The herald., 1895-04-13
T7YEelEFF N7--'7F
The Friday Morning Club Talks
About Birds and Flowers
AN INTERESTING MEETING
Mr.. Joseph GrinneIl Presents Facts and
Miss Merritt Fancies
The Former Talks Of Southern California
Warbiers-The Flowers Standpoint Is
Advanced by the Latter

ing club presented gala appearance yes
terday, and was packed as usual. The
subjects treated were birds and flowers,
and a profusion of specimens of both
were displayed that lent gay and festive
air to the room.
The first paper, entitled Birds of South
ern California, was read by Joseph Grin
nell OF Pasadena, young man of only 16
years, who makes of birds and spiders
| an especial study. He had sixty varie-
ties to illustrate his subject, and COM
menceu by saying that there were 100
varieties in California. This country is
the winter home of robins and warblers.
Our briGs are quite different from
those in the cast and the difference is
due to the character of our plants, Scli-
mate and soil. AZ
Warblers feed on insects, and there are
olny six varieties here, whereas in the
! east there are sixty. ..... .S
\ brief description was given of some
OF our feathered visitors the robin, blue
bird, snowbird of the higher mountains,
yellow hammer; the harsh call of the
latter was remarked upon and its manner
of hammering a hole under the house
caves for shelter from the rain. Other
wood -peckers from Lamanda Park were
spoken of, and the fact that birds pre-
! served in the form. Of skins are much
| more useful to the scient. st than when
| mounted. There are three species of the
wild canary or goldlinch, which nest in
| orchards. and gardens in the spring.
They have a sweet song and all make
downy nest bound by spider webs.
There are two kinds of orioles; they ar
rive in April and leave in September, are
vf brilliant color and build nests shaped
| like baskets or bags made Of strings, hair
andtpalm tbres. The butcher bird. was
next spoken of and it's bad habit of i'm
paling crckets, insects, ETC.. on thorns
and barbed wire. but it is more friendly
to the farmer than many other birds.
| eOf the humming birds there are six
species here, but only three kinds breed
here; they have irridescent plumage, are
amorous lovers but neglectful husbands,
and leave all the labor of home duties to
and are playful. A typical nest was Gle.
scribed and then Mr.. Grinnell went on to
the description of dooryard birds, the
brown birds and their habits: Audubon's
warbler, which it is estimated eats 1900
flies dai ly.
The young man next referred to the
birds worn on women's hats; they are
motioness, yoiceless, CHASTITY, unnatural,
a composite Of feathers One eastern mil
lincry firm uses more birds in a year than
are found in all the ornithological collec-
tions in the United Stats, and some of
our most beautiful birds are being ex-
terminated by this merciless slaughter.
The paper was clear, direct and the sub
ject beautifully handled by Mr.. Grinnell,
who, is Il very clever young man, and
the specimens added vastly to the interest
and enjoyment of his audience.
Miss Alice J. Merritt was the second
speaker. and her subject was, From the
| Flowers Standpoint. 'e-. t--.4sl--
| Before commencing. little paper corr
nllcoplias, each containing cluster of
different flowers. to be discussed, were
distributed that everyone might the bet
ter understand the subject. Miss Merritt
first remarked that man. the central fig
ure lin the popular mind, of the universe
considered flowers as contributed to his
pleasure. Scientists began to study with
patience and enthusiasm, the great biolog-
ical principles Which reveal the true mean
ing of tioWers.os,, s,,,,,t,a ,,,s. a...,..4.
Formation. Fertilization and rollination
all have their purpose and effect.
Cross fertilization or polination is Illus
trated by the Mariposa lily. It's wonder
full variety. of color and markings we're
spoken of. and its role was pronounced
that of LAVISH hospitality, but its doors
close before sunset 1t expects recon-
pense for the disinterested hospitality.
since it depends for pollination upon j S
In the Ranunculas, buttercup and lark
spur, the primitive. fcolors appeal to the
riff raft of the insect world. They adver-
tise their stores by turning shining petals
to the sun during business hours, from 8
to A.. Desirable qualities in guests from a
flowers standpoint are wings.
In the same charmingly original man.
ner Miss Merritt spoke of the geranum
family, the violet. supines, alfalfa, wild
pea, forget me-nots,a owls clover. mimu-
1us or monkey flower and many others.
Flowers live in groups or societies. and
the speaker explained how the, pollen is
swept out to polinate other flowers. and
drew the attention of her audience TO Or
ignal tricks and manners of various in
teresting flowers in fields, mountains and
canyons.
After science has done its best, We shall
only wonder and marvel more, and from
the scientist to the poet.
Both speakers led their audience to
new standpoint and opened vista that
will prove delightfully."- lasting. so graph
ically and clearly. and with such poetic
simplicity was each subject presented.
1t is rather curious coincidence that
next Tuesday will be the birthday of the
Friday Morning club. and that of the
president Mrs. J. A. Osgood as well. The
hospitality of the club rooms will be ex
tended during next week to the ladies OF
the Half Million club of San Francisco,
and their escorts. A committee will be in
charge, appointed from the Friday Morn