The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-19
BfRD LOVERS IN THE PARK.
Young Women With Field Glasses and Note.
books Studying the Spring Arrivals.

hOun8 women WIN r1eiu SINsseS anu NOte'
books Studying the Spring Arrivals.
Already the students OF bird lore are
out in the Park. They include amateur
az well as serious students. keen on the
trail OF novel or little known specimens
Nearly all carry field glasses and memo
orandum books.
All students go around with bags OF
|, crumbs or Of peanuts and some little weapon
to flourish at the sparrows that nobody
wants to classify. and yet are the fret tn
appear when enticements are scattered
Some few, the envied few. have permits
to tramp over the grass at will. and so
can visit shrubs and trees remote from the
paths and get insight denied the ordinary
But permits are terribly hard to get
this year young woman remarked re-
gretfully to a kindred spirit as the two
watched company Of four Golf-skirted
investigators swinging across the sward
with dangling glasses. notebooks and the
stern, set features that become a business
venture. Last year permits were plenty.
But now, why. ] applied for one four weeks
ago and don't know vet il III get Il. Not
that it's a matter of Influence or references
or anything. But nature study Is 40 pop
ular now and there are 40 many teachers
with classes wanting permits that il Just
queers the whole lot. OF course. the grass
must he protected.
Il didn't expect to do much to-day
she added. Il got out too late. Before
10 o'clock is the fine time. The birds are
stirring then.
-One morning last week saw nine sorts
l had not seen before this spring. And
a man ! net had seen mir eteen. After
10 clock or so the birds go in hiding or take
a siesta in some retired place. and it's Just
a chance II you see ANYTHING worth while
There is one songster established in
precinct by the reservoir. whose favor Is
court ed assiduously every fire day "
admirers who cannot place his race. Some
call him a chaffinch and saw that he is the
only survival Of the European chaffinches
that were brought TO the Park three or four
years ago. Others saw that he is in a class
by himself and hot discussions take place
on the subject.
I'm positive he's not Of any one Of the
family of fi1c'ias," said TIE tall blonde,
who bv adroit kissn on the back of her
hand has induced him to fy down on the
walk for peanut crumbs. -l've looked them
all up carefully and he doesn't answer to
anv.
within fifty miles Of New York either. NY
sister and ! have watched him now for
three weeks carefully ever since we first saw
him. and although his ma, kings have
changed some in that time he still isn't
in any class OF birds ! know Of"
Some observers consider his song some
thing like the blue1ird's and declare him
TO be a native. Others are equally certain
that he Ia foreigner.
He Is scanned infinitely with glasses
and without by a dozen or more admirers
in the course of couple of hours. To one
his bill appears TO he tipped with yellow.
Another pronounces II to be tipped with
grav, another with silver.
The same differences Of opinion exist
as to the marking of his wing feathers,
the part ocular shade OF his cap and breast
front. But all argue that he is a very ele-
giant little person, symmetrical aud with
bloom Of plumage that makes the other
bird look quite ordinary.
The unknown's song Is so musical and