Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-08-26
Birds of July

In July one hundred and eight species
of birds should be found in the Eastern
and Middle states. In that month many
of the smaller birds have brOods of young
ready to fly, and seem 10 be placed in q
world of perpleXity. Out in the apple tree
behind the house is the little lichen-cover-
ed nest of a pair of least t1ycatChers. The
young have within day or two left the
nest, and the old birds hardly know what
to do with them. A passer-by throws the
parents into an agony of alarm. They tlut-
ter and Chirp and refuse to be quiet until
the stranger is out of sight. There is con-
tinually some cause for fear; now cat
prowls through the grass and now q stray
crow black bird, whose taste for young fly
catchers is specially developed, flies so that
the poor fycatchers will not be at rest until
their Young are strong enough to tiy and
wise enough to be timid. Go into the
woods anywhere and you will find the
bird busted about their young, collecting
their food and teaching them how to fly.
Initiate the cry of a wounded bird by max
ing a screeching noise with your lips
against the back of your hand and you will
soon be surrounded by eager throngs of
birds all anxious to see if any of their little
ones have fallen into your clutches. Go
into the pine groves, remain quiet for
while and you will see restless little
chickade, black throated green warblers,
black and white creepers, red eyed vireos,
Wilson's thrushes, blue jays and others
less common. Pass from the grove of alders
and birches, and bordered by swamp,
and you will find a very different display
of birds life. Here will be found the
Maryland yellow throat, and with him
will come the song sparrow, the brown
thrush, the chewink, the cat bird, and red
winged blackbird, the summer yellow
warbler and the indigo bird. Our mixed
woods of chesnut, oak, maple. pine, birch,
are rich in bird life. Listen for the sligh-
est rustic in the leaves watch for the sway
ing OF twig, for these slight signs reveal
the presence of some modest songster
whose delicate beauty surpasses that Of the
richest fabrics, and whose graceful move
ments charm the fortunate observer who
can find and see our birds at home. The
first bird to attract attention will be the
chesnut sided warbler, with his pretty yel-
low cap and chestnut sides; and, some
where in these woods; you Will not fail to
see warbling vireos, wood pewees, blue
yellow-backed warblers, red starts, oven
birds, and dOwny woodpeckers. By rare
good fortune you may catch glimpse of a
rose-breasted grosbeak, or of a scarlet taua-
ger, that brilliant king of the woods, whose
bright crimson plumage instantly attracts
your eye as he swings easily along the top
most branches. Not alone in the woods,
but take stroll in the meadow, with one
who keeps his eyes and ears open, and
learn the birds there. Meadow larks;
bobolnks; field, grass, yellow-winged, and
Savannah sparrOws; COW black birds; and
many others fly abont you, or spring up
almost under your feet. Climb the stone
wall and sit down under the orchard
boughs and watch. Here we see orioles
king-birds, cherry birds, pbehes, golden
winged woodpeckers, chipping sparrows,
cuckoOs, bluebirds, and the swift swallow,
all active and full of business, hunting
down and killing the caterpillar, destroying
the curculios, and the new laid eggs of the
''army worm" moth, carrying devastation
into the ranks of the "cut worm" moth,
and proving themselves the best friends of
the agriculturist by destroying the many
insects injurious to vegetation.