The times., 1899-11-26


Local ornithoIogists are evinciag spe-
ciaI interest this fall in the study OF bird
language. For some reason fnexplicable
10 students OF this branch OF natural sci-
ence. the study of bird language has at
present assumed the proportions OF craze.
and every possible channel OF information
through which a knowledge Of the express
sions Of the feathery tribe can be obtained
are eagerly sought.
Washington Is particularly good place
in which to get acquainted with the habits
OF birds. The large grounds Of the Capitol.
White House. Department OF Agriculture,
and the numerous city parks AFFORD excel
lent places OF observation Thousands OF
birds haunt these places at all seasons OF
the year. except in the dead OF winter
Although it is commonly supposed By those
unfamiliar with the OrnithOlogy OF this
section that there are but few birds re-
naming in these latitudes at this season
OF the year. such is not the case. Eight
or nile distinct species make their homes
here during the winter. thus af0rding an
pie opportunity 10 study their supposed
language and their habits
Birds talk. or at least they have a very
elaborate means Of communicating with
each other. said Nelson r Wood. taxider-
mist OF the National Museum. 10 a Times
reporter. Birds are able to make their
wishes known or express their feelings as
clearly as can a human being. A greal
deal Of their talk is incompreheusibIe to
the average person. but when their emo
tions are aroused, their cry is easily under
stood by anyone
Joy. which seems to be their chief
characteristic. Is expressed with many
trills, crescendos. and warblings. and is
delivered with an abandon which is un-
mistakable.
a short, sharp cry expresses danger.
while il there is only n suspicion of danger
low note Of warning is given. All young
birds cry for food in about the same man
ner. The language OF the mother is also
about the same among the different varie-
ties.
Love and JOY are so closely allied in a
birds nature that Il is very hard 20 dis
tinguish one from the other BY their soags.
But there is a difference. and il may be
distinguished by an occasional low note.
when near the mate, which has the infIec-
tiOn Of a caress."
The local ornitholOgists say that all
birds talk to each other. II anyone. they
say, will take the trouble to visit the woods
at any time Of the year and secure a seat in
some quiet spot and wait, he viii be sure
to hear the chickering's and back talk OF
the feathered beauties. These taIks. say
those interested in birds are carried en- in
a regular conversational manner.
Besides the many varieties OF birds
which only visit the District transientIy,
there are twenty-six species which make
their homes here between the months OF
April and September and eight or nine
Of these. as has been stated. are perma-
nent residents. The m6st common OF these
is. Of course. the mUch-abused English
sparrow. The sparrow is said 10 DO a
great deal OF good. bgt attracts very little
attention in the city.
The bluebird comes next in poiHt Of
numbers. 1t IS credited with many vir-
tues. BY bird lovers ir is said 20 be
CHEEKY, coudding. brave, useful. and beau
tiful. It has a soft eontralto voice.
The nighthawk or bullbat is seen most
frequently at twilight. It is a resident
from April - to October II has nasal
voice and when dropping TO the earth
emits a booming sound.
The kingbird winters in South America,
but is found here from April 20 to Sep
tember. Il is faaJhered with black with a
concealed Grange red crest. It is the ac-
knOwledged enemy Of the crow and hawk
and when chasing them keeps up a steely
chatter It's voice is particularly unmusi-
cal.
The -poor-wilI is familiar to every
one. 1t gives a peculiar double chuck be-
tween calls which sounds like Il won't"
The robin is a resident all the year, but
is very seldom seen in summer It's Joy
Gus singing is appreciated in this section.
but in the South where many Of them
GO in winter. the bird is only considered
a table luxury The flicker. which gets its
name from its erratic movements, is a com
mon summer bird. When al rest it war
bles Kse-yer. Kee-ysr."
The meadow lark has a loud musical
whistle and inhabits the fields and open
country. The Baltimore OriOle is seen fire.
quentIy in the District frCm May 1 to Sep
tember l. Its favorable haunts are fruit
and shade trees It has a loud, ringing
whistle when happy.
The red-winged biackbird is common all
the year. It is dressed in epaulets Of scar
let and gold and usually is found in com
pany with reedbirds or bObOhnks. It has
a peculiar voice which sounds Ike "QUOnk-
er-ree. OuOng-er-rze" The chickadee is
small bird. and is frequently found in
this locality. II has a musical double
Eoted whistle, which sounds like "Chic-a-
dee
The merriest bird OF all is the house
wren Ir is found here from April 10 10
September It's sCng is sweet and rapid.
and delivered iu ripping manner The
Lowhee is small bird, very common IN
the summer. Il is continually saying
"CheWink tCWhee.
Every resident Of Washington has
noticed the army Of crows with their cav
cav" which pass over the city every
evening toward their TUOst at Arlington.
It has always been a mystery TO OrnithoIO-
gists why these birds do not Toost near
their feeding grounds instead CT making
the trip from Arlington to the Chesapeake
shores and back each day.
The beautiful weather this fall has been
particularly favorable 10 those studying
the language and habits Of birds Of the
District. and it is said. that the crRitholo-
gists have learned many new facts con-
Cerning them.