The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-19
W00dhqnd Sketches
rife B[guelI's Interesting and
Charming Record Of Rant6-
Anqs NH Binds and
squirrels.
'ItNF y WOODLAND INTIMATEs" is

CAR Y WOODLAND INTIMATES' is
IFI a book of sketches of bird
and squirrel life by Eme Bigneu. author
of bright little bird biography which
appeared two or three years ago under
the title. Mr.. Chupes and Miss Jenny
Il contains the record of the authors
ramblings In little grove near her
home in New Jersey, and is an excellent
example of the sympathetic and pictUr-
esoue treatment of natural history which
is just now popular. While one may
learn a good deal which is of education
al value from this little volume. espe-
ciaIiy If one is not trained naturalist,
IT is in no sense technical or intended as
book OF instruction. It Is simply en-
pertaining and amusing.
True. the robin is ever fearless and
friendly. but now he is almost intrusive
And there are orchard orioles examining
critically the lowest branches Of the
naples that line the public thorough
fare. while Baltimore orioles calmly
view us from their hating places on the
fence. bronzed grackles strut compla-
Gently around the grassy borders, and
WOOD tbrushes are inspecting creyiees
in he brick pavement. One Of the lit
tie brown beauties is deeply interest
ed in q large. soft bit of Japanese wrap
ping paper. that has drifJed in among
The fence ratings. See her as she turns
il over and examines II carefully Now
she takes her flight. but the paper trails
through the air after her, Back into the
grove she goes. over toward the wood
thrush corner; let US follow her. That
Haunting Bit Of paper is TO be the foun-
dation for her nest. A strange choice,
is il not? But Mr.. Burroughs tells
us that the wood thrush has curious
habit of starting its nest with fTag-
ment OF newspaper or other paper Elk
cept in remote woods, I think it always
puts a piece of paper in the founda-
tons of its nest
There are numerous quotations from
Burroughs. Mabie. and other observers
/ long, and they are likely TO serve TO
whet the readers appetite for more OF
/ this sort Of summer literature. The au-
( thor is in her way as keen an observer
and as bright a writer as some more ia
nous naturalists. Here is a bit of char
acterization which is amusing:
/ TT was by tokens of this kind-an
abundance of tiny chips strewn around
maple tree base-that / discovered a
cleverly hidden flicker nest few days
ago The lord and master of the estab-
Hshment was evidently not bird of
I honor I watched for fully ten
minutes as he sat idly looking out his
/ front door-an action not necessarily
blameworthy in itself but reprehensi-
/ BILE in view of what followed. During
his wife's absence he was taking a COM
/ plete holiday, but when her loud quick
/ quick-quick- quick quick quick quick
gave warning of her approach he fell
/ to work with deceitful energy. and
when she appeared on the scene the
chips were flying at an astonishing rate.
Perhans she accosted him with: You
must not work so TecklessIy, dear; you
VIII be i'll. Now take your well-earned
| rest and leave all thoughts of toll to NE
/ for the present
/ To those who love woodland life this
| little book cannot fail to be interest
/ ing. and it Will be particularly accept
able to nature-lovers who are obliged
/ TO spend most of their time in the city
and must take their birds and squirrels
at second hand. New York: The
! Baker < Taylor Company