New-York tribune., 1901-06-02
SOME JOYS OF JUNE.
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS IN BIRDLAND-MAK-
ING FRIENDS WITH NEST BABIES.

ING FRIENDS WITH NEST BABIES
ITO one who the love of birds in the heart the
perfect days of June full of inspiration and
delight many of bird life TO discover; so
many tender home scenes to watch. from the wild
eyed mother sitting her nest. resolute. though
full Of terror. to the venturesome infant of Few
weeks calmly making his first excursion into the
word. and afraid of nothing-tEere are so many
things to much to learn says Olive Thorne
Miller.
IN the first part of the month bird life seems a
little subdued. for nearly all the home makers are
absorbed in their domestic duties. But singing is
in its glory. 1t may not perhaps have the rapturous
quality OF courtshp. but if e lack the agitation
and the ardOr of those days. it is full of serene
happiness that is more satisfying, and here and
there one shall the singer patiently waiting on
bush for his home duties to begin. After
the middle Of the month nests brm over with their
lively loads and may watch the life and train
ing of young America in nests instead of nurseries
The comfortable theory OF the old time ornltholo-
gists that young birds need education. but come
of the egg fully equipped for life. knowing as
much as their grandslres. has long been exploded.
II comfortable because il explained every thing
easily, without raising any embarrassing ques-
tions about the relation of the lower orders to the
human race. Interesting experiments have been
made In rearing birds from the egg, to discover
how much instruction the young require to fit them
for life and it is well known that they have their
regular training. more or Less severe as seems to
De necessary. Inc rosy gun, Tor eAatnple, utSllHS
in communities. has early TO teach her little fam
lily to stay at home and not CAD about too soon
seeking society, Of which 1t appears the whole
tribe is fond-even In the cradle.
THE SOCIAL ROSY GULL.
''Dr. Roberts who studied colony Of rosy gulls
in Minnesota found that nestiings
could crawl they started out with the social ten
denotes of their to their neighbors. Their
visits welcome, too. They were cordially re-
ceved. either By bird still sitting upon her eggs
who coaxed the tiny 10 cudde down beside
her, or By a mother already blessed with large
family who cheerfully received them into her
nursery and readily undertook their support with
her own. Some nests like orphan asylums
swarmng with tender youngngs. But the de-
serted mothers did not take their loss quietly
When found infant its travels she
sua;ched It up BY the back of the neck, flew up
little, and gave il toss toward the home it had
abandoned. Sometimes several such filings would
be necessary reach the home, and occasionally
the doctor found whose tender neck was
bruised by this rude treatment. But what else
could she do? Children must be taught. Not all
uestncs begin their schooipgs so this. for
birds living in high and solitary nests cannot get
out early. and have usually no netghbors to
,ist With these instruction heginsLs3 FAR as
tempt ny. | hope reed not say at this late
away. push on the nest or otherwise force their
younslings out into the world The larger number
have taken flight while the parents absent
When the parents present. however. they
hibitel the most tender anxiety and help. whenever
II could ne given and the utmost distress IL the
y9Snsi'r sSoasd failed IN his attempt and came to the
All who have watched birds carefully have seen
follow. To sing to fear danger and other things.
op T1s 6Fo9Ent up rom nests Py pgope br m
reared arc not afraid Of the human race. could
they do not know their native tongue. under
stand the calls Of their own moth-r; and DO not
bunting reRTed In house sang the song of an
Ir'pH d9p The 5 Of IN his family Nc en H ac eS
singing chewink captive young robin learned
did the same
CREATURES OF HABIT
Not only has the fact Of the training Of the
young been brought 10 light. but It has been proved
that birds creatures OF habit. and live regular
lives In Alaska last summer on the Hartman
expedition DR. Fisher interested observe
that although the did till II O'Clock at
night the birds paid no attention to the Yagaries
custom O'Clock. in broad daylight. OF course.
If they We're disturbed In their slumbers they ap-
pearcd half awake aud bewildered as they do in
"a dron case OF discipline was seen among the
domestic inmates of yard In Michigan last sum
mer. With the regular poultry were placed small
head OF this family was a parsonage OF dignity who
loved quiet and the usual emotional announcement m
sensitive ear. When an ndiscreet hen became too
dragged her-protestinc at the TOP Of her lungs
into the P9hd and Sneksd Sc ,d, her I well - % o ,
'One OF the dtllShtS OF HalF June Il 10 MAKE me
othsT ia ABSENT m speakn 70 them netIT moving @
slowly. and if touching them all. only with the
Feutlcst touch of n finger. The young usually
show fear. and will often answer ones quiet
talk | have held conversation in this way with
humminG birds i'm the nest stroking them with my
finger. and have talked with-or to-clear eyed
mourning dove babies. fluffy little blueiays and
others. Very soon after they leave the nest they
taught not to permit such familiarites
1T is most interesting To see the processes OF
training that obvious TO us. such flying
pactly in a flock. The wing exercises. for exam
pie. of sandpipers who fly bird-as dwelers
the seashore know-showIng moment all
silvery breasts flashing In the and the next
instant gray backs that blend with the color
and make them almost invisible. This wing prac-
tice be the solitary marshes or low
lands of which they fond. and realizes that
perfection Of fight is matter Of much practice
and not of instinct"