Bird-Lore, Volume I—1899
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Title: Bird-Lore, Volume I—1899
Author: Various
Editor: Frank M. Chapman
Release date: November 30, 2014 [eBook #47500]
Most recently updated: November 28, 2024
Language: English
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Transcriber's Note
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=Bird-Lore=
_AN ILLUSTRATED BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO
THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS_
Edited by
FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Official Organ of the Audubon Societies
Audubon Department Edited by
MABEL OSGOOD WRIGHT
[Illustration]
_VOLUME I--1899_
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
ENGLEWOOD, N. J., AND NEW YORK CITY
Copyright, 1899
By FRANK M. CHAPMAN
INDEX TO ARTICLES IN VOLUME I BY AUTHORS
Allen, J. A., The American Ornithologists' Union, 143.
Babcock, C. A., 'Suggestions for Bird-Day Programs in the Schools,' 49.
Baily, William L., 'Three Cobb's Island Pictures,' 81.
Batchelder, Annie V., Sec'y, report of, 102.
Beal, F. E. L., Reviews by, 98, 133.
Beebe, C. Will, 'Two Nova Scotia Photographs,' 113.
Board, Nellie S., Sec'y, report of, 62.
Brown, Elizabeth V., 'A Bird-Day Program,' 52.
Burnett, Dr. D. L., 'A Musical Woodpecker,' 60.
Burroughs, John, 'In Warbler Time,' 3.
Butler, Amos W., Sec'y, report of, 66.
Chapman, Frank M., 'Birds Through a Telescope,' 132;
'Gannets on Bonaventure,' 71;
'The Legend of the Salt,' 55;
'The Passing of the Tern,' 205;
'The Surprising Contents of a Birch Stub,' 187;
editorials by, 2, 28, 63, 135, 169, 201;
photographs by, 119, 149;
reviews by, 26, 27, 61, 97, 98, 133, 167.
Collins, H. M., 'The Peculiarities of a Caged Skylark,' 157.
Cram, William Everett, 'Winter Bird Notes from Southern New
Hampshire,' 180.
Crolius, A. A., 'How the Central Park Chickadees Were Tamed,' 185.
Day, Mary F., 'Home-Life in a Chimney,' 78.
Deane, Ruthven, President, report of, 66.
Dutcher, William, 'Loons at Home,' 40.
Eaton, Isabel, 'Bird Studies for Children,' 17.
Fisher, Dr. A. K., 'Average Dates of Arrival of the Commoner Birds
at Sing Sing, N. Y., during April and May,' 54.
Geery, D. R., 'Sparrow Proof Houses,' 60.
Glover, Harriet D. C., Sec'y, report of, 31.
Glover, Helen W., Sec'y, report of, 139.
Grant, Annie M., Sec'y, reports of, 30, 204.
Hegner, Robert W., 'Photographing a Bluebird,' 43;
'The Prairie Horned Lark,' 152.
Hodge, C. F., 'A Pleasant Acquaintance With a Hummingbird,' 155;
'On the Ethics of Caging Birds,' 158.
Horack, Frank E., 'The Songs of Birds,' 96;
'A Singing Bluejay,' 197.
Ives, Ella Gilbert, 'The Cardinal at the Hub,' 83;
'The Cardinal in Maine,' 132.
Judd, Sylvester D., Ph. D., 'Collecting a Brown Thrush's Song,' 25.
Kearton, R., 'Photographing Shy Wild Birds and Beasts at Home,' 107.
Kendall, Blanche, photographs by, 84, 85, 86.
Kennard, Fred. H., 'A May Morning,' 91.
Lehmann, Lilli, A Message from, 103.
Lemmon, Isabella McC., 'Oliver Twist, Catbird,' 163.
Lockwood, Emma H., Sec'y, report of, 32.
Loring, J. Alden, 'Inquisitive Magpies,' 96.
Mellick, Mary A., Sec'y, report of, 32.
Menke, H. W., 'From a Cabin Window,' 14;
photograph by, 106.
Merriam, Florence A., 'Clark's Crows and Oregon Jays on Mount
Hood,' 46, 72;
'Our Doorstep Sparrow,' 20.
Miller, Oliver Thorne, 'On the Ethics of Caging Birds,' 19, 89.
Mumma, Rosa Meyers, 'Matins,' 77.
Nash, H. W., photograph by, 176.
Newkirk, Garrett, 'Mr. Flicker Writes a Letter,' 129;
'Robin Rejoice,' 95;
'The Little Brown Creeper,' 197.
Noble, Floyd C., 'A February Walk in Central Park,' 57.
Osgood, Fletcher, report of, 137.
Patten, Mrs. John Dewhurst, Sec'y, reports of, 32, 173.
Peabody, P. B., 'Richardson's Owl,' 190.
Peckham, Mrs. Elizabeth W., Sec'y, reports of, 101, 205.
Princehorn, A. L., photograph by, 154.
Richards, Harriet E., Sec'y, report by, 30.
Roberts, Dr. Thos. S., 'The Camera as an aid in the Study of
Birds,' 6, 35;
'A Catbird Study,' 87.
Robins, Julia Stockton, Sec'y, report of, 66, 204.
Robinson, Mildred A., 'A February Walk,' 94.
Roosevelt, Theodore, Letter from, 65.
Royael, John L., 'An Accomplished House Sparrow,' 24.
Russell, Miss Cora, Sec'y, report of, 32.
Sage, John H., 'Fall Migration at Portland, Conn.,' 128.
Schwab, L. H., 'An Odd Nesting Site,' 166.
Slosson, Annie Trumbull, 'A Tragic St. Valentine's Day,' 45.
Smith, Anna Harris, 'On the Ethics of Caging Birds,' 160.
Smith, W. Gordon, photograph by, 177.
Soule, Caroline G., 'Birds and Caterpillars,' 166;
'Humanizing the Birds,' 193.
Southwick, E. B., 'A Nut-hatching Nuthatch,' 24.
Stone, Witmer, 'A Search for the Reedy Island Crow Roost,' 177.
Stone, Witmer, and others, 'Hints to Young Bird Students,' 125.
Tabor, E. G., 'A Least Bittern Portrait,' 39;
photographs by, 149, 156.
Taylor, John W., President, report of, 67.
Thomas, Edith M., 'The Masquerading Chickadee,' 77.
Thompson, Ernest Seton, 'The Myth of the Song Sparrow,' 59.
Torrey, Bradford, 'Watching the Bittern Pump,' 123.
Tyler, D. T. A., Audubon's Seal, 172.
Van Altena, Edward, photograph by, 116.
Van Dyke, Henry, 'The Angler's Reveille,' 150.
Van Sant, Florence A., 'Zip and Phoebe, A Catbird Story,' 130.
Widmann, Otto, 'In the Spartina with the Swallows,' 115.
Webster, Ellen E., 'An Interesting Phoebe's Nest, 197.
Wood, George, photograph by, 21.
W[right], M. O., Editorials by, 29, 64, 100, 136, 170, 202.
INDEX TO VOLUME I
A Dictionary of Birds, reviewed, 199.
Adney, Tappan, 202.
Advisory Council, 192.
Allen, J. A., 127, 142, 144, 169.
Aldrich, Chas., 142.
American Ornithologists' Union, 142, 143, 169.
Audubon Bird Chart, 27.
Audubon Calendar, 200.
Audubon Societies, reports of. See under names of Secretaries.
Auk, The, 146, 147.
Babcock, C. A., 62.
Bailey, H. B., 142.
Baird, S. F., 142.
Baldpate, 128.
Ball, Helen A., 167.
Barlow, Chester, 62, 168.
Bartsch, Paul, 200.
Batchelder, C. F., 142.
Beal, F. E. L., 134.
Belding, Lyman, 146.
Bendire, C. E., 142.
Bicknell, E. P., 142.
Bickmore, Professor, 32.
Bird Collecting, 135, 168.
Bird-Day, 36, 49, 51, 53, 98.
Bird Games, 18.
'Bird Gods,' reviewed, 26.
Bird Houses, figured, 60.
'Bird-Life; A Guide to the Study of our Common Birds,' Teachers'
edition, reviewed, 27.
Bird-Lore, 28, 63, 201.
'Bird Migration in Mississippi Valley,' 146.
'Birds,' reviewed, 97.
Birds and Farmers, 103.
'Birds as Weed Destroyers,' reviewed, 134.
Birds' Christmas Tree, 195.
'Birds of Washington and Vicinity,' reviewed, 26.
Birds, Food for, 19.
Birds, Songs of, 96.
'Birds Through an Opera-glass,' 168.
Bittern, American, 54, 123, 128;
figured, 149;
Least, 39, 40, 123, 128;
figured, 34;
Blackbird, Red-winged, 92, 96, 128;
Rusty, 128;
Yellow-headed, 16;
figured, 16;
Bluebird, 43, 150;
figured, 43, 44.
Bobolink, 55, 92, 117, 128.
Boynton, Helen M., 98.
Brewster, William, 27, 127, 142, 144, 202.
British Columbia, 98.
Brooks, William R., 132.
Brown, Elizabeth V., 173.
Brown, Nathan C., 142.
Brownell, L. W., 63.
Bunting, Indigo, 55, 128.
Burroughs, John, 2, 5, 202.
California, 62.
Campbell, A. J., 202.
Camera, 6, 35, 107, 202.
Canada, 40, 133, 171.
Canary, 17, 89, 96.
Cardinal, 57, 83, 132;
figured, 84, 85, 86.
Catbird, 54, 91, 128, 163, 166;
figured, 87, 88.
Cedarbird, 92, 166;
figured, 161.
Chamberlain, M., 142.
Chapman, Frank M., 26, 31, 32, 127, 202.
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 55.
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, 168.
'Check-list of British Columbia Birds,' reviewed, 98/
Check-list of North American Birds, 147.
Chickadee, Black-capped, 9, 10, 11, 19, 24, 56, 58, 77, 94, 97, 181,
182, 185, 187;
figured, 7, 10, 12, 13, 56, 189.
Clark, Josephine A., 62.
Code of Nomenclature, 145.
Cohen, Donald, 62.
Connecticut, 27, 128, 166.
Cooke, W. W., 146.
Cooper Ornithological Club, 62.
Coot, American, 128.
Cormorants, Double-crested, 71.
Cory, C. B., 142.
Coues, Elliott, 135, 142, 144.
Coues' 'Key,' 98.
Cowbird, 54, 93, 128.
Creeper, Brown, 57, 128, 181, 195;
figured, 195.
Crow, 92, 164, 177, 181, 184;
figured, 177, 184.
Crow, Fish, 54.
Crow, Clark's, 46, 72;
figured, 47, 72, 74, 76.
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 55, 93, 128, 166;
Yellow-billed, 55, 128, 166.
Dart, Leslie O., 10.
Davis, W. T., 200.
Dearborn, Ned, 98.
De Kay, Charles, 26.
Delaware, 179.
Dickey Downy, reviewed, 200.
Diver, Great Northern, 40.
Dove, Mourning, 128.
Duck, American Scaup, 128;
Black, 128;
Buffle-head, 128;
Lesser Scaup, 128;
Ring-necked, 128;
Ruddy, 128.
Dutcher, William, 103, 127.
Eagle, 26.
Eagle, Bald, 170, 171, 181;
Golden, figured, 176.
Eckstorm, Fannie Hardy, 98.
'Economic Relations of Birds and Their Food,' noticed, 134.
Edwards, George Wharton, 26.
Egg Collecting, 61.
Elliot, D. G., 142.
Evans, A. H., 97.
Fannin, John, 98.
February Walk Contest, 57.
'Field Key to the Land Birds,' reviewed, 167.
Finch, Purple, 54.
Fisher, A. K., 127, 142.
Flicker, 18, 128, 181.
Florida, 45, 63.
Flycatcher, Alder, 55;
Crested, 55;
Green-crested, 55;
Least, 54, 128;
Olive-sided, 55;
Yellow-bellied, 55.
Gadow, Hans, 199.
Gannets, 70;
figured, 70.
Gill, Theodore, 135.
Gleeson, Joseph M., 199.
Goldfinch, 17, 183;
European, 58.
Goose, Canada, 128, 181.
Goshawk, American, 128, 180.
Grackle, Bronzed, 128.
Grant, Annie M., 133.
Grebe, Pied-billed, 54, 128.
Grinnell, George Bird, 146.
Grosbeak, Pine, 183;
Rose-breasted, 55, 92, 128, 166.
Grouse, Blue, 46.
Gull, Herring, 71.
Harvey, L. D., 98.
Hawk, Cooper's, 128;
Marsh, 128;
Pigeon, 54, 128;
Rough-legged, 181;
Sharp-shinned, 128;
Sparrow, 54.
Henshaw, H. W., 142, 202.
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 54, 128;
Green, 54, 92, 128;
Great Blue, 128.
Hodge, C. F., 161, 162, 167.
Hoffmann, Ralph, 27, 30.
Holder, J. B., 142.
Hornaday, W. T., 31.
Hornbrooke, Orinda, 102.
Howe, Reginald Heber, Jr., 134.
Hubbard, Marion C., 202.
Hummingbird, 55, 128, 155;
nest of, figured, 156.
Iowa, 43, 152.
Jay, Blue, 96, 181;
Oregon, 46, 72;
figured, 48, 72, 73, 75;
Stellers', 46.
Jones, Lynds, 27, 168, 202.
Judd, Sylvester D., 134.
Junco, 19, 113, 128, 183;
nest of, figured, 113;
Oregon, 46.
Kearton, C., 26, 133.
Kearton, Richard, 26, 133.
Killdeer, 35;
figured, 36, 38.
Kingbird, 39, 55, 92, 128.
Kingfisher, 54, 128.
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 128, 181;
Ruby-crowned, 3, 46, 54, 128.
Knight, O. W., 62.
Knobel, E., 30, 167.
Lacey-Hoar Bird Bill, 63.
Land Birds of Pacific District, 146.
Lark, Horned, 15, 180;
figured, 14, 15;
Prairie Horned, 152;
figured, 152, 153.
Lawrence, Geo. M., 142.
'List of Birds of Belknap and Merrimack Counties,' reviewed, 98.
Lodge, G. E., 97.
Loon, 40, 41, 128;
nest and eggs of, figured, 42;
Red-throated, 128.
Lucas, F. A., 200, 202.
Magpie, 96.
Maine Ornithological Society, 62.
Mallard, 128.
Martin, European, nest and young of, figured, 122;
Purple, 54, 120, 128.
Maryland Yellow Throat, 55, 151.
Massachusetts, 27, 83, 91, 134.
Maynard, C. J., 62.
Maynard, Mrs. L. W., 25.
McCormick, A. I., 62.
McCormick, L. M., 202.
Meadowlark, 92, 128, 183.
Mearns, E. A., 142, 202.
Merganser, Hooded, 128;
Red-breasted, 128;
Merriam, C. Hart, 127, 142, 145, 146, 169, 202.
Merriam, Florence A., 26, 31, 173, 202.
Migration, 54, 128, 145, 169.
Miller, Olive Thorne, 32, 62, 158, 159, 160, 167, 202.
Minnesota, 10, 67, 190.
Missouri, 27, 115.
Morrill, C. H., 62.
Nash, Charles W., 133.
Nature Study, 51, 62, 193.
Nehrling, H., 27.
Nests, 19.
Nest-building, 50.
Nest-holder, 197.
New Hampshire, 98, 180.
New Jersey, 78, 116, 119, 126, 132, 177, 187.
Newton, Alfred, 199.
Newton, Dr. Heber, 31.
New York, 5, 39, 54, 55, 57, 132, 134, 149, 156.
Night-hawk, 55, 128;
figured, 114.
Nova Scotia, 113.
Nutcracker, 46, 72.
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 128, 182;
White-breasted, 24, 58, 94.
Nuttall 'Bulletin,' 143, 144.
Nuttall Ornithological Club, 143.
Oberholser, H. C., 173, 200.
Ohio, 27.
Olds, Henry, 173.
Old-squaw, 128.
'On the Birds' Highway,' reviewed, 134.
Oregon, 46, 72.
Oriole, Baltimore, 55, 91, 128;
Orchard, 55.
Osprey, 54, 128.
'Our Animal Friends,' 168.
'Our Common Birds,' reviewed, 167.
Ovenbird, 55, 128.
Owl, Barred, 117;
Richardson's, 190;
figured, 190, 191;
Saw-whet, 182;
Screech, figured, 154;
Short-eared, 128;
Snowy, 128, 180;
figured, 181.
Palmer, Alice Freeman, 102.
Palmer, T. S., 32, 127, 134, 173.
Parkhurst, H. E., 200.
Patterson, Virginia Sharpe, 200.
Pelican, Brown, 169, 171.
Pewee, Wood, 55, 92, 128.
Phoebe, 128, 130.
Phonograph, 25.
Pinchot, Professor, 202.
Pintail, 128.
Pipit, American, 128.
Plover, American Golden, 128.
Prentiss, D. W., 142.
Purdie, H. A., 142.
Quail, 91, 93.
Quills to Avoid, figured, 169, 171.
Quincy, Josiah, Mayor, 137.
Rail, Yellow, 128;
Virginia, 128.
Razor-bill, 81.
Redstart, 55, 93, 128.
Reynaud, Capt., 202.
Rhode Island, 134.
Richards, Harriet E., 102.
Richmond, C. W., 27, 127, 200.
Ridgway, Robert, 32, 127, 142, 200, 202.
Roberts, T. S., 202.
Robertson, Howard, 62.
Robin, 17, 32, 50, 128, 150, 166;
figured on nest, 95.
Robinson, Lieut. Wirt, 21.
Robinson, Mildred A., 57.
Rowley, John, 202.
Rubbish Heap, Artificial, 109.
Sage, J. H., 27.
Sandpiper, Least, 55, 128;
Pectoral, 128;
Semi-palmated, 128;
Solitary, 55, 128.
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 54, 128.
Scoter, American, 128;
Surf, 128;
White-winged, 128.
Sennett, George B., 198.
Sharpe, R. Bowdler, 61.
Shrike, Northern, 6, 128, 181.
Shufeldt, R. W., 142.
Sketch Book of British Birds, reviewed, 61.
Skimmer, Black, figured, 81;
nest and eggs of, figured, 82;
Skylark, 157.
Siskin, Pine, 128.
Slab-Sides, 5.
Snipe, Wilson's, 54, 128.
Snow Buntings, 180, 181.
Snowflake, 141, 128;
figured, 14, 15.
Solitaire, Townsends, 47.
Sparrow, Chipping, 20, 54, 97, 166;
figured, 21;
English, 17, 49;
Field, 54, 93, 128;
Fox, 128;
Henslow's, 117, 118;
House, 24;
Lincoln's, 128;
Nelson's, 128;
Savanna, 54;
Song, 58, 92, 128;
figured, 59;
Swamp, 54, 92, 128;
Tree, 19, 128, 181;
Vesper, 54;
White-crowned, 47, 55, 128;
White-throated, 54, 57, 128;
Yellow-winged, 55;
Sparrow War, 137.
Stake-driver, 124.
Starling, 57.
Stejneger, Leonhard, 195.
Stone, Witmer, 27, 28, 29, 61, 125, 127, 200.
Swallow, Bank, 54, 120, 128;
Barn, 54, 92, 128;
Cliff, 55, 128;
nests of, figured, 106;
Eave, 115, 118, 119, 120;
Rough Wing, 55, 115, 119, 120;
Tree, 45, 54, 115;
figured, 116, 119, 121;
White Breast, 115, 118, 119, 120.
Swan, 26.
Swift, Chimney, 54, 78, 92, 128.
Tanager, Scarlet, 55, 128.
Tatlock, John, Jr., 132.
Taylor, Henry Reed, 62.
Teal, Blue-winged, 128;
Green-winged, 128.
Tern, Gull-billed, 82;
figured, 82;
Wilson's, 205;
figured, 206.
Thayer, Abbott, 200.
'The Birds of Eastern North America,' reviewed, 200.
'The Birds of Ontario in Relation to Agriculture,' reviewed, 133.
'The Danger of Introducing Noxious Animals and Birds,' noticed, 134.
'The Feeding Habit of the Chipping Sparrow, and the Winter Food of
the Chickadee,' reviewed, 97.
'The First Book of Birds,' reviewed, 167.
'The Osprey,' 135;
Thompson, Ernest Seton, 27, 62, 134, 202.
Thrasher, Brown, 25, 54, 91, 128, 151.
Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 55, 128;
Hermit, 54, 128;
Olive-backed, 55, 128;
Wilson's, 55, 128;
Wood, 54, 92, 128.
Torrey, Bradford, 202.
Towhee, 54.
Tree Trunk, Artificial, 108.
Tryon, Kate, 31.
Van Dyke, Dr. Henry, 31.
Van Name, Willard G., 31.
Veery, 55, 128.
Vermont, 166;
Vireo, Blue-headed, 54, 128;
Philadelphia, 128;
Red-eyed, 55, 91, 128, 166;
Yellow-throated, 55, 93, 128;
Warbling, 55, 128, 166;
White-eyed, 55, 91, 95, 166.
Virginia, 81, 206.
'Wabeno, the Magician,' reviewed, 199.
Warbler, Bay-breasted, 55, 128;
Black and White, 5, 54, 93, 128;
Blackburnian, 55, 128;
Black-poll, 5, 55, 93, 128;
Black-throated Blue, 55, 128;
Black-throated Green, 4, 55, 128;
Blue-winged, 3, 55;
Canadian, 55, 128;
Chestnut-sided, 4, 55, 92;
Connecticut, 128;
Golden Swamp, 11;
Golden-winged, 4, 55, 92;
Kentucky, 55;
Magnolia, 55, 128;
Mourning, 55;
Myrtle, 54, 128;
Nashville, 55, 128;
Parula, 55, 128;
Pine, 128;
Prairie, 128;
Prothonotary, 10;
Tennessee, 55;
Wilson's, 55, 128;
Worm-eating, 55;
Yellow, 55, 92, 128;
Yellow Palm, 41, 54, 128.
Water-Thrush, Large-billed, 54;
Small-billed, 55, 128.
Wheaton, J. M., 142.
Whip-poor-will, 55, 128.
Widmann, Otto, 27, 202.
'Wild Animals I Have Known,' 62, 134.
'Wild Life at Home: How to Study and Photograph It,' reviewed, 133.
Willcox, M. A., 200.
Wilson Bulletin, 168.
Wisconsin, 27.
Wisconsin Arbor and Bird Day Annual, 98.
'With Nature and a Camera,' reviewed, 26.
Woodcock, 128, 166.
Woodpecker, 19, 26;
Downy, 11, 58, 60, 166, 181;
Lewis, 47, 72.
Wren, House, 54, 128, 166;
Long-billed Marsh, 39, 55;
Short-billed Marsh, 117, 128;
Winter, 128, 181.
Wright, Mabel Osgood, 30, 31, 195, 202.
Wyoming, 14, 106.
Yellow-bird, Summer, 17.
Yellow Hammer, 18.
Yellow-legs, Greater, 128.
* * * * *
VOL. 1 20c. a Copy
No. 1 FEBRUARY, 1899 $1 a Year
=Bird-Lore=
[Illustration]
Edited by
FRANK M. CHAPMAN
The Macmillan Company
HARRISBURG, PA.
New York City
COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN
=Bird-Lore=
February, 1899
CONTENTS
Frontispiece--John Burroughs at 'Slab Sides.' From a Flashlight
Photograph.
In Warbler Time _John Burroughs_ 3
John Burroughs at 'Slab Sides.' Illustrated 5
The Camera as an Aid in the Study of Birds. Illustrated.
_Dr. Thomas S. Roberts_ 6
From a Cabin Window. Illustrated _H. W. Menke_ 14
FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
Bird-Studies for Children _Isabel Eaton_ 17
Winter Bird Studies 19
FOR YOUNG OBSERVERS
Our Doorstep Sparrow. Illustrated _Florence. A. Merriam_ 20
A Prize Offered 23
NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY
An Accomplished House Sparrow _J. L. Royael_ 24
A Nut-hatching Nuthatch. Illustrated _E. B. Southwick_ 24
Collecting a Brown Thrasher's Song. (With the gramophone)
_S. D. Judd, Ph.D._ 25
A Cover Design. Illustrated 25
BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS 26
Kearton's 'With Nature and a Camera;' De Kay's 'Bird Gods;' Mrs.
Maynard's Birds of Washington; Bird-Life: Teachers' Edition;
The Massachusetts Audubon Society's Bird Chart.
EDITORIALS 28
AUDUBON DEPARTMENT 29
Editorial; Reports from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and District of Columbia Societies.
×*× _The Publication Office is in the Mount Pleasant Building,
208 Crescent Street, Harrisburg, Pa._
×*× _All communications in regard to contributions, etc., and all regular
exchanges, should be addressed to the Editor, Frank M. Chapman,
Englewood, New Jersey._
×*× _The subscription price is One Dollar per annum. Subscriptions and
advertisements may be sent to the Publishers, The Macmillan Company,
Harrisburg, Pa., or 66 Fifth Avenue, New York; or to the Editor,
as above._
PUBLISHERS' ANNOUNCEMENT
The April number of Bird-Lore will contain the conclusion of Dr.
Roberts' interesting paper on 'The Camera as an Aid in the Study of
Birds,' with photographs which surpass in merit even those presented
in this issue; An article by Miss Merriam, entitled 'Oregon Jays and
Clark's Crows on Mt. Shasta,' accompanied by photographs of the birds
from life; A sketch of the home-life of Loons, by William Dutcher,
illustrated by the author, and an illustrated account, by R. W. Hegner,
of the manner in which he secured a unique picture of a Bluebird.
For 'Teachers and Students' Prof. Lynds Jones, of Oberlin College, will
write on methods of bird-study, and a program suggesting appropriate
exercises for Bird-day in the schools will be given.
Ernest Seton Thompson has written and illustrated some verses 'For
Young Observers,' and there will be the usual departments.
[Illustration: JOHN BURROUGHS AT 'SLAB SIDES'
Flashlight photograph, by F. M. Chapman, October, 1896]
=Bird-Lore=
A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS
Official Organ of the Audubon Societies
=======================================
Vol. 1 February, 1899 No. 1
=======================================
In Warbler Time
BY JOHN BURROUGHS
[Illustration]
This morning, May 5, as I walked through the fields the west wind
brought to me a sweet, fresh odor, like that of fragrant violets,
precisely like that of our little white sweet violet (_Viola blanda_).
I do not know what it came from,--probably from sugar maples, just
shaking out their fringe-like blossoms,--but it was the first breath
of May, and very welcome. April has her odors, too, very delicate and
suggestive, but seldom is the wind perfumed with the breath of actual
bloom before May. I said it is Warbler time; the first arrivals of
the pretty little migrants should be noted now. Hardly had my thought
defined itself when before me, in a little hemlock, I caught the flash
of a blue, white-barred wing; then glimpses of a yellow breast and a
yellow crown. I approached cautiously, and in a moment more had a full
view of one of our rarer Warblers, the Blue-winged Yellow Warbler. Very
pretty he was, too, the yellow cap, the yellow breast, and the black
streak through the eye being conspicuous features. He would not stand
to be looked at long, but soon disappeared in a near-by tree.
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was piping in an evergreen tree near by, but
him I had been hearing for several days. The Kinglets come before the
first Warblers, and may be known to the attentive eye by their quick,
nervous movements, and small greenish forms, and to the discerning
ear by their hurried, musical, piping strains. How soft, how rapid,
how joyous and lyrical their songs are! Very few country people, I
imagine, either see them or hear them. The powers of observation of
country people are not fine enough and trained enough. They see and
hear coarsely. An object must be big and a sound loud, to attract their
attention. Have you seen and heard the Kinglet? If not, the finer inner
world of nature is a sealed book to you. When your senses take in the
Kinglet they will take in a thousand other objects that now escape you.
My first Warbler in the spring is usually the Yellow Redpoll, which
I see in April. It is not a bird of the trees and woods, but of low
bushes in the open, often alighting upon the ground in quest of food.
I sometimes see it on the lawn. The last one I saw was one April day,
when I went over to the creek to see if the suckers were yet running
up. The bird was flitting amid the low bushes, now and then dropping
down to the gravelly bank of the stream. Its chestnut crown and yellow
under parts were noticeable.
The past season I saw for the first time the Golden-winged Warbler--a
shy bird, that eluded me a long time in an old clearing that had grown
up with low bushes. The song first attracted my attention, it is so
like in form to that of the Black-throated Green Back, but in quality
so inferior. The first distant glimpse of the bird, too, suggested the
Green Back, so for a time I deceived myself with the notion that it was
the Green Back with some defect in its vocal organs. A day or two later
I heard two of them, and then concluded my inference was a hasty one.
Following one of the birds, I caught sight of its yellow crown, which
is much more conspicuous than its yellow wing-bars. Its song is like
this, _'n-'n de de de_, with a peculiar reedy quality, but not at all
musical, falling far short of the clear, sweet, lyrical song of the
Green Back.
One appreciates how bright and gay the plumage of many of our Warblers
is, when he sees one of them alight upon the ground. While passing
along a wood road in June, a male Black-throated Green came down out of
the hemlocks and sat for a moment on the ground before me. How out of
place he looked, like a bit of ribbon or millinery just dropped there!
The throat of this Warbler always suggests the finest black velvet. Not
long after I saw the Chestnut-sided Warbler do the same thing. We were
trying to make it out in a tree by the roadside, when it dropped down
quickly to the ground in pursuit of an insect, and sat a moment upon
the brown surface, giving us a vivid sense of its bright new plumage.
When the leaves of the trees are just unfolding, or, as Tennyson says,
"When all the woods stand in a mist of green, and nothing perfect," the
tide of migrating Warblers is at its height. They come in the night,
and in the morning the trees are alive with them. The apple trees
are just showing the pink, and how closely the birds inspect them in
their eager quest for insect food! One cold, rainy day at this season
Wilson's Black-cap,--a bird that is said to go north nearly to the
arctic circle,--explored an apple tree in front of my window. It came
down within two feet of my face, as I stood by the pane, and paused a
moment in its hurry and peered in at me, giving me an admirable view of
its form and markings. It was wet and hungry, and it had a long journey
before it. What a small body to cover such a distance!
The Black-poll Warbler, which one may see about the same time, is a
much larger bird and of slower movement, and is colored much like the
Black and White Creeping Warbler with a black cap on its head. The song
of this bird is the finest, the least in volume, and most insect-like
of that of any Warbler known to me. It is the song of the Black and
White Creeper reduced, high and swelling in the middle and low and
faint at its beginning and ending. When one has learned to note and
discriminate the Warblers, he has made a good beginning in his or her
ornithological studies.
John Burroughs at 'Slab Sides'
Some years ago a favor to a neighbor resulted in Mr. Burroughs
acquiring possession of a small 'muck swamp' situated in a valley in
the hills, a mile or more west of his home at West Park, on the Hudson.
To Mr. Burroughs, the agriculturist, this apparently worthless bit
of ground promised a rich return after it had yielded to successive
attacks of brush-knife, grubbing-hook, plough, and spade. To Burroughs,
the literary naturalist and nature-lover, this secluded hollow in the
woods offered a retreat to which he could retire when his eyes wearied
of the view of nature tamed and trimmed, from his study on the bank of
the Hudson.
In the spring of 1895 the muck swamp was a seemingly hopeless tangle of
brush and bogs, without sign of human habitation. One year later its
black bed was lined with long rows of luxuriant celery, while from a
low point at one end of the swamp had arisen a rustic cabin fitting the
scene so harmoniously that one had to look twice to see it.
This is 'Slab Sides,' a dwelling of Mr. Burroughs' own planning, and,
in part, construction, its outer covering of rough sawn slabs, which
still retain their bark, being the origin of its name. In a future
number we hope to present a photograph of the exterior of Slab Sides,
with an account of the birds its owner finds about it. Part of its
interior is well shown by our photograph of Mr. Burroughs seated before
the fireplace, in which, as head mason and stone-cutter, he takes a
justifiable pride. Here, from April to November, Mr. Burroughs makes
his home, and here his most sympathetic readers may imagine him amid
surroundings which are in keeping with the character of his writings.
The Camera as an Aid in the Study of Birds
BY DR. THOS. S. ROBERTS
Director, Department of Birds, Natural History Survey of Minnesota.
With photographs from Nature, by the Author.
[Illustration]
Anyone having an earnest interest in both natural history and
photography can find no more delightful and profitable way of spending
leisure hours than by prying into the secrets of Dame Nature with an
instrument capable of furnishing such complete and truthful information
as the camera. Delightful and fascinating, because it not only gives
worthy purpose and charming zest to all outing trips, but yields
results that tell in no uncertain way of things and incidents that it
would be well nigh impossible to preserve in any other manner. There
is no department of nature-study in which the camera cannot be turned
to excellent account, and while records of lasting and scientific
value are being made, the devotee of amateur photography has at the
same time full scope for the study of his art. What may, perhaps, be
considered the greatest value, albeit an unrecognized one, of the
present widespread camera craze, is the development of a love for the
beautiful and artistic which may result, and along the line of study
here suggested may surely be found abundant material to stimulate in
the highest degree these qualities. Too much time is spent and too much
effort expended by the average 'kodaker' in what has been aptly termed
"reminiscent photography," the results being of but momentary interest
and of no particular value to anybody.
In the present and subsequent articles, it is intended to illustrate
by pictures actually taken in the field by the veriest tyro in the
art of photography, what may be accomplished by any properly equipped
amateur in the way of securing portraits of our native birds in their
wild state and amid their natural surroundings. Supplemental to such
portraits are the more easily taken photographs of the nests, eggs,
young, and natural haunts of each species; the whole graphically
depicting the most interesting epoch in the life-history of any
bird. Words alone fail to tell the story so clearly, so beautifully,
and so forcibly. And, best of all, this can be accomplished without
carrying bloodshed and destruction into the ranks of our friends the
birds; for we all love to call the birds our friends, yet some of us
are not, I fear, always quite friendly in our dealings with them.
To take their pictures and pictures of their homes is a peaceful
and harmless sort of invasion of their domains, and the results in
most cases are as satisfactory and far-reaching as to bring home as
trophies lifeless bodies and despoiled habitations, to be stowed
away in cabinets where dust and insects and failing interest soon
put an end to their usefulness. It is not intended, of course, to
reflect in any way upon the establishment of orderly and well-directed
collections, for such are absolutely necessary to the very existence
of the science of ornithology. To such collections the great body of
amateur bird students should turn for the close examinations necessary
to familiarize themselves with the principles of classification and the
distinctions between closely related species. Indeed, it is impossible
for anyone to be intelligently informed as to the many varieties of
birds, and their wonderful seasonal changes of plumage, without having
actually handled specimens.
[Illustration: CHICKADEE AT NEST-HOLE, WITH FOOD FOR YOUNG]
The growth of avian photography has been of short duration,--only a few
years in this country and not much longer in England, where it seems
to have had its inception. But there are already one or two good books
dealing with the subject; and a goodly number of ornithological works
of recent date, and especially the pages of the journal literature
of the day, bear excellent testimony to the merit and beauty of
this method of securing bird pictures. Attention, however, has thus
far been directed chiefly to obtaining illustrations of nests and
eggs and captive birds, to the neglect of the more difficult but
more interesting occupation of securing photographs of live birds in
their wild state. Herein lies the chief fascination of this branch of
photography, for good photographs from life of any of our birds, even
the most common, are still novelties.
The successful bird photographer must possess a good camera, including
a first-class lens, with at least an elementary knowledge of how to
get the best results from it; some acquaintance with field and forest
and their feathered inhabitants, and a fund of patience, perseverance,
and determination to conquer that is absolutely inexhaustible. No
matter how well equipped in other respects, this latter requisite
cannot be dispensed with. As to the technique and many details of
the art of photography, the writer is still too much of a novice
to speak very intelligently. Suffice it to say, that the general
principles governing other branches of photography are to be consulted
here. One great difficulty to be encountered is that there is little
opportunity to arrange the lighting or background of the object to be
photographed, and as the latter is apt to be either green foliage or
the dull ground, with the camera very near the object, the beginner
will be much perplexed to determine the proper stop and the right time
of exposure. With the usual appliances a wide open stop will be found
necessary with the rapid exposure required, and this will detract in a
disappointing manner from the beauty of the negative as a whole. But
every determined student will try in his or her own way to lessen these
defects, and will find in failure only increased incentive to discover
better methods and better appliances. Cameras and lenses especially
devised for this kind of work are promised in the near future. A
rapid telephoto lens is a great desideratum, and there is reason to
believe that in the near future such an one will be available. Those
to be had at present increase the time of exposure too much to be
generally useful in bird work. The writer has used a 4 × 5 long-focus
'Premo' with Bausch and Lomb Rapid Rectilinear lens (Zeiss-Anastigmat,
Series II-A, 4-1/4 × 6-1/2), the focal length of the combination being
about 6-1/4 inches. Many kinds of plates have been used, but any good
rapid plate will do. For those who are willing to take the additional
care necessary to handle them successfully, rapid isochromatic or
orthochromatic plates are undoubtedly to be preferred, as they preserve
quite clearly the color values.
A consideration of the actual field difficulties, rather than the
more purely photographic problems to be encountered, is more within
the scope of the present paper. To this end a rather detailed account
is given of just how each of the following groups of photographs was
secured, hoping that others better equipped, with a better knowledge
of photography, and with more leisure, may be encouraged to go and do
likewise and present us with the results.
One of the greatest of these field difficulties is that the camera
is rarely focused upon the bird to be taken, but is either snapped
at random or focused upon some spot to which the bird is expected to
return. The latter, in the great majority of cases, is the nest; at
other times a much-used perching-place or feeding-ground. Success
depends, therefore, very largely upon the nature, disposition, and
habits, especially nesting habits, of the particular bird being dealt
with. Some birds are of a confiding, unsuspicious nature, and easily
reconciled to quiet intrusion; while others are so timid and wary that
hours of time have to be expended, and all sorts of devices resorted
to, in order to get the coveted 'snap.' Of the risk of life and limb
necessary to reach rocky cliff and lofty tree-dwelling species, the
recital must come from such daring and fearless devotees of this art as
the Kearton brothers of England, and others nearer home.
The nest being the lure usually employed to bring the bird within range
of the camera, it will follow that the nesting season is the time of
year when most of this work must be done. Thus, spring and early summer
are the harvest time of the bird photographer, and as it happens that
these, of all the seasons, are the most delightful in which to be
afield, the bird-lover, with glass, camera, and note-book, can leave
care behind and find contentment, rest, and peaceful profit in the
glorious days of June, so happily styled the rarest of all that come.
[Illustration: CHICKADEE LEAVING NEST]
Leaving general considerations, let us first study a series of
photographs that well illustrates what charming and dainty little
pictures can sometimes be secured with most trifling effort. Success
in this instance was easily attained because the little 'sitters' were
not very unwilling and because the conditions under which they lived
were more than usually favorable. The subject of these photographs,
the little Black-capped Chickadee, or Titmouse,--_Parus atricapillus_,
the scientists call him,--is familiarly known to almost every one
who has given even casual attention to birds. Its generally common
occurrence throughout the United States, cheery, happy disposition, and
lively notes as the little band, for they usually travel in companies,
goes roaming through woodland and copse, endears it to all. All
through the long, dreary winter, with its short days and perpetual
snow and ice, they are the same sprightly, contented little fellows,
and refreshing it is to meet and visit with them at such times as
they come 'chick-a-de-dee'-ing right into your very presence in their
familiar, confiding way. Springtime finds them with a mellow, long-drawn
love whistle of two notes and thoughts of home and home-like
things. Soon, down by the lake or brook-side, or in some moist woodland
glade, where birch and willow trunks long since dead and soft with age
stand sheltered among the growing trees, the little Black-cap and his
chosen mate pick out a cozy retreat. This, perhaps, is some deserted
Woodpecker den, decayed knothole, or more often it is a burrow of their
own making, and here they assume the delights and cares of wedded life.
A snug, warm nest of rabbit's hair or fern down is quickly built, and
in this softest of beds the five or six rosy white, finely speckled
little eggs are laid. Before very many days, eight or ten at most,
the old stump exhibits unmistakable signs of being animated within,
and in a wonderfully short time the little nestlings are as large
as their parents, and full, indeed, is this family domicile. Owing
to the cleanly habits and care of the old birds, the dresses of the
youngsters are cleaner and brighter than those of their hard-worked,
food-carrying parents. It was just at this stage in their progress that
the little family, whose portraits are here shown, was discovered one
late June day, snugly ensconced within the crumbling trunk of a long
since departed willow tree. With a bird-loving companion, Mr. Leslie O.
Dart, the writer was drifting idly in a little boat through one of the
many channels of the Mississippi river, which cut up into innumerable
islands, the heavily wooded bottomland of eastern Houston county,
Minnesota. Being in search of the nests of numerous Prothonotary
Warblers, which were flashing hither and thither across the channel, we
skirted the shore closely, tapping on all likely-looking stubs. Now
the tapping brought to view a Downy Woodpecker, then a beautiful Golden
Swamp Warbler; sometimes unexpectedly a great gray mouse scrambled
out and plunged boldly into the water beneath; but this time the blow
was followed by a subdued hum from within, and an inquiring, anxious
parent Chickadee appeared suddenly on the scene, joined in a moment
by a second, and we had the family complete. It was near noon, the
sun was shining brightly, the hole was on the water side of the stub
in the light, and we had no Chickadee pictures; so we camped at once
and prepared to 'do' the situation. A little investigation showed the
nest to be too high for setting up the camera satisfactorily, as the
tripod legs sank deep in the mud and water. But our kit included a
saw for just such an emergency, and sawing off the soft stub at the
proper height, it was lowered gently until the hole came just on a
level with the camera, placed horizontally and at a distance of about
three feet. Propped with a forked stick, it rested quite securely on
the soft bottom. This was better than tipping the camera and employing
the 'swing back,' as the sun was nearly overhead. After focusing
carefully on the opening in the stub, attaching to the camera fifty
feet of small rubber tubing with large bulb, in place of the usual
short tube and small bulb, setting carefully the trigger and other
accessories of our harmless gun, and covering the whole camera with a
hood of rough green cloth, the lens alone visible, we retreated to a
convenient vantage point among the small willows close by. But a few
minutes elapsed before the old birds were on the spot peering at us and
the big green object from all sides. In an incredibly short space of
time, considering the great liberties that had been taken with their
habitation and door yard, they became resigned, and one of the birds,
which we assumed to be the female, flew straight to the stub, and, with
a last suspicious glance at the great glistening eye so near at hand,
disappeared into the hole with a large brown worm in her bill. But that
momentary delay was the looked-for opportunity, and all-sufficient;
for with a quick squeeze of the bulb, click went the shutter, and in
the twenty-fifth of a second the bird was ours; shot without so much
as knowing it, without indeed the ruffling of a feather or the drawing
of a drop of blood, and preserved life-like and true to nature for all
time to come.
From this time on the birds came and went without hesitation, the only
serious delays in our operations being due to the drifting clouds,
which now and then obscured the sun and rendered the light too weak
for the rapid exposures necessary. One of the birds, the one we took
to be the female, was a little more courageous than the other, and it
is her picture that appears oftenest. The timid one,--the male,--even
went so far on several occasions as to himself devour the worm he had
brought rather than trust himself at close quarters with the unknown
enemy, although his mate was at the time coming and going industriously
and keeping the little folk well supplied with the great larvæ. Surely
personal traits and individuality are quite as well marked in the
bird world as higher in the scale! After we had made several more
exposures similar to the first, one of the best of which shows the
bird, worm-laden as before, balanced on the edge of the hole and taking
the usual last look at the camera, we turned our attention to catching
her as she was coming out. This required quicker coöperation between
eye and hand, as the exit was generally made with a dash; but the
accompanying picture, with head just emerging, will show that we were
fairly successful.
[Illustration: YOUNG CHICKADEES.]
Having concluded from all indications, chief among which was the
immense number of huge caterpillars carried in to the young, that
the latter must be fairly grown, we decided to expose the nest and
complete our collection by securing the entire family. So carefully
sawing away the front wall of the cavity with a keyhole saw carried
for just such purposes, we gave the little fellows within their first
view of the outside world. I fear they must have thought the manner
of opening their second shell a rather rude one, and the outlook
somewhat forbidding. They were pretty little youngsters, fully grown,
with clean, jaunty coats, and a grown-up 'chickadee-dee,' just like
the old folks. Though somewhat dazzled at first by the sudden flood of
bright sunlight, they were, after a little coaxing, induced to sit out
on the veranda that had been improvised for them; but, like youthful
sitters generally, they were hard to pose, and after many exposures, we
succeeded in getting no more than two of them at once. The prettiest
one of all, showing two of the little fellows as they finally settled
down contentedly in the warm sunshine, was obtained at the expense of
much patient effort and a great deal of slushing back and forth in mud
and water between boat and camera, and it was gratifying to find that
one at least of the negatives did fair justice to the situation.
[Illustration: CHICKADEE FEEDING YOUNG]
The old ones came and went after the mutilation of their home, just as
before, and, indeed, apparently found the new arrangement much more
convenient than the old. In one of the photographs here presented,
domestic affairs that had before been entirely concealed from view
are fully revealed, and had not the plate been light-struck by one of
the many aggravating accidents likely to occur in the out-door work
of the beginner, the picture would have been the best of the series.
The courageous parent is attending to her maternal duties under
circumstances which must appear most appalling. The little fellow
sitting so contentedly by has undoubtedly had his share of the huge
juicy caterpillars, and patiently recognizes that it is not his turn.
(_To be concluded_)
From a Cabin Window
BY H. W. MENKE
With Photographs from Nature by the Author
[Illustration]
During the winter of 1897-8 I prospected for Jurassic fossils in Carbon
and Albany counties, Wyoming. When cold weather and snow rendered field
work impracticable as well as very disagreeable, I made permanent camp
for the winter at Aurora, Wyoming,--a mere station on the Union Pacific
R. R., an old abandoned section-house serving as my winter quarters.
This part of Wyoming,--at all times dreary and lonely,--is strikingly
so during winter months. Then snow fills the ravines and lends a
level, prairie-like aspect to the landscape. I doubt if there is to be
found anywhere a more desolate country than this; at least such was my
impression when the novelty of my surroundings had worn off.
[Illustration: HORNED LARKS AND SNOWFLAKES]
Among the various expedients to which I resorted for amusement, was
photographing such birds as I could lure around the cabin. That I
was not more successful in securing good negatives is due to the
difficulties with which I had to contend. Chief of these were the
fierce, wintry blasts sweeping over the plains and filling the air
with snow and dust.
A single experiment taught me the inadvisability of leaving the camera
exposed for any length of time to these conditions. I had been trying
to get a large photograph of Horned Larks. The camera was placed on the
ground and a handful of oats scattered before it, while I waited within
the cabin for nearly two hours for an opportunity to pull the thread
attached to the camera shutter. But the birds persistently avoided the
pebble marking the focal plane, and clouds continually obscured the
sun when I wished to make an exposure. At last the right moment came,
I pulled the thread, and hurried out to get the result. That plate
was never developed. Snow had clogged the shutter, and I found it had
remained wide open after being sprung.
[Illustration: HORNED LARKS AND SNOWFLAKES]
By throwing oats on only one spot, and that close to the window, I
soon gathered quite a flock of Horned Larks, who came regularly every
morning to feed from the constantly replenished supply. Finally, after
a week of gloomy, dark weather, a cloudless sky offered especially good
chances for a photograph of my feathered friends. This time I placed
the camera on the window-sill. Maneuvers attendant upon focusing and
inserting a plate-holder, of course, frightened the birds away. They
were back again within a few minutes, but an unexpected source of
annoyance interfered. A freight train stopped opposite the scene of my
operations and belched great billows of smoke between the sun and the
birds. Also the shadow of the cabin was gradually encroaching on the
feeding ground. I made a trial exposure, however, and obtained a very
good negative. But a shadow in the foreground and a wagon tongue in the
rear, did not add to the pictorial effect of the group.
After much pulling and prying, I pushed the objectionable wagon out
of the drifts, and put off further photographing until the next
morning. The morning came as bright and sunny as I desired. My
feathered subjects were early in the open air studio, and required no
conventional admonition to 'look pleasant.' In fact, they were almost
too lively for the camera shutter. The negative obtained proved very
good, and well repaid me for all trouble and annoyance.
[Illustration: YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS]
A few Yellow-headed Blackbirds were attracted by the food supply I
furnished, and I made several negatives of them. The Yellow-heads
were more wary than the Horned Larks, and flew away at the slightest
disturbance. Only a few at a time gathered beneath the window, while
the others perched on fence-posts at a safe distance and kept watch.
But it remained for a Northern Shrike to add 'insult to injury,' by
seizing a dead mouse I had placed on a post and alighting on the camera
with its capture!
=For Teachers and Students=
Bird-Studies for Children
BY ISABEL EATON
[Illustration]
It is a simple matter enough, with the little folk who happily live in
the country, to excite an interest and develop a familiar friendship
with their bird neighbors. The birds can easily be coaxed to the piazza
or the window-shelf by the judicious offer of free lunch, and so a
speaking acquaintance, perhaps even a life-long friendship, with them
may be gained.
But with city children, especially those of the poorer classes, the
case is very different. The question how to teach them to know and care
for birds is by no means so easy.
Look at their case: they have seen no birds but English Sparrows
and caged Canaries and Parrots; few of them know the Robin; they
practically never go to the country, and many of them never even go to
the parks. How shall they be taught about birds? Observing the rule
of advancing from known to unknown, would suggest Dick the Canary,
as the obvious point of departure from a tenement into the world of
birds; then, perhaps, the Summer Yellow-bird in the park, commonly
known as the 'Wild Canary,' and then Mr. Goldfinch and his little
olive-brown spouse, who would make a natural transition to the brown
Sparrow family, and so on. The difficulty here is that it is so nearly
impossible to get city children up to the park to see the Yellow-bird.
So another method, involving no country walks and no live birds, has
to be resorted to. We may use pictures,--drawn before the class and
colored, if possible,--and, trusting to the children's powers of
imagination and idealization, may connect with their experience at some
other point. After studying about the carpenter, in kindergarten or
primary school, for instance, it is easy to interest children in the
Woodpecker by proposing to tell them about a "little carpenter bird;"
after talking of the fisherman, a promise to tell them of a bird who
is a fisherman is sure to stir their imaginations of the doings of the
Kingfisher, and so with the weaver (Oriole), mason (Robin) and others.
When several birds have been learned, the best kind of review for
little people is probably some game like the following, which has been
played with most tumultuous enthusiasm and eager interest in a certain
New York school of poor children. The teacher says:
"Let's play 'I'm thinking of a bird.' All shut your eyes tight and
think. Now, I'm thinking of a bird nearly as large as a Pigeon; he
is brownish, with black barring on the back, black spots all over
the breast," etc., etc., giving a description of the Yellow Hammer,
or Flicker, but leaving the characteristic marks until the end of
the description. Before the teacher has gone far, a dozen hands are
waving wildly and several vociferous whispers are heard, proclaiming
in furious pianissimo: "_I_ know," "_I_ know what it is." Then the
child who gets it right is allowed to describe a bird for the class to
guess, and if the description fails in any point the class may offer
corrections.
This appeal to the play instinct excites great interest, which is the
thing chiefly to be desired.
When a number of birds have been learned in this way, a trip to the
Natural History Museum would be of very great value, especially
noticing the wonderful reproductions of actual scenes from bird-life
there displayed. In this way city children could see in a single day
more real bird-life than they could otherwise get in a year, as their
few country days are generally populous picnics, from which the birds
flee aghast.
The children should take their kindergarten principles of observation
and conversational description to the Museum with them, and, on
returning to school, should draw and color some bird they have seen.
To observe and describe and, perhaps, draw each new bird whose picture
is shown in the classroom is also a good thing. The writer passed a
mounted Flicker through a class of fifty children of kindergarten
age, let them look and carefully handle, and then asked for "stories"
about it. One child said: "I know--Oh--I know seven stories--no,
eight--_nine_ stories about Mr. Yellow Hammer," and she really did know
her nine "stories."
When they have gone as far as this, most bird stories will interest
them, especially if the birds are humanized for them by the teller of
the tale.
To sum up, it may be said that the best way to begin is to teach a few
birds well,--a dozen or so,--by connecting with the child's experience,
in some way, the information to be given, and then employing the play
instinct by having bird games of various kinds, both kindergarten bird
games and others; observation, description and drawing of birds may
follow, and first and last, and all the time, all descriptions and
stories given to children should be in terms of human nature.
Winter Bird Studies
[Illustration]
Although we have fewer birds during the winter than at any other
season, at no other time during the year do the comparative advantages
of ornithology as a field study seem so evident. The botanist and
entomologist now find little out of doors to attract them, and, if we
except a stray squirrel or rabbit, birds are the only living things we
may see from December to March. Winter, therefore, is a good time to
begin the study of birds, not only because flowers and insects do not
then claim our attention, but also because the small number of birds
then present is a most encouraging circumstance to the opera-glass
student, who, in identifying birds, is at the mercy of a 'key.'
Indeed, the difficulty now lies not in identification, but in
discovery; unless one is thoroughly familiar with a given locality
and its bird-life, one may walk for miles and not see a feather--a
particularly unfortunate state of affairs if one has a bird-class
in charge. This dilemma, however, may be avoided by catering to the
dominant demand of bird-life at this season, the demand for food.
Given a supply of the proper kind of food, and birds in the winter may
nearly always be found near it. Bird seed and grain may be used, but a
less expensive diet, and one which will doubtless be more appreciated,
consists of sweepings from the hay-loft containing the seeds to which
our birds are accustomed. This may be scattered by the bushel or in a
sufficient quantity to insure a hearty meal for all visiting Juncos and
Tree Sparrows, with perhaps less common winter seed-eaters.
The bark-hunting Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Chickadees will require
different fare, and meat-bones, suet, bacon-rinds and the like have
been found to be acceptable substitutes for their usual repast of
insects' eggs and larvæ.
Winter, strange as it may seem, is an excellent season for
bird-nesting. The trees and bushes now give up the secrets they guarded
from us so successfully during the summer, and we examine them with
as much interest as we pore over the 'Answers to Puzzles in Preceding
Number' department of a favorite magazine.
Immediately after a snow storm is the best time in which to hunt for
birds' nests in the winter. Then all tree and bush nests have a white
cap, which renders them more conspicuous.
When walking with children, the spirit of competition may be aroused
by saying "Who'll see the first nest," or "Who'll see the next nest
first," as the case may be, and the number discovered under this
impetus is often surprising.
=For Young Observers=
Boys and girls who study birds are invited to send short accounts of
their observations to this department.
Our Doorstep Sparrow
BY FLORENCE A. MERRIAM.
[Illustration]
Don't think that I mean the House, or English Sparrow, for he is quite
a different bird. Our little doorstep friend is the very smallest of
all the brown Sparrows you know, and wears a reddish brown cap, and a
gray vest so plain it hasn't a single button or stripe on it. He is a
dear, plump little bird, who sits in the sun and throws up his head and
chippers away so happily that people call him the Chipping Sparrow.
He comes to the doorstep and looks up at you as if he knew you wanted
to feed him, and if you scatter crumbs on the piazza he will pick them
up and hop about on the floor as if it were his piazza as well as yours.
One small Chippy, whom his friends called Dick, used to light on the
finger of the kind man who fed him, and use his hand for dining-room,
and sometimes when he had had a very nice breakfast, he would hop up on
a finger, perch, and sing a happy song!
Dick was so sure his friends were kind and good, that as soon as his
little birds were out of the nest, he brought them to be fed too. They
did not know what a nice dining-room a hand makes, so they wouldn't fly
up to it, but when the gentleman held their bread and seeds close to
the ground, they would come and help themselves.
CHIPPY'S NEST.
If you were a bird and were going to build a nest, where would you put
it? At the end of a row of your brothers' nests, as the Eave Swallows
do? Or would that be too much like living in a row of brick houses in
the city? Chipping Sparrows don't like to live too close to their next
door neighbors. They don't mind if a Robin is in the same tree, on
another bough, but they want their own branch all to themselves.
[Illustration: TAMING A CHIPPY
Photographed by Mr. George Wood at the home of Lieutenant Wirt
Robinson, in Virginia. Lieutenant Robinson writes that a pair of
Chipping Sparrows placed their nest in the climbing rose bush at the
end of the piazza. One of the pair, supposed to be the female, was
easily tamed with the aid of bread crumbs, and for three successive
years she returned to the piazza, always immediately resuming her
habits of familiarity.]
And they want it to be a branch, too. Other birds may build their nests
on the ground, or burrow in the ground, or dig holes in tree trunks,
or even hang their nests down inside dark chimneys if they like, but
Chippy doesn't think much of such places. He wants plenty of daylight
and fresh air.
But even if you have made up your mind to build on a branch, think how
many nice trees and bushes there are to choose from, and how hard it
must be to decide on one. You'd have to think a long time and look in
a great many places. You see you want the safest, best spot in all the
world in which to hide away your pretty eggs, and the precious birdies
that will hatch out of them. They must be tucked well out of sight, for
weasels and cats, and many other giants like eggs and nestlings for
breakfast.
If you could find a kind family fond of birds, don't you think it would
be a good thing to build near them? Perhaps they would drive away the
cats and help protect your brood. Then on hot summer days maybe some
little girl would think to put out a pan of water for a drink and a
cool bath. Some people, like Dick's friends, are so thoughtful they
throw out crumbs to save a tired mother bird the trouble of having
to hunt for every morsel she gets to give her brood. Just think what
work it is to find worms enough for four children who want food from
daylight to dark!
The vines of a piazza make a safe, good place for a nest if you are
sure the people haven't a cat, and love birds. I once saw a Chippy's
nest in the vines of a dear old lady's house, and when she would come
out to see how the eggs were getting on she would talk so kindly to
the old birds it was very pleasant to live there. In such a place your
children are protected, they have a roof over their little heads so the
rains won't beat down on them, and the vines shade them nicely from the
hot sun.
When you are building your house everything you want to use will be
close by. On the lawn you will find the soft grasses you want for the
outside, and in the barnyard you can get the long horse hairs that all
Chipping Sparrows think they must have for a dry, cool nest-lining.
Hair-birds, you know Chippies are called, they use so much hair. The
question is how can they ever find it unless they do live near a barn?
You go to look for it, someday, out on a country road or in a pasture.
It takes sharp eyes and a great deal of patience, I guess you'll find
them. But if you live on the piazza of a house, with a barn in the
back yard, you can find so many nice long hairs that you can sometimes
make your whole nest of them. I have seen a Chippy's nest that hadn't
another thing in it--that was just a coil of black horse hair.
After you have built your nest and are looking for food for your young
it is most convenient to be near a house. The worms you want for your
nestlings are in the garden, and the seeds you like for a lunch for
yourself are on the weeds mixed up with the lawn grass. You needn't
mind taking them, either, for the people you live with will be only too
glad to get rid of them, because their flowers are killed by the worms,
and their lawns look badly when weeds grow in the grass, so you will
only be helping the kind friends who have already helped you. Don't you
think that will be nice?
CHIPPY'S FAMILY.
Did you ever look into a Chippy's nest? The eggs are a pretty blue and
have black dots on the larger end.
When the little birds first come out of the shell their eyes are shut
tight, like those of little kittens when they are first born.
If you are very gentle you can stroke the backs of the little ones as
they sit waiting for the old birds to feed them.
I remember one plum tree nest on a branch so low that a little girl
could look into it. One day when the mother bird was brooding the eggs
the little girl crept close up to the tree, so close she could look
into Mother Chippy's eyes, and the trustful bird never stirred, but
just sat and looked back at her. "Isn't she tame?" the child cried, she
was so happy over it.
There was another Chippy's nest in an evergreen by the house, and when
the old birds were hunting for worms we used to feed the nestlings
bread crumbs. They didn't mind the bread not being worms so long as it
was something to eat. It would have made you laugh to see how wide they
opened their bills! It seemed as if the crumbs could drop clear down
to their boots! Wouldn't you like to feed a little family like that
sometime?
A Prize Offered
We want the boys and girls who read Bird-Lore to feel that they have a
share in making the journal interesting. Young eyes are keen and eager
when their owner's attention is aroused; so we ask the attention of
every reader of Bird-Lore of fourteen years or under to the following
offer: To the one sending us the best account of a February walk we
will give a year's subscription to this journal. The account should
contain 250 to 300 words, and should describe the experiences of a walk
in the country or some large park, with particular reference to the
birds observed.
=Notes from Field and Study=
An Accomplished House Sparrow
In June, six or seven years ago, my daughters found in the courtyard
of our home, a young House or English Sparrow who had evidently fallen
from the nest, and had broken its leg in the fall. They took it in and
cared for it, binding up the injured limb and feeding it as experience
with other birds of the same family had taught them to do. Happily, the
bird recovered, and in a short time became quite a pet of the household.
At that time we had two Canary Birds, both beautiful singers, and in
almost constant song. The Sparrow was in the same room with them, and
very soon (making use of its imitative power, which we have observed is
a strong characteristic of the Sparrow) acquired the full and complete
song of the Canaries. We followed with much pleasure the unfolding of
his musical ability, which was gradual, and found that he had surpassed
his teachers, producing melodies much richer and stronger, as all who
had the pleasure of listening to him freely admitted.
The bird retained his song to the last, although as age came upon him,
as with all other pet birds, his singing was less and less frequent
till he passed away, some few months ago. Besides imitating the song
of the Canary, he acquired the song of a bird in our collection known
as the 'Strawberry Finch,' which he gave perfectly. His plumage was
greatly improved by his confinement and the very great care given him,
so much so, that one almost doubted his being an English Sparrow till
convinced upon closer examination.
We have had a large experience with these birds; they become very
affectionate with petting, and show a wonderful degree of intelligence.
I would further say that our Sparrow had all the notes common to the
English Sparrow, beside his acquired accomplishments, and there was
sadness in our home when his little life went out.--John L. Royael,
_Brooklyn, N. Y._
A Nut-hatching Nuthatch
On October 14, 1898, while on a short visit to my old home, at New
Baltimore, New York, I sat down near a clump of trees and shrubs to
enjoy the bird-life so abundant there.
[Illustration: ACORN WEDGED IN BARK BY WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH
Photographed from Nature, by E. B. Southwick]
Here I saw the Chickadee carefully examining the fruit-heads of the
smooth sumach, and twice take from them a mass of spider-web; then,
flying to a limb, dissect it and obtain from it the mass of young or
eggs. It was with difficulty that the food was disentangled from the
silk, and I found on examination that much of it had been so crushed,
that it was impossible to determine whether the web contained eggs or
young.
While thus engaged, I saw a White-breasted Nuthatch, with something in
its beak, alight on the trunk of a wild cherry tree. While running
about over the bark, the bird dropped what proved to be an acorn, but
immediately flew down and picked it from the long grass, and returned
to the tree. A second time it dropped it, and then, after carrying
it again to the tree, thrust it into a crevice in the bark with
considerable force, and began to peck at it vigorously. This it did for
a few seconds, when I jumped up quickly and, with wild gesticulations,
frightened it away. It proved to be the acorn of the pin Oak (_Quercus
palustris_), and as no fruiting tree of this species was nearer than
the Island, in the river opposite, I concluded that the bird had
carried it across the water from that point.
After photographing the acorn on the tree, I cut the section of bark
off, glued the acorn in its cavity, and the photograph shows the
result.--E. B. Southwick, _New York City_.
A Cover Design
[Illustration]
This interesting sketch was contributed by a prominent ornithologist
as an appropriate cover design for this magazine at a time when it
was proposed to call it "The Bird World." The appearance of a book
bearing this title renders it necessary for us to abandon its use, but
we do not, for the same reason, feel justified in depriving the world
of this remarkably artistic effort, and therefore present it for the
edification of our readers, and we trust, to the delight of its author!
Collecting a Brown Thrasher's Song
Rustler, my pet Brown Thrasher, was pouring out his loud, long, spring
song. A phonograph, or rather a graphophone, had been left on a table
by the cage. Everything seemed to favor the collection of a bird song.
I placed the instrument so that the open funnel of the horn came within
less than a foot of the Thrasher's swelling throat, and touching a
lever, set the wax cylinder revolving below a sapphire-tipped style,
which cut the bird notes into the wax. Just as the medley changed
from that of a Catbird to that of a Wood Thrush, a Robin flew past
the window. Rustler stopped short, but the style continued to cut and
ruin the wax cylinder. When Rustler started in again he hopped to the
opposite side of the cage, rudely turning his back upon the graphophone.
More than a little vexed at the perversity of dumb animals, I quickly
covered over the end of the cage farthest from the graphophone; then
Rustler sulked beneath the cloth in silence. Next I removed the perch
from that side and then Rustler absolutely refused to sing any more.
Some hours later, however, I made another attempt, but each time the
graphophone was started the whir of the revolving cylinder cut short
my Thrasher's rich, rippling notes, so that the only thing to do was
to remove the recording style and accustom him to the noise of the
cylinder, and when this had been accomplished, I replaced the recording
style. I found that by shutting off the graphophone the instant
Rustler's notes became weak or stopped, I could catch a continuous
series of notes. I succeeded the following morning in getting a pretty
fair song. It was not so loud as it might have been, but in pitch and
timbre it was perfect.
In September dear old Rustler died. For nine long years he had
enlivened my northern New Jersey home with his cheery music. In
November, at a meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, the notes
of Rustler's love song fell sweetly upon sympathetic ears.--Sylvester
D. Judd, Ph. D., _Washington, D. C._
=Book News and Reviews=
With Nature and a Camera. By Richard Kearton, F. Z. S. Illustrated by
180 Pictures from Photographs by Cherry Kearton. Cassell & Co.,
London, Paris and Melbourne [New York, East 18th St.], 1898. 8vo.
Pages xvi + 368. Price, $5.
Authors may or may not be indebted to reviewers of their works, but it
is not often that reviewers are under obligations to the authors of
the works they review. In the present instance, however, we feel that
we must express our gratitude to the Messrs. Kearton for furnishing us
with such an admirable demonstration of the kind of ornithology for
which this journal stands. If, following the same lines, we can bring
Bird-Lore to the high standard reached in 'With Nature and a Camera,'
we shall have nearly approached our ideal.
Briefly, this book is a record of observation and photography by two
ornithologists in Great Britain. Doubtless, no birds in the world
have been more written about than the birds of this region, and still
this book is filled with fresh and original matter, which is always
interesting, and often of real scientific value.
Asked to explain how it was that in such a well-worked field the
author of this volume had succeeded in securing so much new material,
we should reply that we believed it was because he was an observer
rather than a collector. Apparently realizing that to collect specimens
of British birds would add but little to the store of our knowledge
concerning them, he has devoted his time to a study of their habits,
and in presenting the results of his labors, he has been most ably
seconded by his brother, whose photographs of birds in nature have not,
so far as we know, been excelled.
Perhaps the most forcible lesson taught by this book is the pleasure
to be derived from photographing wild birds in nature, and the
surprisingly good results which may be achieved by patient, intelligent
effort. We do not recall a more adequately illustrated nature book, and
its pictures not only claim our admiration because of their beauty, but
also because they carry with them an assurance of fidelity to nature
which no artist's pencil can inspire.
Bird Gods. By Charles de Kay. With decorations by George Wharton
Edwards. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York. 12mo, pages xix + 249.
Price, $2.
So singular a combination of ornithologist and mythologist is the
author of 'Bird Gods' that students of birds, as well as of myths, will
find his pages of interest. "Why," he asks himself, "should certain
birds have been allotted to certain gods and goddesses in the Greek and
Roman mythology? Why should the Eagle go with Zeus, the Peacock with
Hera, the Dove with Venus, the Swan with Apollo, the Woodpecker with
Ares, the Owl with Pallas Athené?" And his search for a reply to these
questions has led him into many little-frequented by-paths of early
European literature, in which he has found much curious information
concerning the influence of birds on primitive religions. Impressed by
the "share birds have had in the making of myth, religion, poetry and
legend" he wonders at their wholesale destruction to-day, and ventures
the hope that "recollection of what our ancestors thought of birds and
beasts, of how at one time they prized and idealized them, may induce
in us, their descendants, some shame at the extermination to which we
are consigning these lovable but helpless creatures, for temporary
gains or sheer brutal love of slaughter."
Birds of Washington and Vicinity. By Mrs. L. W. Maynard, with
Introduction by Florence A. Merriam. Washington, D. C., 1898. 12
mo, pages 204. Cuts in the text, 18. Price, 85 cents.
In a prefatory note the author states that this book "has been prepared
at the suggestion of the Audubon Society of the District of Columbia,
in the belief that a local work giving untechnical descriptions of all
birds likely to be seen in this vicinity, with something of the haunts
and habits of those that nest here, will be useful to many who desire
an acquaintance with our own birds, but do not know just how to go
about making it."
The book seems admirably adapted to achieve this end. The opening pages
by Miss Merriam are a capital introduction to the study of birds in
the District of Columbia. They are followed by 'A Field Key to Our
Common Land Birds,' and attractively written biographical sketches of
the breeding species. The migrants and winter residents are treated
more briefly, and an annotated 'List of All Birds Found in the District
of Columbia,' by Dr. C. W. Richmond, is given. There are also nominal
lists of winter birds, birds that nest within the city limits, etc.,
and an 'Observation Outline,' abridged from Miss Merriam's 'Birds of
Village and Field.'
The book is, in fact, a complete manual of ornithology for the District
of Columbia, and will undoubtedly prove an efficient guide to the study
of the birds of that region.
Bird-Life: A Guide to the Study of Our Common Birds. Teachers'
Edition. By Frank M. Chapman. With 75 full-page plates and
numerous text-drawings by Ernest Seton Thompson. D. Appleton & Co.
New York. 1899. 12mo, pages xiv + 269 + Appendix, pages 87.
This is the original edition of 'Bird-Life,' with an Appendix designed
to adapt the work for use in schools. The new matter consists of
questions on the introductory chapters of 'Bird-Life,' as, for
instance, 'The Bird, its Place in Nature and Relation to Man,'
'Form and Habit,' 'Color,' 'Migration,' etc.; and, under the head
of 'Seasonal Lessons,' a review of the bird-life of a year based on
observations made in the vicinity of New York City. This includes a
statement of the chief characteristics of each month, followed by a
list of the birds to be found during the month, and, for the spring and
early summer months, a list of birds to be found nesting.
For the use of teachers and students residing in other parts of
the eastern United States there are annotated lists of birds from
Washington, D. C., by Dr. C. W. Richmond; Philadelphia, Pa., by Witmer
Stone; Portland, Conn., by J. H. Sage; Cambridge, Mass., by William
Brewster; St. Louis, Mo., by Otto Widmann; Oberlin, Ohio, by Lynds
Jones, and Milwaukee, Wis., by H. Nehrling.
The Appletons have also issued this book in the form of a 'Teachers'
Manual,' which contains the same text as the 'Teachers' Edition,' but
lacks the seventy-five uncolored plates.
This 'Teachers' Manual' is intended to accompany three 'Teachers'
Portfolios of Plates,' containing in all one hundred plates, of which
ninety-one, including the seventy-five plates published in 'Bird-Life,'
are colored, while nine are half-tone reproductions of birds' nests
photographed in nature. The one hundred plates are about equally
divided in portfolios under the titles of 'Permanent Residents and
Winter Visitants,' 'March and April Migrants,' and 'May Migrants and
Types of Nests and Eggs.'
Audubon Bird Chart
A most practical step in Audubon educational work is the publication,
by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, of a chart giving life-size,
colored illustrations of twenty-six of our common birds. On the whole,
both in drawing and coloring, these birds are excellent, and while a
severe critic might take exception to some minor inaccuracies, the
chart may be commended as the best thing of the kind which has come to
our attention. It is accompanied by a pamphlet containing well written
biographies, by Mr. Ralph Hoffmann, of the species figured. The chart
is published by the Prang Educational Company, of Boston, from whom,
with Mr. Hoffmann's booklet, it may be purchased for one dollar.
=Bird-Lore=
A Bi-monthly Magazine
Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
=Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN=
=Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY=
=====================================================
Vol. 1 February, 1899 No. 1
=====================================================
=SUBSCRIPTION RATES.=
Price in the United States, Canada, and Mexico,
twenty cents a number, one dollar a year, postage
paid.
Subscriptions may be sent to the Publishers, at
Harrisburg, Pa., or 66 Fifth avenue, New York City,
or to the Editor, at Englewood, New Jersey.
Price in all countries in the International Postal
Union, twenty-five cents a number, one dollar and
a quarter a year, postage paid. Foreign agents,
Macmillan and Company, Ltd., London.
-----------------------------------------------------
Manuscripts for publication, books, etc., for review,
should be sent to the Editor at Englewood,
New Jersey.
-----------------------------------------------------
Advertisements should be sent to the Publishers
at 66 Fifth avenue, New York City.
-----------------------------------------------------
COPYRIGHTED, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.
-----------------------------------------------------
During the past six years New York and Boston publishers have sold
over 70,000 text-books on birds, and the ranks of bird students are
constantly growing. With this phenomenal and steadily increasing
interest in bird-studies, there has arisen a widespread demand for a
popular journal of ornithology which should be addressed to observers
rather than to collectors of birds, or, in short, to those who study
"birds through an opera-glass."
The need of such a journal has also been felt by the Audubon societies,
and in concluding his report for the year 1898, Mr. Witmer Stone,
chairman of the American Ornithologists' Union's Committee on Bird
Protection, remarks on the necessity of a "magazine devoted to popular
ornithology which could serve as an organ for the various societies and
keep the members in touch with their work. All societies which have
reached a membership of several thousand realize that it is impossible
to communicate with their members more than once or twice a year,
owing to the cost of postage, and the success of the societies depends
largely upon keeping in communication with their members."
It is to supply this want of bird students and bird protectors that
Bird-Lore has been established. On its behalf we promise to spare no
effort to make it all that the most ardent bird student could desire,
and, in the event of our success, we would appeal to all bird-lovers
for such support as we may be deemed worthy to receive.
We have issued a 'Prospectus,' setting forth in part the aims of
Bird-Lore, and as a matter of permanent record, we enter its substance
here. It stated that Bird-Lore would attempt to fill a place in the
journalistic world similar to that occupied by the works of Burroughs,
Torrey, Dr. van Dyke, Mrs. Miller, and others in the domain of books.
This is a high standard, but our belief that it will be reached
will doubtless be shared when we announce that, with one or two
exceptions, every prominent American writer on birds in nature has
promised to contribute to Bird-Lore during the coming year. The list of
contributors includes the authors just mentioned, Mabel Osgood Wright,
Annie Trumbull Slosson, Florence A. Merriam, J. A. Allen, William
Brewster, Henry Nehrling, Ernest Seton Thompson, Otto Widmann, and
numerous other students of bird-life.
The Audubon Department, under Mrs. Wright's care, will be a
particularly attractive feature of the magazine, one which, we trust,
is destined to exert a wide influence in advancing the cause of
bird-protection.
The illustrations will consist of half-tone reproductions of birds
and their nests from nature, and on the basis of material already in
hand, we can assure our readers that, whether judged separately or as
a whole, this volume of Bird-Lore will contain the best photographs of
wild birds which have as yet been published in this country.
At present Bird-Lore will contain from thirty-two to forty pages, but
should our efforts to produce a magazine on the lines indicated be
appreciated, we trust that the near future will witness a material
increase in the size of each number.
=The Audubon Societies=
"_You cannot with a scalpel find the poet's soul,
Nor yet the wild bird's song._"
Edited by Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright (President of the Audubon Society of
the State of Connecticut), Fairfield, Conn., to whom all communications
relating to the work of the Audubon and other Bird Protective Societies
should be addressed.
DIRECTORY OF STATE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
With names and addresses of their Secretaries.
=New Hampshire= Mrs. F. W. Batchelder, Manchester.
=Massachusetts= Miss Harriet E. Richards, care Boston Society
of Natural History, Boston.
=Rhode Island= Mrs. H. T. Grant, Jr., 187 Bowen street,
Providence.
=Connecticut= Mrs. Henry S. Glover, Fairfield.
=New York= Miss Emma H. Lockwood, 243 West Seventy-fifth
street, New York City.
=New Jersey= Miss Mary A. Mellick, Plainfield.
=Pennsylvania= Mrs. Edward Robins, 114 South Twenty-first
street, Philadelphia.
=District of Columbia= Mrs. John Dewhurst Patten, 3033 P street,
Washington.
=Wheeling, W. Va.= Elizabeth I. Cummins, 1314 Chapline street,
(branch of Penn Society) Wheeling.
=Ohio= Miss Clara Russell, 903 Paradrome street,
Cincinnati.
=Indiana= Amos W. Butler, State House, Indianapolis.
=Illinois= Miss Mary Drummond, Wheaton.
=Iowa= Miss Nellie S. Board, Keokuk.
=Wisconsin= Mrs. George W. Peckham, 646 Marshall street,
Milwaukee.
=Minnesota= Mrs. J. P. Elmer, 314 West Third street,
St. Paul.
This department will be devoted especially to the interests of active
Audubon workers, and we earnestly solicit their assistance, as our
success in making it a worthy representative of the cause for which it
stands largely depends upon the heartiness of their coöperation. Others
also, who are lovers and students of nature in many forms, but who
have never, for divers reasons, engaged in any bird protective work,
may, through reading of the systematic and effective methods of the
societies, become convinced of the necessity of personal action.
We intend at once to establish the more practical side of the
department by printing in an early issue a bibliography of Audubon
Society publications, in order that anyone interested may know exactly
what literature has appeared and is available. For this reason we ask
the secretaries of all the societies to send us a complete set of their
publications, stating, if possible, the number of each which has been
circulated, and, when for sale, giving the price at which they may be
obtained.
We also request the secretaries to send us all possible news of
their plans and work, not merely statistics, but notes of anything
of interest, for even the record of discouragements, as well as of
successes, may often prove full of suggestion to workers in the same
field, and aid toward developments that will broaden and strengthen the
entire movement. A movement in complete harmony with the great desire
of thinking people for a broader life in nature, which is one of the
most healthful and hopeful features of the close of this century.
M. O. W.
Reports of Societies[A]
[Footnote A: The editor acknowledges the receipt from Mr. Witmer
Stone, chairman of the Committee on Bird Protection of the American
Ornithologists' Union, of a number of the following reports, which,
before the establishment of an official organ for the Audubon
Societies, had been sent to Mr. Stone for inclusion in his annual
report to the A. O. U., from which, through lack of space, they were
necessarily omitted.]
THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY
The Massachusetts Audubon Society has reissued the Audubon Calendar
of last year and it is having a good sale. The drawings were made
especially for the calendar by a member of the society; the originals
are painted in water colors on Japanese rice paper, and are very
artistic bird portraits. The same artist is now at work on drawings of
new birds for a calendar for 1900, which the directors hope will be
reproduced by a more accurate and satisfactory process.
The Bird Chart of colored drawings of twenty-six common birds, which
the Directors undertook last spring, is now ready. The drawings have
all been especially made for the chart by E. Knobel and are reproduced
by the Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Co., on twelve stones. Some of
our best ornithologists have seen the color proof and pronounce it
good. The society has published a descriptive pamphlet to accompany the
chart which has been prepared by Ralph Hoffmann. His sketches of the
birds are delightfully written, and the book is valuable in itself.[B]
[Footnote B: See note on this chart and pamphlet in _Book News and
Reviews_.]
The Directors have recently sent out a new circular mainly in Boston
and vicinity, which briefly describes the work undertaken and asks
for further coöperation from interested persons, and states that
"in addition to our first object, the support of other measures of
importance for the further protection of our native birds has been
assumed by the Society." Among such measures may be mentioned:
1. Circulation of literature.
2. Improved legislation in regard to the killing of birds, and the
better enforcement of present laws.
3. Protection during the season for certain breeding places of Gulls,
Herons and other birds, which, without such protection will soon be
exterminated.
4. Educational measures. This includes the publication of colored wall
charts of birds, Audubon Calendars and other helps to bird study.
The response to this circular has been gratifying.
The society now numbers over twenty-four hundred persons, twenty-six
of these are Life Associates, having paid twenty-five dollars at one
time; four hundred and seventy-five are Associates, paying one dollar
annually; the remaining are Life Members, having paid twenty-five cents.
While the rage for feather decoration is unabated, we feel that there
is steadily growing a sentiment among our best people in condemnation
of the custom. There is a noticeable decrease in the use of aigrettes
and of our native birds, excepting the Terns and the plumage of the
Owl; and a marked increase in the employment of the wings and feathers
of the barnyard fowl. While the latter continue to feed the fashion
they are harmless in themselves.
Harriet E. Richards, _Sec'y._
THE RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY
The Audubon Society of Rhode Island was organized in October, 1897, and
has now about 350 members.
The purposes of the society, according to its by-laws, are: the
promotion of an interest in bird-life, the encouragement of the study
of ornithology, and the protection of wild birds and their eggs. Some
work has been done in the schools, abstracts of the state laws relating
to birds have been circulated throughout the state, lectures have been
given, and a traveling library has been purchased for the use of the
branch societies.
Nearly five thousand circulars of various kinds have been distributed,
and it is evident that the principles of the society are becoming well
known and are exerting an influence, even in that difficult branch of
Audubon work, the millinery crusade.
Annie M. Grant, _Sec'y._
THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY
A score of ladies met in Fairfield on January 28, 1898, and formed
"The Audubon Society of the State of Connecticut." Mrs. James Osborne
Wright was chosen president and an executive committee provisionally
elected, representing so far as possible at the beginning, the State of
Connecticut.
An effort was made to find every school district in the state, and
a Bird-Day programme was sent to 1,350 of these schools. Care was
naturally used to see that the rural schools, at least, should be
reached. Through the kindness of Congressman Hill of this district, one
of our vice-presidents, 740 copies of Bulletin No. 54, 'Some Common
Birds in their Relation to Agriculture,' issued by the United States
Department of Agriculture, were received by the secretary, and 600 of
these have been mailed to individuals.
The Society has had two lectures prepared, one by Willard G. Van Name,
entitled 'Facts About Birds That Concern the Farmer,' illustrated by
sixty colored lantern slides, and one by Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright, on
'The Birds About Home,' illustrated by seventy colored slides. A parlor
stereopticon has been purchased for use in projecting the slides.
The lectures and slides are intended primarily for the use of the local
secretaries of the society, and after these for such members of the
society as desire to give educational entertainments in the interest of
bird protection.
The only expense connected with the use of the lectures and slides will
be the expressage from Fairfield to place and return.
Under no circumstances will the outfit be allowed to go outside of the
State of Connecticut.
The oil lantern accompanying the slides is suitable for a large parlor
or school room, and can be worked by anyone understanding the focussing
of a photographic camera, but it is advised that when the audience is
to be composed of more than fifty people the exhibitor should secure a
regular stereopticon.
Applications should be made at least two weeks before the outfit is
desired.
_No admission fee is to be charged at any entertainment at which the
outfit is used_, the intention of the Audubon Society of the State of
Connecticut being to furnish free information about our birds, and so
win many, who may never have given the matter a thought, to a sense of
the necessity and wisdom of their protection.
The secretary is glad to report on January 1, 1899, that the society
has had practical proof of the success of its experiment in sending out
these free illustrated lectures. Much interest has been awakened by
them, and the State Board of Agriculture has listed both lectures for
the Farmers' Institutes, held during the winter months. Much enterprise
is being shown by local secretaries. An illustrated lecture by Mrs.
Kate Tryon, having been given in Bridgeport, November 19, under the
auspices of Miss Grace Moody (local secretary), Mrs. Howard N. Knapp,
and Mrs. C. K. Averill. While Mr. Frank M. Chapman lectured before a
large audience at the Stamford High School, on December 2, under the
auspices of Mrs. Walter M. Smith, the local secretary of that city.
Harriet D. C. Glover,
_Cor. Sec'y and Treas._
NEW YORK SOCIETY
Since November, 1897, the society has distributed 13,465 leaflets,
making a total distribution of over 40,000 since its organization on
February 23, 1897.
In spite of this large circulation of literature, the society has only
529 members, including 9 patrons, 7 sustaining members, 356 members,
157 junior members.
Financially, the society is now in a sound condition.
During the year two public meetings have been held in the large lecture
hall of the American Museum of Natural History, at both of which the
hall was well filled. Addresses were made by Dr. Henry van Dyke, Dr.
Heber Newton, and others.
A 'Bird Talk' was also given by Mr. W. T. Hornaday, at the house of one
of the honorary vice-presidents, which was well attended.
In educational work we have secured the publication of a paper on 'The
Relation of Birds to Trees,' by Florence A. Merriam, in the annual
Arbor Day Manual of New York State, and Mr. Chapman, chairman of
our Executive Committee, reports that in connection with Professor
Bickmore, of the American Museum's Department of Public Instruction,
and a committee representing the science teachers of the fourteen
normal colleges of the State, he has prepared a course in bird study
for the normal colleges for the present year.
Further interest in birds was shown by the science teachers of the
State in their invitation to Mr. Chapman to address them on the subject
of 'The Educational Value of Bird Study,' during their convention, held
in New York City, December 29-30, 1898.
That the good work accomplished cannot be gauged by the number
of members is proved by the constant reports received from local
secretaries and others, telling of classes formed for bird study, of
clubs that have taken up the subject, of bird exercises in schools,
etc. If all these silent sympathizers would only realize how much the
cause might be strengthened by open, concerted action, shown by a large
membership roll of the Audubon Society, its influence would be greatly
increased.
Emma H. Lockwood, _Sec'y._
NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
We have at present 124 members and have distributed over 1,000 general
circulars in regard to the work, and 1,000 aigrette circulars written
by Mr. Chapman. We expect to have new literature issued during the
coming year, and are now having the State bird-laws printed for
distribution.
Mary A. Mellick, _Sec'y._
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Mrs. John Dewhurst Patten, secretary of the Audubon Society of the
District of Columbia, reports much valuable work. A course of six
lectures was given by Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller, and others by Mr.
Chapman and Dr. Palmer.
A successful and fashionably attended exhibit of millinery was held
in April. Nine of the leading milliners contributed hats and bonnets,
which, of course, were entirely free from wild bird feathers. The
society has designed an Audubon pin after a drawing of the Robin, by
Mr. Robert Ridgway. This has already been adopted by the Pennsylvania
and Massachusetts societies. At the suggestion of the secretary of
the Pennsylvania society, efforts have been directed towards the
establishment of societies in the south.
In response to a great demand for a cheap book of information about
local birds, this society has been instrumental in issuing 'Birds of
Washington and Vicinity,'[C] by Mrs. L. W. Maynard--200 pages 12mo,
illustrated, which may be had for the small sum of 85 cents. The price
placing the volume within the reach of teachers and pupils in the
public schools.
[Footnote C: See a review of this book in _Book News and Reviews_.]
OHIO SOCIETY
Miss Clara Russell, corresponding secretary of the Ohio society,
informs us that at a meeting held in Cincinnati on December 14 an
Ohio Audubon society was organized with the following officers:
President, William Hubbell Fisher; vice-president, William H. Venable;
corresponding secretary, Miss Clara Russell; secretary, Mrs. T. B.
Hastings; treasurer, Mrs. W. T. Armor.
On December 30 Miss Russell writes: "We have over fifty members, and
feel much encouraged that we have aroused a sentiment in this locality
to know more about our feathered friends, and to protect birds from
being wantonly destroyed for pleasure, fashion, or the table."
* * * * *
[Illustration: pointing hand] Reports from the New Hampshire,
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
Societies, will appear in the April number.
* * * * *
VOL. 1 20c. a Copy
No. 2 APRIL, 1899 $1 a Year
=Bird-Lore=
[Illustration]
Edited by
FRANK M. CHAPMAN
The Macmillan Company
ENGLEWOOD, N. J.
NEW YORK LONDON
COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN _R. Weber_
=Bird-Lore=
April, 1899
CONTENTS
Frontispiece--Least Bittern, Nest and Eggs.
From a Photograph by E. G. Tabor.
The Camera as an Aid in the Study of Birds. Illustrated.
Concluded from February Number _Dr. Thomas S. Roberts_ 35
A Least Bittern Portrait. Illustrated _E. G. Tabor_ 39
Loons at Home. Illustrated. _William Dutcher_ 40
Photographing a Bluebird. Illustrated. _Robert W. Hegner_ 43
A Tragic St. Valentine's Day. _Annie Trumbull Slosson_ 45
Clark's Crows and Oregon Jays on Mount Hood. Illustrated.
_Florence A. Merriam_ 46
FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
Suggestions for Bird-Day Programs in the Schools. _C. A. Babcock_ 49
Summer Boarders for Boys and Girls. 51
A Bird-Day Program. _Elizabeth V. Brown_ 54
Migration Tables for April and May. _Dr. A. K. Fisher_ 52
FOR YOUNG OBSERVERS
The Legend of the Salt. Illustrated. _Frank M. Chapman_ 55
The February Walk Contest. 57
A February Walk in Central Park. _Floyd C. Noble_ 57
The Myth of the Song Sparrow. Illustrated. _Ernest Seton Thompson_ 59
NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY 60
Sparrow-Proof Houses. Illustrated. D. R. Geery; A Musical
Woodpecker, D. L. Burnett; An Ornithologist at San Juan.
BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS 61
Sharpe's 'Sketch Book of British Birds'; Stone's Report on Bird
Protection; 'Journal of the Maine Ornithological Society';
'Bulletin of the Cooper Ornithological Club'; Maynard's 'Nature
Study in Schools'; A new book by Mrs. Miller; Ernest Seton
Thompson's 'Wild Animals I Have Known'; Clark's 'Bird Tablets';
A book by the originator of Bird-Day.
EDITORIALS 63
AUDUBON DEPARTMENT 64
Editorial; A Letter from Governor Roosevelt; Reports from the
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota Societies.
×*× _Bird-Lore is published at Englewood, New Jersey, where all
manuscripts intended for publications, books, etc., for review, and
exchanges should be mailed in care of the Editor, Frank M. Chapman._
PUBLISHERS' ANNOUNCEMENT
The unexpectedly large demand for the first number of Bird-Lore has so
nearly exhausted the edition it has been deemed advisable to reserve the
few remaining copies for subscribers to the volume.
Bird-Lore for June will contain an article by Olive Thorne Miller
entitled, 'The Ethics of Caging Birds'; a poem by Edith M. Thomas; the
conclusion of Miss Merriam's article; an account of a visit to Audubon's
birthplace, by Otto Widmann; unusually interesting papers on the Cardinal
and Chimney Swift, and some remarkable bird pictures, including one by
Dr. Roberts.
[Illustration: LEAST BITTERN ON NEST
Photographed From Nature by E. G. Tabor. (_See page 39_)]
=Bird-Lore=
A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS
Official Organ of the Audubon Societies
=======================================
Vol. 1 April, 1899 No. 2
=======================================
The Camera as an Aid in the Study of Birds
BY DR. THOS. S. ROBERTS
Director Department of Birds, Natural History Survey of Minnesota
With photographs from Nature by the Author
(_Concluded from page 13_)
[Illustration]
Turning reluctantly from the attractive little Chickadee family,
described in the preceding number of this magazine, we will next seek
the acquaintance of a bird of entirely different feather, and, what
is of more moment to the bird photographer, of entirely different
disposition.
The Killdeer Plover, perhaps from his close kinship to the fraternity
of game birds, has come to regard man and all human devices with
deep suspicion, and to get on terms of close fellowship with him is
no easy matter. While not himself an usual object of the sportsman's
effort, owing to his lean body and indifferent savor, he is the
immediate relative of those much sought-after birds, the Golden and the
Black-bellied Plover. Unlike these more aristocratic members of the
Plover group, the Killdeer does not retire to semi-arctic fastnesses to
rear its brood, but nests wherever found throughout the eastern United
States. Its ever-restless nature and loud alarm, "killdee, killdee," as
it moves from place to place, or circles round and round, always at a
safe distance, together with its common occurrence throughout populated
as well as wild regions, makes this plebeian well-known to every
country lad and the bane of every would-be stealthy Nimrod. So noisily
persistent is its outcry that it has been dubbed by ornithologists
_vocifera_--_Ægialitis vocifera_--and a most appropriate appellation it
is.
[Illustration: KILLDEER ON NEST]
Like many loquacious people, Mr. and Mrs. Killdeer have a rather
lazy vein in their make-up, and spend but little time or effort nest
building. A little depression lined with a few bits of stick or straw,
a few pebbles or other handy materials satisfies their ambition. In
the bare, exposed situation usually chosen, such a nest, with its
four spotted eggs, is much less conspicuous than would be a well made
one. The first of our pictures showed one of these nests located in a
corn-field, which is a not very uncommon site, although bare pasture
knolls and gravelly banks are more usually selected. The photograph of
the nest and eggs was, of course, easily secured, and is chiefly of
interest because it shows so well how an open nest with its eggs may be
protected by blending perfectly with the general color of the immediate
surrounding--protective coloration, as it is called. To secure the
portrait of the wary old Killdeer, who left the nest the instant anyone
but entered the large field, seemed a hopeless task. But the novice is
ever ambitious, and the attempt was made in the following fashion, with
what success the accompanying pictures will show. Placing the camera
on the sharply tilted tripod, so that the distance from lens to nest
was about four feet, the dreadful looking object was left in position
for some time on the evening preceding the day on which the photographs
were taken. The next day proved light and clear, and with the sun well
up in the heavens we began operations, my companion and assistant on
this occasion being Rev. H. W. Gleason, a bird enthusiast undaunted by
any obstacle and fertile in devices. Arranging the camera as already
described, omitting the green hood in this instance, as it would have
been worse than useless, we retired entirely from the field, which
fortunately lay on a gently sloping hillside. From our distant retreat
we watched, with field-glass in hand, the maneuvers of the mother bird.
The experience of the preceding evening had evidently helped to prepare
the way, for after only brief delay the anxious bird began running
in a great spiral steadily converging to the central point. Every
clod of earth or little mound in the path was mounted and, with much
craning of neck and turning of head, the dreadful engine glistening
in the sunshine was closely scrutinized from all sides, but as it was
motionless, it probably was regarded as some new-fangled contrivance
for cultivating corn, of finer build than the hoes, rakes, and other
implements left by the men in the field. Once satisfied, she made a
last quick run directly between the legs of the tripod, and stood erect
over her treasures. A long trolling-line, procured at a neighboring
farm-house, had been attached to the lever arm releasing the shutter,
as our seventy-five feet of tubing was not half long enough. Creeping
to the end of the line, a quick pull made the exposure,--1/25 of a
second, with wide open stop and rapid plate. Pulling up the slack
of the line seemed to startle the bird more than the click of the
shutter, and after repeating this procedure several times we were
altogether uncertain as to whether the bird had been caught at all;
and as it was impossible, there in the field, to follow the advice of
an interested farmer spectator, who insisted that we "ought to look
at them there plates and see what we had before going further," we
cast about for some surer method. Carefully looking over the ground,
I found that some seventy-five feet from the nest there was a shallow
depression just deep enough to entirely conceal a man lying prone on
the soft, ploughed ground. So the rubber tube was substituted for the
line and the bulb end carried up the slope to the little hollow. As it
would be impossible from this position to see the bird, and as we had
discovered that a low whistle or noise caused her to leave the nest
at once, some method of signaling had to be arranged. The trolling
line suggested a way, as we found that it would reach readily from the
bulb in the hollow to the edge of the field. So, attaching one end of
it to my wrist, I took my position flat on the ground in the middle
of the field, with a hot noon sun pouring down overhead, and awaited
the signal,--a vigorous jerk on the trolling line, to be given by Mr.
Gleason, who from a distance was watching with a glass the movements
of our unwilling sitter. The signal soon came, and these complicated
and rather juvenile tactics proved so successful that very soon Mrs.
Plover did not so much as change position at the click of the shutter,
and when driven away to rearrange the camera between exposures, came
quickly back again. In a short time we had exposed all the plates
that seemed necessary, and retired from the field conquerors, though
leaving the foe in peaceful possession. Returning to the house for
supplies for a new expedition, a lady member of the party, who, from
a shady hammock, had been watching for several hours these rather
boyish antics, saluted us with the withering remark, "About four years
of age, I should think, instead of forty." But we hoped that the end
would justify the means, and were anxious to inspect the developed
results. This part of the work was accomplished a day or two later, and
the pictures here presented show, I think, that our efforts were not
entirely in vain. Several others were not so good. In one, the female
sits quietly on her nest, back to the camera, and in coloration blends
admirably with the surroundings. In another, she is crouching in a half
uncertain attitude, while in still another she stands erect, revealing
the four eggs directly beneath her, and with ruffled plumage seems a
little resentful of the intrusion. In all, it will be noticed that the
bill is partly open, either because it was a very warm day, because the
poor bird was startled and ill at ease, or, it may be, because it was
no easy matter for this always loquacious bird to keep its mouth shut
even when posing for its picture.
[Illustration: KILLDEER, NEST, AND EGGS]
A Least Bittern Portrait
BY E. G. TABOR
(_See Frontispiece_)
[Illustration]
On the morning of May 27, 1897, equipped with an extra supply of
patience and a 5 × 7 'Premo B' camera fitted with rapid rectilinear
lens, my plate-holders filled with unexposed plates, and accompanied
by my wife, who has been a partner in all of my successful trips, I
started for Otter Lake, Cayuga County, N. Y.
It was a beautiful morning, with not a breath of air stirring (by the
way, this is the hardest of all things to control, and is an absolute
necessity if you are to make fine, clear-cut negatives of birds and
their natural surroundings), and the lake looked like a mirror. It
took but a minute to get the large, flat-bottomed row-boat ready for
the start, and we were soon gliding along, an oar's-length from shore,
scanning every tree, bush, and bunch of rushes, in search of nests,
those of the Red-winged Blackbird being very plenty and placed both
in bushes or rushes in about equal numbers. A pair of Kingbirds had
selected as the place for their summer home, a large, low willow limb
which projected over the water; a peep into the nest revealed three
eggs, common, yet so beautiful in their bed of wool and feathers.
Our next finds were several nests of a pair of Long-billed Marsh Wrens,
which looked more like mouse-nests than anything else I have in mind.
As we could return to these later, if unable to find anything better,
we had not yet exposed a single plate, reserving them for a rare or
unusual find.
We were in search of nests of the Least Bittern, and as we were passing
that part of the shore where they always nested, we soon located a
nest, but as it only contained one egg, another nest must be found. A
male Least Bittern flew up a short distance ahead of us and 'dropped
in' back of the bushes. We rowed down to the place from which he
flushed, and standing up in the boat looked around, and not more
than a boat's-length ahead, we espied a female sitting on a nest. I
pushed the boat very carefully to within a couple of feet of the nest,
and prepared to make an exposure. The camera was set to focus on an
object 34 inches from cap of lens, and I moved it back and forth until
the focus was perfect, the diaphragm was closed to _f_ 16, and an
instantaneous exposure with speed at 1/25" was made.
As most of my operations, preparatory to making the exposure, were
of necessity carried on within three feet of the bird on the nest,
she at several times started to leave it; but when the bird moved I
kept still, and when she kept still I worked; in this way I finally
completed my preparations. The peep I got of the eggs as she partly
raised off from them, just as I finished, made me squeeze the bulb
before I intended to; but the result I obtained fully satisfied me, for
in no other way could I describe the results of this trip, and what I
saw and learned of the habits and home-life of the Least Bittern.
Loons at Home
BY WILLIAM DUTCHER
[Illustration]
I should like to say a few words to the readers of Bird-Lore on the
subject of making good photographs of birds. Don't conclude at once,
when you see pictures of nests, or birds in their wild state, that
it is an easy matter to get them. A year ago, when I saw the fine
exhibition of slides presented by Mr. Brewster and Mr. Chapman at the
American Ornithologists' meeting, I at once concluded that it would be
an easy thing for me to get similar results. So I forthwith invested
much good money in purchasing a camera, and all the accompanying
outfit; but not until I had worried all my photographic friends for
advice of all kinds. With all the confidence of an expert I started
on this unknown sea, and I must confess to you, patient reader, that
my efforts were a brilliant string of failures, for from the more
than one hundred and twenty-five plates that I exposed, I succeeded
in getting only two good negatives. But I had lots of fun and plenty
of experience, and am just as proud of my two good negatives as the
celebrated old hen that had but one chick. If you want to learn to be
patient and persevering, try photographing in the fields and woods.
If you wish to learn more of the habits of birds than you can in any
other possible way, try for hours to get them familiar enough with
you and your camera to go on with their nest-building, or feeding
their nestlings. Besides all this, in later days, whenever you see the
photograph, it will recall to you every pleasant moment that you spent
in getting the negative.
That you may share with me some of the pleasures that I experienced
in getting a negative of a nest of eggs, from which the accompanying
picture was made, let me tell you the following story about the
Great Northern Diver, more commonly known as the Loon, and among the
scientists as _Gavia imber_.
Those of you who are familiar with the Adirondack or Canada lakes can
easily picture the surroundings of this nest, which I found in Higley
Lake, Canada. This is a small body of water, hardly more than a very
large pond. This section of Canada may be called a lake region, and
is very beautiful. Most of the lakes are surrounded with forests, in
which the contrasting colors of the evergreens and white birches add
greatly to the natural beauty of the scenery. This nest was built in
very shallow water, about eight feet from the shore. It was, at its
base, about twenty inches in diameter, and at its apex about fifteen
inches wide. It was about nine inches above the water at its greatest
height, and composed entirely of mud, so far as I could determine, of
a very dark color. The water where it was placed was not over six or
eight inches deep, but it was really a very hard matter to determine
exactly where the water ended and the mud commenced. This I ascertained
to my sorrow and discomfiture when I undertook to set up my tripod.
Standing in a very round-bottomed boat and trying to plant a tripod in
silt of seemingly unfathomable depth is no easy job, as I found out.
Finally, however, I succeeded in getting what I now have the pleasure
of showing you; but I dare not tell you of the beautiful failures I
made before this picture was obtained. When I first discovered the
nest, the Loon was upon it, but as soon as she saw me she slid off into
the lake and made every effort to dive. It is true that her head was
under the water, but her back was not until she had gone some feet from
the nest out into the lake, where the water was deep enough to entirely
cover her. She did not then appear until she was well across the pond,
where she was joined by her mate. The nest contained only one egg when
I first saw it; but in the water, on the lake side of the nest, I found
another egg, which the mother bird had evidently rolled out of the
nest, perhaps in her fright and hasty departure when she first saw me.
This egg I replaced in the nest by lifting it with the broad end of the
boat oar, thinking, perhaps, that handling it might cause the Loon to
desert the nest. The egg that was in the water was many shades lighter
in color than the one found in the nest, which leads me to believe that
the eggs of birds that habitually breed in damp mud nests acquire a
darker color from stains.
In another pond of about the same size, and within half a mile of
Higley Lake, I subsequently saw a pair of Loons that had but one young,
so far as I could ascertain. If there was another it was kept well
hidden. I was very much interested in watching the methods by which
the old birds kept the little fellow out of danger. When I first saw
the family group, both parents and the little one were together; but
immediately on the appearance of my boat the whole group disappeared
under the surface. The young bird soon came to the surface again in
about the same spot, but the parents were some distance off on the
other side of the boat, so that I was between them. Both parents were
perfectly quiet until I undertook to row toward their offspring, when
one of the parents uttered what was to me a very new and peculiar cry,
on hearing which the little one immediately dove; the cry was entirely
different from the usual loud, maniacal cry of the Loons. As soon
as the young one appeared I again started toward him, when the old
bird repeated the same cry, and down went the little fellow. It was
very evident that he knew whenever he heard that warning cry he must
disappear at once. I had so much sympathy for the lonely little chap
that I left him, after I had tried the experiment a number of times. As
soon as I drew away to another part of the pond the old birds uttered
the usual well known cry of the species, but the little one then
remained on the surface and was soon joined by the parent birds.
[Illustration: NEST AND EGGS OF LOON
Photographed from Nature, by William Dutcher]
A few weeks later the same group acted in an entirely different manner;
then they remained together, and as the boat approached, the old bird
with its bill seemed to push the young one under the water before it
dove itself.
If this bit of the domestic life of these two Loon families has
interested you as much as it did me, I shall feel amply repaid for the
thirty-two miles I had to drive each time I visited them.
[Illustration: BLUEBIRD FLYING TO NEST]
Photographing a Bluebird
BY ROBERT W. HEGNER
With Photographs from Nature by the Author.
[Illustration]
During the severe cold of January and February, 1895, most of the
Bluebirds were thought to have perished. So it is with the spirit
of a genuine Audubon that we hail their return in ever increasing
numbers each succeeding spring. How sadly we should miss these little
friends may be judged by the great commotion among ornithologists
caused by their supposed extinction. In order to have more than a
mere remembrance of their habits, I set out one day in the summer of
1898, at Decorah, Iowa, to obtain photographs of them in their haunts,
and secured two interesting negatives of the female, as shown in the
accompanying illustrations. The history of the case is as follows: A
pair of Bluebirds, after several previous attempts at housekeeping, and
subsequent removals by 'small boys,' at last selected an old, deserted,
Woodpecker's hole in a fence-post, and built, as usual, a nest of dry
grass with a softer lining of horse-hair. The birds had already begun
incubating the three pale blue eggs, which formed the set, when I
disturbed them. I crept within five feet of the post before the female
left the nest and joined her mate, who had been keeping guard in a
neighboring plum tree.
[Illustration: BLUEBIRD AT NEST]
After focusing my camera to within three feet of the post, and
arranging a string attachment, I concealed myself in some bushes about
seventy-five feet away. I waited patiently for ten minutes before the
female left the tree and flew down to the fence. The male followed
close after, and they hopped about the post and wires, getting nearer
and nearer the nest, until the female flew straight into the hole. A
snap-shot, just before she reached the entrance, was only partially
successful, but shows very clearly the pose of the bird's head and neck
while it was in the air. It was made in a twenty-fifth of a second
with the lens stopped down to sixteen. I disturbed the female several
times before she gained the desired position at the nest-opening; but,
finally, the snap of the shutter helped bring to life one of my best
bird-pictures.
A knowledge of the bird's nesting habits is a prime requisite in
avian photography. Much patience is needed, as failures are very
numerous. A camera which may be focused to within two or three feet
is an absolute necessity in order to make the picture large enough.
Most of my failures have been caused by the lack of bright sunlight,
under-exposure, or movement of the bird the instant the picture was
taken; but one good photograph is sufficient reward for many trials.
A Tragic St. Valentine's Day
BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON
[Illustration]
The cold wave reached us at Miami, on Biscayne Bay, Florida, in the
night of February 12, 1899. It was preceded by severe thunder storms
in the evening. On the 13th, Monday, it was very cold all over the
state, with snow and sleet as far south as Ormond and Titusville. Our
thermometers at Miami ranged from 36° to 40° during the day. As I sat
in my room at the hotel, about four in the afternoon, I saw a bird
outside my window, then another and another, and soon the air seemed
full of wings.
Opening my window to see what the visitors could be, I found they were
Tree Swallows (_Tachycineta bicolor_). Several flew into my room,
others clustered on the window ledge, huddling closely together for
warmth. There were hundreds of them about the house seeking shelter
and warmth. They crept in behind the window blinds, came into open
windows, huddled together by dozens on cornices and sills. They were
quite fearless; once I held my hand outside and two of them lighted
on its palm and sat there quietly. As it grew dark and colder their
numbers increased. They flew about the halls and perched in corners,
and the whole house was alive with them. Few of the guests in the hotel
knew what they were; some even called them 'bats,' and were afraid
they might fly into their faces or become entangled in their hair. One
man informed those about him that they were Humming Birds, 'the large
kind, you know,' but all were full of sympathy for the beautiful little
creatures, out in the cold and darkness. A few were taken indoors and
sheltered through the night, but 'what were these among so many?'
The next morning the sun shone brightly though the weather was still
very cold--the mercury had fallen below 30° during the night. But as
I raised the shade of one of my eastern windows I saw a half-dozen of
the Swallows sitting upon the ledge in the sunshine, while the air
seemed again filled with flashing wings. I was so relieved and glad.
Surely the tiny creatures, with their tints of steely blue or shining
green contrasting with the pure white of the under parts, were more
hardy than I had feared. But alas! it was but a remnant that escaped.
Hundreds were found dead. Men were sent out with baskets to gather the
limp little bodies from piazzas, window ledges, and copings. It was a
pitiful sight for St. Valentine Day, when, as the old song has it,
"The birds are all choosing their mates."
Clark's Crows and Oregon Jays on Mount Hood[D]
BY FLORENCE A. MERRIAM
[Footnote D: Read before the American Ornithologist's Union, Nov. 16,
1898.]
[Illustration]
Cloud Cap Inn, the loghouse hotel fastened down with cables high on
the north side of Mount Hood, is too near timber-line to claim a great
variety of feathered guests, but Oregon Jays and Clark's Crows or
Nutcrackers are regular pensioners of the house. The usual shooting
by tourists does not menace them, for the nature-loving mountaineers,
who keep the Inn and act as guides to the summit, guard most loyally
both birds and beasts. They like to tell of a noble Eagle which used
to fly up the cañon and circle over the glacier every day, and they
recall with pleasure the snowy morning when an old Blue Grouse brought
her brood to the Inn, and the birds ate the wheat that was thrown them
with the confidence of chickens. The Grouse were, apparently, regular
neighbors of the Inn, and while there I had the pleasure of seeing a
grown family. They fed on the slope close above me with the unconcern
of domestic fowls, conversing in turkey-like monosyllables as they
moved about, and two of them came within a few feet and looked up at
me--that not forty rods from the Inn! The pleasure of the sight was
doubled by the reflection that such things could be so near a hotel,
even on a remote mountain.
[Illustration: CLOUD CAP INN]
It was delightful to see how familiarly birds gathered about the
house. You could sit in the front doorway and when not absorbed in
looking off on the three wonderful snow peaks--St. Helens, Rainier,
and Adams--rising above the Cascade range, could watch Oregon Juncos,
Steller's Jays, Oregon Jays, and Nutcrackers coming down to drink at
the hydrant twenty feet away; while the Ruby Kinglet and White-crowned
Sparrow, together with Townsend's Solitaire and other interesting
westerners, moved about in the branches of the low timber-line pines;
and Lewis' Woodpeckers, with their long, powerful flights, crossed
over the forested cañons below. Crossbills had stayed around the house
sociably for three weeks together, Mrs. Langille, the noble old mother
of the mountaineers, told me. She said they would fly against the logs
of the house and call till she went out to feed them. They left with
the first heavy storms, though usually, she said: "That's the time when
we have birds come around the house--when there are storms." And a
friendly hospice the feathered wayfarers find it so long as the Inn is
open!
[Illustration: CLARK'S CROW]
The Oregon Jays and Clark's Crows are, as I said, the regular
pensioners of the house. The Jays look very much like their relatives
the Canada Jays, but are darker, and when you are close to them the
feathers of their backs show distinct whitish shaft-streaks. The Crows
have the general form and bearing of Crows, but are black only on wings
and tail, their general appearance being gray. Speaking of the birds,
Mrs. Langille said: "If I was in the kitchen myself I'd have them come
right to the porch outside; when I'm in the kitchen I'm always throwing
out crumbs for the birds and squirrels, and I've had the Jays come and
sit right down on the block where I was cutting meat and take the fat
right out of my hands." Clark's Crows, she said, would not eat from her
hand, but would sit on the back porch and call for their breakfast.
When I was at the Inn, the Chinese cook used to throw scraps from the
table over a lava cliff, and both Crows and Jays spent most of their
time carrying it off. As the foot of the cliff was one of the best
places to watch them, I spent part of every day there, and when the
smell of coffee grounds got too strong, consoled myself by looking
through the trees up at the grand white peak of Hood.
It was interesting to see the difference in the ways of the two birds.
The Nutcracker would fly down to the rocks with rattling wings, and,
when not too hungry to be critical, would proceed to investigate
the breakfast with the air of a judge on the bench, for he is a
dignified character. To touch the hem of his robe to the food would
have been defilement, so he went about pressing his wings tight to his
sides, sometimes giving them a little nervous shake. To smile at this
sober-minded person seems most disrespectful, but the solemnity of
his gambols was surely provocative of mirth. Not content with turning
his long-billed head judicially from side to side as he advanced
through the scraps, if the biscuit on his left was not to his mind,
with one great ungainly leap he would box half the compass and plant
his big feet before a potato on his right. This he would proceed to
probe with a grave air of interrogation, and if he decided the case
in the negative would withdraw his beak and pass to the next case on
the docket. Once when the potato was half a waffle, he pried it up
tentatively with his long bill, and at last, deciding in its favor,
proceeded to fly off with it, his long legs dangling ludicrously behind
him.
[Illustration: OREGON JAY]
The Oregon Jays were quite unlike their Crow cousins. They would
come flying in, talking together in sociable fashion, and drop down
so noiselessly you could but be struck by the difference between
fluffy owl-like feathers and stiff quills. Sometimes one of the Jays
would touch the side of a tree a moment before dropping lightly to
the ground. All their motions were quick and easy, if not actually
graceful, and they worked rapidly, with none of the profound
deliberation shown at times by the Nutcracker. The smaller pieces of
food they ate; the larger ones they carried off, usually in their
bills, occasionally in their claws. In eating, the Jay would sometimes
adopt the Blue Jay style and put his food under his foot, where he
could pull it apart, throwing up his head to swallow. When the food was
soft and too large to swallow at one gulp, both Crows and Jays would
carry it to an evergreen, lay it down on a twig before them, and there
eat comfortably, as from a plate. Both birds often flew to the ledges
of the cliff for food that had lodged there in falling, and it made a
busy scene when eight or ten of the big fellows were flying about the
place at once.
(_To be concluded._)
=For Teachers and Students=
Suggestions for Bird-Day Programs in the Schools
BY C. A. BABCOCK
(Originator of Bird-Day)
[Illustration]
A Bird-Day exercise, in order to have much value educationally, should
be largely the result of the pupils' previous work, and should not
be the mere repetition of a prepared program, taken verbatim from
some leaflet or paper. The program should be prepared by the pupils,
under the direction of the teacher, and should contain as many
original compositions or statements about birds, derived from personal
observation, as possible.
Bird-Day should be announced some weeks beforehand, in order to give
the children time to prepare for it. In the meantime, direct them to
observe the birds, and allow from five to ten minutes each morning to
receive the reports. Direct that crumbs be scattered in the back yards,
and cups containing seeds be put up in the trees, or on the fences, and
that bones from the table be fastened where they can be seen from the
windows. Then, with an opera glass, if one can be obtained, results are
to be looked for.
For directing the young observer, write upon the board a scheme like
this:
ENGLISH SPARROW
Length from tip of beak to end of tail?
What is the shape, color, and size of beak?
What is the color of legs and feet?
How many toes? Which way do they point?
Gait upon the ground,--does it walk, hop or run?
Color of head and throat? Color of under parts?
Color and marking of back?
Difference in markings of male and female?
Describe actions which indicate its character.
Is it pugnacious? Is it brave? Is it selfish?
Does it trouble other birds?
Describe its voice or song. Does it utter notes indicating diverse
feelings, as joy, anger? What syllables best recall some of its notes?
For the younger pupils a few of these questions, perhaps two or three,
will be sufficient for one exercise. Children will vary, and often
contradict one another in answering the same questions. Dwell upon
each question till it is answered correctly, and all agree upon the
answer.
A similar plan may be followed for studying the Robin, Bluebird,
Catbird, Oriole, or other birds as they arrive, or as they become
accessible to certain of the pupils. In April, two years ago, one
little girl had observed, and described accurately, seventeen different
species of birds which she had seen in the little yard of her home.
They had been attracted by the food she had put out for them.
The nest-building of birds is also a good subject for observation, the
Robin being, perhaps, the best species for a first study.
QUESTIONS ON NEST-BUILDING AND NESTING HABITS
Which bird does most building, the male, or the female?
Do both carry material?
Does the male ever seem to be acting as escort or guard to his mate?
What materials are used? What is the appearance of the nest?
Its situation--sheltered or not?
After the nest is completed, watch it till the young are hatched.
Which bird sits upon the eggs? Does the male ever relieve his mate at
this task? Does he bring food to her? Does he spend some time singing
to her, as if he were trying to keep her cheerful? Does he protect
her from attack by birds or other enemies?
SOME QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED ABOUT ROBINS
Learn to distinguish the voices and call notes of the male and
female. Which bird wakes first in the morning and calls the other?
You may also notice, sometimes, in the night, that one bird wakes and
calls the other. Which one generally wakes first at these times?
Do Robins raise more than one brood in a season? If so, do they use
the same nest twice? If they raise two broods, what becomes of the
first, while the mother is sitting upon the eggs for the second?
Watch for a Robin leading out a family of chicks. Notice the feeding
after the birds are old enough to run and fly fairly well. The young
birds are placed apart by the parent, who visits each one in turn,
and rebukes any who tries to be piggish, sometimes nipping it with
its bill when it runs up out of turn. Notice this parent teaching the
young to sing,--it is a very interesting sight.
The teacher will need some good manual to aid in identifying some of
the species, though much of the work the first season would better be
upon common, well-known birds. The following are recommended:
'Handbook of Birds of Eastern North America,' by Frank M. Chapman,
published by D. Appleton & Co.; 'Bird-Craft,' by Mabel Osgood Wright,
published by The Macmillan Company.
FOR BIRD-DAY PROGRAMS
For the first Bird-Day in every school it would be well to have some
one read Senator Hoar's petition of the birds to the Legislature of
Massachusetts. This remarkable paper deserves reading by all friends of
birds at least once a year.
_Compositions._--Have also original compositions, describing some
bird studied, or describing some of its habits, especially its habit
of feeding, and the actions showing its disposition.
_Personations._--Special interest will be awakened by having
'personations' of birds. These are descriptions of birds told in the
first person, as if the bird itself were telling its own story. An
accurate account of the bird's appearance, habits, feelings, and life
from the bird's view-point, is given, but without telling the bird's
name. At the close of the reading, the hearers vote upon the name of
the bird 'personated.'
_Audubon Society Literature._--The teacher should also obtain
circulars from the secretaries of the New York, Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania and other Audubon Societies. These will give information
concerning the rapid destruction of birds. Extracts may be read from
them.
_Poems._--Extracts from the poets naturally form an interesting
feature of Bird-Day. Poets are generally bird-lovers and bird-seers.
Among the poems peculiarly adapted are the following:
'Robert O'Lincoln,' Bryant; 'The Mocking Bird,' Sidney Lanier; 'The
Sky Lark,' Shelly; 'The O'Lincoln Family,' Wilson Flagg; 'The Rain
Song of the Robin,' Kate Upson Clark; 'The Titmouse,' R. W. Emerson;
'The Eagle,' Tennyson; 'To The Skylark,' William Wordsworth.
_Personal Experiences._--Another pleasant part of the program will be
the short statements of facts about birds, by the pupils, obtained
from their own observation. Birds of the Bible may also be given in
short extracts.
_Prose Selections._--John Burroughs' 'Birds and Poets,' and 'Wake
Robin;' Bradford Torrey's 'Birds in the Bush;' Olive Thorne Miller's
'Bird Ways,' and many other books, abound in suitable passages for
Bird-Day.
The pupils will enjoy preparing a Bird-Day program much more than
learning little set speeches from one already prepared. The preliminary
observation of birds will arouse an enthusiasm that will be of great
value in all educational work.
Summer Boarders for Girls and Boys
The Bureau of Nature Study of Cornell University offers to assist
all boys and girls who want to take bird boarders this season. By
addressing this Bureau, at Ithaca, N. Y., one may receive a copy of
an admirable leaflet entitled 'The Birds and I,' containing numerous
designs for houses which may be constructed for the occupation of the
expected 'boarders.'
A Bird-Day Program
BY ELIZABETH V. BROWN
Washington Normal School
[Illustration]
Birthdays, red letter days, memorial days, arbor days and bird days!
The two hundred days of the school calendar are hardly sufficient to
meet the special demands made upon them in the interests of history,
literature, and philanthropy. After all, is not this call for
specialization something of a reproach to both home and school? If the
child is symmetrically developed, harmoniously educated, will not all
these influences find their proper place and expression in his life in
the _regular_ course of events?
But in the meantime since 'days' are ordained, it is highly important
that they shall be celebrated in a manner to make lasting impressions
on the minds and hearts of children. The mental hysteria resulting from
the spasmodic, sentimental fervor worked up for this cause to-day, and
for that to-morrow, is to be strongly condemned.
As in every other subject, an interest in _birds_ should be based
upon the knowledge gained by the child primarily through his own
observations and experiences, supplemented and enriched later by what
he reads or has told him. The interest thus aroused leads to sympathy
and love as enduring as life itself.
Hence the Bird-Day program should mark the culminating rather than the
initial point of bird study for the year.
The children should be led to anticipate it, and should be prepared
for it in as many ways and for as long a time as possible. All that
nature lovers have written or poets sung will have deeper significance
after the child's contact with the birds of his neighborhood, as seen
in parks, woods, or fields. To see their pictures is not enough. Field
work alone can give the stimulus which leads to fellowship, sympathy,
love, and protection.
For young children especially, interest is most readily aroused through
the study of the _activities_ which ally bird and child. The character
and the adaptation of birds' clothing, foods and homes to their
peculiar needs and environment; glimpses of nest-life; characteristic
traits; disposition; the cleverness of the parent birds in outwitting
enemies and protecting the young; the skillful uses of tools--bills
and claws--are all readily appreciated by the children. Add to these,
studies in protective coloration, migration, the relation of birds
to insects injurious to vegetation, and kindred subjects, which form
a never-failing source of delight. Through such work, the child
learns almost unwittingly much of bird structure, classification, and
description which would otherwise prove dry and barren of interest.
The boy who thus comes into fellowship with birds will not delight
in beanshooters or find his chief joy in robbing birds' nests and
violating game laws; while his sister will try to find something more
ornamental for her hat than slaughtered birds.
_THE PROGRAM_
While programs must vary according to the needs and ability of the
children, a few suggestions may be helpful to all.
DECORATION
'Sharp Eyes,' and 'I Spy,' by William Hamilton Gibson, 'Nature's
Hallelujah,' and 'The Message of the Bluebird,' by Irene Jerome, are
full of delightfully suggestive and artistic bits of bird-life for
black-board pictures.
A pretty corner may be made by a small bush or the branch of a large
tree in which the nests collected by the children are appropriately
placed.
Pictures of bird-lovers and writers should be in evidence. Audubon,
Wilson, John Burroughs, Bradford Torrey, Olive Thorne Miller, and
others. Many of these may be found in recent magazines.
Anecdotes and short sketches from their books may be told or read.
COMPOSITIONS
Compositions prepared in advance, on various phases of bird-life,
may be read by their young authors. These may be the result of work
previously done in class along the lines before mentioned, or of new
observations and experiences gathered for Bird-Day. The greater the
variety of topics, the better.
Descriptions of individual birds, comparisons of birds, individually
or by classes, as to:
_Food._--Character; where, when, and how obtained.
_Home._--Location; materials; construction; appearance.
_Young._--Number; appearance; care and education.
_Songs and Calls._--Emotions expressed; character, short or
sustained, high or low, sweet or harsh, etc.
_Relations._--Names of other birds of same class.
_Bird Craftsmen._--Masons, miners, weavers, tailors, etc.
_Tree-top Neighbors._--Spring, summer, fall and winter.
_How Birds Travel._
_How Birds Help the Farmers._
_Invitations to the Birds._--Boxes put up for them; seed-cups, bits
of suet nailed to posts or trees.
CHALK TALKS
Stories may be told by teachers or pupils with accompanying
illustrations hastily sketched on the black-board as the story
progresses. The following lend themselves readily to this work:
'The Ugly Duckling,' 'The Daisy and the Lark,' Hans Christian
Anderson; 'The White Heron,' Sarah Orne Jewett; 'The White
Blackbird,' Guy de Maupassant; 'The Crane Express,' Child World; 'The
Crow and the Pitcher,' 'The Fox and the Crane,' 'The Crane and the
Crows,' Æsop's Fables.
FOR READING OR RECITATION
'Nest Egg,' Robert Louis Stevenson; 'Anxiety,' George Macdonald; 'The
Song Sparrow,' 'The Veery,' Dr. van Dyke; 'The One in the Middle,'
Margaret Eytinge; 'The Bluebird,' Emily Huntington Miller; 'The Peter
Bird,' Henry Thompson Stanton; 'The Robin,' Celia Thaxter; 'Brother
Robin,' Mrs. Anderson; 'The Birds' Orchestra,' Celia Thaxter; 'The
Sandpiper,' 'Little Birdies,' Tennyson; 'The Brown Thrush,' Lucy
Larcom; 'The Titmouse,' Emerson; 'The Stormy Petrel,' Barry Cornwall;
'The Sorrowful Sea Gull,' Child World; 'Robert of Lincoln,' 'The
Return of the Birds,' Bryant; 'The Blackbird,' Alice Cary; 'The
Crow's Children,' 'The Chicken's Mistake,' Phoebe Cary; 'What the
Birds Said,' Whittier.
Migration Tables for April and May
At our request, Dr. A. K. Fisher has furnished the following notes on
the spring migration. They are based on fifteen years' observation
and will therefore prove valuable as a guide, and interesting for
comparison, to other observers. A list of Mississippi Valley migrants,
which we expected to receive, unfortunately arrived too late for
publication, while a list from Philadelphia, by Mr. Witmer Stone, is
necessarily omitted for lack of space.--Ed.
_AVERAGE DATES OF ARRIVAL OF THE COMMONER BIRDS AT SING SING, N. Y.,
DURING APRIL AND MAY_
BY DR. A. K. FISHER
April 1 to 10
Pied-billed Grebe, Wilson's Snipe, Sparrow Hawk, Osprey, Kingfisher,
Fish Crow, Cowbird, Savanna Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow,
White-throated Sparrow, Tree Swallow.
April 10 to 20
Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, American Bittern, Pigeon
Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Purple Finch, Chipping Sparrow, Field
Sparrow, Myrtle Warbler, Yellow Palm Warbler, Large-billed Water
Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush.
April 20 to 30
Chimney Swift, Least Flycatcher, Towhee, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow,
Bank Swallow, Blue-headed Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Catbird,
Brown Thrasher, House Wren, Wood Thrush.
May 1 to 5
Spotted Sandpiper, Hummingbird, Kingbird, Bobolink, Baltimore Oriole,
Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Parula
Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-throated
Blue Warbler, Ovenbird, Maryland Yellow-throat, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Redstart, Wilson's Thrush, Olive-backed Thrush.
May 5 to 10
Solitary Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo,
Whip-poor-will, Night-hawk, Crested Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole,
Yellow-winged Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Cliff
Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Warbling Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler,
Golden-winged Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Long-billed Marsh Wren.
May 10 to 15
Least Sandpiper, Wood Pewee, Green-crested (Acadian) Flycatcher,
White-crowned Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Nashville Warbler, Worm-eating
Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Wilson's Warbler.
May 15 to 20
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Bay-breasted
Warbler, Black-poll Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Small-billed Water
Thrush, Canadian Warbler, Gray-cheeked Thrush.
May 20 to 25
Alder Flycatcher, Tennessee Warbler, Mourning Warbler.
=For Young Observers=
Boys and girls who study birds are invited to send short accounts of
their observations to this Department.
The Legend of the Salt
BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN
A great many years ago a little boy, whom I knew very well, accepted
the advice of an elder, and went out with a salt-cellar to make friends
with the birds. But they would not have him, even with a 'grain of
salt,' and it was not until he was considerably older that he learned
he had begun his study of birds at the wrong end. That is, you know,
the wrong end of the bird, for it is not a bird's tail, but his bill,
you must attend to if you would win his confidence and friendship.
So, instead of salt, use bread-crumbs, seeds, and other food, and
some day you may have an experience which will surprise those people
who would think it a very good joke indeed to send you out with a
salt-cellar after birds. I have recently had an experience of this
kind. It happened in the heart of a great city, surely the last place
in the world where one would expect to find any birds, except House
Sparrows. But Central Park, New York City, the place I refer to,
contains several retired nooks where birds are often abundant. A place
known as the 'Ramble' is a particularly good one for birds, and during
the past winter, when it was not too cold, I have often gone from my
study in the near-by Museum of Natural History to eat my luncheon with
the birds in the Ramble. Many other bird-lovers have also visited the
Park to study and feed the birds, and, as always happens when birds
learn that they will not be harmed, they have become remarkably tame.
[Illustration: A BIRD IN THE HAND
Photographed from nature, by F. M. Chapman.]
This is especially true of the Chickadees, who, under any
circumstances, seem to have less fear of man than most birds. When
I entered the Ramble they soon responded to an imitation of their
plaintive call of two high, clearly whistled notes. And in a short time
we became such good friends that I had only to hold out my hand with
a nut in it to have one of them at once perch on a finger, look at me
for a moment with an inquiring expression in his bright little eyes,
then take the nut and fly off to a neighboring limb, where, holding it
beneath his toes, he would hammer away at it with his bill, Blue Jay
fashion.
One day I induced one of them to pose before my camera, and, as a
result, I now have the pleasure of presenting you with his portrait,
as an actual proof that nuts are much more effective than salt, in
catching birds. So, after this, we won't go out with salt-cellars, but
with a supply of food; nor should we forget to take a "pocketful of
patience," which, Mrs. Wright says, is the salt of the bird-catching
legend.
The February Walk Contest
We have been delighted with the interest aroused by our request for
descriptions of February walks, and in imagination have enjoyed
outings throughout a large part of the United States with our little
correspondents.
We have found ourselves obliged to give two prizes, one of which goes
to Mildred A. Robinson, of Waltham, Massachusetts, whose essay will
appear in our next number; the other to Floyd C. Noble, of New York
City, whose description of a walk in Central Park appears in this issue
of Bird-Lore.
Much to his surprise, the Editor found that he was competing for the
prize he himself had offered! He had written an account of some Central
Park birds for this department before Master Noble's article was
received, and is obliged to confess that Master Noble mentions several
species which he had not observed. He, therefore, presents only that
part of his manuscript relating to the Chickadee, and leaves Master
Noble to tell of the other birds in the Park.
The selection of the winning essays was made with much difficulty,
and, in addition to the two chosen, we would especially commend those
written by the following named boys and girls:
Philip Baker, Indianapolis, Ind.; Harriet J. Benton, New Bedford,
Mass.; Zelda Brown, Yuma, Ariz.; Donald Bruce, East Hampton, Mass.;
Walter S. Chansler, Bicknell, Ind.; Marion Flagg, 90 Washington
St., Hartford, Conn.; Charles B. Floyd, Brookline, Mass.; Kathryn
Gibbs, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Albert Linton, Moorestown, N. J.; Clara T.
Magee, Moorestown, N. J.; George S. Mac Nider, Chapel Hill, N. C.;
Barnard Powers, Melrose, Mass.; Elden Smith, Milville, Mass.; Lydia
Sharpless, Haverford, Pa.--Ed.
A February Walk in Central Park, New York
BY FLOYD C. NOBLE
(Aged 14 years)
[Illustration]
On February 18, 1899, my friend and I started out 'bird-hunting,' as
usual, in the 'Ramble,' Central Park. It was during the comparatively
warm spell after the blizzard of the 12th, and the preceding zero
weather. On the way we saw a Starling, perched high on a building,
trying to sing. On entering the Park we saw a White-throated Sparrow. I
have seen this species more times than any other this month--of course,
excepting the common Sparrow.
On nearing our 'hunting-grounds,' we heard the familiar '_cree-e_' of a
Brown Creeper, and soon discovered the little fellow hard at work, as
usual. A little later we came upon the beautiful Cardinal, with his two
wives. It is a fact that there are one male and two females, though
probably only one is his real mate. He does not, however, appear to be
partial to either.
Further on we found what we were chiefly looking for--a flock of lively
little Chickadees. I found that I had only a very small supply of
hazelnuts with me, but I made the best of them. There was a good deal
of snow on the ground, which made the Chickadees unusually tame--being
hungry. They would light on our hands, inspect the pieces of crushed
nut there, knock off the ones that did not suit them, and finally fly
off with one--usually the largest. We soon began to recognize separate
birds, and gave them names: such as 'Buffy,' 'Pretty,' etc. Then our
attention was attracted by the queer noise made by the Nuthatch, and
this trunk-crawling friend of ours appeared. We think that continued
close inspection of tree-trunks has made him near-sighted, because when
you throw him a piece of nut he generally just gazes at it, grunts a
little, and then looks at you again. My cousin suggested that when he
did find what you threw him, it was by the sense of hearing rather than
that of sight, as he can generally find a big piece that makes a noise
in falling. When he succeeds in getting 'something good,' he wedges it
into the bark somewhere and hits it with his bill.
But, between the Nuthatch, the Chickadees, and the hungry
squirrels--that would sit up with their paws on their breasts, and
their heads on one side, imploring for food, it is needless to say
successfully,--our small supply of nuts was soon gone. So we went home
as fast as we could, procured more nuts, and in twenty minutes were
again in the 'hunting grounds.' But we found, to our dismay, that
others had monopolized our flock of chickadees! However, what partly
compensated for this, was a good close view of a Downy Woodpecker.
There is a pair of these birds around here, which you are almost sure
to see,--either together or singly.
But it was soon time to go home, and on the way we heard the lively
song of the European Goldfinches, and soon found four of them high up
in a tree. They are shy birds, and flew as we approached. They feed on
pine cones, and a flock of them will take possession of a pine tree,
hide themselves in the dark tufts of pine needles, and eat the seeds at
their leisure. The only way you can have knowledge of their presence is
by the frequent cracking of the seeds heard. For a long time we thought
they were Crossbills, but one day a flock of noisy Sparrows came into
the tree and drove the quiet Goldfinches out of their tufts--much to
my surprise, for I did not suppose that Goldfinches, which I had been
accustomed to find singing loudly, could keep so quiet. We also saw a
Song Sparrow quietly picking away at some bird-seed scattered there.
[Illustration]
The Myth of the Song Sparrow
BY ERNEST SETON THOMPSON
His mother was the Brook, his sisters were the Reeds,
And they every one applauded when he sang about his deeds.
His vest was white, his mantle brown, as clear as they could be,
And his songs were fairly bubbling o'er with melody and glee.
But an envious Neighbor splashed with mud our Brownie's coat and vest,
And then a final handful threw that stuck upon his breast.
The Brook-bird's mother did her best to wash the stains away,
But there they stuck, and, as it seems, are very like to stay.
And so he wears the splashes and the mud blotch as you see,
But his songs are bubbling over still with melody and glee.
=Notes from Field and Study=
Sparrow Proof Houses
Mr. D. R. Geery, of Greenwich, Conn., sends us descriptions of the two
bird-houses here figured. When designed for Bluebirds, they should be
suspended from a limb ten or twelve feet from the ground, in such a
manner as to allow them to swing slightly. Mr. Geery writes: "It may
happen that the Sparrows will go to these houses and even commence to
build, but, as soon as they find that they swing and are not firm, they
will abandon them entirely. Wren boxes should be stationary, with an
opening not much larger than a twenty-five-cent piece, and placed so as
to be well shaded most of the day."
[Illustration: Made of rough boards. Size, 6 inches high, 5-1/2 inches
square at the bottom, 3-1/2 inches square at the top.]
[Illustration: Made from a bark-covered log, 8 inches long and 8 inches
in diameter, a hole 5 inches in diameter being bored from end to end,
leaving an outer wall 1-1/2 inches thick.]
A Musical Woodpecker
In the pursuit of my profession I had occasion for some time to travel
over a certain road, along which is a telephone line, the glass
insulators of which are placed on short pieces of hard wood which are
nailed directly to the post.
Probably half a dozen times, when on this road, I saw a male Downy
Woodpecker perched directly beneath the hard wood block, pecking at it
in a manner to make the wire ring, then pausing and evidently listening
to the music it had produced.
When the vibration ceased the performance was repeated and continued
at intervals until I was obliged to drive by and frighten the bird
away.--Dr. D. L. Burnett, _South Royalton, Vt._
An Ornithologist at San Juan
An English newspaper correspondent, who called at the American Museum
of Natural History to identify certain birds which he had seen in
Cuba, gave an interesting illustration of how, under the most adverse
circumstances, an enthusiastic naturalist may exercise his powers of
observation. He said, "I noticed at San Juan a bird which seemed to
be much alarmed by the firing. He hopped from the bushes to the lower
branches of trees, and then, limb by limb, reached the tree tops," and
continued with a readily identifiable description of the singular Cuban
Cuckoo, locally known as Arriero (_Saurothera merlini_).
There is one bird in Cuba, the Turkey Buzzard or Vulture, of which many
of our soldiers probably retain a too vivid recollection, but how many
of the men who were at San Juan can recall any other bird observed
during the day of battle?
=Book News and Reviews=
Sketch Book of British Birds. By R. Bowdler Sharpe, L. L. D., F.
L. S. With Colored Illustrations by A. F. and C. Lydon, London:
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, New York, E. & J. B.
Young & Co. 4to. Pages xx + 255. Numerous colored illustrations.
Price, $6.
Although more books have been written about British birds than on
the birds of any other region, and although Dr. Sharpe has written
more bird books than any other living ornithologist, this we believe
is the first treatise he has produced on the birds of his native
land. He explains that the text is only a "running commentary" on
the pictures, but claims that his "Systematic Index" is "the most
complete record of the birds in the 'British List' yet published." It
enumerates 445 species of birds which, according to Dr. Sharpe, have
been recorded from Great Britain. In his 'Introduction' he classifies
these according to the manner of their occurrence, as follows: Species
which have probably escaped from confinement, 14; Indigenous species,
138; Visitors from the South--regular, 70, occasional or accidental,
69; Visitors from the East--regular, 5, accidental or occasional, 38;
Visitors from the North--regular, 35, occasional or accidental, 29;
Visitors from the West--regular 1, occasional, 43. The latter are all
American species, and the number recorded indicates how much more
frequently our birds are found on the other side of the Atlantic than
European birds are observed here.
The illustrations consist of colored vignettes in the text of nearly
every species. They are not above criticism, but, on the whole,
are excellent and form a far more certain and convenient aid to
identification than the most detailed description or elaborate key. In
many cases even American species of accidental occurrence are figured,
and, in this connection, we are tempted to ask why British authors
cannot use for our birds the names by which they are known in this
country? Who would recognize the Rusty Blackbird under the name of the
"Rusty Black Hang-Nest," a misnomer in every sense of the word, or our
Robin as the "American Thrush," to cite two among numerous examples.
F. M. C.
Book News.
It is exceedingly gratifying to find the American Ornithologists'
Union, as represented by Mr. Witmer Stone, the Chairman of its
Committee on Bird Protection, taking so strong a stand on the question
of egg-collecting. In his annual report to the Union (The Auk, XVI,
January, 1899, p. 61), Mr. Stone says, "Egg-collecting has become a fad
which is encouraged and fostered by the dealers until it is one of the
most potent causes of the decrease in our birds. The vast majority of
egg-collectors contribute nothing to the science of ornithology, and
the issuing of licenses promiscuously to this class makes any law for
bird protection practically useless.
"Too often boys regard the formation of a _large_ collection of eggs or
birds as necessarily the first step towards becoming an ornithologist
of note; but if those who have already won their spurs will take the
trouble to point out to the beginners the lines of work which yield
results of real benefit to science, they will be led to see exactly
how much collecting and what sort of specimens are really needed for
scientific research, and not needlessly duplicate what has already
been procured. Further, they will in all probability become known
as original contributors to ornithological science, while as mere
collectors they would bid fair to remain in obscurity."
Mr. Stone's report is of the utmost interest to all workers for the
better protection of our birds. We have not space to notice it further
here, but it may be obtained by addressing him at the Academy of
Natural Science, Philadelphia, Pa., and enclosing six cents in stamps.
* * * * *
Two ornithological organizations established, in January, magazines
for the publications of their proceedings and papers relating to the
avifauna of their respective states. The first, the 'Journal of the
Maine Ornithological Society,' an octavo quarterly, is edited by C.
H. Morrill, at Pittsfield, Maine; the publisher and business manager
being O. W. Knight, of Bangor, Maine. The second, the 'Bulletin of
the Cooper Ornithological Club,' is edited by Chester Barlow, of
Santa Clara, California, with the assistance of Henry Reed Taylor and
Howard Robertson. The business managers are Donald Cohen, of Alameda,
and A. I. McCormick, of Los Angeles, California. Both journals are
the outgrowth of a demand on the part of the societies they represent
for an official organ, and they will undoubtedly exert a stimulating
influence on the study of birds in the states in which they are
published.
* * * * *
We have also to acknowledge the receipt of the initial number of a
third new periodical, 'Nature Study in Schools,' conducted by the
well-known naturalist, C. J. Maynard, at West Newton, Mass. It is an
illustrated monthly of 26 pages, containing papers interesting alike
to teachers and students, and should prove very helpful in its chosen
field.
* * * * *
Houghton, Mifflin & Company have in press a bird-book for children by
Mrs. Olive Thorne Miller, to be entitled 'The First Book of Birds.' As
its name indicates, it will aim to introduce its readers to the study
of birds by taking them from the nest through all the ordinary phases
of a bird's existence, and including chapters on structure, economics,
directions for study, etc. The book will be illustrated, and its
author's experience as a student and teacher of birds is an assurance
that it will be a valuable addition to ornithological literature.
* * * * *
Few nature books not designed to assist in identification of species
have met with the sale that has been accorded Ernest Seton Thompson's
'Wild Animals I Have Known' (Charles Scribner's Sons). Published late
in October, it went rapidly through several editions, and by January 1,
or little more than two months after its appearance, 7,000 copies had
been disposed of.
The reason for this phenomenal success is not hard to find; it appears
on every page of the book, the text, illustrations, and make-up of
which are equally pleasing.
Mr. Thompson goes a step further than most students of animals in
nature. He does not present us with the biography of the species,
but with its personal history, and his minute knowledge of and close
sympathy with his subjects leads to his writing a singular charm.
* * * * *
Josephine A. Clark, of 1322 Twelfth street, N. W., Washington, D. C.,
publishes a useful 'Bird Tablet for Field Use.' It is abridged from the
'Outline for Field Observations' in Miss Merriam's 'Birds of Village
and Field,' and may be obtained from the publisher for the sum of
twenty-five cents.
* * * * *
Mr. C. A. Babcock, well-known as the originator of Bird-Day, has in
manuscript a book entitled 'Bird-Day and How to Prepare for It,' which
will undoubtedly be of much assistance to teachers, and add greatly to
the value of Bird-Day observances.
* * * * *
The following books and papers relating to birds have been received and
will be reviewed in future numbers: The Cambridge Natural History, Vol.
IX, Birds, by A. H. Evans (The Macmillan Co.); The Birds of Ontario in
Relation to Agriculture, by Charles W. Nash; The Winter Food of the
Chickadee, The Feeding Habits of the Chipping Sparrow, by Clarence
M. Weed; A Preliminary List of the Birds of Belknap and Merrimack
counties, New Hampshire, with notes, by Ned Dearborn; Check List of
British Columbia Birds, by John Fannin.
=Bird-Lore=
A Bi-monthly Magazine
Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
=Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN=
=Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY=
=====================================================
Vol. 1 April, 1899 No. 2
=====================================================
=SUBSCRIPTION RATES.=
Price in the United States, Canada, and Mexico,
twenty cents a number, one dollar a year, postage
paid.
Subscriptions may be sent to the Publishers, at
66 Fifth avenue, New York City, or to the Editor,
at Englewood, New Jersey.
Price in all countries in the International Postal
Union, twenty-five cents a number, one dollar and
a quarter a year, postage paid. Foreign agents,
Macmillan and Company, Ltd., London.
-----------------------------------------------------
Manuscripts for publication, books, etc., for review,
should be sent to the Editor at Englewood,
New Jersey.
-----------------------------------------------------
Advertisements should be sent to the Publishers
at 66 Fifth avenue, New York City.
-----------------------------------------------------
COPYRIGHTED, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.
-----------------------------------------------------
The establishment of Bird-Lore has brought its editor in touch with
many previously unknown friends, who, with the utmost kindness, have
expressed their approval of the new publication and predicted for it
a successful career. To thank all our correspondents individually has
been out of the question, and we take this means, therefore, to assure
them of our appreciation of their good wishes.
Doubtless they will be interested to know that within two weeks after
the publication of Bird-Lore, the publishers had disposed of more
copies than it was supposed they would sell in two months, while the
demand for specimen copies was so large, that at the end of the same
period our edition of 6,000 was nearly exhausted and we were obliged
to issue a notice to the effect that the remaining copies would be
delivered only to subscribers.
* * * * *
The Lacey-Hoar Bird Bill has met with a greatly to be regretted fate.
With earnest advocates of bird protection in both the House and Senate,
and with sufficient support to ensure the passage of any desirable
measure, the prospects of securing needed legislation seemed to be
excellent. Doubtless both Congressman Lacey's and Senator Hoar's bills
would have passed if they had been presented separately, but making the
latter an amendment to the former, created a series of contradictions
that apparently could not be adjusted in conference, and, as a result,
measures the intent of which the majority of both houses evidently
favored, failed to become laws.
However, the terms of neither Mr. Hoar nor Mr. Lacey have expired, and
it is to be hoped that before the next Congress convenes they will have
prepared a bill in which their interests in birds will be harmoniously
presented.
* * * * *
One of the most dangerous enemies threatening our birds to-day is the
man who, under the mask of 'science,' collects birds and their eggs in
wholly unwarranted numbers. He is dangerous not alone because of the
actual destruction of life he causes, but because his excesses have
brought into disrepute the work of the collector who, animated by the
spirit of true science, and appreciating the value of life, takes only
those specimens which he needs to assist him in his studies.
For this reason we feel it to be our duty to publicly protest against
such wholly inexcusable nest-robbing as Mr. L. W. Brownell, of Nyack,
N. Y. confesses himself to be guilty of in the January issue of
'The Osprey.' In describing a visit to Pelican Island, Florida, he
states that in "about an hour he had collected all the eggs he could
conveniently handle, about 125 sets."
This is an outrageous piece of bird-slaughter. It is especially to
be deplored because Brown Pelican quills and back feathers are fast
becoming fashionable, and, unless the species is protected, Florida
will speedily lose one of its most characteristic and interesting
birds. But how can we expect women, unfamiliar with the bird in nature,
to aid in its protection, when people who have seen it in its haunts,
and know how much it adds to Florida's coast scenery, ruthlessly
destroy it.
=The Audubon Societies=
"_You cannot with a scalpel find the poet's soul,
Nor yet the wild bird's song._"
Edited by Mrs. Mabel Osgood Wright (President of the Audubon Society of
the State of Connecticut), Fairfield, Conn., to whom all communications
relating to the work of the Audubon and other Bird Protective Societies
should be addressed.
DIRECTORY OF STATE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
With names and addresses of their Secretaries.
=New Hampshire= Mrs. F. W. Batchelder, Manchester.
=Massachusetts= Miss Harriet E. Richards, care Boston Society
of Natural History, Boston.
=Rhode Island= Mrs. H. T. Grant, Jr., 187 Bowen street,
Providence.
=Connecticut= Mrs. Henry S. Glover, Fairfield.
=New York= Miss Emma H. Lockwood, 243 West Seventy-fifth
street, New York City.
=New Jersey= Miss Mary A. Mellick, Plainfield.
=Pennsylvania= Mrs. Edward Robins, 114 South Twenty-first
street, Philadelphia.
=District of Columbia= Mrs. John Dewhurst Patten, 3033 P street,
Washington.
=Wheeling, W. Va.= Elizabeth I. Cummins, 1314 Chapline street,
(branch of Penn Society) Wheeling.
=Ohio= Miss Clara Russell, 903 Paradrome street,
Cincinnati.
=Indiana= Amos W. Butler, State House, Indianapolis.
=Illinois= Miss Mary Drummond, Wheaton.
=Iowa= Miss Nellie S. Board, Keokuk.
=Wisconsin= Mrs. George W. Peckham, 646 Marshall street,
Milwaukee.
=Minnesota= Mrs. J. P. Elmer, 314 West Third street,
St. Paul.
The Conducting of Audubon Societies
It is one thing to organize a society or club and quite another to
set it upon a permanent footing and keep it in step with the constant
requirements of progression. At a time when a great majority look
askance at the startling array of societies that they are asked to
'join,' it behooves all Bird Protective bodies to conduct themselves
with extreme conservatism, that they may not bear the stigma of being
called emotional 'fads,' but really appeal to those whom they seek to
interest.
Many men (and women also) have many minds, and a form of appeal that
will attract one will repel another. It is upon the tactful management
of these appeals and the bringing of the subject vitally home to
different classes and ages, that the life of the Audubon Societies
depends.
Leaflets have their influence with those who already care enough to
take the trouble to read them. Special exercises in schools have a
potent influence for good. But the best method of spreading the gospel
of humanity, is that by which it was first spread 1900 centuries ago,
by personal contact and the power of the human voice. A few spoken
words are worth a score of printed ones. A compelling personality is
worth a well of ink in this Bird Crusade of 1899. Let the heads of
societies come in contact with the members as much as possible, and
gather them in local circles. Let those who are able to speak about
birds do so, and let those who lack the gift of words read aloud from
the works of others.
Whenever possible, urge local secretaries to hold bird classes during
spring and summer in their respective towns. If no one person knows
enough to teach the others let them club together, buy a few books,
and, going out of doors, work out the problems of identification as
best they may, until every little village has a nature study class
working its way, Chautauqua-Circle fashion. Remember one point, please.
No society can succeed that is content to count the quantity rather
than quality of its members. One hundred intelligent members who know
how to spread the _why_ and _how_ of the crusade are worth 10,000 who
have merely 'joined' because someone they were proud of knowing asked
them to and it was easier to say 'yes' than 'no,' especially as the
_saying_ was all it cost. Also, no society succeeds that _bores_ people
into joining it. Remember that no matter how near one's own heart a
project may be, we have no right to _force_ it upon others. We have no
right to take people by the throat, so to speak, to make them pause and
listen, but setting a high standard, holding out a helping hand and
making the way attractive to those who wish to reach it is a different
thing, and is the only sane policy under which Audubon Societies can
be conducted. One word to you who wish to see the societies flourish,
who love birds, but are shy and retiring, and do not care to commit
yourselves to joining anything. You may safely join the cause in
_spirit_ by sending a nice little check to the treasurer of your local
state society. Piers Plowman discovered long ago that he couldn't
"spede" far without money, neither can the Audubon Societies.--M. O. W.
A Letter from Governor Roosevelt
At the annual meeting of the New York State Audubon Society, held in
the American Museum of Natural History on March 23, 1899, a letter was
read from Governor Roosevelt, which is of such interest and importance
that we print it in advance of a report of the meeting, which will
appear in a future issue.
Governor Roosevelt regretted his inability to be present, and addressed
the following letter to Mr. Frank M. Chapman, Chairman of the Executive
Committee:
_My dear Mr. Chapman_:--
I need hardly say how heartily I sympathize with the purposes of the
Audubon Society. I would like to see all harmless wild things, but
especially all birds, protected in every way. I do not understand how
any man or woman who really loves nature can fail to try to exert all
influence in support of such objects as those of the Audubon Society.
Spring would not be spring without bird songs, any more than it would
be spring without buds and flowers, and I only wish that besides
protecting the songsters, the birds of the grove, the orchard, the
garden and the meadow, we could also protect the birds of the sea shore
and of the wilderness.
The Loon ought to be, and, under wise legislation, could be a feature
of every Adirondack lake; Ospreys, as every one knows, can be made the
tamest of the tame, and Terns should be as plentiful along our shores
as Swallows around our barns.
A Tanager or a Cardinal makes a point of glowing beauty in the green
woods, and the Cardinal among the white snows.
When the Bluebirds were so nearly destroyed by the severe winter a
few seasons ago, the loss was like the loss of an old friend, or at
least like the burning down of a familiar and dearly loved house. How
immensely it would add to our forests if only the great Logcock were
still found among them!
The destruction of the Wild Pigeon and the Carolina Paroquet has meant
a loss as severe as if the Catskills or the Palisades were taken away.
When I hear of the destruction of a species I feel just as if all the
works of some great writer had perished; as if we had lost all instead
of only part of Polybius or Livy.
Very truly yours,
Theodore Roosevelt.
Reports of Societies
PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY
The Audubon Society of Pennsylvania was organized in October, 1896,
and was the first society to follow the admirable example set by
Massachusetts. During the first year 2,200 members were enrolled and
nearly 30,000 circulars distributed. The first annual report was sent
out in November, 1897, and it mentions a 'Hat Show,' and a course
of lectures to be given in Philadelphia during the spring. Both of
these were carried out with marked success, the 'Hat Show' attracting
much attention to the work of the society, and the lectures adding
materially to its income, as there are no dues of any kind connected
with membership. The second annual report appeared in November,
1898, and announces an increase of 1,100 members during the year. It
referred to the fact that as a direct result of the 'Hat Show' several
of the best milliners had established special Audubon departments.
Lectures were given in many parts of the state with most satisfactory
results, and finally, the coöperation of school teachers was solicited
to observe May 5, 1899, as Bird-Day. A course of five lectures, by
Mr. Stone, will be given this year at the Acorn Club, Philadelphia,
beginning March 16. A number of new slides have been bought by the
society to illustrate these lectures, and the course promises to be
more interesting than ever. Since the second report was issued seven
new local secretaries have been secured, making 42 in all. It is hoped
that this number will be doubled during the coming year, for as the
membership, which is now nearly 3,800, continues to increase, the need
of workers throughout the state becomes more important every day.
Julia Stockton Robins, _Sec'y._
INDIANA SOCIETY.
In 1889 the Indiana Academy of Science appointed a committee, of which
I was chairman, to secure the passage of a satisfactory law for bird
protection. The committee accomplished nothing. It was continued,
and in 1891 secured the enactment of the enclosed law. The Academy
of Science has, through its efforts in the way of advancing science
work in the public schools of the state, encouraged and taught bird
protection. In this it has had, since 1890, the coöperation of the
Indiana Horticultural Society.
In 1897 at different times several bodies were interested in the
movement in favor of bird protection. These appointed committees united
in a call for a meeting to be held at Indianapolis. A programme was
prepared, and the meeting held in the State House April 26, 1898. I
send you a copy of the call and programme; also of the constitution
of the Indiana Audubon Society. The Governor, and Superintendent of
Public Instruction have both been much interested, and as a consequence
Bird Day and Arbor Day were celebrated October 28, 1898. The "Outline
of Township Institute Work" has gone into the hands of every teacher
and school officer in the state.... You will see that the work we are
doing is practical, even though it is not so much as some States are
accomplishing. I have not the enrollment or statement of publications
issued, but counting the issue of the State Department of Public
Instruction, 20,000 copies of different articles, at least, have been
distributed.
Amos W. Butler, _Sec'y._
ILLINOIS SOCIETY.
The past year has shown a very marked improvement as the results of
bird protection and the general work of our Illinois Audubon Society.
While the fashion for decorating hats with feathers still continues,
yet there is a very noticeable decrease in the display of aigrettes
and the feathers of wild birds. I have visited the establishments of
several of our Chicago wholesale milliners and find that the larger
portion of their stock, this fall, is made up of the feathers of the
domestic fowl and game birds. Our Audubon Society has had two public
meetings this year, which were well attended, and the interest in its
work has rather increased than abated. Our membership has increased to
3,426. We have liberally distributed leaflets, including 500 of our
circulars, stating the purpose of the society, to the editors of local
newspapers in the state, with request that they aid the society by
publishing same and calling attention to it editorially.
On February 7, 1898, an Interstate Convention was held in Chicago,
represented by the game and fish wardens, and delegates appointed by
the legislatures of the six states which responded to the call. At the
request of Mr. Witmer Stone, I presented at this convention the text
of a new law for the protection of birds and their nests and eggs, as
drafted by our committee on Bird Protection. The convention agreed to
submit the proposed law to each of their respective legislatures.
Great credit is due to the efficient work which has been done in our
state by Warden H. W. Loveday and his deputies. Since the first of the
year over one hundred prosecutions and convictions have been made, for
the wanton killing and trapping of song and insectivorous birds by
men and boys largely Italians and Bohemians. In 1897 there were 580
convictions in the state for the illegal killing and transportation of
game birds. This year the game has been so carefully watched and such
prompt action taken of reported cases of violation, that the poachers
and market hunters have been less bold, and the number of arrests and
seizures of game have been reduced over one-half.
On April 9, 1898, as a result of the efforts of County Superintendent
of Schools Mr. Orville T. Bright, a meeting was held in Chicago in the
interest of the school teachers of Cook county. Over three hundred
were present, and the meeting was devoted exclusively to birds, and
addresses given by several members of the Audubon Society. A "Finding
List" of sixty species of birds, compiled by Mr. Frank E. Sanford,
Superintendent of the La Grange, Ill., Schools, was distributed. This
is a most effective method to inspire the teachers and in turn impart
their love for birds to the scholars.
Ruthven Deane, _President_.
IOWA SOCIETY.
Under the auspices of the Keokuk Woman's Club, the Audubon Society of
Iowa was organized April 5, 1898.
The first work taken up was the establishment of Bird Day in the public
schools.
The second meeting was held in Rand Park. Short talks were made by
Hazen I. Sanger, John Huiskamp, Rabbi Faber, Doctor Ehinger, and a
paper was read by Miss Read.
We have bought and distributed through the schools, from kindergarten
up, bird pictures and bird literature.
One of our men milliners asked to become a member.
On August 6 the officers of the society met and adopted articles of
incorporation, this being the first Audubon Society to be incorporated
under the laws of Iowa. The laws of Iowa give fair protection to the
birds; our work is in creating the right sentiment.
Nellie S. Board, _Sec'y._
MINNESOTA SOCIETY
Mr. John W. Taylor, President of the Minnesota Audubon Society, reports
the passage of a law establishing Arbor and Bird Day in Minnesota,
and writes: "It is, as you can well imagine, a source of great
gratification to the lover of birds in the state, and especially to
the Audubon Societies. Through this law we can do more towards bird
protection than we could accomplish in many years' labor without it.
It brings the subject before the teachers and children, and as you
educate the child so you mould the man. We have now in this state 58
branch societies, besides many school organizations and children's bird
clubs. The number of members I am not able to give, as I have not all
the reports in. We have sent out considerable literature, and used the
press largely to interest our people. We feel that we are doing wonders
for the first active year we have had, and congratulate ourselves that
the hardest work is done. We hope by April 1st to have a branch in
every county in Minnesota."
* * * * *
Reports from the New Hampshire and Wisconsin Societies and a notice of
the American Society of Bird Restorers are necessarily postponed until
June.
_... READY THIS MONTH ..._
Nature Study For Grammar Grades
_A Manual for the Guidance of Pupils below the High School in the Study
of Nature_
BY
WILBUR S. JACKMAN, A.B.
Dep't of Natural Science, Chicago Normal School
Author of "Nature Study for the Common Schools," "Nature Study and
Related Subjects," "Nature Study Record," "Field Work in Nature Study,"
etc.
REVISED EDITION
In preparing this Manual, it has been the author's aim to propose,
within the comprehension of grammar school pupils, a few of the
problems which arise in a thoughtful study of nature, and to offer
suggestions designed to lead to their solution.
That pupils need some rational and definite directions in nature
study, all are generally agreed. But to prepare the outlines and
suggestive directions necessary, and to place these within the reach
of each pupil, is more than any ordinary teacher has time to do, even
granting that she is fully prepared for such work. The utter futility
of depending upon oral suggestions during the class hour, when the
pupils are supposed to be doing individual work, is easily apparent
on a moment's reflection. With a manual of directions in hand, each
pupil may be made strictly responsible for a certain amount of work,
either in the field or in the laboratory. This removes all occasion for
that interruption in his work, which is, otherwise, due to the pupil's
attempt to _think_ and at the same time _hear_, what the teacher says.
Recent Publications on Nature Study
=Bailey's First Lessons With Plants.= $.40 _net_
"Extremely original and unusually practical."
=Ingersoll's Wild Neighbors.= $1.50
"Instructive as well as delightful."--_Popular
Science Monthly._
=Lange's Hand-Book of Nature Study.= $1
"The style of the book is fresh and inspiring."
=Murché's Science Readers.=
Vol. I. 25 cents.
Vol. II. 25 cents.
Vol. III. 40 cents.
Vol. IV. 40 cents _net_.
Vol. V. 50 cents _net_.
Vol. VI. 50 cents _net_.
=Weed's Life Histories of American Insects.= $1.50
"An unusually attractive book."--_Dial._
=Wilson's Nature Study in Elementary Schools.=
First Nature Reader 35 cents
Second Nature Reader 35 cents
Teacher's Manual 90 cents
=Wright's Citizen Bird.= $1.50
An interesting story, giving to the children
much accurate information about American
birds.
"Most delightful book on the subject yet
printed in the United States. I wish every
boy and girl could read it."--J. M. Greenwood,
Sup't Kansas City, Mo.
=Wright's Four-Footed Americans.= $1.50
Four-Footed American Mammals treated in
story form in the manner of _Citizen Bird_.
=Wright's Birdcraft.= $2.50 _net_
PUBLISHED BY
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, New York
* * * * *
Vol. 1 20c. a Copy
No. 3 JUNE, 1899 $1 a Year
=Bird-Lore=
[Illustration]
Edited by
FRANK M. CHAPMAN
The Macmillan Company
ENGLEWOOD, N. J.
NEW YORK LONDON
_R. Weber_
COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN
=Bird-Lore=
June, 1899
CONTENTS
Gannets on Bonaventure. Illustrated _Frank M. Chapman_ 71
Clark's Crows and Oregon Jays on Mount Hood. Illustrated
_Florence A. Merriam_ 72
The Masquerading Chickadee. Verse _Edith M. Thomas_ 77
Matins. Verse _Rosa Meyers Mumma_ 77
Home-Life in a Chimney. _Mary F. Day_ 78
Three Cobb's Island Pictures. Illustrated _William L. Baily_ 81
The Cardinal at the Hub. Illustrated _Ella Gilbert Ives_ 83
A Catbird Study. Illustrated _Dr. Thos. S. Roberts_ 87
FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
On the Ethics of Caging Birds _Olive Thorne Miller_ 89
A May Morning _Fred H. Kennard_ 91
FOR YOUNG OBSERVERS
A February Walk. _Mildred A. Robinson_ 94
Illustration--Robin on Nest. _T. S. Hankinson_ 95
Robin Rejoice. Verse _Garrett Newkirk_ 95
NOTES FROM FIELD AND STUDY 96
Inquisitive Magpies, _J. Alden Loring_; Songs of Birds,
_Frank E. Horack_
BOOK NEWS AND REVIEWS 97
Evans' Birds; Weed on the Feeding Habits of the Chipping Sparrow,
and Food of the Chickadee; Fannin's Check-list of British
Columbian Birds; Dearborn's List of Birds of Belknap and
Merrimack Counties, N. H.; Book News.
EDITORIAL 99
AUDUBON DEPARTMENT 100
Editorial; Reports from Wisconsin and New Hampshire Societies;
A Message From Madame Lehmann; Two New Audubon Societies;
Birds and Farmers.
×*× _Bird-Lore is published at Englewood, New Jersey, where all
manuscripts intended for publication, books, etc., for review, and
exchanges should be sent._
PUBLISHERS' ANNOUNCEMENT
Bird-Lore for August will contain an article by Bradford Torrey; A
paper on How to Photograph Wild Birds, by Richard Kearton, the most
successful of bird photographers; A poem by Garrett Newkirk; An account
of a Mississippi Swallow Roost, by Otto Widmann (whose paper on a visit
to the birthplace of Audubon is necessarily postponed); a report of the
American Society of Bird Restorers, by the organizer, Fletcher Osgood,
and other interesting articles.
[Illustration: GANNETS ON BONAVENTURE ISLAND
Photographed from nature by Frank M. Chapman]
=Bird-Lore=
A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS
Official Organ of the Audubon Societies
=======================================
Vol. 1 June, 1899 No. 3
=======================================
Gannets on Bonaventure
BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN
(_See Frontispiece_)
[Illustration]
Gannets (_Sula bassana_) are known to nest in only three places in
North America--Perroquet Island, the Bird Rocks, and Bonaventure
Island, all in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. By far the largest colony
is found on the last named island, where, on the ledges of the
red sandstone cliffs, some three hundred feet in height, they are
practically secure from molestation. Bonaventure Island itself,
however, is the most accessible of the three localities mentioned, and
may be easily reached in a small fishing boat from the neighboring
village of Percé, where the famous Percé Rock, with its colony
of Herring Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants, makes the region
particularly interesting to the ornithologist.
The Gannet cliffs are on the east side of Bonaventure, and are exposed
to the full force of the sea. To visit them satisfactorily, therefore,
one should select a calm day, when one may closely approach the cliffs,
and view with both safety and comfort the long, white rows, containing
thousands of birds nesting on the shelves and ledges on the face of the
cliff; a remarkable spectacle!
The unusually turbulent sea which prevailed during my visit to these
cliffs, on July 11, 1898, prevented me from securing satisfactory
pictures from a boat, but, landing on the west side of Bonaventure,
I crossed the island (here about one and a half miles in width),
and reached a position on the crest of the cliffs, from which the
accompanying picture was made. About four hundred Gannets are shown
nesting on this single ledge--one of many quite as densely populated.
Preparations were made to secure a picture of these birds on the wing,
but my best efforts to startle them into flight did not succeed in
making a single bird leave its nest!
Clark's Crows and Oregon Jays on Mount Hood
BY FLORENCE A. MERRIAM
(_Concluded from page 48_)
[Illustration: CLARK'S CROW AND OREGON JAY
Photographed from nature by Florence A. Merriam]
Although the Nutcrackers and Jays were masters of the feast,
they did not altogether monopolize it. Ground squirrels with golden
brown heads and striped backs would look out at me from the rocks, and
pretty little striped-nosed chipmunks would pick up choice morsels and
climb nimbly back along the cliff with them. Juncos often dropped in,
pecked indifferently at the crumbs, slipped off the tin cans they tried
to perch on, and flew off. Two Lewis' Woodpeckers stopped one day and,
flying down, clung awkwardly to the side of the cliff, as if vaguely
wanting to join in the proceedings, but not knowing how, finally left.
A single Steller's Jay hung around the outskirts in the same way, the
first day I was there. He hopped about, looked this way and that,
and pecked at the food perfunctorily, as if it was new to his palate
and not quite to his mind, acting altogether as if he realized that
something was going on he ought to be enjoying, though he really didn't
see just where the fun came in. Unlike the Woodpeckers, however, he was
determined to improve his opportunities, and cultivated his appetite so
successfully that on the last day when I visited the dining-room he and
a comrade were working away, apparently enjoying the viands as much as
their neighbors.
But the Crows and Oregon Jays were the regular habitues of the place.
When resting from his labors a solitary Crow would often perch on
the tip of a bare spar on the crest of the cliff, apparently quite
satisfied with his own society, but I never saw a Jay there, and one
whom I did see separated from his band for a moment fairly made the
welkin ring with shouts for his clan. Several Clark's Crows were often
at the table with the Jays, but while I never saw a Crow disturb a
Jay, a Crow would often fly with animation at a newcoming fellow
Crow. This was a surprise to me, for on Mt. Shasta I had seen the
Nutcrackers hunting in bands quite as the Jays did here. But on the
wide lava slopes of Shasta there were, doubtless, grasshoppers enough
for all the world, while here the feast was restricted to the foot of
one cliff on the mountain--quite a different matter. When I spoke to
Mrs. Langille about this difference in disposition, she acquiesced as
if it were an
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