Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-26
A TALK ABOUT THE BIRDS
Lfe:ure by Mr.. Henry Odds Before tie Audit.
bon Society.
Representatives of the Feathered
Family Found I'm the District
the SpeAiaF Theme.

Mr.. Henry Odds delivered a decidedly en-
PERTAINING lecture last night before the
Audubon Society of the District of Column
bla, In the First Baptist Church, on the
subject Some Familiar Birds" The
church auditorium was completely filled,
the balconies also containing many au-
| ditors, who exhibited the keenest interest
and pleasure in the speakers pretty stories
OF his experiences with some of the birds
IN the forest. The meeting of the society
was planned for the purpose of arousing
timely interest in the welfare of birds the
country over and especially in this vicinity,
where many of the daintiest of little warb-
lers may be found
The Audubon Society has grown wonder
fully since its organizati ton, and is reported
10 De accomplishing much good along the
line OF the principles it is seeking to pro-
mote Never before has there been so much
attention paid the bird world as now. Last
night demonstration of interest will be
a great announcement to the Audubon
workers.
Prof. {. Hart Merriam presided in the
absence of Gen. Sternberg, the president.
he introduced Rev. E. Bradford Leavitt,
VINO spoke briefly of the organization of the
District Audubon Society and it's efforts as
We'll as the attainments in view.
Where songsters Dwell.
ture dealt especially with the birds found
in the District of Columbia. In the su-
burbs of Washington, he said, are many
sequestered spots where songsters of many
species dwell. The geological park offers
excellent opportunities for observation. In
TACT, said Mr.. Ods the entire Rock Creek
section is pleasure ground for the birds.
AT Forest Glen there is a great variety Of
landscape and birds are consequently
ir1 tha x-a11n
breasted chat and the North Carolina wren
are species of birds which fortunately IA
Vor Washington with annual visits, this
pelng the northern extremity Of their
fight.
The speaker said the city parks offer OPP
portunlues for study. Many varieties of
sparrows some twelve sixteen in num-
Der, are to be observed. This study of city
blrd-lfe, with an occasional sorte into the
suburbs, will give very good idea of the
disposition and peculiarities of the inhabi-
tants of the air. He said further that many
persons are discouraged in bird study on
account of the flight of the frightened lit
tie fellows when rudely disturbed. One
must sit quietly in the woodland. Soon the
BIRDS will resume their daily avocations
and prove an interesting lot of entertainers.
As an Imitator.
The lecture was illustrated with stereop-
ticon views, Mr.. Odds would also initiate
the various notes of the birds as described.
The first shown was the butcher bird.
These birds are death to all manner of
insects, and often slaughter the English
sparrow. Capturing a small bird or insect
they will impale it upon a tree thorn. Up
to-date butcher birds use barbed wire
fences for this purpose. The oven bird at
tracts attention in the forest by his state
ly strides. He walks instead of hopping
like most of his companions of bright
feathers.
Mr.. OIds next described the Louisiana
waterthrush, the woodthrush the goldfinch
and the catbrd. The latter is a great
mimic, and often has fun at the expense
on other birds in, the forest. His notes
have characteristic feline twang how
ever The cardinal Is a dignified and at
tractive bird, brilliant in red plumage and
self-important little creature. All sorts of
BIRDS seen in this section, from the screech-
Owl to the dainty humming bird, were
taken up, shown on the screen and inter-
esting descriptions given of them.