The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-12
AN INTERESTING TALK.


Columbus, Teyas.--Dear Mistress prlm
rose; will make another attempt TO
write q letter on our present contest.
birds j always try 10 get IN one letter
see that corn came out victorious. as
voted for that.
Now | will mention n few things about
birds, There arc many varieties OF hum
ming birds some of them 80 small as 10
look like Insects lifting about.
They go north when the flowers bloom
but long before the frost comes they fly
back to their warm South; they can not
1--we without flowers. Here is family
OF stsrlings. NO hear them sing and TO
see them feeding their young, You would
reputation, and will tell YOU why.
Though dt can make a nest for itself, II
prefers 10 save itself tho trouble and to
take possession of II nest made by Como
other bird. Siarllngs are very Intelligent
and can be easily tanned and taught 90
whistle simple tunes and even TO talk,
like a parrot.
VIII now mention the water ousel and
their curious nests. The word ousol was
the ancient nnmo for all birds OF this
family. but was especially given to the
bird now known as the blackbird II rs
q smaller bird than tho ordinary black
bird. with back plumnge and pure white
throat, The male bird Is a powerful and
cheerful songstcr which makes II "a great
favorite. In recent years the bird has had
a new name given 10 II, and Is now usually
known as the "dippcr." 1t perhaps Yot
this name because OF It's continuous dip
ping" motion when perched on rock
amid "A stream. The nest OF tho water
ousel IL worthy of special remark, II IL
an ordinary cup shaped nest lined with
dead leaves, ana covered by dome made
of moss. whlch completely covers tho
whole structure. except only one small
hole for the bird TO pass Ia and out Its
eggs are generally i've IN number. and
are pure white in color. This bird Is 10
be found IN nearly all countries OF the
world.
The marsh wren liz n busy little fellow.
who will wen repay our study. But few
people ever see him, for ho does not come
near our houses as the other wrens DO.
He lives IN the marshes and builds his
nest on tho reeds He Is very shy and
though You may hear hundreds Of thom
twjtterlng among the reeds, you may not
be able to see one. The greatest enemy
OF the marsh wrens IL tho snake, and TO
preserve their eggs and yolrng~Ones they
bend the light reeds together near tho
top and build their nests there They
have curious way OF clingia'g TO tho up
right reeds,
! viii teii some fables that might provo
Interesting TO some:
THE FOX AND THE STORK.
The fox poured ont some rich soup upon
nst dish tan,taIaITtng the st9rk and
being a liquid. foiled all the efforts. OF
his slender bes,k. In return for this. when
the stork invited the fox ne brought the
| dinner on the table In Jug with hong.
narrow neck. so that while he himself
e8siiY inserted his beak and took his fiji.
the hox was unable IN do the same, and
so was properly paid on.
| THE JACKDAW AND THE DOVES
| a jackdaw, observing how well cared for
| were doves in a certain dove cote. white
washed himself and went TO take a part
IN the same way Of living. The doves
| were friendly enioupf 80 long az he kept
| silent taking dim for one Of Themselves
but when he once forgot himself and gave
n croak. they Immediately perceived his
| character and cuffed him out 50 the
! jsckdaw, having failed in getting a share
| OF good things there returned 10 bis
| brother fackdlws, But these latter, not
| recognizing him. because Of hts color. kept
| him ont 81 their mess also; 30 that In
hts desire for two things he got rether.
Pardon me IN | have written too much.
but I have done my best with my little
sisters 10 help me. Good bye I'll come
again. A faithful and true Happyham-
| mer. Wayman Whitfield.
HAWKS DOVES AND BuzzARDs.
Houston. Texas.--Dear Mistress Prim-
rose: have been reading the Happy
nnaiv decsded to ioin the band. I ar, il
| wears old and hore TO win the bird con
| les. hut suppose great many Others
do. too. will write about few of the
birds around here.
TIE fiShs hauk or bun bat q only a
summer vlfitor in the United States, ar
rIySng IN e>riy sprinr from It's winter
hannts in Central and south America. II
I, 1 q One IN rnomsn, Il may be seen soar
ing through the g .r without any apparent
Movement OF It's pinjofis, and again its
- ns sn y sf be wnrs sWyhe Snr
IN here and there In search OF prey.
have seen one of these birds dart sudden
q an arrow. Tic tail appears 10 assist
II greatly n these sudden zigxag changes.
being partiy expanded during most OF III
romplicatci movements. The night hawk
| ,ints mi shaw no quch good advantage on