Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-04-06
NOTES BY OBSERVER.

The observer has noticed that there
seem to be more birds about Shep-
herdstown this spring than usual.
Our early feathered visitors are here
in great numbers. The robins pre-
ponderate, and scores of the red
breasted beauties may be seen on the
lawns and in the trees. They are
busy getting ready to set up house,
keeping, and some of them have al
ready built their nests. There have
been a great many redbirds about,
also, and their liquid melody is sweet
beyond description in the early morn
ing. The purple martens are like
wise here ready to accept homes from
those who are thoughtful enough to
erect small boxes for them. Those
saucy musicians, the catbirds, have
not yet come nor have the modest
little wrens put in an appearance.
There is no more charming bird than
the wrens, and they may easily be
made regular yearly visitors if boxe,
are put up in safe places for their
housekeeping operations. The black
birds have taken full possession OF
the trees in the Reformed Cemetery,
and their chatter may be heard all
over the east end of town in the
early morning and late in the eve
ming.
Speaking of birds, every parent
ought to teach the boys the wicked
ness of robbing birds nests. How
much better it would be to have the
children care for and protect snd en-
courage the birds to build about our
homes. 1t is a genuine pleasure to
study bird life and watch the little
creatures from now until they have
raised their broods Of young ones.
In a week or two the wild flowers
will begin to show themselves, if the
weather continues mild, and then q
walk along the river road as far as
the cement mill reveals wonderful
beauty along the cliffs. The column
bine grows thickly in the clefts OF the
rock and many other varieties of rare
lovellness may be found. Violet
Hill has been famous for almost a
century for the beauty Of the violets
that grow upon its steep slopes, and
though children have gathered the
flowers there from time immemorlal,
they reappear each year in renewed
loneliness. Who in Shepherdstown
does not remember the pleasure Of
gathering flowers from Violet Hill?
The place where grow the loveliest
wild flowers, though, is the deep, cool
glen east of town through which goes
the Trough Road. Here a bank OF
pure white vjolets, there mass Of
purple ones, with columblne, modest
little Quaker ladies, buttercups, wood
anemone and other delicate plants
that love the deep shade-make a
scene of the greatest charm. There
are many treasures for the botanist
along the Trough Road, and for either
a walk or drive on spring day 1t
Is pleasure unalloyed. The birds
appreciate this glen, for it is full of
them, and some of our most exclusive
feathered friends may be found there.
Now that spring has come again,
every householder in Shepherdstown
ought to be inspired with pride to
make his premises attractive in ap-
pearance. A little trouble and work
and expense would make wonderful
change for the better. A good many
houses sadly need paint. Their dim
gy, shabby appearance is a reflection
upon the owner and looks as if there
is not much public spirit in the town.
Some Of the extremely old buildings
that are perhaps too far gone for paint
would be frightened greatly by white
wash, which is not without its beauty,
to say nothing of cleanliness. There
are other old structures Of brick or
stone which could be transformed
from eyesores to objects good to look
upon if they were covered with vines.
Our own Virginia creeper can be got
ten anywhere within mile of town
without cost, while Boston ivy is al
most as plentiful. You who read
these lines, decide to spread on some
paint if you can. If you can't afford
to paint, do some whitewashing. If
L. ~. IL no..a a