The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02
BIRDS IN A CHURCBYARD.


10 Sts FNWNW.
Probably few of the Inhabitants OF this
vast desert of stone, brick and mortar are
aware Of the variety Of bird life to be found
in the little GASES Of green formed by such
spots as ST. Paul's churohyard. In q single
| day last fall a friend Of the writer counted
ten species, as follows: Robin, catbird'
brown thrasher, wood thrush, song sparrow.
white-throated sparrow. towhee, Maryland
yellowthroat, oven bird.
In spot 40 restricted one would suppose
that no bird, however inconspicuous, would
escape the notice Of the most casual OBJ
server, yet of the many persons who daily
resort TO St. Paul's to eat their MONDAY
lunch il is doubtful If half dozen out OF
each twenty are aware OF the presence OF
other feathered neighbors than the English
sparrow, whose numbers and incessant
disagreeable gatherings compel unwilling
Eotlce. Were these pests, whose nests
occupy vantage points In the poplar trees
ind in the vines growing over the church
wallis less numerous our native wild birds
might visit this spot even more freely.
1t is surprising how easily the unframed
and unsearching eye overlooks these little
visitors, minging quietly and inconspicu-
ously with the noisy denizens, yet how much
Of bird life rewards few moments time
spent In daily visits by ono whose eyes are
becoming accustomed to really seeing.
As an indication Of this may be mentioned
the results of personal daily visits Of Ave
or ten minutes duration, between IL o'clock
noon and in the afternoon
Prior to April 20 few daily visits had
revealed nothing in the bird line but the
sparrows. On that date the writer re-
corded six hermit thrushes, a yellow
bellied sapsucker and a slate-oolored junco.
The sapsucker seemed quite remarkable
record in such place. On April 80 there
were English sparrows only, but on May /
towhee and a white-throated sparrow
were noted, and on May a hermit thrush
and brown thrasher The latter would rise
and circle about between the church and the
tall buildings, apparently seeking an exit
to the open country; then return, bewildered
and discouraged.
On May were noted only English spar
rows; May 9, male towhee; May 8, two
brown thrashers, one of them flying in the
same bewildered manner as the bird of the
4th; May 0. cathird and female towhee;
May II, chipping sparrow; May IL, no birds
May 10, no birds; May IA. a Maryland yellow
throat; May Is, brown thrasher, catbird
and oven bird: May 10, brown thrasher,
white-throated sparrow and TWO oven
Birds May IS, brown thrasher, white
throated sparrow, catbird and two oven
birds May 10, pdstart, three least fy-
catchers. two or three oven birds, water
thrush, Wilson's thrush and yellow warbler;
May 20, brown thrasher, oatbird magnolia
warbler and white-throated sparrow; NAV
2l, Canadian warbler; May %. two brown
thrashers. two olive-backed thrush, 8, Mary
land yellowthroat, least hycatcher and
yellow warbler; May 70, brown thrasher.
This. In twenty days observation, is a
list OF eighteen birds, with much of the
best season still to hear from. Of the birds
mentioned in this list the sapsucker Is a
common spring and fall migrant, OCCASION
ally found with us in winter. Its breeding
range commences a little farther north
OF the thrushes. the wood and Wilson's
are common summer residents, breeding
abundantly in the country close about
New York, and the former nesting numer-
ously In Central Park. The hermit and
olive-backed are common spring and fall
migrants, nesting a little farther north
The junco, or black snowbird, is common
in spring, fall and winter II nests in the
in high attitudes farther south. The white
throat is a common winter bird, often
lingering we'll into May before departirg
for its summer home in northern New
England and northward The towhee Ia
a well-known bird in the country about
New York throughout the summer, and may
even occasionally nest In Central Park.
The same may be said of the brown thrasher
and catbird, save that the former probably
does not nest in the Park. The chipping
sparrow, the well-known little -chfppy,'
is abundant everywhere throughout the
summer. The least fycatcher nests COM
monty about the suburbs Of the city, and
probably at times in Central Park
OF the warblers recorded, the oven bird ,
yellow warbler, redstart, water thrush
and MARYLAND yellowthroat are common
summer residents in this section. The
Canadian and magnolia breed farther 10 the
north. and records Of nests of either in the
immediate vicinity Of New York are at least
not common.
1t Is worth ones while to spend a few
minutes of the noon hour In this little re-
treat, receiving the messages OF these
feathered couriers from their distant winter
haunts, and note how nature combines
utility with beauty, the birds not only
gladdening the eye, but feeding on the
insects that would otherwise destroy the
foliage.