The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-06-13
stories About Birds.

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catcllers built for four successive yea{y
qS74-77) in the upper floor OF brew
cry ut Colchester, upon q cross-beam
Immediately under the stage surround
q steam wort copper. In this position
they were subject to strange diversity
of startling and sudden noises from in
territorial or accidental escapes of steam,
the trampling of feet and frequent re-
moval of heavy weights within tour
inches of the nest In addition, about
three feet over the nest a large hot
water tank was heated several times a
day hy direct. in lection of steam from. D
high pressure steam pipe, two inches in
diameter, which made Il most deafening
noise, and when ebuliition commenced
the oscillation of the whole building was
alarming, even to men, if unaccustomed
to it. Almost every day the birds were
enveloped for several hours in dense
volumes of steam rolling off from the
boiling wort, and for upwards of an
hour each morning, dNring the removal
of the spent hops from the copper. the
hole by which they gained sccess to
their young throughout feeding time
was entirely blocked. As all other
times they had to fly within few inches
of the workmen engaged Immediately
over the nest.
Notwithstanding all the apparent
disadvantages, these birds built regu.
larly four successive springs. and each
year raised a healthy brood of young
ones. They seemed to have a perfect
comprehension of the security afforded
by the general order given by the firm
of brewers that any interference with
the birds or nest would be followed
by instant dismissal of all concerned,
and they were probably tempted by the
rich supply of food constantly found in
the swarms of flies that resorted to the
spent hops.
Having repeatedly noted the sur
roundings of these birds, l am inclined
tolbelieve that their selection of q site
for a home was as remarkable as ANY
hitherto recorded. The building was de-
molished in the autumn of 1877, and
upon the return of the birds from win
ter quarters the following spring they
were obviously distressed at their loss
for several days, and then deserted the
locality" .... .,..,. ..f. ...
Another contributor furnishes the fol-
lowing: "A year ago my son bought
a sparrow, which he put in good
sized cage. The bird was very young,
not too shapely, and very ravenous.
He could lily a little, but seemingly did
not care to 60 toofar. In the course
OF time, however, he gained sufficient
strength and confidence to fly about the
garden, and would follow and perch on
the hands or heads of any of our family.
Presently he ventured into an oak,
from which he would enter into familiar
converse with us. and would also
debate in most vigorous aud excited
tones with any of his own species that
happened to be in the tree. In short,
he rapidly developed the well-known
qualities of his race, and his conduct is
now marked with all the impudence,
pugnacity. loquacity, voracity, and IT.
represSibility which are the distinguish
ing features of the sparrow tribe. He
roams with perfect freedom over
wood and common, and dis.
ports himself whereSoever he pleaSes;
but he invariably comes in before sun
set, and quietly goes to roost on his
perch in the cage, the door of which is
always left open for his convenience.
'.In his younger days, while sowing
his wild oats, he was given to staying
put all night; but then when this oc-
Cured he was certain to be found the
next morning sitting on my fence wait
ng to be let in, and looking very rak-
sh. wretched and disrepntable. and
half ashamed OF himself. And after.
these nocturnal absences he usually
iozed. away the following day. usual
y let him out the first thing in the
morning. He comes back at least half
dozen times day. and has most OF
MS meals with my family, occasionally
brea ktasting with me off my plate, and,
not being an unSociable bird, he some
lines visits my neighbors, who know
and welcome him. He also now anil
hen brings a friend or two home with
him. but they, lacking his confidence,
stay without and long. while he feasts
Within He very often sees me off in
he morning. When L 90 out l hear a
hort, sharp, unmistakable chirp, and,
cooking up, recognize my feathered |
friend on the gutter-pipe chirping good.
,ye- In fact, he and l are great
great, indeed, that at times,
when he is in particularly high spirits, |
lie shows an iDcipient disposition to
'omp with me.
Ais appetite is marvellous and his
aste ! multifarious. Bread, butter,
iough- jam, marmalade, cakes and
,astry of all kinds, sugar, milk and
neal, to say nothing of ordinary bird
'eed and green stuff, seem in no way to
disturb his digestion. He is apparent
Y always hungry, and appears to en-
oy the most TO ust health. =
have been in doubt as to whether
should not lose him this spring; DutsI
I'm happy to say that, although it is
from the pieces of mat, stranos
If carpet, feathers ard other odds and
'nds which he carries of. that be has
assumed marital responsibilities and
zone into housekeeping. he still returns
very evening SIS usual. - 4 90 i i
"L. nj. d. saws: 1T may interest
our readers to knew that L have Just
ost canary which was given to me in
he spring of 1866 being then in full
eng. Until within a few days of his
cath, although he rarely sang during
be day. his song was strong and sweet
a the morning and evening. He mus,
ave been at least nineteen years old,
nd he succeeded one whom | had in
~ possession fifteen Yeas. "--London
tH,eS. ... ..fa
TIVE Feels.