New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-13
TALKS FOR LOVERS OF BIRDS
MRS MILLER TELLS ABOUT THE
THRUSH FAMILY.
HER APPRECIATIvE OBSERVATIONS OF THE
HABITS OF THE ROBIN BLuEBiRD AND
OTHER sONGsrERsAA MARITAL
DIFFICULTY SETTLED.


The ban1uet hail IN the Waldorf Hotel hard
" large enough TO hold the women and men who
throngel there Yesterday morning listen 10 Mrs.
Olive Thorne Miller's second talk about the birds
that come about the summer homes OF this region.
Old mlddle-aged and young persons were there. but
all listened with the deepest Interest 10 the white
haired woman who knows the homes the songs and
the tricks Of mans little feathered friends and
whom the hours talk was over they stood around
the speaker thanked her heartily and expressed a
determination 10 learn something more about the
sweet songsters
Mrs Miller in her lecture. said: To-day am
going 10 talk to you OF the thrushes. which orni-
,hologicaily are large family. including the robin,
blueblrd. the different thrushes. the water-ousel.
both long and shirt billed, and king!ets The blue
bird Is one OF earliest visitants and one OF
the last to leave 1t loves the haunts OF men.
but is seldom familiar. and in kind OF naughty
vav keeps it's thoughts itself. Il used 10 nest
plentlfully in the city and surrounding country,
selecting some secluded nook hoe in trees ana
fences 1t will build in boxes set up for It's ac-
commodation These boxes shIuld have no perch
and II possible should be hung from bough
This will prevent their enemy. the English sparrow
from usurping the nesting place.
The female bird is the queen Of the home ana
selects the pace for the nest. the mae bird lending
q beak in building it. but most of the time singing
his sweet song to encourage his mate noticed
one. good instance Of the rule Of the female BIRD
over the male. She Matching her eggs. ana was
relieved now and then by her mate. while she went
off for exercise and food one day the male Drd
was late and the female one called loudly for him
| He came at last, and she gave him an unherci'ui
drubbing which he took without murmur Thor
| oughy ashamed OF himself he sat down meekiy
| on the pale-bulsh eggs. Ill,
Running over the lawns. with head down. 1t SUD
| denly grabs worm which il shakes as cat docs
| mouse. Having swallowed il. the robin looks mp
with infinite pride. They are great inscGt-desuoy-
! peas and the first mulberries. raspbcrries ana
grapes. The robin is the great enemy OF the would
| be bird observer, giving warning or MS approach
| to every bird in the neighboring thicsets: Ihey
are brave and VIII hsR any 6Tt IN spnrro
| OF the robins worst enemies. but the roDn AT
| lease the sparrow In another instance a cat had
! captured a young robin, but vas 80 feariessly
fender meal and sought shelter under the barn.
| THE robins make charming but most mlschievo
np a brood Of these birds When they were nedged
they would follow her about the yard IKE no oys
| for butter. no, cakes and such Ike one OF the
cun.ber out Of the plate and then Of bathing in The
ice water. The nest Is constructed largely OF mud,
| two 10 three broods raised every year, and 1t
has been lately learned that these birds have resu-
| The wood thrush or wood robin is OF shy and
retiring nature, frequenting thick woods and tangled
bird carols forth its thankfuness for day begun
day ba nad n n fi Sae and m
1
| tains from four six greenlsh-blue eggs. The
| yeerv or tawny thrush is wonderful songster, but
n most retiring bird. For two years searched for
| this bird nest. one day was peerng into busni
| when or the ground suddenly detected the eye of
a bird looking Up at me most wistfuy, but ii was
sone time before could outline the whole bird. 30
exactly did II match the surroundings. The nest
| was built the ground but l RETAINED from
| nrcached the nest the birds would send up such
! a plantve 'keeoick that had not the heart TO
disturb them Once unobserved, heard one OF these
| birds give a wonderful musical performance. He
| ing 'sotork and then ending his song with a NEW
| ike a cats: in sneering way he sang the song
| again The brown thrush or thrasher Is well named
the rhapsodist OF our woods ana IS one or our most
| nSst is usually placed in low bush \ friend OF
! nine when a boy, found n nest and determined 10
| capture the young ones for pets just before they
| we're ready 10 fly he took the fedgngs. The mother
| was the first to discover the roDDe'' anu new OF
| ENORMOUSLY in search OF her mate The two re-
turned and attacked the boy, and then New on; soon
! returning with small army OF robins. catbrds anc
Warblers and succeeded in rescuing their young, fo
! the boy had TO use both hands TO guard his eyes
, az which the birds kept flying. | have seen these
birds send a dog which had knocked over their mes
| racing for the nearest shelter , -,
| "One OF the most magned o. all Drds, is Inc cat
| bird Here is a case of give dog bad name nnc
\ hang it. The popular opinion Is that the catbirt
| is a Hirt "A thief jealous and all that is mean In
stead OF that he Is beautiful singer and most IN
| teresting and useful and helpful TO other birds
| saw one OF these birds take charge or TWO orphan
| and bring them up. Another one knew had pun
.he tre!lised entrance TO the house. II a cat ap
| peared anywhere around. the catbird would fly e
the window Of my room and follow me until haC
driven the marauder on the premises oo,,o,
Of the birds spoken Of Next Tuesday Mrs Mile
will speak about the red -headed sonssters.