New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-18
THE BIRDS SOCIAL LIFE.
MRS. MILLER TALKS ABOUT THEIR HABITS
In THEIR HOMES.

That birds have a distinct social life OF their own,
which is full of interest for the intelligent observer
the theme OF Mrs. Olive Thorne Mier's lecture
yesterday morning at the Waldorf.
I'm considering this social life. she said. Il SHAH
begin with the relation OF the pair 10 each other
The most important feature of this. which have
mentioned TO you before. but which Is unknown 10
the vast majority Of people, is that bird marriages
permanent. This implies constancy in their
affections, of which proofs may be found every
where"
Mrs Miller said that parrots were notably devoted
birds and willing TO make great sacrifices TOT
heir mates. She mentioned a case which had come
under her observation where OF Gagged pair
had managed TO make her escape into the open air.
The own.r Of the birds having observed the attach
ment between them. hung the cage with the de-
serted one In II. at the open window. HIS calls
reached his runaway mate and soon persuaded her
to forsa<e the attractions OF the summer woods ana
return to share his prison Grief at the death OF
their mates Is nearly always shown by BIRDS anu
some species mourn for what might seem an IN
credible length of time. They frequently return 10
the old haunts flying about and calling as II they
hoped to be able find the lost again. Another
instance Of the affection between them IL the atteI-
ton almost invariably shown by the male to the
female while the latter is Matching the young
brood He brings her food sings to her. and often
shares the tasl; of sitting on the eggs. thereby
giving her opportunity for rest.
Il am sorry TO say, however, coHti""'N ~"
lecturer that In spite of this usually happy state
of domestic affairs there occasional unmistaK-
abe Instances of bird divorce. Sometimes IL Is the
husband who tires of his spouse and drives her
away to make for new bride. Again IL IL
the Wife who. perhaps makes up her mind that the
father OF the family is not providing properly ior
its wants and rejects him on that score IN one
case OF the kind which watched am sure 'h's
was the trouble The husband was cripple. from
an injury to his leg. and was certainly rather hep
less But he opposed vehemcntly all efforts TO drVe
him away and succeeded In maintaining MS autnoI
ity until he was again able to care FOR MS mousse
ho.d' ~. >,,,,.- ,a 4,
outside OF family relations. MT: Miller SAID !,
anneared that birds were fond OF the society OF
their kind In a general way They frequently hvsu
in aroups or colonies all retiring at night 10 the
branches OF one tree to roost Some OF the mos.
parrakeets gulls terms and crows The latter sie
said were most interesting birds on account OF Hs
many peculiar and intelligent ways IL mas ioi.s
heon noticed that they have some KIND OF govern
ment among them. with certain Recognized iealrrs
Their generosity and sympathy toward any uhiVflu-
nate or helpless in the flock have also Dee"
especially noticeable -. ~. s,t,h,
Mrs Miller in speaking at the close OF me Sl,gn,
amount of bird knowledge possessed ny people ;"
general said that she ar'riru'"d ~ cnleIiy 10 thr
difficulty OF close observation and the lack OF ''
D devote to u.