The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-03-11
rHr nEArH RECORD.


Etter.-Mr. Samuel T. Etter died suddenly
last Sunday, from a stroke of paralysis at
Altoona, Pa. His body was brought on and
the funeral took place from the home OF his
brother-in-law, Mr.. John g. Erdman, on the
Belair road, on Thursday afternoon. The SER
vices were conducted by Rev. s. w. Coe, pastor
of Eutaw Methodist Protestant Church. The
pail bearers were Messrs. Frank Bradley,
Charles Ulrich, Elmer Erdman, George Arthur
and Harry Bradley.
Brown.-Mrs Jennie Brown, wife of Mr..
Thomas Brown proprietor of the Valley Hotel,
at Bosley postoffice, died at her home on Mon
day last She leaves no children. The funer-
al took place on Wednesday afternoon at the
home of her brother.in-law, Mr.. William Coul-
ter, With street, Baltimore and theinterment
was in st. Peters Cemetery. The pail bearers
were Messrs. John n Madary, Bernard Foard
James Carter and Matthew, William and James
Forestell.
Koch.-Mr. Henry Koch. who for many
years carried on successfully blacksmith and
wheelwright shops in Towson, died at his
home here at noon on Friday, 10th inst, aged
go years. Pneumonia-with which he was at
tackled last Sunday-was the cause of his death.
Mr.. Koch was an industrious man and good
citizen and his death is loss, not only to his
family, but to the community He is surviv-
ed by widow and four children, all grown.
Reynolds Mrs Rachel T. Reynolds. widow
of Thomas Reynolds, and one OF the Oldest res
idents of that section of the county, died at her
home near Upper Falls, on the 9th instant,
aged IS years. She is survived by two children
Mr.. Edward Reynolds, citizen of the 18th
district and Miss Hattie Reynolds. Mrs. Rey-
nolds was member of st. Johns P. E. Church,
Kingsville, where the funeral took place on
Friday morning.
Burns.-Miss Mary Burns. who lived with
her brother-in-law, MIR. Charles NJ. Rowe, OF
Cockeysvile died suddenly Thursday morn
ing from an attack of gastritis, aged 90 years.
She was daughter of the late Benjamin Burns.
who lived near White Hall. She is survived
by one brother and one sister-Mr John Burns
and Miss Rachel Burns, who live near Wise
burg.
Hoff.-Mrs. Hoff, wife of Mr.. John Hoff, of
Owings' Mills, died on Thursday afternoon at
the Southern Homeopathic Hospital in Balti-
more from the effects of an operation, aged 36
years. Besides her husband she is survived
by four children. Deceased was daughter of
Mr.. Cantwell, of Gainesville.
Our Birds and Their Value.-Mr. N. +.
Flitton, superintendent of Clifton Park, writes
as follows to the Baltimore San: THE efforts
being made and so ably seconded by the press
for the preservation of the birds is an indica-
ton that we are coming to recognize their value
from an tHSLl6IlC SLdQQDOlUt as VIGIL dS tIOtu
the purely selfish one of utility. The move
ment commends itself to every lover Of ma
ture and should be carefully fostered by the
dissemination of knowlege among the rising
generation sufficient at least to familiarize in
the minds of the children the names and the
habits of the birds most commonly met with
as tending to inculcate more kindly feelings to-
ward our feathered friends.
1.-The most abused, possibly the most despis-
ed, bird, speaking in general terms, is the Eu.
ropean-yclept English-sparrow. This is q
paserrine bird of the very large family Fringil-
Iidm. It has been naturalized in this and other
countries, and as its name-pGsser dOfNsestscus-
implies, may be found at all seasons near the
abode of man. It is hardy and prolific, readily
adapting itself to the condition of environment,
surviving under conditions however adverse
THE prevalent idea this sparrow drives away
all other birds and that 1t does not eat insects Is
not unqualifedly correct on either matter. II
the sparrow were annihilated it by no means
follows that the birds most desired would re-
main around our dwellings; under existing con-
ditions they would not. As to his insectiv0rous-
ness, there are times when be finds it necessary
to obtain large supplies of food and he then
shows very little discrimination between In
sects and grain.
1.-THE bIuebird. the harbinger of spring, ia
miliar to everyone is of the passerine family,
of the genus Stalls. and is known as sialia stalls
This, as are also many of the birds which pass
the nesting season here, is of shy, retiring
habits.
"Of birds familiar to most people and less
shy than the buebrd are the so-called catbird,
Minus carolinensis and the sandy mocking-
bird, of the genus Harporynchus, OF which
there are many species, the one familiar here
about being Harporynchus rufus. These are
insectivorous birds and will remain around the
suburbs where are orchards, gardens, etc.
Notwithstanding their strictly insectivor0us
character, however, they do not hesitate to as
sert their right and title to taste of cherry or
of strawberry as a small recOmpense for long
continuous service in saving the crop from in
sect depreciation.
"If the woodpeckers be eliminated not many
of the birds of the temperate zone are strictly
arboreal in habits quite gO0dly number
nest on, or near, the ground in shrubbery, I'M
dergrowth, the lower branches of trees, etc.
The European sparrow Is more Indifferent as
to the location Of its nest than is almost any
other bird. Put up q bird box and he will
promptly appropriate it as his exclusive right,
asserting the right Of eminent domain against
all corners, and only one stronger than he can
dispossess him.
iFor the preservation of birds in general
places need to be protected from intrusion,
planted abundantly with underground, berry,
bearing bushes etc., and around the margins
of such places the coarse grasses as Bromus,
Reana, Eulalia, etc., and If q few single flower
ing sunfiOwers were scattered where they
would grow and produce seed they would be
appreciated by the birds. It would be good
idea to plant about suburban residences plen-
tifully of berry-bearing MATERIAL as well to
provide food for birds as for the fall and winter
beauty of the berries.
I'm countries where game is preserved the
song birds are, incidentally, protected also.
Their enemies are destroyed and trespassing is
forbidden. Thus their nests are comparatively
free from molestation. Covers are planted and
kept in the place and manner best adapted to
the purpose in view, and throughout the rural
districts hedgerows are everywhere in evidence,
the ideal place for both song birds and game.
Among all the feathered tribe the farmer
has no better friend than the grouse. There
are spots on many of the neatest and best.kept
farms where cover could be permitted to grow
for their benefit without in any way detracting
from appearance. Half dozen good coveys
of Bob White-if this name is preferred-on
farm would be of inestimable value to the
farmer"