New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-21
BIRDS AND THEIR WAYS.
AN oRNITHoLoGIsT TELLS SOME INTER
EsTING FACTS ABOUT THEM
WHEN AND WHERE THEY BUILD THEIR NESTS
THE KIND OF SONGS THEY SING AND THE

WHEN AND WHERE THEY BUILD THEIR NESTS
THE KIND OF SONGS THEY SING AND THE
INTELLIGENCE THEY DISPLAY
ITO the unintiated all bird notes are songs
said an ornithoogls yesterday. but to the student
who has studied them there Is as much variety as
there is in the human voice. The call note ana the
song are rs different speaking and singing.
THE common catbird is good example IT has
been named for its call note. which is one OF the
harshest and petulant cries In the wnoie bird
ramut On the other hand its song is so sweet so
varied and It pours the notes forth so untringly'
that we can only be amused at Its evident delight
in its own powers. The male and female are alike.
a stone gray with black cap. and, by way OF
touching no the Quakar-ke sobriety OF costume.
have pa tch of brck-red feathers beneath the tall
"Of all our familiar birds IL is the most amusing
1t is never still moment. and is the greatest
dandy in the bird world always giving its feathers
a pat. then looking TO see how you like the erect
. II is a perfect acrobat tumbling now head down.
ward now running along a branch and emitting
its hateful suuawk TIL you turn away in disgust.
when without a moments warning. the air Is
filled with delicious ripping melody. one may look
for this bird now in shrubbery or thicket but the
deep blue-green eggs are not laid till the fourth
week IN May
"The thrushes are filing up their ranks. The
swamp angel or hermit thrush IS the frst-to come
and the last go. 1t has been Joined by the wood
thrush. called also wood robin or bell bird This
last name fits best its clear. ringing note, sounding
Ike bit Of metal dropped into bell
at is a joyous creature. singing rich song and
building along the village street or city
park with as much freedom in the woody dell
A marked characteristic of this bird is the white
ring which encrces the eye giving the little Great
a startled look
"Alice's ard the olive backed thrush familiar
visitors while Wilson's thrush, the 'veery' as
thevc all 81 In New though n shy
nesting time. is confident enough on It's first ar
rival Then 1t visits the lawns and garden for the
insects 1t loves 1t Is Of the few birds that sing
at night.
1.-THE brown thrasher is known brown, ground
or red thrush Though It is not thrush at alb, or
mavis or brown mockng-bird. It is another lively
songstcr making up in gayety and dash what 1t
lacks in variety. When the New-England farm
plant their seed they think IT sings according
TO ThoreaD. It perches on nearby bush Drop
II, drop ~ Cover II up, cover II up Pull II up,
pull II up!
THE parula is a tiny beauty, inch and a half
smaller than the English sparrow. and flies easily
and swiftly Although a summer resident, 1t re-
tires 10 the shade OF the woods at nesting time,
when 1t builds hanging nest, exqusitey woven.
nrd Grapes IL with moss 90 as 10 conceal Its home.
The most noticeable thing about this bird Is the
f has little song trlling and high but its charm
ing grace IL fits about and seeks food makes
dainty as the parua. 1t IS small, with back and
neck a brilliaft yellow which contrasts with
throat Of black and a stripe of the same color
ssting Of few rising notes, as II asking. Shall a?
Shall I? Like the parula. this bird stays near
TO build its nest in the fork Of a tan tree, This
warbler is among the best bird friends. during
the season IT devours many millions Of noxlous In
BIRDS THAT WALK.
"The most interesting member OF the family Of
wood warblers bears the prosac name Of oven
bird. II is usually found the ground near
thicket to which 1t hastily retreats II alarmed.
1t is sobcry colored. olive and brown. not unlike
the ground 1t frequents. 1t has curious call.
peated. each time being louder than the preceding
at is walker. like a nen stepping about the
for Insects When the little birds are Matched and
both parents industrously scratching they look
nest which resembles od-fashioned Dutch oven
In the highest and drest part of the wood. for
a slight rising in the ground Look carefully on
one side and there you will find opening. which
followed out the inside and lined with soft
and grasses Here are laid the five creamy.
The nest Is marveop9sly concealed and the pa;
one appear they become limp, nutter with fright
and tumble about in such bewildered fashion
alarm The cail note OF teacher gives no promise
OF it's song Visit the wood some evening at dusk
In the height OF the nesting season and you will
hear song Wild and free to be almost
startling.
There is another familiar little friend, the
chewnk. that must not be passed II Is a
stylish bird and also walker. carrying its head
ing SNOWY spot in the wood. Its head and back
are lustrous black. the breast is white, and the
sides are rich chestnut red. Ii also has red
eye with black pupil. The female is smaller IS
olive-colored on the back. and is careful and in
dustrious nestbuilder Unfortunately she sinks her
nest In the ground. that the most ardent bird
lover may incautously destroy the little home.
The chewink is singer. and when II has An
ished It's meal mounts exposed perch and
pours forth inspired song. sweet sustained and
vibrant. II comes about the middle OF April and
stays with us III November During all this period
II Is constantly 10 be seen"