The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-02

For many years q learned Frenchman,
NJ. bureau de Ia Male, took special notice
of the times at which various birds left
their nests and began their songs, or be-
took themselves to the duties of the day.
For thirty years this gentleman was in
the habit, during a good part of the
Spring and Summer, of going to bed at Z
O'Clock in the evening, in order that he
might rise again at midnight and be ready
to watch the very earliest movements
amongst his feathered friends. BY uni
formly treating the birds who built in his
garden and grounds with kindness, giving
them food and protecting them from
harm, NJ. de Ia Male had made the birds
into real friends, and he could move about
quietly among the trees and shrubs with
out exciting any alarm on the part of
those who would otherwise have been
quick to notice his approach and fly be-
yond his reach.
The most common birds whose habits
were noted by the gentlman in question,
appear to have "turned out" in the morn
ing of May and June at the following
hours:
The greenfnch from one to half.past
one. The linnet from two to three. The
quail from halfpast two to three. The
blackbird from halfpast three to four.
The red-headed linnet from three to half
past three. The sparrow from five to
half-past five. The tomtit from five to
half-past five.
1t will be seen that the greenfnch was
the earliest and the sparrow one of the
latest risers among the birds observed.
Who would have thought that the sparrow
would be the most mischievous and the
most lazy of birds ? am afraid other
thieves are lazy as well.
Of course the rule which NJ. de Ia
Male laid down, as above mentioned, was
subject to exceptions. Sometimes the
birds rose even earlier, and the reason is
thus suggested in an interesting extract
from the naturalist's statement: "On the
fourth of June the red headed linnet and
the blackbird commenced their song at
half-past two in the morning. Struck
with the anomaly / went to inspect their
nests, and found their broods. L thought
at first that it was manifestation of
parental joy; but soon became convinced
of my error. The necessity of laboring
more hours to feed the increasing family
had hastened their rising by an hour and
half and | could see by the moonlight,
the parents constantly occupied in seek.
ing on the grass and flower beds the in.
sects which were to serve as nourishment
for their offspring"
Sometimes the birds are deceived in the
hour. Thus linnet awoke at half.past
II, and began to sing on tree close to
window at which the naturalist had placed
his lamp. 1t had mistaken the light of
the lamp for that of the sun; but very
soon perceived his error; and, confused
and ashamed, went to sleep again.
A tame blackbird, which was in the
habit of returning every evening to its
cage left hanging in the court was forgot.
ten one evening, and the cage was not
taken indoors. At midnight, when M.
de la Males lamp was lighted, the black
bird woke up and began to sing the airs
he had been taught. Immediately the
wild blackbirds in the garden and shrub.
berry answered the songs, and from mid.
night until morning both wild and tame
birds sang away as if in emulation.
ark Daily Advertiser.