The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-05-16
Return OF the Birds.
How They Find Their Way Back at the
End of the Winter Seasonal Pile Of
Birds Observation-Disclosures of Some
ofthe Feathered Tribe We Are
Acquainted With.
Philadelphia Times.

Philadelphia Times.
This is the time of year to make the
acquaintance of the birds, said sports
man to man. Il start out about once
a week in the early season, carrying a
gun, which, however, l do not use
much, obtaining my enjoyment in the
observations | make.
1T is an interesting thing he con-
tinued, 'to notice with what regularity
the birds come back to certain places,
and when you think where they have
been during the winter your wonder in
creases. An old friend of mine, who
lives in Connecticut, tells me that his
birds, robins particularly, come every
spring with such regularity of time that
it is almost exact; that is, they come
every year, within few hours of the
same time, arriving at the farm, proba-
bly, having flown from Cuba. The
way or manner in which old birds find
their way there is puzzler, but how
the young birds return is still more of an
enigma. They do it, however, as this
old friend of mine has placed tags on
their legs and so recognized them. In
their migrations birds undoubtedly OBJ
serve the great natural features of the
coast or the interior. They sometimes
fly three Or four miles up in the air, so
that the country is spread out before
them like great map, and by following
the valleys, river courses, mountain
ranges and coast line they undoubtedly
find their way. A good many of our
birds alight at the Bermudas on their
way north, showing that they are either
blown out to sea or voluntarily fly over
the ocean. Many fly overthe Gulf of
Mexico, and so reach South America.
LOOKING FOR HOMES.
AS soon as our birds arrive here they
begin to look around for suitable
homes, and many build in the same old
place year after year. A robin on this
friends place built its nest in the same
tree for six consecutive years, each nest
being erected on top of the other, so
that even allowing for the wear and
tear of winter weather on the nest it
forms a singular monumental structure
and hooks like that of the flamingo in
an apple tree. The nests are made of
mud and straw, and the entire collec-
ton looks like a lot of caps piled one
within another and weighs at least
twelve pounds, forming very coDspic-
uous object. This habit has been no.
ticed among number of birds.
House wrens are the most delightful
little creatures continued the bird
loving sportsmen. For several years
have had one build in a vine that grows
about our veranda, so that we have the
little mother within few steps of US all
the time and her movements, running
in and out among the leaves, and her
faith in us has proved most delight
full subject for contemplation. She was
very unfortunate, however, as she per-
sisted in placing her nest so that during
every rain-storm deluge was poured
into it. Another wren built in post
in the back yard in which an augur-
hole had been bored. This location
was deemed very satisfactory by the lit
tie housekeeper and the amount or ma.
terial she managed to put in the hole
was remarkable.
THE COURAGE OF WRENS.
'Wrens have so much courage they
will build in seemingly the most dan
gerous localities. I remember a case
cited by an English naturalist where
some one had killed hawk and hung
its skin up against wall. Weeks after
when taken down the nest of wren
was found tucked away in the interior.
Another was found in the pocket of the
coat of a scare-crow, which, by the
way, is esteemed famous locality by a
number of birds. l think said the
sportsman, that we do not appreciate
the devotion of the parent birds to
their young. We are too apt to pass II
over as instinct and take it as matter
of course; but among our feathered
friends we find just as many remarka-
BILE instances of heroism and devotion
as we do among human animals. Take
case out of our own country-that ol
the African horn bills. At the breed
ing time the mother selects cavity in
some tree and taking her place within
is Immediately walled up with mud
and plaster brought by the male, who
leaves only small opening, just suftl-
cient for the mother birds bill.
Through this orifice he feeds her until
the eggs are Matched and the young
birds almost fully fedged. When he
first enters upon this duty he is strong
and plump, but SO hearty is the mother
that he is kept continually upon the go,
having little time to eat himself, until
| in many cases when the female is re-
leased he is almost starved to death.
Often at this time sudden rain or chill
kills them and the guardian falls a VIC
tim to the faithful performance of his
| duties.
THE SHORE BIRDS.
sOur common shore birds show
marvellous love of their young. In walk
ing along over the rocks at Fisher
Island some seasons ago-l ana every
sportsman has had the same experience
"a little shore bird rose suddenly ane
darted violently at my head, almost
touching it, futtering her wings and ut
tering short, quick notes Of terror
then dropping to the ground and en-
ideavoring to attract my attention II
another direction. 1 knew the cause
and, standing still, l soon saw, almos
under my feet, fluffy, downy youns
bird, beautiful, mild.eyed little crea
ture, about which this tender mothe
was so anxious. When took the birt
in my hand she flew and whirled abou
as if wild with fear and alarm and cal
assure you it was not long before wa
won over and released it.
PECULIARITIES OF BIRDS.
"a large number of our game bird
have the same habit, especially tn
grouse aud quail. They also depen
upon their resemblance to inanimat
objects to considerable extent. l wa
driving through the Flume once, at tn
| IVh;ta Mountains uyhau 7 suddenly ca,