The Lincoln County herald., 1872-11-27
tFrom the New York Observer
WALKS AND TALKS WITH
BIRDS,

woSoS, saw my nephew, HerOSr
Wilder, as l appeared, trowel 10 hand
all seady to soga war upon the weed
in ny gsrden, "let US 60 to the wood
and have talk about the birds. Neve
nind the 6ewers," he sdded, as hi
looked at my towel "somo other TINT
will do for that, you don't have m,
every day, and you had better make tho
most Of me while you can"
The words we're lightly spoken, but !
took them in earnest. My theory ha.
always been, as regards children-do all
you can to make them happy and give
them joyous childhood to look back
upon after the sorrows OF mature life
come to them Gas sooner or later, they
must cone to all Of u.s. give them a
taste for simple pleasures, and teach
them to look through Nature up to
Natures God" So my ,rowel was laid
sside and we set off for the woods We
are both Of US true lovers of Nature. aud,
though knowing little scientifically, l
have learned a good deal from observa-
tion, and having had special fondness
for natural history from childhood, have
acquired quite reputation among my
nephews and nisces. After walking
through meadow We came to what we
call "our woodland" and our first well
come to the home Of the birds was from
brown thrush, who, perched on the
topmost branch Of q chestnu. tree, was
singing his morning song.
How glad | am that the brown thrush
lives so fearlessly among US" said Her
bert "his note is so soft and sweet It's
great treat to hear it, and though be
gives US a good deal of his music we
never seem to tire Of it,"
"Did you ever hear two or three sing
in concert p l asked.
"les, often, as if answering each
other he replied, land it seems to me
one Of the sweetest songs we ever hear
Let US see if We can find the nest" he
added, "as he walked directly under the
tree. Don't you suppose it is somewhere
near US p
"Vsry likely l answered e.; "but look
down instead of up. The brown thrush
Is fond Of building his nest on the ground
or on the stumps Of trees, though occa.
sionally he looks little higher up in
the world and selects an alder or iuniner
bush"
swell, here is an old stump, Auntie,
and, true as the world, here is the nest
with one, two, three, four eggs ia it. buff
dotted with brown spots, D., come and
examine it. Tho foundation is dead
tWigs and dried leaves slightly inter
woven together, then finer twigs put
strongly together. 'Iis about two inches
desp, and tho inner lining is horse hair
feathers and grapevine bark Do Won
suppose they think it all out beforehand
and make the outside coarse and stronp
to hold together, and the inside soft for
the comfort Of the little birds ?"
Il don't suppose they think at ALL
said l, "but God gives them strong in.
stincts, and, knowing just what each
bird needs, be teaches each one TO bn;ld
the kind of nest best adapted to its own
use. Now, if you have satisfied yourself
as to the construction of thrush's nest
suppose you come away, for the mother
bird is evidently disturbed by our pres.
snce."
""ell, l know what will do" said
Herbert. "When the birds have flown II
will secure the nest. mean to make n
collection, and then can study them a,
my leisure. Won't that be o good
plan ?"
"Ye'' if it plcases YOU" | answered
"But did | ever tell you my experience
Perhaps it will teach you useful
)ssson.'
NO. Auntle, you never told me" said
Herbert, "and | am always glad 70
learn"
80 began my story. When | was
little girl loved birds and everything
relating to them, and every spring used
to make business of hunting for nests
10 'he numerous trees which surrounded
my home, and when 10 the woods I was
on the look out, and many an hour have
spent ia watching birds and trvps to
learn their habits and tell them by their
f"ngs. In ole of my rambes I found
thrush nest and lonscd to take immedi.
ate possession, but my conscience was
tender, and was far too we'll TAUGHT 10