The Evening critic., 1882-05-18
WEST WASHINGTON.

About n week or ten days ngo n vast number
OF birds, comprising several distinct varieties
and Of beautiful plumage, made their appear
ancc, and are still plentiful among us. None
OF these birds are known TO any OF our amateur
naturalists. They arc remarkably tame, even
permitting themselves to DO taken In tho
hand, and numbers Of them are caughtby boys
throw Ing their hats over thom. They do not
hesitate TO come Into houses, whore they VIII
remain for long time, especially II there arc
growing plants in the rooms, and some OF our
florists have found them perfect Godsend, as
they rid their plants OF aphis and other nox-
iOus insects which have been especially trou-
blcsOme this spring, while outdoor plants,
which were covered with nphis, have been
completely cleared by them. Tho little
have become tho themo OF general
conversation wherever "two or three are gath
cred together" and all are deslrous OF ascer-
tanning something about them, but no one can
give the desired Information, and In tho mean
time the boys with their bennshooters arc
sloughterlng them by tho hundred, your re-
porter having heard one little fellow boastlng
of having killed six that day. In view OF the
great usefulness of these birds, tho authori-
ties should take stops to protect them from
wnnton destruction. THE CRITIC being also
anxious TO find out something about tho little
strangers, was much gratifled this morning I'm
meeting gentleman who Is usually well In
formed on such matters, who unraveled the
mystery by informing THE CRITIC that the
birds had been brought to this country by
vessel recently arrived from the West Indies,
which, after having been several days Mt sea,
and during heavy gallo from tho land,
had been literally covered by n Night of these
birds, amounting in numbers TO four or flvo
thousand, at tho lowest calculation, some of
them as large as Wild pigeon, which re-
mained on tho vessel until she reached tho
Potomac, when the wilder and larger ones left
for the forests on tho river banks. but tho
smaller and tanner kinds remained on the ves-
sci until she reached the wharf, since which
time they have become scattered throughout
the city. Finding that this was the generally
accepted theory In regard to the birds, THE
CRITIC determined to get Its information from
the fountaln.head, and plodded its way across
Rock Creek TO Littleneld's wharf, where was
found the barkentine Levanter, which arrived
about ten days ago from Trinidad, B. W. L.,
with cargo OF asphalt and, In the absence Of
the captain, who had gone to Baltimore, inter-
viewed the polite first officer of the barkentine,
who furnished the following remarkable state
ment:
lowing TO the want of space in our crowded
columns to-day we are reluctantly compelled
10 defer the statement of the mate to our next
issue.-ED. CRITIc.l
Yesterday afternoon, about l o'clock, while
William Knott, youth about Is years OF age,
was assisting in hosting q shaft at Beckham's
machine-shop, on street, 1t slipped from its
fastenings and fell on his right foot, MASKING
1t badly. He was carried to his homo on JEFF
ferson avenue, where DR.. Applcby dressed
the wounded foot, pronouncing no bones
broken.
Irermione Lodge No. IL, X. of p, held theil
regular meeting last night with good at
tendance, and was greatly entertained by q
lecture from p G.. G. Gregg, exemplifying the
work of the order.
Schooner Clara Goshen, from Baltimore
| brought 1000 bushels OF corn 10 Austin Herr
the same gentleman also receiving 80 carloads
| of corn by rail.
Two boats with coal, and boat Ruby, witt
3,40O bushels Of wheat to Hartley Il Bro. (solt
| at S1.45), arrived by canal this morning.
Georgetown Fish Market, reported by @. L
| Harper, wharf agent: $4,000 herring at $5h
| TO 81 per 1000; 800 shad at SIG to $50 pei
| 100; GOO tailors at $125 to 50 per 100.
| High tide: S:42 this afternoon and 0 :O7 a
| m. Friday, 10Th inst.