The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-03-04
.oUR B1RDs.r

'sOUR BIRDs.n Il
ESSAY, 81 On. r. n. MITCHELL, read at
the Meeting of the Richmond Horticultural
Society, Feb. IL, 1871.
Nh. PRESIDENT
The subject for discussion to-day, il Our
Birds A subject that would fill volumns.
One that l am but little acquainted with;
and the few remarks that will make up this
short Essay. Will be more for soil citing
discussion, than any correct information, l
am capable of giving on this pleasant and
important subject. 1t is said that little boats
should keep ne ar shore, SO will con6ne my
self to the little colony of birds that | claim
is my own; those that cultivated on our ten
acres, and those birds protect and defend,
and try TO have them understand that while |
there they need not fear cat dog, or boy. I |
think that with care and kindness, my little |
COLONY has increased twenty FIVE per cent. in |
two years.
We have remaining with Us through the
Winter, the Snow Bird, the Red Bird, the
CLippee and the Wren, very small birds, liv-
ing on insects and seeds, and should often be
fed by those whose grounds they inhabit, they
are with us in the early Spring to commence
their daily work of destroying insects their
chief food.
The Robin and the Blue Jay if not with us
through the Winter are early visitors in the
Spring. zve
The Brown Thrush, the Blue Bird, the
Swift. the Chimney Swallow, the Martin, the
Lark, the Cat Bird, the Black Bird, the Pc
Wit, the Dove,..the King Bird, the Humming
the Canary Bird-are with us early in the
season, and must live to great extent on in
sects; and during the time they feed their
young must consume large quantities; as all
the young Of the sm all b irds are fed on in
sects.
They are all early at work building nests
sndip repairing to raise the young brood.
The Robin 10 about the frst to build and il
not disturbed will raise two broods in the sea-
son. They are full feeders, and the amount
of insects destroyed must be enormous, and
If near the end of the season, they should
fail to procure insect food for their extensive
families, and from necessities, should have to
depend on small fruit in part for their SUBJ
sistence, have hey not earned some for their
| faithful labors? This bird seems to have but
| little fear of man, and is the farmers and
| gardener g companion. He collects the in
secte that are turned up with confidence, and
cheers him with his morning and evening
songs.
The Blue Jay is . gay bird, he is early with
US, builds bis nest and raises his young in
our colony, and must destroy large quantities
of insects; but his tyraanical disposition, and
his propensity to destroy the eggs and young
of other useful and smaller birds, may more
than bal lance the good he does. These
birds have been ind icted and condemned for
eating hens eggs, birds eggs, and young
birds in he nest; and for being great thieves
T. generally. But this ] do not know, and
mu st th erefore protest and defend.
The Brown Thrush is proud bird, and the
fairest of the Thrush family. They build in
the hedge-rows, thick briars and the thorn.
bush, and are protected from their common
enemy; and as on hedge-rows increase, sc
will the Brown Thrush, and many other small
er birds that need protection from the Blus
Jay, Crow and the Hawk.
They feed on worms, catterpillars, beetle,
and Der ries. This beautiful bird has beer
accxsed of taking the grains Of corn at plant
ing time this may be true, but it is though
that every grain he takes be destroys fiv'
hundred insects and grubs, that wonld b
m ore injurious to the crops than all thu
Thrush families.
The great American Naturalist, has vel
expressed the feelings, which ought to b.
cherished, in regard to the advantages which
this bird confers. In bis praises Of this fin
songster, he says "the human being wit
amidst such scenes, can pass them with COLI
indi ference and contempt, sincerely pity
for abject must that heart be, and Gallon
those feelings, and depraved that taste, whicl
neither the charms of nature, nor the melod
of innocence, nor the voice of gratitude o
devotion can reach.'
The Red headed W ood-Pecker, the Yellow
bre asted Wood Pc ckei and the Sapsucker ha
rather = bard life, and many enemies, but b.
fore We condemn let US investigate. Thes
three varieties are early with us-they o
build mes to, and raise families, and must fee
! them, and il We motto their industry At ths
season, they must be great feeders and de
stroy large quantities of insects.
| For tho safety OF the living, some frien
e has Investigated the stomachs Of the dead, I
these birds, which terminated in their favo
Tho stomach of q Red-headed Wood-Pecke
was examined in the Spring Of the year. an
l was found to contain berries, ants, beetle
and grubs.
The stomach of the Yellow breasted w oot
Picker, was found to contain the gPubs
Eve boring beetles, and at least one dozen
small wood-eating beetles, some ants, and
4 little vegetable matter. At various tim,
!. during the season, from March to Octobe
examinations have been made of the san
species of birds, and the stomachs were four
- to contain insects, grubs, worms, and larav
o and not in one case was found any species
II grain, and but in one or two cases any W
etable matter.
There are other birds that peck in the wo
u for grubs and insects; and am inclined
d think the Sapsucker is one of them. II
bird that I think is the true and only Sa
sucker, with us, is size smaller than
- Wood-Pecker-at proper age he has . +
% head, and has feathers some like . Guin
Dr. fowl, W th white breast and sides-this bi
will peck holes in the sugar tree, the pin
and other trees-but cannot think this
birds, destroys his full share of insects.
least have seen ours 60 from the evergree
~ directly to the pair tree, and become We
n. busy knocking the bark, and to my satisfi
= ton getting insects. On watching him We