New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-06

|
The whippoorwin is a rare visitor, but now an,
again may be These birds arrive early in Ma,
ana depart about the end OF September When startlet
from their retreat in the daytime they rise rapidly ant
| ny short distance with zgzag course, as IL con
fused by the light. first cousin to this blrs
| Is the nighthawk or "bullbatp which arrives her
early in May and leaves the first week in October.
The chimney swift the harbinger OF spring, appears
about the middle OF April, and makes matters uncom
Portable for the mosquito until the end Of September
| The prettiest and smallest visitor Is the ruby
throated hunming bird From the middle of May unit
the first snap of cold weather comes this bird no bigge
than far-slzed moth be seen lowering around thu
different towering bushes in the Rambe," and high uI
in the trees and the senderes branch out of reacl
Of the ubiquitous boy. These birds build their woolIy
| nests here and raise their tiny families.
The fyeatchers well represented and many o
them nest in the Park. The kngbrd or bee martin, II
perhaps the commoncst and most hostile OF this family
Even the aggressive English sparrow leaves this pucky
| little bird alone Among others of this family which
visit yearly the great crested, the pewee, OF
Phoebe bird, the first OF the spring visitors, which
noted here early April 1. 1t is not specially
woodland bird, being often found out in weedy fields
In ravnes, by the roadside and breeds in caves, abou
rocks, creeks and bridges well in outhouses. Tht
pretty nest succeed with moses, is fastened by the
mud composing IL 30 the side OF vertical support
| the eggs are white, normally unmarked. The WOOD
pewee, The yellow beed Ay-catcher, Train's fly
catcher, "a visitor: the least 1ycatcher
a common variety arrive early in May and go away
carly in September
The blue jay, which was formerly a common resi-
dent has now become rare bird among us. Two
noticed far back March 25 but they started
for other parts almost Immediately.
The common may be almost always seen soar.
ing the trees and meadows, but II seldom settles
One, however, was noticed perched on a tree No
vember 3.
The bobolink or reedblrd has given up the Park al
most entirely TO the English sparrow, and If II only
knows it has the laugh all on its side for hundreds
and thousands OF sparrows are killed annually
and sold as the luscious reedbird.
The /" cow-bird" is common bird. giving its excu-
sve attention to the sheep which wander about the
Park.
A pretty bird is the red winged blackbird, which
formerly 1t is now one of the rarest
visitors The meadow lark is also scarce bird and
in fact has not been noted in the Park at all this year
The orchard oiOle until lately common bird,
TO have deserted its old haunts altogether The
Baltimore orioles here however, in large num-
bers and hung their Interesting nests from many OF the
trees. The rusty blackbird is early and welcome
arrival breeds here and starts for the South about the
middle of October. One, however, as late
as November 8.
abundant arriving as early February %. This year
most Of them have, however. gone South now. This
pest of the farmer is most useful caller, it de-
stroys thousands of worms and caterpillars.
The purple finch is unfortunately visitor, as
it is beautiful bird and is also fine singer. bird
which ought be here is the American crossbil,
which generally arrives about this time in small iocks.
This bird has ruddy plumage easily distinguished,
| but is by means common.
The redpoL is bird, but several seen
during the year. The American gOldinch, also known
as the yellow bird, thistle bird and brierbird is
mon in warm weather. but this pretty bird scarce In
winter. There is Il flock Of them which seem 10 have
made up their minds to winter here
The English goldfnch, an imported but beautiful
bird has made Il permanent home IN " the Ramble'
and there is large flock Of these birds there in
the best of plumage and in fine song.
bride path, but is seldom met in the wooded parts.
The vesper sparrow Is here all the year. but Is rare
which show each side Of the tail as the bird flies
Besides the ordinary chrpng note, 1t has sweet and
tender song during the breeding season, especially Just
at sundown and hence the poetcal name OF vesper
bird.
brother the whtethroaed sparrow is one of our most
the dry leaves and occasionally singing us Ilid sweet
strain Ii is the Characteristic bird OF the Park III the
North 1t is PROBABLY gregarous while here, frequent
ing briar patches, slrnbbery. hedges roadsides ana
the like during the fall and winter but as spring ad
ii is often in open woods upon the ground
The tree sparrow Is not common bird but arrives ,e
way northward, about the end OF February 1t comes
always in flock, the last one Of which was seen on
The chipping sparrow IS one Of the most abundant
birds 1t arrives early IN the spring Tins year r On
avore site for its pretty hairned nest Is the heart
Of a cedar bush IT,, To-. 81,
the open country but IL is seen In the Park now ana
again in the thckest underwood of the Rambe" and
probably "A few couples breed here. II has sweet
simple song, which is, however, low In note
The slate .colored junco or snowblrd Is common
fall and spring caller, and few remain here curing
the winter but most of them go little further south
In pleasant weather ress to the wPoas ana ke hps
snowstorms send it flying to our doorstepS' even III
the heart Of the city. -..,,o..
set one or two sometimes stay through the winter.
There are still three Of these melodious birds to be
seen in the Ramble,' but whether they Will remain
The fox-sparrow is a spring and autumn migrant
ri breeds in the North and remains In the Park about
month in the fall. 1t Is common still in sheltered
Towhee bunting, also known as the marsh robin,
arrives here at the latter end Of April and after
partially gregarions but hauns all times the tckest
underground along streams, the recessss OF laurel
Dinmaced bird but can be readily recognized by Its
cry. from which II gets It's name The last one was
seen on October %, straggler on us way scuth.
The cardinal grosbeak Is resident and is com
paiatively common but is shy ana not cay 70 as
IS one Of the few birds which sing Mt night especially
on clear moonlight nights :, ,... .,,,,I
but f"g some pay US a visit in May. or their
way north and again in the latter part OF Sepener
when returning sOuti' III - s"'"'e'
bird ,.,.. 7,
The indigo bunting is IN uncommon visitor. III !.
was first noticed on MAY :, and IL may pc lhat oIs
or two couples ncsted in the park. This beautiful
little bird was travelling south carly IN &
The scarlet tanager is uncommon blfd OUT sun
this bird Is seen every year early In May rms
gorgeously feathered bird may be noted on ne
t0pmost bough OF q large tree, calling out ior ls
dingy -oolOred mate, or darling forth from Time 70
time TO catch some passing insect. 1t returns souh
I'm the beginning OF September. ~ us 49,
The swallows are well represented, the Gun OF
caves swallow being not common. some weIe n9ieu
Man
The harm swallow is common, arriving mere nt thc
end OF April and remaining till september Ihe tree
swallow Is also and arrived mere rs early
as April A. The bank swallow did not reach mere w
April &c. All -four OF these specie are ~ the hatt
~ Gathering together q rock on the shore OF the
bake and summing themselves in company. Ihis -
a pretty sight.