The morning call., 1893-02-26
A HALO OF BIRDS.
How DR.. Harris Charms
and Feeds His Pets.
A LITTLE MURDERED FRIEND.
An Aged Physicians Peculiar Love
for the Swallows and Linnets
in Golden Gate Park.

George Francis Train, with all his eccen-
.ricity. was never regarded more so than
when he appeared in his palmy days in
Central Park, New York, surrounded by
small army of birds which he had tanned
and which futtered around him as he am
bled along throwing crumbs to the hungry
and greedy linnets and swallows.
Out in Golden Gate Park there is an old
man who for some time has gathered about
him whole tribe of the feathered inhab-
itants of the air. Every morning that per-
mits OF the old man being out he may be
found at the park tenderly feeding great
number of birds which hover around in
swarms.
There is this difference between George
Francis Train and the old man, who is
retired physician. called Doe Harris.
Trains trips through Central Park,
accompanied by his flock of birds, had only
one motive. and that was his inordinate
love of notoriety and bis almost insane and
Unsuitable craving for attracting attention.
The old physician, on the contrary,
shrinks from publicity and has no desire
whatever to have his hobby known. His
feelings are those Of lonely old man.
whose heart is not yet dusty with age and
still has chords of affection. In bis case
these chords have nothing to work them.
but are delicate enough to thrill at the
sight of the beautiful little birds.
He loves birds. They ale his pets. They
do not shrink from him nor shun him.
They are innocent and free and sinless,
these pretty little flying creatures with
glistening coats and shining bills and ten
der, delicate little feet. They come out of
the blue of the sky from God knows where
for MIN, futtering about his head. timid, yet
not aid and drop from the green boughs
OF the trees into the shadows made by the
morning sun to pick up The crumbs at his
feet
Why should he not love them, these
creatures of the heavens blue and the trees
green?
To show that the old physician does not
court notorety, one has only to consider
the locality he has selected for holding his
communion with the birds. He has chosen
a very retired yet beautiful spot near the
Haight-street entrance to the park. Those
who have passed this place know well how
thick the locality is with large cypress
trees, and how profuse is the brush. A side
road branching nOrthward from the main
entrance leads one to small arb0r, the
overhanging branches Of the trees creating
a delightful shade. Around are scattered
few benches.
II is in this nesting nook that the old.
whie-haired physician with trembling
limbs repairs early in the mornings, and
takes his seat In the shadow which is only
occasionally lghtened when shaft OF the
early morning sun pierces the density OF the
foliage and throws cloth OF gold over the
green sward.
A CALL reporter heard Of the old doctor
and his ways from the officer on Stanyan
street, and determined TO catch glimpse OF
him while holding converse with the birds.
Several mornings ago the reporter took one
Of ha frat n re- n a rE and rpnaIrpd tO
the spot, which had been indicated near the
Hayes-street entrance.
The morning was delightful In its rich
exhilaratng effect, pregnant with that ozone
which gives new power to the lungs Such
an hour is the best to enjoy the PARK.
Soon old DIR. Harris was seen coming
along, with bent form and bowed head. He
carried stick to support himself, which he
laid on the bench beside him as he sat down.
His hair was white and his brows jettied
with age, while beneath the overhanging
frinees of silver which marked the grave OF
forgotten thoughts cleaned two bright blue
eyes.
AS he sat down the boughs of the tree
shook against which he leaned. and num-
Der Of globues of dew. glistening like pearls,
fell on him and about him.
Then he took out Of one OF his pockets a
small paper flied with bread and cake, and
began to whistle
In few minutes there was chrrup
from an adjoining tree, and then another.
and another. until the trees around we're
filled with choir OF songsters warbllng
chorus of delight.
Soon one bird hoped down near the old
physician and approached nearer and
nearer.
The eyes of the old man were bent with
benign expression on the bird as it jumped
in short springs with its little veined feet
until 1t was within few feet of the
watcher.
The doctor held in his hand few small
crumbs and did not move. Suddenly the
bird. which was a iinnet, leaped upon the
doctors hand and began TO pick up the
crumbs.
Then another bird appeared, and then
another at first they were iimid. but
soon gained confidence. They flew all
about the doctor. They lowered over him,
now on his arms, shoulders. head and all
about his feet. He threw TO them liberal
supply OF cake crumbs, which were picked
UP with avidity.
The doctor was In an ecstacy OF delight
as he fed the birds, which chirruped and
sang around him. making pastoral picture
most charming and pleasing to the eye.
Suddenly there was a sharp squeak king
note from one OF the trees. and large
black bird flew toward the tribe that fut-
tered around the doctor. 1t was 4 hawk,
and there was an instantaneous scattering
of the swallows, llnnets and California
caDarleS tnat 10rmtu the tribe. Iney new
in terror In all directions. The hawk. how
ever, bounced upon one of their number,
fne-looking linnet, and soon had it in lis
claws.
The old doctor was paralyzed first at this
unexpected Intrusion and rapid flight OF his
pets. But he soon saw what the matter
was and threw his stick at the hawk, which
dropped its prey and flew off. The doctor
picked up the poor bird, went back 10 his
seat and began to call it all sorts of endear-
ing names.
But it soon died and lay cold and stiff in
the doctors aged palm.
AS lie gazed regIetfully at the dead linnet,
no more TO wing its gay summer flight
through the green trees aud the flower
scented fields, tears came to the eyes of the
old physician.
The reporter approached the bench and
heard him mutter these words:
IF il had not been for me you would be
alive now, little one. But / only meant
kindness. Sweet little one. will take you
home and bury you"
And then he got up after carefully
wrapping the dead bird in his handker-
chief ambled toward the Hayes-street cars
and was soon rolling down the hill with
the little murdered friend pressed against
his breast.
DR.. Harris was no doubt sad the rest of
the day.