Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-04-28
The Passage Of Birds.

The Passage OF Birds.
OF all the happenings in the natural
world nothing is so wonderful as the
semi-annual bird procession or migra-
ton Of the birds, says the st. Louis
Globe. Democrat. And what more
delightful way Of making the course
OF spring than keeping sharp look
out upon the birds? l could readily
understand their southwark flight,
that mysterious feeling that comes
over the animated world at the near
approach Of winter, the fear of cold,
the dread of hunger, the longing for
bright skies and green fields, but what
brings them back to the places where
once they lived and suffered?
If one would start from the farthest
southern boundary Of our country and
slowly travel northward he would
enjoy a long g-continued spring, and
the birds would be his constant COM
panions. They follow each other
after a regular fashion and keep up a
procession that is practically the same
year after year. Their arrivals are
not mere caprices, but are dependent
upon natures well-ordered plans.
Each locality has bird day of it's
own, and careful watching would prove
it almost as certain az other gala days.
If you are on the lookout for them
you will find that the robins and
bluebirds lead the procession.
The blue jay is almost winter bird.
He fears neither ice nor north wind
and IS the boldest, sauciest, noisiest
creature that haunts our trees. In
autumn they travel about in companies
on continual mischief and Indifferent
to danger. AS spring advances they
separate into pairs and while the lady
Jay stays at home and attends to the
nest her mate is foraging about suck.
ing the eggs of other birds and de-
vouring the food ofhis neighbors. The
crow is his cousin, and worthy rela-
tive. But the black rogue that has
such bad name is really model Of
domestic virtues and devoted to his
family. In the last days of February
the crow colony breaks up into small
focks and starts off in detachments
for new roosting places.
1t is wonder, in these early spring
days, that all the birds do not come at
once, so delightful is the mild and
balmy air, SO quickly does the green
robe spread over all the earth. But
experience teaches US that the birds
cling to their old customs and are not
diverted from them by changing con-
ditions. The low fiers come first, be-
cause the earth is warmer than the
upper atmosphere, with its cold strata
and varying winds. They probably
find food awaiting them as they light
on the freshly thawing soil. Many Of
the early birds at once proceed to
nest building and settle near or on
the ground.
One of the loveliest sights Of spring
is the fash of color and lively effect
of the red-winged blackbirds as they
fit across low, wet places and hide
their nests among reeds and rushes.
Very neat and carefully constructed
are these small homes, fastened to
strong water plants that wave to and
fro in the soft breeze and rock the
bird babies to sleep, all in weed tops.
But those marsh birds often suffer the
slings and arrows of outrageous for
tune, as their homes are rudelY de-
stroyed by heavy hoof of wandering
cattle, and they must build the nest
more than once before they succeed in
Matching out the four or FIVE pretty
striped eggs.
Swallows and martins fly low.
They catch their food above ponds
and meadows, and the insects who
thus provide them with life come out
from their hiding places at the first
hint of spring. Against the white