Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-19
The Migratory Singing Birds In Ghe
City

FACTS AND FICTION ABOUT THKN-N0T ORIOLES.
TWAS mentioned In Wednesdays STAR that an
unusually large number Of strange birds Of beauti
full plumage on the trees of the parks and streets
OF this city the past week had been subject of
general remark. The strangers are fine song
birds, almost rfvallng the canaries in the quality
and variety OF their musical notes. They abound
not only In this city but In the surrounding region
OF country-in Maryland and virginia-and there
tory, and the cause OF their appearance in this
section. They were numerous in West Washing
ton until killed and frightened OF by the hoodlums
on that side OF Rock Greek, who are experts in
the use OF those d1abolical contrivances known as
pean shooters The strange birds were first seen
tnere shortly after large barkentine had come
up the rver-the Levanter, with a cargo OF asphalt
from Trinidad. The story soon got abroad that
EasbyS, near the Observatory had brought the
birds The mate of the Levanter says the first he
heard OF 1t was on Sunday when he was asked by
Georgetown man whether a lot OF b!EdS had not
got away from cage on the vessel Then it was
reported that an off shore storm had driven hun
dreds OF the birds on board the vessel as she was
leaving Trinidad, and that they sought refuge in
the rigging, and stayed there until the barkentine
tied up at the wharf here. The feathered hundreds
or fact mariner not given to EARNING, and he
solemnly serts that the only bird he saw on the
ana the captain put It In cage, but 1t died before
it got here He disclaims responsibility for any
other bird story. So the reported West Iadian
origin or the pretty WarblerS Is fiction.
Mr.. Rdgeway, WHO is In charge Of the ornitho-
logical department Of the Smithsonian, told a
STAR reporter to-day that the number of birds
this spring in this Vicinity is unusually large, and
1t Is due to the continuance OF the cold weather,
which has prevented the birds from continuing
their nOrthward flight from their winter homes in
tae south. The most numerous OF these strange
and beautiful visitors are the species known as
the warblerS There are large number OF var1e-
ties, but those noticed in this vicinity small
birds with yellow predOminating. Some are gray
1Sh They nest as far north as Canada, and are
bobolinks, the black and white birds which stop
here In the fall, and then in their grayiSh plumage
are known as reed birds. The yellow warberS,
or American canaries, are very common just now,
and also some specimens OF the ScarlatanS, the
red-breaSted grOSbeck, the Baltimore OrfOle, and
the robins These feathered visitors have filled
the air with their beautiful songs and at the same
time have done effective work in destroying the
insects and bugs that prey upon the Shrubbery.
The small boy has enjoyed this unusual influx of
victims for his bean shooter, and between the
small boy and the sparrows the birds have had
rather warm reception.
WHAT THEY SAY IN BALTIMORE.
The birds are more numerous about Baltimore
than in this vicinity where 1t is said they not
Orioles, but migratory feathered songsters driven
into this section by the cold and stormy weather,
most OF them being the variety known as the
american Red Start" or "f1y-catching warbler"
Their plumage Is somewhat like that of the
orioles, but they are much smaller. The Orioles
are now very scare, but the Baltimore San says
number Of them have built their hanging nests in
Druid Hill park this spring.