The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-06-10

on the l0,h. For tho first two or throe
months, It Is q "rigbt jolly singer" filling
tho air with iss musical strains after which
il becomes comparatively silent, during its
stay. Here it feeds chiefly upon insects,
aud is harmless but, at tho South, Il feeds
largely upon seeds, and becomes very
TO the rice folds of the Caro-.
inas, whero, on that account, IL is called
"Rico bird" The color of this bird varies
with tho season.
CUCULIDAE; Cuckoos, &c.
Only two of the six species in this family,
belonging to the United States, visit this
County--the black billed and the yellow.
billed Crckoo, which arrivo hero, usually,
early in May, and depart south again in
September, where they spend tho wintor.-I
They range over tho whole United Statos,
and, according to Audubon, go as far north
fr' quontly, as Labrador, The nests of these
birds are often found in some bush, in neg
lected pastures, or along the borders Of open
woods, but they would generally select somo
tree in our orchards, If unmolcsted. They
food principally on those caterpilars and
other insects that arc most destructive to
our fruit and ornamental trees. Since they
consume thom in large quantities daily, ev-
cry fruit-grower has q special interest in the
abundance and welfare of these birde. In
proportion to tho protection granted to
these birds, other things being equal, will
be tho excellence of the fruit crop, and tho
health and vigor of tho trees Wilson says
thcy frequently eat snaiis.
coLorTERiDAE; Fly catchers.
There arc nine species of this valuable
and interesting family that visit Geauga
County. Tho olive sided Fly catcher is a
winter resident, though some frequently re-
main through the summer. The Phoebe and
Wood Perveo appeared in April; the King.
bird, tho Great.crosted, Traits, tho Least,
the Green. crested. and :be Yollow-be!lied
Fly catcher. arrived between tho 5,h aud
20lh of May. All this family arc strictly
insectivorous, waging q ceaseless warfare
against gnais, flies, muske,oes, and other
durnal winged insccts, which they capture
and cat upon tho wing. Each bird will
consume, on an average, at loast 1000, and
probably some of them 1900 daily, during
their summer residence hero. The charge
brought against the Kingbird, that it is in,
furious to bees, is probably without founda.
ton. An exdmi nation of tho crops of these
birds reveals this fact: that It does feed on
tho dronrs, but very rarely. If ever. eats a
Worker. Three of these, tho Kingbird, the
Phoebe and Trails Fly.ca tcher, if unmo
losted. will generally nest in the vicinity Of
tho farmhouse the rest prefer situations
moro remote. Several Of this family give
their yonrg special instructions in tho art
Of fly catching. before they finally leave the
nest. Traills Fly catcher, whose nest you
may find in your orchard usually, aud may
know, by its being co imposed on the outside
Of lichens and moss. will bring out her
young. and arrange them along a limb. like
u company of soldors. Having caught an
insect, she requires them to take il from
her bill, as she flies slowly past them, or not
have it. In the course of day or two, by
increasing her speed each successive time
she has ihom so well instructed that they
easily tako their food, even when she is
passing them at her greatest velocity. She
now bids them farewell, and they set up
"Ay catching" on their own account.
sYLvAcoLlDAE; Wdrbiers, Tanag ers, &c.
This largo family contains 40 species, and
includes tho 1itlark, Water Thrushes, Tan
ayers and Warbers. The Tilark is win.
ter resident, and retired to tho North in
April, where 1t will nest and spend the sum-
mer. In tho fall it will retreat, in advance
Of the approaching Arctic winter, south Into
tho United States again. About 20 species
of this family arc regular sumner residents
here, and all but one or two arrived in May.
They will leave again in tho fall to spend
the win.er a. tho South. Among these will
be found the chestnut.sded Warbler, yell
low Warbler. Maryland yellow-throat, Bed.
start. blue-winged yellow Warbler, scarlet
Tanager The remaining species arc, gen,
orally. merely spring and autumn visiianis,
spending but a fow days with us, while fruit
aud forest trees are in blossom, and tbcn
passing on to their summer retreat in tho
or,b. Among these arc the beautiful
Blackburnian Warbler, the Black -throated
Green, tho Black -throated Blue, and tho
Golden-wipged Warbler. OF this large fam-
Iy, nearly oil arc excellent singers, and they
always make, whatever place thoy occupy,
cheerful with their merry songs They are
all also noted insect destroyers. consuming
thom by hundreds and thousands. Even
those that stop but few days, render q
service valuable to our fruit and forest trees,
by destroying insects and their eggs on the
leaves aud blossoms. All are entirely
harmless birds, whose incessant labors are
directed by the guiding hand of Providence.
TO the same end as those of tho tiIler Of the
soil, TO increase the farmers crops.
FRTNGILLIDAE Fnehes. SFarro,cs, DE.
The remaining members Of this valuable
family arrived carly in May. These are
the Rose breasted Grosbeak, Black .throated
Bunting, Yellow.wineod Sparrow, Yellow.