The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-11
TOLD BY BIRDS IN FLIGHT.
DEyIZENs OF THE AIR FoRETELL
APPROACH OF A HARD WINTER.
They Are InfaIlible Prophets of
Coming SHOWS and Frosts-Birds
That Winter I'm Northern Chimes
and the Messages They Garry.

amateur weather prophet since prehistoric
times. but some Of the predictions based
upon them are as foolish as were the or
acles derived from the entrails or feeding
OF the sacred chickens in the Roman COL
iege Of Augurs. For example, II was neid
that the whiteness of a gooee's breastoone
indicated the amount OF snow TO be ex-
pected; that II goose walked east put
flew west or stood on one leg, cold weather
would follow; or that partridges did not
drum in the fall preceding bad winter.
In the South old farmers used TO have
"a wing that when the ivory-billed wood
pecker, beginning at the base Of tree and
working gradually to the top, removed all
the bark one must be prepared for hard
winter with deep snow. The logic OF TINS
has never. to my knowledge. been ex-
planned, and l fear IL never viii be, for
the splendid ivory bill is now almost ex-
tinct.
We can well afford to smile at these
quaint conceits but there are sayings pop
ular among sportsmen and farmers which
are based upon more reasonable observa-
ton Of the migratory habits OF birds. They
will tel you that when the water fowl ar
rive from the north at an unusually early
date and with a rush, and when the wild
geese and other noticeable migrants pass
us, southwark bound, in high, straight
flight as IL eager to get on, cold weather
may be expected to follow, and probably
the winter will be exceptionally hard"
This idea is based upon the theory That
they have been forced by unusually early
and severe weather TO leave their summer
home in the far north ahead OF the proper
time and migrate in haste, and, az IL IS
known that our winters proceed from the
north. the deduction is fair that by and
by we shall get our full share of the ex-
cessive rigor.
II was message of this nature that led
me to think last winter was to be more
than usually snowy, for l learned. as early
as the middle OF November. 1898, that
snow-buntings (wcll named snowfakes IN
common specch) and Lapland long-spurs
had been observed on the south shore OF
Long island and elsewhere near New York.
where several winters may pass in sue
cssion without their being seen at all This
meant to my mind, that although up to
that time we were having one of the most
beautiful OF autumns the Arctic regions
were already in the grasp OF extraordinary
cold, and the great plains about HUDSON
bay and in the northwestern interior OF
British America were deeply buried in
early SHOWS II was especially interest
ing therefore, to hear, soon afterward,
that the bad season on the Yukon had be-
gun surprisingly early.
The effect Of this condition OF things
meteorological in the north would natural
~ be TO hasten the departure OF the mi
~
those distant coasts to breed, and in addi-
tion to this IL would force farther south
than usual those other birds which do not
seem to fear cold greatly. but are Obliged
to retreat south of the area OF deep snow
in order to ind food. Certain hardy land
birds are able to maintain themselves all
winter in an Arctic climate. One such Is
the crow, which although by no means
confined to that Indictment region) is to be
found in winter In most of the northerly
parts OF the continent where IL haunts the
coast to secure anything that may he cast
up by the sea, and fingers about the set
Elements Of the Fssk.mos and the posts OF
the fur traders to seize upon garbage and
scraps that may be thrown out. or search
es with keen sagacity for the hunters
traps In order 10 steal the bait or rob them
of their spoil. II accompanies with grew
some zeal the wandering bands OF musk
oxen and carihoo. eager to seize upon the
weaklings that fall and freeze. or becomes
a camp follower of wolves martens and
other fierce bandits Of the dark and snowy
wilderness. hoping impartially either TO
share in their bloody quarry or to pick the
bones OF any ally that dies of hunger or
quarreing. or may be shot for its pelt or
killed in some fatal charge upon buffalo or
deer.
Such carrion. eked out with spruce buds.
birch and willow twigs berries. etc. gives
the crow a precarious hold on life until
spring releases more ample larder. His
sable form and shadow are as ominOus TO
the half-starving exiles OF that dreadful
region Is the vulture to the nomaas OF
the desert.
The crow does not turn white in winter
even on the shores of the Arctic sea, as do
other birds that remain there OF near
there. ana there Is no reason why he
should. since, 50 long as he is in health.
he Is in no danger from any other foe nor
IN need Of any disguise "a enable him To
steal upon his prey.
The great snowy owl on the contrary.
which also IL an Arctic winterer profits
by being white. since he Is not a scaven-
ser. hat must suhsist FOR the most rart
on what he can capture among creatures
always on the lookout for him. When
famine and cold have sent into their
hibernacula al the small animals he would
dare 10 attack, when ashes are sealed
from his grasp BY ice. and most Of the
birds have gone south. he Is compelled In
high attitudes 10 depend almost wholly
upon the Arctic snow grouse or ptarmi-
Eans which he hunts IN the willow glRdas
that border the watercourses or seeks
along the edges of the spruce woods
PtarTnisans. 200. are snow white in win
ter. exccat that the short tail IS black ana
hetrays them 20 the owl. whose deadly
rouBce. BY day as well as hv ulEht is
often avoided only by the grouse diving
into the snow and scramhiiuE away be-
Meath g. This manuuvsr frequently folts
the owl but Sc Is not 80 effective AGAINST
foxes. who will either folIow the fugitive.
OF, calculating nicely when the hira WfiI
burst out, wait - seize & as II eunergos
from tire Ir,ft
Now. the snowflake Is one of his small
and desperate company. bat % has not
cutie tae endurance nor the foo4-xetfinr
ability ~ tts larger fellows. The snow
nskes are nnehcs ard eat an sorts % seed.
md fruits, with such small rrouni-kaep-
ing Insects ne fan 20 their lot IN summer
Like the long spurs. which are their caaia-
sns. c4t less wAite,, they wander Ia fooks
over the tuu4ras and shore pialns afuavs
rrefcrFtnG the coast 20 the interior From,
sach places the ice. frightful winds ana
deepening SHOWS 90 November gradually
drive them away, oat they 20 20 farther
than they are compelled to 20 ana some
tunes are uncommon In m@iwlnter even
az Lake supcgior. wht.e q is only at ra~n
interval that they sppca. IN any -ons3d-
erabie numbers ia the Central t-1itca