The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-05-13
Have Birds q Language2

aroused. Chicago Times.
Have Birds Language2
Early last summer pair of cat-birds
built their nest in an evergreen near our
back door. They were very tame, and
it appeared as if they came so near for
protection. But we could not protect
them against prowling cats in the night,
and one morning found the female and
her young brood gone. The male, who
was fine singer, seemed very disconso-
late for several days. His joyous song
was hushed, and he called his mate in a
sad, plaintive way, and apparently made
no effort to secure a second partner.
Time healed his sorrow, yet still he re-
manned single; but the paternal instinct
prompted him to have sort of supervis-
ion over the young of other species. He
was specially watchful over brood Of
young bluebirds which had their home in
little earthen house which we had
placed on low pillar of the upper pi-
azza.
Several times the cat-bird had made a
great outcry, and called the parent birds
to their young, and not only the parents
but other birds focked around to learn
the cause of the trouble. As soon as I
heard the cutlery would look for the
cause, but could see nothing, and be-
gan to conclude the bird was giving a
false alarm out of pure mischief. But I
was soon undeceived. was sitting
where my eyes rested on the bird-house.
Both parents were absent, and, in fact,
no birds were in sight. It was oppress-
lively warm and still; not a leaf was STIR
ring nor bird-note heard. Suddenly
an English sparrow fits past me, and
allghts on the step Of the little house,
and puts its head in at the door. Imme-
diately the guardian cat-bird-whose
watchful eye had seen the sparrow from
his leafy screen in an adjacent grape
vine-sounds the alarm, and comes forth
and stations himself on q tree near the.
piazza. The sparrow leaves immedi-
ately, and alights on the railing at the
opposite end of the piazza. But still the
cat-bird seems much excited, throws his
tail from side to side, droops his wings, and
loudly proclaims his displeasure. Quicker
than l can tell it, the parent birds were
at home, and other species came flock
ing in; robins, wrens, and vireos add
their clamor. The sparrow, veritable
little John Bull, straightens himself up.
busters about, and adds his sharp chirp,
as it denying the charge made against
him. His audacious behavior is too
much for the cat-bird, who dashes across
the piazza, and chases him out Of sight.
And now the parents twitter compla-
Gently, and the other birds return to their
quarters.
Birds not only seem to have Ian
guage, but also sense of humor. One
pleasant day in February l noticed 4
number of English and song sparrows
under large evergreen. Quite GUAM
tity OF pretty white feathers had blown
under the tree and lodged there. One
OF the sparrows gathered several in its
mouth and hoped on to one of the lower
limbs, and let the feathers blow away.
and then Immediately gathered more:
and now another joins the frolic, and
then another, and another, until seven
or eight are filling their mouths, and
hopping on to the limbs, let them fall
and fly in the light wind. 1t looked like
play, and they may have been discourse
ing the while about the fine lining thew
would make for their nests, which thew
would soon need if this warm weather
continued. =
Perhaps there is no bird that manifesto
more cleverness and sagacity than the
crow, but there is such widespread
prejudice against him that but few peo-
pie are aware how much intelligence he |
has. have sometimes been so incensed |
against him, when have seen him rob
the nests OF our song birds to feed his |
own nestlings, that II had possessed |
the power, l would have struck him |
down, and rescued his prey. What right
had he to cause such agonizing cries of |
distress from my favorite sonqstersp Al
the same time shut my ears to the wall !
ing call OF our pet COW. for her cali.
which the butcher has dragged from her |
side to supply our table, and continue
to hurl my anathemas at the crow for
depriving the parent birds Of their young
simply to CRAFTY the appetite Of Hs
young brood. Crows are not men. and
should not be allowed to initiate them
-Harper's Bazaar. -