New-York tribune., 1903-08-30
THE GRAY DAYS OF BIRDS
When They Are Not at Their Bea,
-What They DO IN the FoU
By c. William Beebe. curator Of orni,holosy. x.r-v,
Geological Society. TUX

by = "Iiuam Beeoe. curator Of ornithoiosy. Nsx-vs
Geological Society. k
There seems always a certain time when -.
tate to write talk OF favorte theme Or osa
of study, especially IL this be some class -
the earth. because, perchancc. they ara -ot On
best" Ii we love flowers. We too often nas. -
the seed time, when stalks are dried ana -.
shrtvelled, matter how beautiful ma, -
adaptation for preserving or scattering the - ~
how wonderful the protective coats s,,,-1,1-
against cold and wet
Or If insects attract US by their myriad l,,.-..
we are tempted 10 be more enthusiasts oy,. -
glories OF the fun winged image than 10 cons,s.
the less conspicuous, although TO less infars..,
eggs and chrysalids hidden away in crssslss
throughout the long winter ~0s
Even birds have their gray days in the ral - -,
year. when the glory Of their pIuInage and -,
has diminished Few of their human adrnira-, =.
tempt to intrude upon them at this time. vbs~ -
birds themselves are only too glad 10 esca,. :.
servatiOn- Collectors Of skins disdain TO NV So.
vocation, as the ragged pin featherv eoa. |
the birds now make sorry looking Specimens
We can turn their regrets to our own beneat =.
find something o; interest in birddom even in "a.
interim.
Nesting is over. say you. when you star, o,.
your tramps in late summer OF early fan. Inn. n
not be too sure The gray purse OF the orofa -
begun to ravel at the edges and the hairclotb -
OF the chipping sparrow is already wind dis,or,A5
but we Will find some housekeeping Just bes,,-
The goldhnch is OF these late nesters -
after his Northern cousins. the pine sishins s,s
snowfakes. have laid their eggs and reared ,bs..
young. the goldfnch begins to focus the a.~,,i
loops OF his flight about some selected sp0t s,S =
collect beakfuls OF thistedown. And here We Ia,
his fastidious reason for delaying Thistlas -
with the golden rod. and not until this aeeev en-.
stance is gray and floating does he consider that 81,
suitable nesting material is available
When the young birds are fun hedged one vo,I,
think the goldfnch a polygamist. We see him r,
shining yellow and black leading his family ouina
all somber hued his patient wife being to our eve.
indistinguishable from the youngsters
But in the case Of most OF the birds the cares a,
nesting are past, and the woods abound with f7u
sized but awkward young birds blundering tbrougb
their first month OF insect hunting and hy catch
ing tumbing into the pools from which they try
to drink, and shrieking with very JOY Of lie when
it would be much safer for that very life if they "a
manned quiet
1t is delightful period this transition as IN
teresting as evanesCent. This is the time when IN
stinct begins to be aided by intelligence whsn
every hour accumulates fact upon fact all heluins
to coordinate action and desire the part Of tbs
young birds. No hint of migration has vet passed
over the land, and the quiet of summer still reisus.
but even as We say this a confused chuckinE ia
heard this rises into elatter Of harsh voices and
a small flock OF blackbirds-two three families
pass overhead The die is cast Nc matter how
hot the may shine during succeeding days o.
how contented and thoughtless OF the future ths
birds may appear, there is a something which has
gone. and which can never return uI-,H another
cycle of seasons has passed.
During the transition time OF our friends are
hardly recognizable We may surprise the scarlet
tanager in a plumage which seems more BETTING
nonpareiI bunting. regular ''Joseph's coat" The
red OF his head is half replaced with ring Of
green. and perhaps a splash Of the latter color
decOrates the middle OF his back When he flies
the light shows through his wings IN two long.
NO. YnnTrf
1t is wise provision Of nature which regulates the
rnouIting sequence Of his fight feathers 50 that
only pair shall fall out at time and the sd-
Joining pair not before the feathers are large
and strong. A sparrow or oriole hopping along the
ground with angular. half naked wings would be
pitifuI sight indeed. except to marauding weaseis
and cats who would find meals in abundanee on
every hand.
Let us take our way some pond or lake thick
with duckweed and beloved OF widfowl, and Es
will find a different state OF affairs We surprise
group of mallard ducks. which rush out from the
overhanging bank and dive for safety among the
sheltering green arrowheads. But their outspread
wings are mockery. the flight feathers showing
as a mere fringe OF quillstcks, which beat the
water helplessly.
Another thing we notice Where are the re-
spIendent brakes? Have they flown elsewhere and
left their mates to endure the dangers of molting
alone? Let US again week later and see
what a transformation is taking place When most
birds mout it is for period OF several months
but these ducks have a partial fan mOult, which Is
Of the greatest Importance TO them When ths
wing feathers begin to loosen in their sockets an
unfaiIing instinct leads these wary birds to seek
out some secluded pond. and here patiently await
the mouIt. The sproUtng, blood filled qulils force
out the old feathers. and the bird becomes thins
of the water. to swim and TO dive, with no more
power of fight than its pond companions tns
turtles.
If however the drake should retain his iridescent
head and snowy collar. some sharp eyed Danger
would spy out his helpessness, and death Wo~d
swoop upon him So for time his bright ieatlei'
fall out and quick makeshift disguise closes over
hinn-the reed hued browns and grays Of his mate
and for time the pair hardly distingaisha9is
With the return OF his powers Of flight comes r.
newed brightness. and the wild drake emerses ls0'i
his seclUsion strong feathered whlstlng WINS
All this would miss if We did not seek nim 0l'.
otherwise the few weeks would pass, and We HoIl-
notice no change from summer 10 winter plinass
and attribute his temporary absence 10 VEIN %
wandering on distant feeding grounds.
Another glance at gOldhnch shows eaIlo-
sight Mottled with spots and streaks. Es.O
alternating with greenish. he is an anomaly ~
and in fact, all of birds which undsisO
radical color change will show remaTkaoie gun
binations during the actual process
1t is during gray days that the secret TO a -
problem may be looked for-the why Of migrauO-
If this is not buried in the far past then te ~"
emotions of the birds should reveal IT,
A young duck OF the year. whose Wlhss S'
last strong and fit, waves them IN ecstacF a. -
vihrates from side TO side and end 70 eno Oi -
natal pond. Then day We follow ms upH~
gIances to where thin black arrow Is thro0'N'
southwark go high in the blue sky that tne !"
dividual ducks are merged into a single long 'ii~
The young bird calling again and again. sp-l'-
the water with feet and wings and rises
slowly ascending arc. Somewhere. miles %
southwark. TO the migrating duck marx y
heavens. another segment approaches-toeeass
merges. - ..,v
Pr, what Of our smaller birds? When the gray