The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-29
BIRDS AND THEIR HAuNTs.
Their Migration Forms n Deep md
Interesting study.
(From the Boston Transcript.l

(From the Boston Transcript0
The birds are now engaged in building
their homes, said the Ornithologist at the
Arnold Arboretum, in Cambridge, the
other day. and very interesting and active
are these busy creatures. About forty
different species may be found in the
Arbofetum, with probably a few more to
come this month. This IS fine place for
birds, because of quietness and seclusion
and of the thickness of the shrubbery
easily acquired food and protection afford
ed them from man and dog. For four
seasons | have visited these grounds to
study their ways. food and behavior to
one another, and yet have much to be in
terested and instructed in. The migra-
ton of birds is deep study. and a great
deal is yet to be learned OF the same To
illustrates: The hummingbird leaves IT'S
home in the far South, South America. In
e1rly spring, taking about three weeks to
reach this climate. How these little fell
lows find their old haunts Is a mystery
after travelling thousands of miles, But
they do. and that other birds also do Is
an established fact. For four Junes
have seen probably the same little atom
of "a hummingbird fiuttering around a
certain beach tree near the Bussey en-
trance, where he mates. builds. and raises
q family of other little hummingbirds,
which in their turn find their way back
10 the South in the fall and come again
each succeeding season. Birds migrate
during the daytime, and as they reach IA
miliar places drop off until the last few
end their migration.
Birds have much to contend with in
nesting. First, man, their most invete-
rate (for shame may 1t be said) enemy,
has to be met. Next, the hawk, crow,
bluejay. squirrel. chipmunk and snake
must be guarded against for they de-
stroy eggs and young. AS consequence.
they select the most peculiar and hidden
p,aees and resort to human-like Subter
fuges in going TO and leaving their nests
This may be said of all the small kinds
The crow builds the highest. generally
on the very top of tree, between us
forks; the owl finds hollow tree, and
quite a number such as the American
sparrow, build on the ground. thus max
ing 1t easy for Mistress Cat, when near
civilization, to occasionally catch the
young.
All know she beautiful soldierly robin
He alone of the birds trusts most to man
by building close to human habitations
and in places generally exposed 70 mans
reach and view.
The struggle for existence among birds
Is interesting. Observation and a study
of their ways will prove this. And the
Arborctum affords the best place, ana
this season the best time for the same.
The hawk in this place Is the terror or
all birds He 1t is that frightens all but
the crow But Mr.. Crow is ready at all
times 10 give him a battle when he in
valies his territory Only the other day
,rilI Of
looking up, observed two attacking
hawk This cry of these two seemed 10
bs n signal for from every direction there
presently appeared crows flying In not
haste TO the attack, perhaps the tnougnt
of their weak and guileless young not yet
able TO fly more than from one nearby
tree 70 another spurrIug tnem Oh win
renewed fierceness.
To see the bold and skillful manner the
crows set upon Thief Hawk impressed me
with the proverb that ''in union there Is
strength" for the crows swooping down
on the hawk, one after another, Wnile IN
fight, with a viciousness bordering on
fearIessness, pecking and swapping him
merciIessly. Up and down. hither and
thither. they chased him. giving no rest
and keeping quite close until he wouid
lodge on some treet0p. the crows ahght-
ing nearby and edging by degrees closer
L
The attack is renewed with increased
vigor. and the hawk is pecked and teas
ed until he takes flight to some distant
place. where there are no crows. follow
ed some distance by crows in large num-
berg who soon return to look after their
young.
The crow himself is one of the greatest
marauders OF the bird kingdom next TO
the hawk He picks up everything living
and inanimate for his family. Not long
since 7 saw a crow flying with a young
rabbit in his bill 1t IS common sight
TO see crows carrying frogs. toads and
young birds 10 their young. A day or so
ago 1 saw a crow carrying wriggling
snake. a foot long, toward his nest The
crow is beset in his turn by the king
blackbird and pecked and worried in a
wicked way when he ventures in the
vicinity of the blacktird's nest, or. IN IA T.
at any other time. One hlackbird will
attack two crows. Being swifter of wing
and very bold, they bother the crow very
much, especially when Sir Crow ven
lures in his marauding for food. by de-
sign or Inadvertently near the special
territory of the blackbird. Evidently each
species is expected TO keep to its own
section. Robins also attack the crow
under similar circumstances. I saw one
recently suddenly and Unexpectedly dive
down on a crows back with such force
and energy that the crowd uttered a cav
of terror and flew off to another place.
A couple of redwfng blackbirds have a
nest in the long grass close to the edge
of the road leading up TO Observation
Hill, and 1t Is edifying TO note the male
birds watchful care of its mate and
young. Should any bird come near the
pond. redwing, perched on tree near
by Is ready to give battle a gentle robin
sailed down onto the edge of this pond
this morning. probably In search of a
Juicy worm for baby robins. not far off,
when redwing swooped down vfciously
driving him off. Redwing is king of that
particular pond. On the other hand, I
was looking in the meadow yesterday.
when a redwing alghted on a small cedar
tree Instantly a robin uttered a shrill
cry and attacked the redwing, who flew
off On going to the tree l discovered a
robins nest with young. The brown
thrush Is a good defender of home also.
Not long since I found a thrushs nest
with young in a thorny bush. blose TO the
ground, and we'll protected on top by the
bush When near the nest the mother
thrush came screaming mouth open and
eyes ablaze, within a couple of feet of my
face.
A day ago I heard a queer scramble in
a thicket and on looking, saw thrush
fighting a fourteen-foot snake. Some one
else coming along at the time made
noise that frightened the bird away. on
examining the snake. it was found peck
ed and bleeding having lost one eye IN
the fight. Had the thrush not been dis-
turbed it would have saved me the trouble
of killing the snake 1t seemed to be a
fight on general principles. for l could
rot discover a nest in the vicinity.