New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-01
SPRTNGTTNE OUTDOORS.
BIRDS AND FLOWERS THAT ATTRACT At
TENTION IN PARKS AND FORESTS.


TENTION IN PARKS AND FORESTS.
The buebrds have arrived on Long Island They
social. travelling in nocks, often hfty or sixty
together The males generally come n few days in
advance OF their mates. and when the latter arrive
they begin house-hunting at once they are not
very particular about their home Almost any
thing will do-a deserted woodpeckcrs hole. any
box or birdhouse set up In the garden-for as they
often raise three broods. they cannot spend too
much time In the architecture OF their nests. the
father-brd consoles his mate with song; he even
feeds her, but he considers this al mat Is a.,
manded OF him, and caves the patient motner 10
do the nesting.
In New-Jersey Southern New-York and Long
Island patient search among the dead leaves will
reveal the arbutus buds stealing out OF the sturdy
green calyx and growing family pink. This lovely
flower Is named from the Pilgrims ship. the May
espied in that bleak land where they had made
their home
Any one who has heard the knglets sing has
been delighted with their notes. They singing
now. from the wind-bown twgs of cedar and pine
Two varieties of this tiny bird nest and breed in
the Far North. but before they go they practise
their sweet songs. that In counting time their
vocalization shall be perfect. The ruby crowned.
the chocer songster Of the two, is a marvel DR..
Coues says his vocal organ is about the size Of
pinhead. the muscles which control II
threads yet the song itself il wonderfully sweet
40 prolonged. so gushing. that, once heard. II can
never be forgotten Fortunately this little creature
sings during both migrations. spring and fall. and
u
month each time
The city parks are not behind their country
ins In preparation for the guest who
slowly from milder cllmes. The forsythia buds are
golden yellow. and two three days OF warm sun
will make them swell and burst into blossom. For
a week the tiny blossoms Of the honeysuckle bush
have sweetened the air. The red-twigged dogwood
IS brilliant scarlet and the black alder Is nearly
ready to fling to the breeze its long. waving tas-
sells. each one heavy with It's weight OF yellow
pollen The maple blossoms are fully out and In
the distance the trees have a PURIFY plumy look,
with here and there golden yellow botch. marx
Ing willow, tree. Here. 100 the grass s getting
green. and the sturdy rock moss Is showing tufts
Of crimson in sheltered spots. The robins note liz
heard among the trees and bushes ana MS cheerful b
constantly increasing variety In the landscape.
The crows "dusky spirits OF the wood" show
activity. Well enough they know that the
ceaseess hunt for food which they have been
obliged TO keep up all winter will soon be over, and
they may gorge at will upon the fine fat worms
and Juicy larve which the farmers plough will
uncover. In order not to be too much distracted
this time by the OF housekeeping. they
look the old nest now. scratch off the debris
left from last year. and add fresh sticks and
twgs to the rickety structure. Although the farm
er recognizes the good Offices Of the crow. he can
not forget the birds perncious habit Of sucking
even the result Ia not all that could be desired
He even develops taste for young birds and
In view Of the hundreds OF thousands Of noxious
grubs which ne annually destroys.
While the frost has barely left the ground. when
holows and swamps are bogs and pools. the en-
thuslasc searcher for plants need not he discour-
aged by the prospect. for in some sheltered nook,
with It's feet in the water, the shadbush Will be
found timidly putting delicate robe OF white
flowers. with only and then a pale-green leaf
to break the snowy mass. The harsh winds beat
about the delicate branches. and the flowers do not
last long. but tncy JOY and refreshment while
they do. and repay for breasting the chill.
damp winds and soggy walking.
When the days long and the nights are cold,
The saxifrage comes like a Workman bold.
1t is an inconspcuous plant growing cliffs
and rocky lodges. The Germans call It stone
break" as it is supposed 10 assist in the disinte
grafton Of the rocks by growing In the tiny cefs.
The splcebush bears It's httle yellow blossoms close
against its twigs II also is nconspicuous to look
at. but It Is lavish in hnging It's sweet doors on
the March wind. Its berries which form in June,
powdered in early days az substitute tor
allspice while its leaves. dried. were In Revoiu-
tionarv times n wretched substitute for tea.