The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-02-15

to he Worked Out Both With DO
nestle and Foreign birds.
A thoroughly equipped bird observa-
tory and prehaps the only institution
In the world for the study of live birds
has recently been established at Shaw
nee, Monroe county, Pa, says the New
York Tribune Through the generos-
lty Of C. c.. Worthington, who has en-
dowed the institution and has lent
some 10000 acres of his extensive and
picturesque estate bordering on the
Delaware river for it's use a new field
of research is made possible. Here the
daily habits of captive birds will be
continually observed and their life his
tory scientifically reported.
Professor w. e. D. Scott, curator OF
ORTHODOXY at Princeton university,
who ranks as one of the foremost bird
observers and naturalists in the coun-
try, has been appointed director of the
observatory.
The present temporary observatory
consists of roomy two story cottage
structure. Here preliminary work is
carried on, awaiting the new building
under construction. The birds draw
ing room, lined from door to ceiling
with a series Of gilt cages, contains
rare inmates from all the five con-
tinents. A great chorus and medley
from the threats of 500 winged song
STEERS fills the place. The interior pre-
sents an unusual scene. Opening from
the left of the entrance is the main
compartment, containing spacious com
municating flying cages, with win
dows, and supplied with sections OF
miniature forests and great square
pool Of fresh running spring water pip
ed from the mountain top.
Cozy boxes and gourds form nesting
places, we'll filled platters of food on
the floor give natural environment,
with a near approach to freedom, shell
tering a happy community. the largest
congregation of live birds, native and
foreign, perhaps in confinement in all
the world. Nearly every cline, tropic-
al, temperate and arctic, has been
searched to obtain the best representa-
tives Of each kind They are kept in
corresponding temperatures to suit
their native homes.
When asked to give an outline OF the
observatory and the various new prob
lens and experiments in bird life to
be worked out, Professor Scott said:
Here are some of the main inquiries
into bird life proposed to be practically
worked out: The study and considera-
ton Of the bird as an individual. 1t
is believed that by means of observa-
ton carried through the entire life OF
the bird much will be learned regard
ing matters which are now obscure,
such as growth, habits, health, temper,
etc. These will be daily reported: The
study of the nature and cause OF varia-
ton in different representatives of the
same species; changes in color and
appearance, along with age. sex and
season: effects in color due to light.
heat. presence or absence Of moisture
and to food. 1t will be possible to
draw conclusions as to what artificial
conditions tend to produce certain col
ors-heredity and what general char
acteristics are transmitted; expert
ments in breeding hybrids and the pos
sibility of establishing a new physio-
logical species; the change OF color
due to mott, the periodic shedding
and replacing of the cOat-a vexed
question, whether due to the wear OF
the feathers or whether the feathers
themselves change in color; the lei
sure Of birds, how acquired and en-
played: instinct, habit and development
Of intelligence.
zone of the useful economic expert
ments carried on will be the breeding
and the selection of certain species OF
birds for suppressing insects, so thai
when particular pests make their ap
pearance in a community the agrlcul
turist will have a natural remedy al
hand by introducing the appropriate
insectivorOus birds for the radiance OF
the plague. Another special invest1ga
ton is to be made in the cOnsiderat loI
OF SOUS. DO bII 10 iiA4>A4e LIN
instinct of the method of the song or Is
it acquired by imitation? To demon
strate this question series of exhaus
tive experiments will be arranged.
number of sound proof rooms have beer
constructed In these brood of youns
singing birds will be shut up and en-
tirely isolated. They will be reared by
hand and not allowed to see or heal
| any bird of their neighbors until the!
are two years old. At this age it vii
| be taken for granted that habits arr
| fixed and the notes they produce arr
| natural and not the outcome of imitat
ing other birds. On the other hand
young broods will be secluded so tina
they can hear no sound save a Simple
! combination of bird notes entirely for
eign to their own, which will be play
ed on the photograph. If they learl
and continue to use this song it will
go far to prove that imitation and no
inheritance governs song in that par
ticular species"