The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-01-25


wv Hermit thrush, the
olive b c k d
+ thrush, the Gray,
checked thrush, and the Robin, among
. those well-known, also in the Genus
Sialia, the Blue bird, and in the Genus
Regulus, the Ruby owned wren, and
the Golden-crested wren.
Another family, the Wood Warblers,
Sylvicolidae, in the Genus Sciurus, con-
talns what is known as the Golden
crowned thrush, and the Water thrush.
This family contains great many
genera, including the well-known
American Redstart, and the Scarlet
Tanager. Another family Giothrichi-
dae) includes the, e,Genus Harporchyncus
containing the Brown thrush, also three
genera Of wrens. The representative
genus OF this family is Minus, and con-
ta1ns the Mocking bird, and the Cat
bird. All the genera have mentioned
perate zone, with possibly the Winter
wren. The Wood thrush, the Hermit
thrush, the Olive-backed thrush, the
Robin and the Brown thrush, are not
rare.
The Mocking bird is incident to
Southern Illinois in summer, and more
rarely in few localities of Western
Central Illinois. A considerable number
OF the Wrens also are summer residents
OF this state. Among the most familiar
birds of the families mentioned are the
robin, the blue bird, the cat bird, and
the brown thrush. When I was young
man on the farm, all these birds were
very common, and for several years
pair of mocking birds made their nest
somewhere in a wooded ravine. Hawks,
owls and crows were numerous, and for
many years pair of bald eagles nested
in great burr-oak near the north
western end Of Lake Calumet Ad-
vancing civilization has rendered all
the singing birds comparatively rare
in Cook county. Within the limits of
Chicago they are confined to the parks
principally, though in some residence
districts the robin, the brown thrush,
some wrens, and our only variety of the
humming bird may be found. AS a con-
sequence of the indiscriminate killing
of insectivorous birds on the farms, in
sect life has become so numerous as
seriously to interfere with the produc-
tion of annual crops, some seasons, es-
pecially grass, the small grains, Indian
corn, garden crops and fruit
Stringent laws have been passed to
no for nd
are appointed to look after the enforce
ment. They cannot protect against the
pernicious small boy with stones and
the indiarubber sling, nor can they avail
against parents who allow their chill
dren to destroy the nests Of the singing
birds. There are localities where
humane and wide-awake farmers do
protect singing birds. but pot-hunters
and bird-haters are Of the majority
against birds.
Our best song birds are more birds
of the orchard and garden than of the
forest Their food is obtained from the
open grounds, meadows, gardens
and orchards; away from civilization
in the openings, and natural meadows
near. Many of them build near the
ground, and even on the ground, rather
than high up in trees, and for the rea-
son that their, most dreaded enemies
are predatory birds. Thickets and
hedges are especially sought, and they
eagerly seek the homes and the orch.
ards, where not disturbed. Hence they
are generally found in villages and
they delight to sing on low trees and
shrubs. The robin and the brown
thrush in the early morning, however,
delights to sing from the upper
branches of taller trees, where they
may be found. To the robin undoubt-
edly belongs the need of being the
philomela Of American birds, his So
prano voicings extending from April
to the last of July. He is not a mimic,
his song in it's variation being all his
own, and reared in confinement he is
one of the most cheerful and best of
our feathered vocalists. The brown
thrush is also persistent singer, often
as soon as daylight appears, and then
again delights us at the decline of day
with his vesper song, and on still moon
light nights often continues his song
until Vespertilio, the comon bat, comes
silently Tapping hither and thither in
the pursuit of nocturnal insects. But the
brown thrush is partially mimic, and
really belongs, and Is placed among
this class with the mocking bird and
the cat bird. 1t is also more pleasing,
ioh a fN ho h101 01ror1 i,
harsh, abrupt sounds; though, like the
mocking bird, is often a night singer,
when the moon is bright and the air
Is still. There used to be charming