from a snow-laden shelter in quest of food, but I doubt if he was,successful. A rabbit started from his form ina patch.“ [52] IDYLLS* OF BIRD LIFE of weeds as I tramped on. Within an hour’s time I was at-home by a crackling fire, making notes of what I had seen that won- \ | derful morning, for I hoped to use them at some future time. | ti The next morning dawned clear, bright and very cold. I was at the bird shelter long before the thin crescent of a-silvery moon had slipped from a western sky. 1 approached the place quietly, but a loud “Whirr-r-r-r!” proclaimed that the birds | i were on the alert. They had evidently found the place the day | | before, and that was all that was necessary. The food-which : ti ; had been placed there for them was all. gone, so I quitkly scat- | : tered a new supply of cracked aor wheat. and.other/food, ret i plenishing the water by breaking the ice in the brook and filling the pan. I then concealed myself behind a clump of cedars to ~ await. developments. In a few minutes several chickadees, : ) \ probably my friends of yesterday, came down to breakfast. In a a about an hour, which was the coldest period J ever experienced, i the whole’ bevy of quail, twelve in all, returned. While the | ite were feeding, one of their number would act as guard to warn the others of any danger. They were‘all plump and beau- J tifully mottled, their rich chestnut and-grey markings contrast- ing nicely against the white foreground of their surroundings. [ 53 ] a et Oe ee a aati a se 2 ge ee tit : ee = IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE [ quietly withdrew without flushing them, happy that I “EK able to provide food and shelter for such beautiful birds, which are without a doubt the noblest of all game varieties. i f Tpasee day or two throughout the long Winter months I fed “the birds, and within several weeks’ time I had succeeded in greatly diminishing their fear of me; I could approach within | ten f€et without disturbing them. The Bob White has refused 5 pene domesticated, yet, a firm friendship may be estab- / lished with him by adopting the methods | have related. | “Although that Winter lingered long and wearily, it was \fifially obliged to succumb to the pleasant sunshine and the South winds that came with the approach of mid-April. Ona brightiafternoon of that month I had an opportunity to get away be u from other labors, and I went out to find my bevy of Bob | \ / Whites. As I came in sight of the familiar fields of stubble and NN meadow, the clarion-like notes, “Bob White! ah, Bob White!’ e. i ‘ welled from a half-score of throats, emanating from the woods’. a al ‘to theeleft, the wheat on the right, and the corn just beyond e The family had evidently separated, as is customary when the 7 q i mating season begins; no doubt some of the young birds were fe thinking of going to housekeeping on their own agguentiilaee \ oq [ 54] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE Perhaps some of these were within a short distance of their winter’s headquarters, perhaps some had gone farther away. The old birds, however, remained practically in the same spot where they raised their brood the year before. I still watch over my proteges of last winter and/so far they are faring nicely. If the young survive the winter, Fhope to be able to tell of their courtships and their loves, their j joys<.<" and their sorrows, in some future paper. bo \ \ “The song-birds leave us at the summer’s close, — i wy, \a? aa Only the empty nests are left behind— C( \ Lae And pipings of the quail among the sheaves.” | : Longfetow I, 4 / [ 55] “HOME BUILDING IN THE BOG “Where scarce the sunspears, quivering bright, May pierce the foliage with their light, Ah! there so shadowy sleeps the wood Where hermit woodcock seek their food.” McLellan. ATERIBUTE to the kindness of a friend my first observa- tion of the breeding habits of a pair of woodcock. While out for a stroll one early Spring day last year he flushed a female woodcock from her nest. Immediately, upon his return home he reported his find, knowing that such a discovery would be of great interest to me. His description of the location\of the nest tallies with the place where I had also found a Mallard duck’s nest the previous year. I knew this ground very well, as Ihad spent some of the most delightful days in the open with the birds of this locality. Next morning found me on my way to the nest before the break of day. A fine mist was falling, blown by. a west wind which made walking anything but a pleasure, just one of the many inconveniences a bird lover has to contend with while in quest of his favorite hobby or study. [56 ] IDYLUS TOP BIRD: LIFE The first gray streak of light in the east proclaimed _ the advent of day as I arrived at the location given me by my friend, a strip of woods which bordered a large field. As the light grew stronger I started my search for the nest. I had proceeded about a hundred feet, into the heart of the ens! when without warning, a loud whirrof wings startled me with its suddenness. I saw a Basal streak go sailing be- tween the trees then disappear into the adjoining fields. Cau- tiously, I advanced to where | heard tie bird rustle. ‘Near’an old rotten stump I found the nest,just as, my kind friend had told me. | On a few dry leaves which Beryed as-a-nest I found three buffy eggs, spotted with reddish brown, the home of a pair of ; an woodcock. As this species usually lays four eggs, t-had reason Vj to believe the set was not complete. Not caring to let the eggs \\ chill, I left them, hoping the mother bird would return soon. I lingered about the spot for about twenty minutes and finally I had the satisfaction of seeing the faithful mother bird fly back to the nest. | On my way home I had to pass through a swampy bit of land; and in here I noticed>many neatly bored holes, showing [57 | IDYLUS OF BIRD LIFE plainly the work of woodcock in search of angleworms, their staple food. I also flushed two birds in this swamp. _fxbout four days later I was at the woodcock’s home bright ; and wie The eggs were uncovered and I found four this time, rea proving that the set had not been completed at the time of my Fs first visit to the nest. The female bird was probably down at (ypfiiane getting a breakfast of angleworms. I carefully hid favselt behind a thick clump of bare saplings about ten feet jaway and awaited her return. In about half an hour she came (saiping over the field and into the woods. Alighting near the \ Vik { iniest she looked at the eggs, then, turning them over with her Son \ | Jong bill} quietly settled upon them, assuming her task of incu- a~\ un bation. Qn the edge of the woods I flushed a male, probably _ , i 3 } ‘the mate of the nesting bird. ‘They are always to be seen near ‘7 LEG és <2 iv hei faithful brown-eyed little wives. i Rin his particular morning was a glorious one. The resurrec- ({~ ee aon | ‘tion. ae Spring was at hand. The trees were beginning to assume | h a aon y. : sali a greenish tint and early vernal flowers were nodding to the = S paals The Spring migrants on their way north, paused in => i g their soa among the trees long eet to render sweet, ateet (rate, 58.) ‘of IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE Knowing the woodcock to be nocturnal in its habits I de- cided to pay this pair a call at night. One evening about two weeks after my first visit with the__ woodcock I crept silently into the woods that sheltered their home, just as dusk was settling over the earth. The voice of ton most of the feathered folk had already been stilled for the night, ey os" f save one woodthrush, that had arrived a little earlier than ~ usual from his Winter sojourn. He was gently tolling the pass- y Peet A Pond ~. ingot another day, from somewhere in the woods. re eM iv fy’ be As I glided into my improvised blind, I noticed the? ree f Ee woodcock on the nest. Her brownish, mottled back, \biendpd f i | Fi Hh, fo | se ch perfectly with her surroundings; a wonderful example of pice 7 cae __ \ tective coloration, making it difficult, at first, for me to find her. N \ \ !\ While I lay crouched low behind my screen of trees I saw, | heretofore unnnoticed, the male bird strut into a cledred space a / about ten feet square and about twenty feet from the nest. Then : )\began one of the greatest aerial stunts I had ever witnessed. pL Misine up in a spiral to about forty or fifty feet, efirpikge “some unintelligible notes, he descended in slow circles, until i he finally reached the ground. Here he strutted about) with’ Barge ines and tail erect, uttering excited picks intended vy, for his uiconcerned little mate,. swho nae Watched his per LGA it] \ 4 . Ca ae, ADYELS OF BIRD LIFE © \/ formanges. Seven times | watched him perform his stunt. He then’appeared close to his mate (he must have induced her to leave her nest for a bite to eat), and with a whirr of wings they both flew through the woods, heading for the swamp. ‘i Night had by this time slipped his sable cloak upon the “land, and with no moon to guide me I had no little trouble in i makitig’my way out of the place. The weird calling of a whip- poorwill Accompanied me on my way through the woods, but the rest of the voices of the night were strangely silent this Spring evening. I repeated my nocturnal call to the woodcock the follow- ing evening-and again I witnessed the wonderful gyrations of the male bird, ‘only that this time he uttered a soft cheeping sound as he glided horizontally to the ground. As on the pre- vious evening the female bird sat quietly on her eggs and ap- parently remained indifferent to the marvelous performance of her consort. The show was réepeated-only four times on this occasion, whereupon the male flew out of the woods toward the swamp unaccompanied by his mate. I do not know the reason why she did not leave her eggs this night. I watched her until it grew too dark to make further observations, and &hen { left. her.she was sitting on her eggs. ey [60..] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE On my next trip to the nest, early in the morning four days later, as I was approaching the nest | inadvertently stepped upon a twig, causing it to snap sharply. With a whirr of wings I noticed a woodcock fly from somewhere near the nest, but on reaching it I found the mother bird calmly at her duty. It was the male bird I had flushed by my clumsiness. Seeing that she was not so easily frightened, I-ecasually drew near the nest. I was within ten feet of her and she didnot, stir. Cautiously advancing to within six feet of her d itd clearly see her brown little body and bright brown eyes, as’she boldly stood her ground. On advancing about two;feet nearer, it was too much for even her steady nerves,_and. with a loud whirr of wings she almost hit me in‘the face as she sped\ away we through the woods. The eggs surely must have been quickened, \ or he would not have held her ground as long as she did. I \immediately left the woods, as her eggs might bewsiae chilled i if I kept her off of them too long. | Two days later I was at the nest.bright and early just as “the rising sun lit up the surrounding-woods. When I drew near the nest I failed to see the now familiar form of the mother bird upon it. Hastening forward I found it deserted, with; four nearly split eggs lying about, telling the story of the advent of eho Oe noe [DY TUS OF BIRD AT Et four more woodcock into the world. I had never seen the young before, and I was anxious to get a look at these birds, if pos- sible. As they were able to get about without the assistance of their hother, I did not know where to look for them. They are, “however; under the care of their mother for about a month after their Hearehin so I presumed if I could find her, I would see \ her young. I was disappointed, however, for I never saw the \shother or her brood again during the season. 5 A farmer living near the woods told me that he had seen a woodcock cross the road near the woods followed by four young . birds, but it was more or less a conjecture that these birds might have belonged to the nest I had so diligently been watching for théqpast three weeks. Some day I hope to be able to see the young woodcocks. S, Owing to the wise game laws, the woodcock is slowly but surely coming into its own in southern Ohio, and I think it is but a matter of a few years until this bird will be as plentiful as}, formerly, “ Pp. y. “These shy, secluded birds all day In cool, thick-shaded haunts delay ; But when the woods at eve are dim To open feeding-grounds they skim.” io McLellan. [ 62 | —- THE DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF THE SORA RAILS “Since earliest spring-time they have sought The utmost northern isle and shoal; Their chosen haunt and breeding ground, In latitude beneath the Pole. Mcliellah. eo* ‘ of sora rails and their home life, I must admit}.that the 7 ae finding of their nest was purely accidental. It happened — ™ like this: St eas | = One rare evening in early Spring, just as twilight WAS softly ba \y One Summer afternoon in early June, after an all-day un- i ‘successful search for the elusive nest of an oven bird, | was \. coming through the ragweed field, along the fence, when a ae 7 w brown flash and a whir of wings startled me from my reverieg:s, aa mt jw Immediately all alert, I carefully searched among the weeds _¥ and ereenbriers at this point, and was finally rewarded by dis i covering a simple nest lined with erasses and leaves, at the al tersection of the old decayed rans. The nest-contained sixteen eo Zk [70] IDY EUS OL BIRDLIFE beautiful pure white eggs; the largest number of eggs of a Bob White I have ever found. The greatest number | had discov- ered up to this time was a nest of fifteen, found several years before. Carefully noting the place and position of the nest, 564 as to be able to easily find it again, I left the vicinity. As I pro- ceeded through the field I noted the return of the hen bird, as | an ng] she flew through the woods adjoining the field. \ I again visited Mrs. Bob White several days later and / found her sitting on her eggs, seemingly not aware that: her arch, DP hn o~ ‘ Dg ~~ ABE, —— \ \v. lem enemy, man, was studying her from a vantage point behind® ~ : If Ai << Lr a ye fat some blackberry bushes on the other side of the fence. Ag I is was watching her, the cock Bob White flew to the top rail, abpdt"s N \ _ thirty feet away and uttered the rally call, “coi hee!” so delight- \ ful to the hunter’s ears. The hen bird moved nervously anda ei eeaas /| shifting her plump little body, answered him with | one single . » note, a clear whistle; probably used by the female in answering * ) her mate, but the only time I have ever heardit. I db not think this note is characteristic of the hen bird. An indiscreet move- one on my part, sent the mother bird, as well as Net mate, off like a pair of rockets. Satisfied with my observations forthe day I left thefield to the Bob White and his family-to-be- [ 7] / ea Wh, Z4 f ua! {DYLLS OF BIRD LIFE Onginy way through the woods, I paused a little to listen to the ovftburst of song issuing from the throat of a wood thrush \\or bell bird. This bird is considered one of the sweetest song- I spare of America. Its only rival in this respect is its cousin, | the ‘Herniit Thrush, only known to us during its migration - periods in,the early Spring and late Autumn. The liquid notes of this particular wood thrush sounded clear and beautiful as they floated through the soft Summer twilight. . nT was loathe to leave this wonderful performance, but I noted the sun was fast sinking in a flood of crimson glory and I wished & get to the city before dark. I reluctantly left the woods, opine to hear that wonderful song repeated at some later day; ,\ \ The next time I visited the nest, or just fourteen days from the date of discovery, the eggs were uncovered, probably while the female was making eh daily toilet, or.taking a dust bath in somé nearby ait The oléat staccato Bob White call of the male bird, came seas to mefrom down thé field, showing that the eggs were only deserted temporarily; “for,, since the male bird was so near, his mate could not be far away. Just= as 1 turned:to, leave, I saw her coming through the air from: [ 22 | aa moet nepsaliises sandals eB simetanl SMart Wie Ss Sepak tat) ‘ hy. POY CLS One TRDTLI EE across the field, returning to her duty. Ten more days, and she would be the proud mother of sixteen little downy chicks, as it generally takes twenty-four days to incubate the eggs. I was again treated to the wood thrush recital on this oc- casion, but I continued on through the {voods, as I had another nest to visit on this particular day and H wished to make obser- vations before it grew too dark. On my next visit to the Bob es nest, Heiner parent /. bird being near, I made a close-up study of the eggs, however, not touching them, for if they are handled the nest will be de- | serted at once. The eggs were fery ‘skillfully packed 1 in, the: pointed ends down, so as to savel space and permit the hen bird to cover all the eggs, during the period of incubation. \On this particular morning the sun was just creeping over the crest.of a att half a mile away, and flooding the fields with its beautiful \ eolden\rays. It was a sight for the gods to behold; and the soft ‘summer \air filled with the fragrance of unseen censors swung \, by the hand of Nature, fanned my cheeks. Somewhere in the “woods a song sparrow, one of the very, éatly risers, stirred about uneasily and finally burst into a rich riot of melody. Presently the-other denizens of the woods began. to stir about‘and in a short time the air, this amphitheatre of the open, was filled with en i ee er ee it a PO i I a ee noes ng Dit nse 2 meihenty aneaeie Sal nt IDY EUS) OF CBIR RETR the morning songs of hundreds of feathered creatures. Several rabbits were gamboling among the ragweed patches and squir- rels. barked from the branches of towering oaks. By the time the sun had climbed above the hill, and its rich, warm rays pro- claimedahother June day of unmatched splendor, I had to \ leave this place and hurry to my toil in the city. How I envy \\ th country-bred boy, brought up among these beautiful sur- eo da és A ‘roundings, scarcely appreciating the wonders spread out all about him. His, is the chance of studying Nature in her every { [| } | | F call that the eggs had hatched, for this was the mother’s note / ee ge % (“foéd *and whim. ‘ } j/ r | SM 4 yo A few weeks later I passed through the woods and was 1n the act, of climbing an old rail fence when a shrill ““wee-tee |” | greeted my ears from the vicinity of the nest. IT knew from this , Z pe ‘warnitig ‘to her young. Carefully crossing the fence, I screened behind some tall 4 a ( “weeds and. awaited developments. In about ten minutes I Saw fy Ne ‘ ; pis the tee ‘ ess the female Bob White come strutting along in and out among = ithe weeds, followed by sixteen little chicks, in appearance not = ( unlike a brood of young chickens. They had dark brown: a ab \ “streaked heads, the bodies bqing’ a lighter browns, One little ‘ I “fellow » still had half his sheli4tached to his Tee but ist fy te Hy IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE was watching him this dropped off. In a short while Mr. Bob White joined his family and he and his mate proceeded to teach the young birds what they might eat. The young of the Bob _ White are precocious and proceed to feed themselves immédi- ately after they are born. As I was watching from my cramped position, a shrilf note of warning issued from the throat of the mother bird, and ina“ few seconds all the chicks, I can’t understand to this fay how they did it, were safely tucked under their mother’s wings. SIX-), . teen of them securely hidden away from danger, which this time f proved to be a Cooper’s hawk intent on his arene s Break fast. But he was not to feed on this brood of chicks, thanks' to" \ , their mother’s watchfulness. After the danger had passed, rhe “fledglings emerged from under their protection of wings and proceeded with their lessons on what not to eat. Half-flying; / half running about, they gathered weeds of various kinds and some berries that I could not identify, although they must have ~ Been from the last year’s growth. With the aid of my field ® glasses I saw them take insects from the ground and under+ .»°- / growth about them. The birds seemed to have forgotten about their recent home, and they did not visit it during that days li followed the brood through the ragweed held, across a road, c AC E 75 ae | —— = aman . ee IDYMS OF BIRD LIFE into a stubble patch and later into a deep woods, a half mile from their former home. Indications showed that they had not used the nest after being hatched. I had never observed this strange habit of desertion up to this time, although it actually-happens according to the eminent ornithologists. I lost sight of the bevy while in the woods, owing to the thick-impenetrable undergrowth of wild rose, sweet brier and numerous other growths. The work of this day, tramping through thorny bushes, crouching behind weeds hours at a time, a prey to all mosquitoes and other insects of the neighborhood, with a scorching sun beating down upon one from a cloudless sky, brought its reward. But this could hardly be called pleas- ure, for all was just a small part of a wonderful study, and the compensation is more than ample to one who loves Nature. On my next call to this Bob White family I spent a half day in locating them) but I finally found the brood along a nar- row stream about a mile from their formerlocation. The young birds were about two-thirds grown by this time and were all well feathered. I did not see Mrs. Bob White\and I presume she was busy incubating her second set of eggs, which in this locality is not an unusual occurrence. Upon my approach Mr. Bob White uttered a low warning whistle and instantly the [ 76. ] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE young birds were scattering everywhere and in ten seconds not one was to be seen. The parent bird flattened himself to earth and I could not see him. It was only afterward that he became visible. Almost tramping on him he flew to the farther bank of the narrow stream. I did not see my new acquaintance any more, as this was my last visit to them; although I probably ran across them later on in the Fall, while observing the migrations of certain birds to southern climes, because I flushed two large bevies, one of which located in this neighborhood. All the birds were large and fully developed individuals. Owing to legislation recently passed by the state of Ohio the Bob White is now placed on the song bird list, but it is a question if the birds will really be benefited by this act. “For now the bevies are abroad, To seek in stubble-fields their feed, Or where the bushy covert drops Its juicy wreath, its ripen’d seed.” McLellan. Lake aia a Sere, See ee PL toc A a en en ae Ot ne — a et er ~ / quent an, THE MALLARD’S RENDEZVOUS “The gray duck and the dipper come, The brant-geese from the ocean-foam, The brilliant mallard, and the teal | With eye of light and wing of steel, 14 \ All gather in the Autumn day . To haunt the waters of the bay.” McLellan. ‘i$ aoe pure PP cme sas ‘was a bright morning in early Spring, last year, that I had the very good fortune to locate a Mallard duck’s nest. I ‘say good fortune, for here in southern Ohio, the finding of a Mallard’s nest is a lucky discovery. While tramping through a weed field on this particular morning} I noticed a suspicious-looking tussock of grass, with amopening in one side. Being always on the lookout for some- © thing new in the realm of birdland, I examined this tuft and to my surprise and delight, I found seven greenish-gray eggs of / the Mallard duck. They were neatly covered over with down», A plucked from the breast of the female so that they might retain yal their heat, while she, in all probability, was taking her break- ? fast and a swim at a stream that flowed some hundred yards from the field wherein the nest was found. 473)5) IDYLUS OF BIRD LIFE I quietly left the nest after making a mental note of its surroundings. Here was my opportunity for a close study of the home life of a pair of Mallard ducks. I walked down to the stream hoping to see the ducks, but ~ in this I was disappointed. A lone heron was flopping down stream as I approached, but the ducks were not to b¢ séfn this morning. | I returned to the nest, as this was my chance to examine it carefully. A Mallard duck seldom leaves her nest},once the. mee tay / eggs are laid, and as she was gone for a few minutes my oppor” tunity presented itself. The nest was composed of fine dried ~ reeds, grasses and leaves, snugly set in a tussock of high grass y that formed an arch over it, protecting the eggs from thé-sun and duck enemies. I dared not touch the eggs for feahof driving away the parent birds, so I was content with noting their S1Ze, color and number, whereupon I left the field, elated with my find. i About three days later I found an opportunity t to. visit, the : Mallard home. As there was no screen of leaves or \Righ bushes near the nest, I spent over half an hour reaching it. Crawling : on my hands and knees, a foot at a time, I finally reached the vicinity, of the nest. The Mallard, though very inquisitive) is [ 79) ete aaa a ee ee ere EE Re BA me Ree tt 3 anon IDYELS OF BIRD LIFE one of the wariest of our ducks: my reason in this matter for using extreme caution. I slowly peered over the top of a patch of weeds six feet from the nest, and saw a demure little duck, unattractive in her dark brown and buff feathers, her beady little eyes-steadily gazing about her, ready to flee at the first sien of danger. The drake Mallard was nowhere to be seen, nor did | see him during the interesting time I spent with his mate. Early in June he undergoes an extra molt, at which period, according to ornithologists, he is unable to aid his mate in her duties, however willing he might be. It is a curious fact that as soon as his mate completes her set of eggs he is off to parts unknown, nor-does he again put in an appearance until the Fall flight. The female bears the burden of raising the brood alone. About’a week later I paid another visit to the Mallard nest. Day was just breaking as I reached the river a short distance from my objective. I quietly approached the nest, but could scarcely locate thespot. Owing to the darkness, I was forced to await the coming of daylight. In a short time I was able to make out the-form of the brooding mother as she quietly sat upon her eggs. The sun had now risen, causing the weed patch and grasses to glisten with dew. The morning was unusually quiet and the [ 80 J IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE squawk of a heron as he flew over the river could be-plainly heard. Nearby, on a low bush, a field sparrow greeted the new day with his simple little song. The “top, top, top,” of a wood- pecker could plainly be heard somewhere. It was Peedito be out this wonderful morning, alone with God’s creatures. I patiently watched and waited for some action on the part of the Mallard. Ina short time she began to-show signs of life, raised her head and peered about to make sure that the coast was clear. Having satisfied herself in this matter she gently arose to a standing position and flapped her wings as if stretch- ing. She next covered her eggs' with the down that was scat- tered about. Whereupon, she sedately waddled off toward the river, to get her breakfast and make her toilet. I quickly changed my uncomfortable position for a more restful one, and awaited herreturn. In about eight minutes she was back to her nest, and after turning the eggs with the aid of-her bill, she quietly settled upon them, and I am certain she did not leave them until the next morning. The Mallard duck seldom leaves the nest after the eggs are laid, and I know in this case the brooding bird seldom left them. I did not try to flush her,-being afraid she might desert her duty. [ 81 ] J ey ere — Nice nee | 4 } f { } d bd iy Y i = — IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE Aiter several hours of observation I left the nest and followed the river homeward-bound. Bird life is very plentiful in this locality. I counted thirty-one species of birds in the four-mile walk along the river. Some of them, however, are migrants that : yUst Visit_us on their long trips to their northern homes. | For my next visit with this duck family I chose a dull- Cloway day with a promise of rain. The weather kept its prom- & —_— dl se, and when I reached the nest about midday, it was raining hard, with a chill wind blowing from the north. I approached the nest with less caution than was my wont in the wet woods, ¥ / (aScthe weeds in this case would not betray my approach by Se erackhng underfoot. The faithful mother was on her nest, 4 / g facing. south, with the wind at her back. The tussock of grass [/ i < Hi ; formed only a slight protection from the rain, which constantly 5 fell fly, at which time the real trials of the mother begin, for then the young ducks are the especial prey of the duck hawk, the habitual enemy of the duck tribe and other smaller birds. “In shallows at the channel-edge, The wild ducks come from North and East Innumerous gather to the feast. Oh! far and fast their flight hath been, From distant stream and marshes green, Where since the springtime’s earliest days They’ve linger’d, their young broods to raise, And now the gusty north winds pour Their winnowing pinions to our shore.” McLellan. [ 84 ] = <= a mY 2 — 7) SUMMERTIME The sun has drunk The dew that lay upon the morning grass ; There is no rustling in the lofty elm That canopies my dwelling, and its shade Scarce cools me. All is silent save the faint And interrupted murmur of the bee, Settling on the sick flowers, and then again Instantly on the wing. Bryant. 4 4 RAMBLES OF A BIRD LOVER “How plain and height With dewdrops are bright! How pearls have crowned The plants all around! How sighs the breeze Through thicket and trees! How loudly in the sun’s clear rays The sweet birds carol forth their lays!” Goethe. OT far from the confines, of Dayton, Ohio, about a twenty-minute ride/from the town, is one of the most natural bird regions ofthe country. The place is an ideal one for the birds. The northern bound- ary of this spot is formed by a series of small hills thickly wooded and covered by a very heavy undergrowth. To the south and east run rolling meadows and cornfields, while the west side is bordered by a river, the haunt of many shore and wading birds. One bright, balmy morning in early June, I betook myself to this.ornithologist’s paradise. As I entered the glen, as it canbe called, a rich chorus of bird music filled the air. Through the almost undistinguishable medley I made out the notes of the Bea [IDYEES ORR BERD Gin cardinal, robin, house wren, crested flycatcher, blue jay, flicker, and red-headed woodpecker, the harsh “chack-chack” of the purple’grackle and numerous other notes unrecorded. As~I walked through the woods, I noticed a house wren Aly from a \hollow limb of a giant sycamore nearby. I quietly investigated, and found that a pair of these tiny birds were busy buiiding a nest in the dead limb. I marked the place for a Py < —— future visit when the young would be hatched. A pair of robins Wwere busily engaged in building a nest in a black locust tree hy “ikgt the sycamore, preparatory to raising a brood. Not ten ( ewe from the locust and in a clump of bushes I found a brown | )thtasher’s nest containing four bluish eggs, spotted with numer- | \ ous fine dots of reddish brown. Neither parent bird was in the | | | } vicinity, but while I was examining the eggs both birds arrived, a | i so 1 quickly left the neighborhood of their home, not caring to disturb them during the nesting season. | 9 walked on slowly, watching every tree and shrub for |, \. signs ‘of bird life. About a hundred feet up in a sycamore, iS female flicker was hard at work chiseling out a home, while a % busily engaged in feeding a hungyy nest full of young, EE ety iat “tell, BY ie boisterous cldmorings. I discovered another \ [90 < it ' ; x Gespabcaded woodpecker, a little higher in the same tree, Was IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE flicker’s nest in a small elm. The opening to the nest was not twenty feet from the ground, and as I passed under the tree the female flew out. By some hard climbing, which was all the. more difficult because I had not brought my climbing dishrs: I reached the nest. It contained six beautiful pure white eggs laid upon sawdust chipped from a tree by the bird te tf Making a note of the place I proceeded through the see th, One certainly could call this place a bird paradise andmake J no mistake. I had hardly been there an hour when’ I had ye >: f already discovered a dozen nests, and seen numerous birds from = each family, with great surprises and wonder still fn store, 4 \. for me. | dial aN By this time I was getting close to the river. I heed the harsh rattle of a king-fisher as he sped across the river, becom- / ing alarmed, I suppose, at my approach. Just above me.in.a \black walnut a cardinal was sounding his “cheo! cheot-cheo !”” EA tndine out his happiness to his brooding mate somewhere in a ee tangle of grape-vine. Although I flushed the female, I failed, after a diligent search, to find the nest. I had now reached the river, and as I stood gazing at the rippling waters reflecting the early morning sunlight, a great blue heron flew ee ADYEES OF BIRD LIFE ~ up the river with a steady dip of broad wings. An object I had notided while gazing at the river was now opposite me in the shat of the stream. With the aid of my field glasses I made out an American scaup duck, a bird seldom seen in this part of the country. Later on I was told by an authoritative party, that he had found a scaup’s nest in this locality, which, if true, is indeed a record, as they are seldom found breeding below the northern tier of states. This find, indeed, is worthy of record. Walking back from the river again, I was soon in the very thickest part of these delightful woods. The growth in this part is so dense that the sunlight fails to pierce the thick foliage. A clear, plaintive note, “pee-a-wee” greeted my ears from the depth-of this shady nook. Again came that clear note, “pee- a-wee,” which | consider one of the sweetest notes in all bird- dom. There is something so pure and sincere about this not unmusical call that issues from the throat of one of our smallest ys flycatchers that~l cannot help commenting upon it.) F inally, } after diligently searching the. shadows, I found the source| ‘of this particular call, a wood pewee, a quite Unassufning oray- coated little fellow, perched on a branch of a tall oak about twenty feet from the ground. Careful searching, however, failed.to.reveal his mate or a nest. [92,.] LD MES OFS BIRDLIFE I have almost neglected to mention one of the main features of this particular morning. In all my bird walks I had never been fortunate enough to discover an indigo bunting’s nest. I have seen hundreds of these beautiful birds, and listened to their rather tiresome songs on many a hot August afternoon, when the rest of our songsters were silent and seeking the cool shade of the woods. But this wonderful June morning must have been my lucky one, for I almost stumbled on one ofthe neatest nests I have ever found. As | passed by some shrubs, a sparrow-like little bird flushed from the midst of them. Such action on the part of a bird aroused my suspicion, which was verified by the finding of the nest. It contained four pale bluish eggs. The nest itself was a cup of grasses, lined with horse hair ‘\ and fine rootlets. I was not certain of the identity of the owner \of this neat little home until I saw the male indigo bunting in _- company with the bird that had flown the nest, just-above me in a small elm, anxiously watching my every movez:Not, wish- ing to unnecessarily keep the mother bird from her eggs, /ly marked the place and withdrew, hoping to be able to peep into the domestic affairs of a pair of indigo, buntings a week or so ere Vater, [93 4 | —— at 4 aege tel y tne em: Po — Fae a eh Pe Fad = Pa IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE The sun was now sinking low in the western sky, casting golden rays upon the tallest of the forest trees. The evening “prayer” of a wood thrush as he gently thanked for the gifts of another parting day, was the last song I heard as I left ~ ‘the wood. eS “From all the misty morning air, there comes a Summer sound, ee murmur as of waters from skies, and trees, and ground. i “WBE Ne birds they sing upon the wing, the pigeons bill and coo.” R. W. Gilder. Wigan ~~ THE ROBIN’S MENU “Now when the primrose makes a splendid show, And lilies face the March-winds in full blow, And humbler growths as moved with one desire Put on, to welcome Spring, their best attire, Poor Robin is yet flowerless; but how gay With his red stalks upon this sunny day.” W ordsworth., HE most abundant, and probably the most universally cherished of all our American birds is the robin7 Purely, 2, a domestic and fearless bird, the robin rears its/young m Tk \ 4 perfect safety, close to the abode of man, sometimes selecting _.g» Se ; : . ‘Mt Ne { An for its home a projecting ledge above a door. The/bird’s4con< fidence is seldom misplaced, which tends to make\it all the more trustful. Of late years the robin has increaged-in-such- large numbers that its natural food is not ample enough to care for the increasing demand. ‘The apprehension is félt. that it facts regarding the diet of the robin, based upon the’ most rigid investigation, will not be amiss at this season. In addition to its most pleasant neighborliness and com- panionship, the robin performs a most beneficial work for the [ 95 | “may become dangerous to our food-producing crops; A\few IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE ° farms by~preying upon the insects that feed in vast numbers upon the crops. The young of the robin are fed almost entirely \\upon insects. It is well known that birds are an important factor in keeping in check myriads of insects. Therefore, to destroy @ robin or any other kind of bird, means to invite destruction by the insects. Even if a few cherries are eaten by the robin, should it not receive compensation for its warfare upon the insect pests? About fifty-seven per cent of the robin’s diet consists of vegetable matter, and four-fifths of this includes wild fruit. In places where, due to cultivation and improvements, the wild fruits are destroyed, the robin has to adapt itself to the fruit and other food \most easily obtained in that locality. This usually consists of the cultivated varieties, consequently devas- tation of the farmer’s crops result. Such cases, however, are not » numerous. The most common complaint ‘against the robin is that it destroys cherries. The birds never take all the fruit, but usually divide with the family, in cases where just a few trees are reared for home use. The robin also damages strawberries, blackber- ries, and raspberries, and even the larger fruits, such as prunes, peaches, pears, and grapes. Its principal vegetable diet, how- [96] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE ever, consists of wild fruit, of which about sixty-five varieties are eaten, whereas only about ten of the cultivated ones are consumed. The robin rarely eats grain, which indicates that the cereal is not greatly relished as a means of subsistence. Over forty per cent of the robin’s diet consists of insects. Sharing with the bluebird the distinction of being our earliest migrant, the robin naturally preys upon the insects that first come out of their Winter quarters. /A few of the useful preda- ceous beetles, which are among the first insects to appear in the Spring, form a part of the robin’s diet\in March and April. During the month of May, wherein they are most abundant, the May beetles offer a delicious morsel. Larvae of the fireflies, which live in the ground, are also eaten. Several species of the _ weevil, including two clover weevils, the-corn weevil and a num- ber of others are eaten during the early months. Bees and \ wasps \re usually avoided by this bird. In April and May, ‘Biles are consumed. ‘The injurious cinch bug 1s the-most inter- esting pewabes of this genus, which the robin disposes,of with relish. The larvae of the March flies, which prey upon the roots of grasses, are also indulged in to a great extent. In one jin- stance a thousand and forty larvae were found in one bird’s stomach. The caterpillar forms a regular diet of the robin. eae a, bs Se ee ee ee ae oe een ee 7 - IDYLLES OF BIRD LIFE b | The greatest consumption takes place in May, when it amounts to nearly twenty-four per cent of the food. Grasshoppers are always, acceptable as food, but only during the short time that they are most abundant. Certain spiders, snails, angle worms, anil and sow bugs are eaten, but they form only a small per cent of Bef /. thedie. af q Ve gin the matter of the robin’s food it can be seen that, while Ne ) re cre useful beetles are eaten in the early Spring, it is not in a ( their destruction that the bird does harm. A bird whose nat- | "(ital stpply of fruit is cut off, usually becomes a pest by preying i tte / ((/ onthe cultivated varieties, when obtainable. In some localities | In RAS AL A “yp al ty \ i fl . ‘e\ e ° ° “Ye wthe-conditions are: too many birds of one species and too little A a5~\ | of the natural food supply. Under such circumstances a law {// ac} pepmitting the grower to protect his crop would not be out of : (piace. Where the robin visits, he should at least be tolerated X ‘in the pyicring of his food. The bird’s wants do not make of (~>~ \ hime an enemy, whom we should seek to starve by cutting off | his food supply. fa | iF : : —> = f The sobered robin, hunger-silent now, ; ( Seeks cedar-berries blue, his Autumn cheer.” «,. Lowell. 7) % ‘ssaceused justly of stealing cherries, the robin more than pays hh iptne Wye THE ROBIN AS AN INSECT DESTROYER “Kach morning, when my waking eyes first see, Through the wreathed lattice, golden day appear, eee There sits a robin on an old elm-tree, ° . ° . L A And with such stirring music fills my ear, i wlll . 4 - I might forget that life had pain or fear, And feel again as I was wont to do, When hope was young, and life itself were new.” : \ S\ Anna Maria VKells. | / f/f hit uh OO much cannot be done by the bird lover to enepaEe : the robin about his premises. It is a known fact that 4 LD the robin is one of our most persistent birds in eh a back the insect life that thrives on our trees and in ourlgardens. One of our most abundant and yet most useful bird neigh= saerer bors is the robin. To encourage this pert, democratic bird about ‘\our premises, means ample protection against the insects’ and injurious beetles that infest all gardens and trees. Although \ for this depredation by his persistent efforts in ridding our Rremuses of eae larvae of insects. His good qualities more‘than compensate! us S for the loss of a) few cherries. Gea * f J VW A / i ADYLLS OF BIRD LIFE © 3 ay To-destroy the robin means to invite destruction by the insécts:2 “Whither away, Robin, Whither away? Is it through envy of the maple leaf, Whose blushes mock the crimson of thy breast, Thou wilt not stay? The summer days now long, yet all too brief The happy season thou hast been our guest: Whither away ?” E. C. Stedman. THE BLUEBIRD’S REPAST “Thou first sky-dipped spring-bud of song, Whose heavenly ecstasy Foretells the May, while yet March winds are strong, Fresh faith appears with thee!” ( Maurice Thompson. F'TEN before King Winter has lifted his icy breath from | our northern fields and streams, the bluebird, with his Wi sweet song, “trualy, trualy,” is proclaiming that Spring | is at hand, and rarely is he mistaken in his prophecy. i A very domestic bird is this hardy little creature... He ap- propriates for his nest, old stumps, deserted woodpecker holes, \ or boxes that are placed for his use... He rears his young, of which there are often three or four broods, about houses and ‘ orchards, and is not at all interested in their safety. as far as man is concerned. Not only for his sweet song and happy nature is,the blue- bird cherished by all mankind, but he is one of the chief allies (II tt aap Ct se rte nt nti age. my i= ¥ al ag —— of manin his warfare upon destructive insects. During the ——_ Spring,Summer and early Fall,the bluebird lives almost entirely a a teat —— Rae Ga i nr upon insects. A single pair of these birds on one farm will do [ 101 ] en a = IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE more good in ridding the place of insects than any artificial means known. The entire diet of the bluebird consists of sixty-eight per cent animal and thirty-eight per cent vegetable it ood: The only charge against the bluebird is, that during the mulls Gathite he destroys great numbers of predaceous beetles. | Few birds exceed the bluebirds in the destruction of these in- , cm The largest consumption of these beetles occurs in May and the least in September. . Beetles of the May-beetle family are eaten extensively ) Le the month of May. They are eaten in nearly every Ry month, but the largest consumption occurs during the three nionths from May to July. They consist mostly of the small A ding beetles, a few snout beetles and a few of the less harmful LY aie ine Mice larger per cent of ants are devoured by the bluebird than ») by the robin. Practically no bees or wasps are on his aaah / though flies enter lightly into his diet. A moderate per cent at ‘“ a bugs are also eaten by the bluebird each month. ee ~~~ Caterpillars form a regular article of food for the bluebird. A They furnish the greatest food supply in March and the least in December. The cut worms and-hairy caterpillats of this species | ) ag 102 | | IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE are the most extensively eaten. The largest item of the blue- bird’s food consists of orthoptera, grasshoppers, crickets and others of the same species. The insects of this species are harm- ful and when numerous, are very destructice, as they prey en-_ tirely upon the farmer’s crops. It seems almost a provision of Nature, that all birds are especially fond of these insects Several species of other insects are eaten by the bluebird, 7 such as spiders, which are consumed more extensively by the bluebird, than by the robin, sow bugs, angleworms and snails. The vegetable diet of the bluebird consists mostly of fruit I — a of which practically all is of a wild variety. Some /cherties, rasperries and blackberries have been identified in/ different .o» stomachs, but not enough to do any harm. The largest quaritity~ \ of wild fruit eaten by the bluebird is in December, while in May | no fruit of any kind is eaten. The fruit-eating period of the bluebird is not in the Summer, but from October to February, when nearly all the fruit is waste fruit and when species of in- .sects are very scarce. Seeds are seldom, if ever, eaten by the bluebird. A few grains of wheat, bay berry and sumac, com- plete the seed diet of the bluebird. Summing up the diet of the bluebird shows that this bird is one of our most valuable insectivorous bipeds and one that f 103 ] f 4 5 ol 4 ji 4 , ay fi Nw IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE ie “, shquld b¢ encouraged to live near the abode of man, so as to aid ; hin in his extermination of insect pests. When the fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, raspberries, and blackberries are at | their best, the bluebird lives upon insects to the extent of four- fifths of its food. Its fruit-eating period is from the late Fall | | | to early Spring. One point, though not of much consequence, is, that the bluebird destroys predacious beetles to a very large extent during the early Spring. “In the thickets and the meadows Piped the bluebird, the Owaissa. Liat On the summit of the lodges, Sang the robin, the Opechee.” Longfellow. p> Kes x > SS a . <2) > - me _ = er < oe a Race r ae ‘ = = Pe ‘ , / _ ; j j / ee ; =< > i : ’ ‘ Ss — f j , v4 ; a —. _ — 2 j bel Pad 3 A ei = es Z, ~ \ pn — ~~ ” ., — 2 a man a” A f y f Pd | fo = MO | ai 5 \ A - +. we / A Z 4 \ih | i AUTUMNAL DAYS “What visionary tints the year puts on, When falling leaves falter through motionless air Or numbly cling and shiver to be gone! How shimmer the low flats and pastures bare, As with her nectar Hebe Autumn fills The bowl between me and those distant hills, And smiles and shakes abroad her misty, tremulous hair.” Lowell. Ot cage Tt rnd rae St nip iagieet v0 pa ae ae ee OR AUTUMN “T love to wander through the woodlands hoary In the soft light of an autumnal day Pe When Summer gathers up her robes of glory 4 And like a dream of beauty glides away.” ie Sarah Helen Whitman. \ | HAT is more wonderful that a quiet stroll through t some beautiful woods on a clear, warm Autumn ¢ morning. The air is redolent of the spicy breath of : pine trees and the scent of burning leaves. | The hills surrounding the woods are one mass,,of rich; f waving color, of red, russet, gold and yellow, while here and there a vivid patch of green shows where the belligerent attacks of Jack Frost have as yet been unsuccessful: Clumps of purple i i : asters \border the roads, while the fields are yellow with golden rod. ; Most\of our Summer song birds have left for théir-Winter homes, but the woods are still filled with stragglers and perma- nent residents. Robins fill the deep-woods with their continual chirping, while cardinals, some of the warblers, and wrens, find ee ee ee ee ee ee ie . 61 a a én food in/trees and fields. Saucy chickadees, those jolly Winter neighbors, scold from every branch, as though challenging the [.109 J - ~ = en aint ol ane a ~ _ IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE right of the rest of their feathered folk to feed on their crimson domain. Nuthatches and titmice hunt together and keep up a merry conversation with all who happen to pass by. The wonderful color schemes that sweep before one’s eyes seem almost impossible to describe. The natural blending of Nature’s ‘colors beggars description. I doubt if it would have been_possible for the impressionistic Turner to paint such a wonderful scene. Surely no one else need try. And yet in a few weeks, that slip by only too fast, this won- derful blending of color will be swept away by Winter’s icy blasts, and another evolution of Nature will have taken place. “In warlike pomp, with banners flowing, The regiments of Autumn stood: ff I saw their gold and scarlet glowing pA, From every hillside, every wood.” Henry Van Dyke. AFIELD IN OCTOBER “The Summer’s throbbing chant is done ) And mute the choral antiphon; / The birds have left the shivering pines | To flit among the trellised vines, Or fan the air with scented plumes i; Amid the love-sick orange blooms, , And thou art here alone,—alone, Sing little bird; the rest have flown.” O. W. Holmes. KNOW of nothing more fascinating or exhilarating, than | a stroll through some quiet woods on a beautiful, crisp October morning. With a couple of younger brother bird- { enthusiasts and armed with field glasses and note| books, we started out early, one October morning, for a densely-wooded hill just south of town. In half an hour we were well away from the city’s glamour and noise, and inhaling thé pure au- tumnal air. | | | All about us was evidence of Jack Frost’s belligerent | —~ efforts. The fields, a month before green, and fragrantoand full ! of. birds, were now withered and sure proof of the wonderful evolution of Nature. Here and there clumps of purpie New a9 England asters asserted their rights to live their short existence, while slender golden rods nodded to the October winds. ‘The [ 111 ] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE hills, as-we approached them, appeared through our glasses one mass of rich undulating color, vivid and startling against he deep blue of the sky beyond. ““Dee-dee-dee-chick, a-dee-dee!” “Do you hear that, | Tom?” “Yes, but I don’t see him.” Again came the clear, | saucy, scolding notes just over our heads. “I see him!” called y Jack...Sure enough, there he was, a black- -capped chickadee, hanging from the end of a branch of a small sapling, sending out‘his scolding notes and fairly bubbling over with good na- ture. “Don’t they ever go south?” inquired Jack. “No, they ‘are one of our very few resident birds, and help share the long Winter with us,” I answered. Mr.Chick hopped a few feet closer, his black cap bobbing here and there. He certainly was a bundle of nerves. Now on one limb, shen| on another, hunting for small insects and spider eggs that he might find lurking beneath the bark. “Well, that’s, number ohe for this morning,” remarked Tom as he*made a-note in his book. We had proceeded but a few-yards when a nasal, “yank- yank” greeted our ears, and looking/up we saw the-author of this queer sound, peering down upon us from the under-side of an:oak: limb, P1127) IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE “ know what kind of a bird that is,” yelled Jack.—‘“All right, let’s have it,’ Tom and I chorused. /White-breasted | nuthatch,” said Jack. ; “That’s what he is, and a beautiful bird at that, with his , bluish-black crown and blue-gray Back Another of-our resi- | — | dent birds who helps lift the burden of our long Winter days. | Notice how he goes down the tree trunk head downward. His | tail is short and square which enables him to balance himself perfectly.” | Another “yank-yank, ya-ya,/ as\if to inquire why our in=-<),— mp ¢ | trusion on his domain and he was off for-another treé,ir: a dis- li tant part of the woods. | . We now approached an opening through the trees, a small _ swampy patch of rank weeds and Mder creer A bird flew\up from a\pool of water where it had been bathing, and-darted into ia \ the bushes. - “Did you see him?” asked Tom. “Ves? I answered, “looked like some kind of a sparrow, ! a but 2m not sure.” | ie M |s ( While we were standing there waiting for him to come,out, the bird accommodated _us-by flying into the open, where he Pe [ 113 J IDYEUS OF BIRDALIFE ' gave us all a good view of himself. “Isn’t he a beauty?” whis- pered Jack, peering through his glasses. 3 “Do either of you know what he is?” I queried. ! | _ “Foooks something like a sparrow; all but his head and throat,”-said Tom. ane a “Well, he belongs to the sparrow family, and his white thréat proclaims him to be the white-throated sparrow. He is I A) ‘rarely seen here during the Winter, but is quite common in the Spring and Summer months. He is now probably on his migra- | ee tion toa warmer clime. They say he is the handsomest of our ti, ed ’sparrows. His call is sharp, high-pitched, and a very clear and | : sweet whistle, ‘peabody bird’.” But all we heard was his call note when alarmed. He now flew down and began busily to; // huntfor breakfast or probably lunch, as his breakfast time was over,_and‘so we left him to the task. | : pei “Third one this morning,” yelled Jack, “and it isn’t eight | ( v o'clock yet., Pretty good, isn’t it, for a half-hour’s walk?” h | “Not so bad for this time of the year,” I replied. r | We were just crossing a shallow brook bordered by a clump Y =) of willows when Jack stopped short. ‘Did you hear that?” | ) “Hear what?” inquired Tom and myself. | 3 Be | | wy Just then a few scarcely audible weak chirps reached our [ 114] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE ears. They came from the willows so we immediately pro- ceeded toward them in hopes of locating the owner of the mys- terious notes. After a few minutes of anxious searching we all located the bird at about the same instant. To tell the truth, I did not know what he was, as I could only see his breast and there were no distinguishing marks about it, until he bent low over the twig in his search for food, and then I discerned his ~ b beautiful golden crown and knew him to be a golden-crowned kinglet, a very pretty little bird a trifle smaller than the warblers. “T know what he 1s,” I exclaimed, and I had the two of my .¢. companions greatly excited until I let them in on the mystery. This had only been their second time out on a bird study expe+ dition, hence their ignorance of some of the more common birds. “Does he stay with us the entire year?” asked Jack. iy | “No,” I answered, he is only a Winter resident and arrives here about this time, but leaves again in April for the mountain regions and spruce forests of our northern states where he breeds. He is a very hardy little bird and endures our most severe Winters with evident relish.” steep hill for a short cut to another part of the woods. “There is a robin,” remarked ‘Tom, as we were climbing a 4 (! i\ j “Did! you say that was a robin, Tom?” [ 115 | } ‘ / 5 OY tht ABYELS OF BIRD LIFE’ © ye “Sure, don’t you see him over there among those dead leaves fear that clump of bushes?” A hardy outburst of laughter greeted our ears, and we saw Jack with glasses levelled at the bird. “Why, I know what he is,” he exclaimed and again he laughed as he saw the chagrin of disappointment on Tom’s countenance. ““That’s a towhee, isn’t it, Dick?” addressing me. “It’s a towhee alright, but how did you know it?” “Qh, I remembered a description I read of a bird, some time ago, and how easily it can be mistaken for a robin,” he nodded mischievously toward ‘Tom who was busily engaged in watching the actions of said towhee, and acting as though he did not.hear\the\last remarks. Just then a clear, “tow-hee-ee” rang through the woods, and our bird flew up to a low-hanging branch of a small sapling and answered a “chewing-chewing” from,which he also derives his name Of*chewink. The towhee is not usually a resident, but he leaves for other climes about the first of November, although males are some- times seen in these parts the year around./ As we were descending the hill,on our homeward journey assharp “peenk, peenk, peenk,”’ reached our ears’ from an oak P116'| IDV EUS ORTB IRD IETE ph tree about fifty feet ahead of us. We cautiously advanced toward the tree and after a few minutes’ search, discovered a downy woodpecker about half-way up the tree, busily engaged in searching for spiders’ eggs, and larvae, that’do more or less harm to the trees. | Both of my companions knew the diminutive downy through their bird guides, and both were anxious to make his acquaintance face to face. He is another one of our permanent) residents and stays with us throughout the Winter, even veins our houses in places where he is fed. | | After explaining the little I know of Mr. Downie’s habits, we proceeded toward home, and after a delightful and\ thor- oughly educational walk, it can be imagined what we did to a good lunch that awaited us when we arrived home. “No loud, high notes for tender days like these \ No trumpet tones, no swelling words of pride Beneath these skies, so like dim Summer seas, Where hazy ships of cloud at*anchor ride. _ At peace are earth and sky, while-softly fall ' The brown leaves at my feet; a holy palm Rests in a benediction over all, O silent peace! O days of silent calm.” ? Ellen P. Allertan. [117] tere gree ie Se SOLD HEAD IH ON RERS “In the hollow tree, in the old gray tower The spectral owl doth dwell; Dull, hated, despised, in the sunshine hour, But at dusk—he’s abroad and well! Not a bird of the forest e’er mates with him— . All mark him outright, by day: But at night, when the woods grow still and dim, The boldest will shrink away ! O when night falls, and roosts the fowl, Then, then, is the reign of the Horned Owl.” Barry Corvwall. T was a brilliant, starry night, in early Autumn. A full moon rode high in the vaulted heavens and shed its rich, A mellow rays over fields and forests, where, filtering through VY the leaves of the dark and silent trees it cast fantastic splotches / of light upon the woodland paths. The chirp of crickets and the monotonous drone of numerous other nocturnal insects still , filled the air, while the occasional call of some night bird startled the intruder with its weird and mysterious sounds. During a lull in the insect serenade there came floating—~ upon the crisp night wind the hoarse, discordant hoot of a great Horned Owl in the distance,” Scarcely audible at first, it rose mi 118 ] | df . 3 ie [TD YLES*OR BIRD LIFE in sound and volume until all the furry nightfolk of the forest scampered in terror to places of safety, as well as they might. They knew the prowess and hunting ability of “Old Head Hunter,” as the folks in the neighboring village called this wraith-like bird, because of numerous depredations committed on their poultry yards and dove cotes; taking only the heads of his victims, as the brains were the tid-bits he delighted in. Again “Old Head Hunter” was preparing to exact his nightly toll from among the smaller denizens of the forest. _ In almost uncanny silence, on swift, hawk-like wings, he came sailing through the woodland and alighted onthe dead i branch of a towering oak, from where he made his sallies upon his unfortunate victims. A deep-toned, “to-whoo-hoo-hoo, to- -whoo-hoo,” that sounded like a muffled roll of thunder, startled / the furry folk, and again sent them scampering to places of safety. But, one poor, unfortunate little mouse, probably a bit bolder than the rest, ventured too far from his place of safety, and before it had time to escape, the claws of “Old Head Hunter” had sunk into his back; with a squeal of terror, the mouse was borne in triumph to the dead oak limb, where the great horned owl, for such “Old Head Hunter” was, began-to [119] ‘aoa f ¢ fy fi. ie mY ei ! IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE | vit ~, deyour his victim. With his powerful beak he ripped the head from the body. Another rip and he laid bare the brains, which he gulped down with evident relish. “Old Head Hunter,” unlike the rest of his tribe, was not a gn EY content with devouring his victims, but only delighted in eating Belt Gk i their brains, so that he always kept up a relentless attack on the quail, grouse, snipe, rats, squirrels, mice, chickens, turkeys, | . in short, about everything he could kill. His nightly toll was’ | between ten and twenty victims, and the neighboring villages, | \ unwilling to tamely submit to his maraudings upon their \i poultry coops, offered rewards for his body. But “Old Head Hunter” was too wary for all of them, and invariably eluded their most cunning schemes to capture or to kill him. In another part of the forest all was serene and calm. A : break among the stately trees permitted a flood of light to a / silver the ground.’ In this spot a mother rabbit was giving her halt-grown children their, evening.exercise> Running about, gamboling over the rich carpet of fallen leaves, the young cotton r | tails were having, oblivious to all impending danger, a delight- ful time. Suddenly 4 great, ominous shadow poised over them. | The mother rabbit squeaked her call of alarm, buttoo late!\ A short scuffle;:a clapping of huge wings, and one of the little: [ 120 ] IDYLLS OF BIRD CIEE family fell victim to the ravenous maw of “Old Head Hunter,” who sallied silently back to his perch to devour His latest prize. Where only a few minutes before peace and freedom dwelt, now a poor mother was mourning the loss of one of her young, pow- erless to avenge its untimely death. The brains of the young rabbit only served to whet “Old Head! Hunter’s” appetite, and with another long and weird hoot he was off in search of another victim, which this time happened fo be a large rat thatwmo-/, mentarily exposed himself as he ran across a moonlit spacé near afarm yard. Ina few seconds the ode was beheaded and the | brains devoured. A pigeon straggler\in ; a. dove cote near the scene of the last tragedy was the next to fall prey to the rapa- cious bird of the night. “Old Heatl Hunter” was fairly gloating in blood. The terror of the woods wa’-in his glory. Rp Having feasted on the pigeon brain, “Old Head Hunter,” \ not wishing to take any more chances in such close proximity ‘to human habitation, sailed back toward the woods in search \. of another variety of “brain special.” He had not long to wait. Ina marshy bog that bordered his domain, a small flock of ducks-had paused for rest and food on “their long migrations southward. His sharp ears caught their-squawks of contented- uy ness as 3 they settled, for the night; his piercing eyés discerned [121] As we IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE ) them among the reeds, and swooping with a rush he descended upon the flock and his sharp claws tore into the soft back of a | Mallard duck. With a cry of terror the unfortunate bird was | | borne to “Old Head Hunter’s” perch, where he speedily went | the way of his predecessors. | {| | i ewan Use as “rosy-fingered dawn” was tinting the eastern sky ihe Great Horned Owl disposed of his last victim, a song spar- row that had stirred out a little too early. As the darkness of the forest gave way to the gray twilight of the early morning, | he slowly and silently sailed away to his home, somewhere in jit the’ depths of the tamarack swamp, where he still lives un- 1h | molested ‘and unavenged. He builded wisely, as the approach to his ‘castle, owing to the tangled undergrowth and insecure footing, is almost impassible for human pursuers. “So, when the night falls, and dogs do howl, Sing, Ho! for the reign of the Horned Owl! We know not alway Who are Kings by day; But the King of the night is the bold brown Owl.” Barry Cornwall. n ae Ee Zz, O = af fx) ES é S WINTER MONTHS “His breath like silver arrows pierced the air, The naked earth crouched shuddering at his feet, His finger on all flowing waters sweet Forbidding lay-motion nor sound was there :— Nature was frozen dead,—and still and slow, A winding sheet fell o’er her body fair, Flaky and soft, from his wide wings of snow.” Frances-Anne—Kemble. OUR FEATHERED WINTER RESIDENTS “O cheery bird of Winter cold, I bless thy every feather ; Thy voice brings back dear boyhood days, When we were gay together.” } Burroughs. S the last lingering days of late Summer merge into the flaming glory of those of early Autumn, most of our feathered songsters begin their migrations to warmer climes. Great flocks of blackbirds, meadow larks and robins | “se may be seen wending their way southward, intermingling in Hes | perfect peace and contentment as they stop at intervals on their : . F iN long journey, for food and drink. | | \. While these, and thousands of others of our feathered _ neighbors, take up their Winter residence in warmer, latitudes, | / | the more hardy of our birds are preparing for the season of cold | weather in practically the same localities where they raised their a : \\ broods or sang their ditties of love during the Spring and Sum- i ~ “mer. They seek the evergreen woods, or appropriate the clefts : ‘~<-and crevices of decaying deciduous trees. Hardy birds as they ‘ are, these retreats amply protect them from the icy blasts: of . hi Winter, even though the struggle for existence 1s a precarious A one. f 127) , | IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE One’ ofvthe most common of our Winter residents is the chickadee. This diminutive ball of good cheer is about an inch ‘smaller than the English sparrow. He is quite distinguished in appearance. The crown of his head, nape and throat, are black. A white space beginning at the base of its bill spreads over the cheeks, widening over the upper part of the breast until it forms a collar around his neck. Underneath is a dirty grayish white, and a rusty brown wash on both sides. The wings and tail are gray, with white etchings. No seeker of fair weather is this jolly little bird, and you have probably heard, on more than one occasion, his plaintive, “chickadee-dee-dee-dee” outside your window when a snow- storm was atts height. The chickadee is one of our most friendly feathered neigh- bors. His confidence can easily be gained, whereupon he re- mains a life-long friend, coming every Winter, to help cheer up through the long, weary months. A great aid in trying to gain his confidence is by placing food, such as finely. cracked oats, wheat or minced meat, in sheltered places. /A piece of suet tied to the limb of a tree, or a raw bone hung from an evergreen bough will, nevertheless, always be appreciated. f 128 ] ee ooo - sre = he ame vas oe eee Oo Sae? lito Fae A IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE The chickadee, however, serves a more useful purpose than trying to cheer faint-hearted humanity. It is the well known © and destructive enemy to the canker worm moth, and it is estt- mated the chickadee eats over a hundred thousand eggs in the twenty-five days it takes this moth td crawl up the trees. It may readily be seen that it pays to protect the chickadee\in Winter for the good deeds he performs in Summer. Another of our permanent feathered residents is the white- breasted nuthatch. A hunter of the deep, silent pine woods is this fearless little acrobat. He is a trifle smaller than'the Eng- lish sparrow. The top of his head and nape are black, while-his back is slate-colored. The wings, of a-dark slate, are tipped with black, which fades to brown. The tail feathers are brown- ish black with white bars. The sides of the head-are white. The body, underneath, is at first a white, but shades to a pale \ red under the tail. Probably you have seen him while walking through the woods on/a cold Winter’s day, running along the branch of some tree; now on the underside, again on top, busily engaged/in breaking up little pieces of bark, searching for spider's eggs. At your approach he pauses) in his*work and peers fearlessly [ 129 | IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE down at you, as if to inquire why you intrude on his domain. Only a few moments, and seeing that you intend no harm, he resumes his task of destroying larvae. The most frigid weather has no terrors for this hardy little “tree mouse,” as he is sometimes called. His cheery “quank, quank, hank, hank,” may be heard while the mercury hovers lat’zero-and the snow hurls through his feeding grounds. He is “usually seen in company with the titmice, chickadees, kinglets and brown creepers. Closely related to the white-breasted nuthatch is his red- breasted cousin of the same name. Lead-colored above, he has browntsh wings and tail. The head and neck are black; like- wise the>chin and shoulders. A white stripe passes through the’eye to the shoulder. The under part is light and rusty red. The tail feathers are barred with white and edged with pale brown. This tiny Winter resident is easily distinguished from his: larger’cousin by his red breast. The red-breasted nuthatch is —— ‘generally seen in company with his relatives, the white breast and the brown creeper, while the ruby-crowned kinglet and the chickadees are not barred fronv his society. * [ 130] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE Like the larger relative, the red-breasted nuthatch has the habit of darting along the boughs of trees and running along the underside. —The common note of this bird somewhat resembles that of the white breast, but it 1s higher pitched and uttered-at more frequent intervals. A near relative of the chickadee is the bold, little, hie se of titmouse. It is about the size of the English sparrow.) It has a crest which is high and pointed, and is ashy-blue im\color. Ash-gray or leaden is its coat. The wings and tail are Very dark, and the shoulders are black. The sides of the head area dirty white, while those of the body are a yellowish-white, tinted with red. | Although very diminutive in size, this pert and dainty little bird resembles the blue jay in miniature, minus the latter’s '/gaudy color. Here is the leader of the Winter bird troupe. His call of “cheevy, cheevy,” is one of the most familiar sounds in the Winter woods. Hopping ahead of you, he always sees to it ~ that you are not lonely on your Winter afternoon’s walk. —Lead+ ing you farther and farther into the woods, constantly appine -from twig-to twig a few feet above your head, he 1s always cheer- ing you ony. at | £131) ~~ ADYELS OF BIRD LIFE’ \/ i} | The tufted titmouse is especially valuable and much respected for the number of insects he destroys during the Fall and Winter months. Probably one of our least known Winter residents is the brown creeper. Like the tufted titmouse, he is about the size | f | of the English sparrow, brown above, and with ashy-gray stripes,.and small, oval-shaped gray mottles. Color is rather i light on his head, increasing in shade to redish-brown near the | tail; the wings are brown, and underneath are covered with a i gray-white. A slender, curving bill ornaments the creeper. ti This scrupulous little worker is the very embodiment of per- sistent diligente. He is usually seen in company with the nut- hatches, the ee eee and the kinglets, but at times becomes | rather solitary, a ealteaslti to be alone. He is precision itself, in the manner of obtaining food; beginning at the foot of some ih rough-barked tree, he silently climbs upward in a sort of spiral fashion, now lost to sight on one side, then Hie dove just where he is expected to, on the other. It takes him just-about fifty seconds to finish-a tree, with all his painstaking care. Then off again to the foot of another tree, he\repeats his spiral methods throughout, the livelong day. | lie | (4S2,,] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE At times, while clinging with frozen toes to some trees, he still finds time to utter his repertory of pleasing notes which are distinctly characteristic of him. The brown-creeper’s plumage is an extraordinary feat of imitation; being an exact reproduction of the tree bark on which he lives. Another one of our permanent residents is the golden- crowned kinglet. He is about one-half the size of the English sparrow. His crown patch is of a bright orange or flame color, bordered by yellow, and enclosed by a black line. The: upper parts of the body are of a grayish-olive hue. The wings and tail are dusky, bordered by olive /green)\ which underneath is grayish white. When Autumn is in all her colored splendor, and Dame Nature lavishes the hillsides with dashes of-rich red and yellow . coloring, this little bit of bird life arrives, to share with us our Winter. \He is a veritable bundle of nerves, constantly flitting _ about the twigs of some tree, searching the bark for hidden in- ‘sects, fluttering his wings and scarcely giving youxa-chance to distinguish him, until you discern.his flaming crown. Zero weather is’immaterial to him, and with evident relish of the cold he/calls out his shrill “zee, zee, zee;” from the pines and spruce. Although usually-seen in the company of the brown [ 133 ] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE creeper, the kinglet has none of his energy, and rather inclines to take things easier. Like the nuthatches, he can hang upside down from any limb, and pick off an insect with the skill of any of his neighbors. a ara The\hairy woodpecker is one of the most diligent workers of the Winter troop. He is about the size of a robin, black and white above, with white below. A bright red patch is on the nape i his neck, and the wings are striped and dashed with black and white. The outer tail feathers are white, without Abit) \ bars., A white stripe is about the eyes, and on the sides of the Ae iy head. ——_— ~ We all know the bill of the woodpecker is well adapted for | its work. Its business in life is to protect the tree by destroying v | | i - theinsects that lurk beneath their bark. In any kind of weather af this faithful bird may be seen clinging to the trunk of some tree, | busily. engaged in plying his vocation. We naturally associate x this hardy bird with the Winter weather, for by his very nate ae ; he 1s able to obtain an abundant food supply much more readily” , than most of the other non-migratory birds, which makes him- 7 free ‘from the depressing spirit of the season. He is in the. _— happiest of moods during the’ blackest weather. In the lh GQ A [ 134 ] LOyigiseOr, BURD ULIEE for hidden worms and larvae, it seems as if the hairy wood- pecker depends upon the sense of hearing to detect his prey. A “tap, tap, tap,” is followed by a pause, as if he is trying to de- tect the escape of some hidden insect, and he is very persistent in his efforts. This bird is very independent, and is rarely seen in the company of any of his neighbors, although, at times, he may join a group of chickadees, kinglets, nuthatches and creepers. The hairy woodpecker is a drummer, not a singer, but his steady “tap, tap,” upon some resonant bough is a pleasing sound as one enters and wanders through the wood on ,a dismal Winter’s day. The downy woodpecker is another of our Winter residents. ‘He is similar in color and shape to his relative, the hairy wood- pecker, but not quite as large. He is about the size of the Eng- lish sparrow, black above, and striped with white. The tail is wedge-shaped, and the tail feathers are white, barred with white. A black stripe appears on the top of the head and a distinct white band over the eyes, with a red patch on the side of the neck. ‘The wings have numerous bands crossing them with white underneath. | [135 ] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE The’downy woodpecker is one of our most confiding species _ of birds.” He is fearless and full of curiosity, too; and one of the most devoted members of the Winter band. He begins his tireless efforts of life, by searching for insects at the bottom of some tree, working his way around it and climbing spirally, then working one branch after another until he has finished the tree. He burrows deeply into the wood, but does practically no harm, as his work is mostly all in the de- cayed parts, where the worms are to be found. His work is, in fact, of inestimable value to the tree, as he destroys its real enemies. As he flits from tree to tree he utters a characteristic “pink” or “wink,” sometimes a rattling call which is scarcely distinguishable from that of the hairy variety, although less in volume and of a more pleasing quality. Among his other. qualities, the downy woodpecker is very friendly, and is sometimes seen pecking away at some hollow limb just outside your window. -He-very often visits villages, frequently-the trees on the Streets, or) the fruit trees of the back yards: A member of one of the largést bird families is’ the tree sparrow. He is one of our most friendly companions as we plod through a field on a cold Winter’s day. He is about. the [ 136 | IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE size of the English sparrow. The crown is of bright chestnut. A gray line passes over the cheek, and the throat and breast are gray. The back is brown, the feathers have edges of black and buff; the wings are dusky, with two whitish bars across them. The tail feathers are brown, bordered with grayish white. Under some unburied weed patch in a field piled high with snowdrifts, a flock of these cold-defying, hardy little birds will keep up a constant twittering, as 1f/trying to dissipate the cold Winter’s weariness. : | | The tree sparrow is one of the most numerous birds to be. found during the Winter season / flocks of them ofifrom.a dozen to two or three hundred, are cite in- localities where weed | fields are abundant. | | ~~. By his name one might imply that the bird-lives in trees, but on the contrary, he is seldom seen there, preferring the \ small, low bushes and usually wood patches, for his home. His song is sweet, melodious, “Swee-ho, tweet, tweet,” that may be heard on any mild Winter’s day. The cardinal is not a permanent Winter resident of the north, but he is a frequent visitor. He is a trifle smaller than the Pobite Brillant cardinahin color, Bes the bird. his name. [ 137 ] IDS bS2O De Bb URID STE His chin and a band around his bill are black. His beak is stout and red, and his wings are grayish colored during the Winter. What is more beautiful, on a Winter landscape, when the earth is-clothed in a thick mantle of snow, and the evergreens droop heavily under their burden of fleecy whiteness, than the red flashes of a little group of cardinals in some cedar tree, con- trasting strongly against the richness of their surroundings? When the Winter is very severe and food is scarce, this haughty little aristocrat of birddom will often deign to mingle with the chickadees and nuthatches, sharing the food that was placed for them by some bird lover. The cardinal is seldom seen permanently located in one place.during the Winter. He usually roams about in flocks of his own ‘species, continuing on through places where he can make his;way. Endowed by Nature with a wonderful voice, the cardinal] is sometimes called the “Virginia nightingale,” but his rich “choo,” is seldom heard during the short Winter days’. The blue jay is another of our well-known birds which = shares the Winter months with us. He is somewhat larger than, the robin. With blue above,)a,black band around the neck, he isa grayish-white underneath. The wing coverts and tail [ 138)] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE are bright blue and barred with black stripes. The head is finely crested. The bill, tongue and legs are black. This bold ravisher of bird nests is, perhaps, one of the finest colored of all our _ birds. He usually travels in flocks of some twelve to a hundred of his own species. Like the cardinal, he seldom remains’ in one locality during the Winter months, preferring to travel on, ite ing better and happier feeding grounds as he goes on) When hard pressed for food, however, he boldly mixes with the chicka- dees that congregate in our yards, to partake of the. “suet, chopped meats and cracked wheat that is provided for them. The blue jay’s voice is anything but musical, and his arth screams and shrieks seem sometimes to drown the voices of his Ww \ more gifted fellow-creatures. I have said nothing in this paper of the game bas that are always with us, but that is a subject for a future effort—> “But cheerily the chickadee Singeth to me on fence and tree; The snow sails round him as he sings, White as the down of angels’ wings.” Trowbridge. [ 139 J Ms Wf y P * OS oe Ce » A WINTER’S WALK IN HIGHWOOD » Under the snowdrifts the blossoms are sleeping, Dreaming their dreams of sunshine and June, Down in the hush of their quiet they’re keeping Trills from the throstle’s wild summer-sung tune.” Harriet Prescott Spofford. WAS fourteen years of age and Bud was twelve, when we received our first shotguns. I am nearly sixteen now, but I look back to the event as the first great episode of our lives. We had wished for guns from the time we knew what hunting was, and that was long, long ago; for the love of out- door sport*came to us through heredity and environment. Dad was Nimrod of\old and many were the stories he told us of sports afield when. we were small boys, which made our trigger-fingers tingle, and our blood surge to the surface in anticipation of like experiences. Our guns were single-barreled 16-gauge, breech loaders,’ bored for nitro powder. |) We received them two days before the close of the quail and rabbit season, so we importuned Dad to take us out before the season closed. \Accordingly, on December fourth, we boarded the ‘six o’clock,,traction for York, a little town a few miles distant: [140 ] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE After reaching York we walked about two miles until we arrived at the farm of a relative where we intended to do our hunting. The place was called Highwood, a very appropriate name, considering its wooded hills and undulating fields. Highwood is one of the most ideal spots near town and appeals to all who have the love of outdoors at heart. The house, which is used as a Summer home for the family, is situated on a little knoll over- looking a small creek. A rustic bridge crosses the stream and leads up to the house of the tenant. On the east and west were large cornfields, while here and there. amongst the stalks, a golden pumpkin showed a yellow face. The. creek which ran past the house widened down below; and formed a little, trans- parent pool in a ravine, which was bordered by locust ‘and willow. trees. rae As soon as we reached the cozy house, we built a. roaring fire in thé old-time fireplace, to warm ourselves. Having as- sembled our guns, we filled our pockets with shells; and were ready for our first experience with a.shotgun. I almost forgot to say, we took our pointer, Toby, with us, for we had seen sey- eral bevies of quail in the coverts north of the house, during the previous Summer. [141] Brg ; ea ee es IDYLLUS OF BIRD LIFE A light snow had fallen the night before, making the track- ing of rabbits comparatively easy. The snow was not so good for the dog’s nose, however, but on a snowy day the quail do not fly so-far, so we were at no disadvantage. The tracks of many rabbits showed that this game, at least, was plentiful. We had been walking about half an hour when Bud, who was a little to the rear of us, yelled out: “There goes a rabbit!’ and to the left a little white streak went skimming along the stubble, followed by a charge of shot from Bud’s gun, which did not affect the bunny’s progress in the least. I then shot, and still he kept going at a lightning-like pace. Dad whistled and called, but Toby did not return, so we decided that he must be some- where on point. We went over to the covert, a short dis- tance away, and there, to Bud’s and my surprise, Toby was Standing rigid as a statue. Dad went in and flushed the birds, but we were too excited to shoot, because of the loud whirr, whirr, whirr of the birds as they flushed. We marked the singles, however, as they alighted, and soon Toby had another.’ ; rb point, Dad flushed the bird and as it arose, I fired. I did not~~- have any intimation that I would come within five feet of it 7. until‘Toby, good dog that he was, brought the bird tome. That2*~ was a proud moment for me, as this was my first quail. [ 142 ] IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE Just then Dad called out that Toby had another point, and this time Bud got a chance to show his skill; he was not equal to the occasion, however, and Dad brought down the brown beauty with his second barrel. Now we were all anxious to get ~ a rabbit, and as we were crossing the creek, one was started from under a brush pile. This time Bud got a kill, and Dad said it was one of the prettiest shots he had ever seen. Bud was more!” astonished than I. He attributed his achievement to luck. It was beginning to snow, and this made the fun all the merrier from our point of view, but Dad said this would end Phe our quail shooting and he generally knows what he ié. talking about. His conclusion proved to be correct, for we saw no more quail that day. It was about 11 o’clock when we started for the house, | | and on the way thither, Dad bowled over a fine rabbit that- seemed to be going a mile a minute. When we reached the house the fire was still burning, and having replenished/it, we \ warmed the coffee, and were soon sailing into the hinch we had _taken with us. The luncheon hour is always one of the most pleasant ones of a day’s hunt. Tired and hungry, we sat down and ate our plain fare with a relish, food that at any other time would hardly tempt us, and then talked of the sport we had-en- 143") 10* i IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE — joyed. All these things go to make up a pleasant hour. After the meal was over, Dad filled his pipe, and while he courted \ “My Lady Nicotine,” we placed the things in order and put more wood on the fire. ~Atter-our lunch and rest we donned our hunting coats, placed a few more shells in our pockets, and started out for the afternoon victims, if any should show themselves. This | time we Went out farther than in the morning. As we were traversing a gully bordered by trees, and very rocky, a rabbit jumped up from behind a huge boulder which Dad had passed by.. I blazed away, and missed, having overshot him by four feet.. Dad and Bud fired simultaneously, and the rabbit took two summersaults and lay still. I ran forward and was about to pick. him up when the little demon jumped up and bolted like a shot outiof acannon. Bunny no doubt had been stunned for a moment, but it was evident that he had not been hit in the vitalyspot. | We then continued ‘down the.valley and chased up two more rabbits, one of which was stopped by a shot from Dad’s gun. The scenery about us was most striking; the.trees were all bare of leaves, while the white mantle sent from heaven and the» sky, ofa,leaden cast, was still sending down the frozen [ 144°] [Dy ORVBIRD LIFE moisture. We were thus admiring Nature’s panorama when two rabbits started up from under cover of ragweed. | stopped one of them, much to my delight and surprise; the other fell a victim of Dad’s gun. And so we put in the afternoon. Despite the fact that game was not so plentiful, we enjoy ed the hours as they passed, which, after all, is the best part of an outing. Towards four o’clock it stopped snowing, and the white hills and the snow-laden trees contrasted beautifully with the dull, leaden color of the December sky. Twilight was now rapidy advancing, which warned us \to start back to the house and prepare for home. On the way back Bud had another op- portunity and killed a big Eboitanich jumped_under his feet. This put him in high glee, for it.was his second.. When we arrived at the house we extinguished'*the fire, cleaned our guns, -—anrd were then ready to start for town. We reached the traction at York at about 5 o’clock, and by 6 were enjoying’a good, \warm ehhh at home. Our first experience with shotguns will always remain among the most pleasant memories of the Bes Like some lorn abbey now, the-wood Stands roofless in the bitter-ain; /In ruins on its floor is strewed The carven foliage quaint and rare, And homeless winds complain along The columned chops. once thrifled with song. Lowell: +9 [ 145 ] “Do you ne’er think what wondrous beings these? Do you ne’er think who made them, and who taught /*» The dialect they speak, where melodies Alone are the interpreter of thought? Whose household words are songs in many keys, Sweeter than instrument of man e’er taught!” Longfellow. THE Enp. ; ~~ . = = — = » << eas PF | aA a | ~ 4 ' “ oe ee ee eee