The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-17

of them went straight into a great
cage and composed themselves, as If
seeking rest. Others, apparently the
younger birds, sought either to ease
or win favors from their mistress. A
flock followed her from place to place
as she moved about the camp, often
perching upon her head and shoulders
and filling the grove with melody of
their triumphant songs.
Farmers who had walked over the
field after the birds retired reported
that they found Few of the pests re-
naming.
Il will go over again this evening"
said the owner of the birds, land l
would almost be willing to give
nickel apiece for every insect you find
after we finish"
Mr.. Boswell is a printer by trade. He
was raised on a farm and from his
boyhood has been passionate lover
of birds. During his newspaper ca
Neer he made what he calls a scrap
book of ornith61ogical information.
Three or four years ago, while proving
through old Mexico in search of rare
specimens, he met Senorita Flores Sc
ramo, who was also a lover OF Birds
This mutual sentiment led to a friend
ship which resulted in matrimony.
The young couple selected a favor
able location in a sparsely settled re-
gion far out on the Rio Grande, where
they built cabin and set to work to
collect and domesticate various spec1cSee
of wild birds. Hardly six months
passed before they owned. q large
flock of quail and a hundred or more
chaparral birds that were as tame as
chickens. In the course of IL short
time they had 400 or 500 Mexican cana
ries and white winged sparrows living
contentedly in cages. and many Of
these were so gentle that they could
be trusted to take little trips in the
open air. In the course of time these
enthusiastic bird fanciers built a large
aviary in their yard, and by patient.
careful training they succeeded in fos
tering large colony of little birds
that could be trusted to go and come
like tame pigeons.
Years Training Required.
Last summer Mr.. Boswell and his
wife began to train a large flock Of
their birds to make short journeys
away from home. 1.-THE first night we
stopped at a strange place." said Sc
nora Flores; 1.-The little fellows were
scared nearly to death. Many of them
would not leave my chair to perch on
the temporary roost we made about
the wagon. 1 had to sit and sing and
talk to them nearly all night"
Finally they succeeded in coaxing the
flock as far as Gen. Trevino's ranch in
old Mexico, where there was a field Of
cotton that had been attacked by in
sects. The experiment proved sue
cess, and after a few days spent in
training the hocks to follow the ornith-
ologists from place to place cir. Bos-
well and his wife returned to their
home.
Tht bird ranch, which is now called
the Hacienda de la Puma" is one Of
the most picturesque and interesting
possessions in Texas. 1t is fenced
with twelve strands of barbed wire,
which makes the Enclosure proof
against all intruders, including small
animals. The well-painted buildings
are located in large grove OF trees,
through which flow several small
streams of water, that are conducted
from great spring that flows from
the side of mountain fifty yards
away. The whole grove appears 10
rise from a bed of flowers of every hue.
Mr.. and Mrs. Boswell have other
schemes for utilizing birds that they
do not care to diclose at this early
period of their career One of these
however, is no secret. Mr.. Boswell
thinks that If every farmer IN the
United States owned a few chaparral
birds that snakes and other smaller
reptiles would soon be as scarce In this
country as they are in Ireland. These
great snake killers are the easiest
birds domesticated of all the feathered
tribe, and they are so hardy that they
will prosper in the snow lands or on
scorching deserts.