The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-05-16

Whoever would lealn to name the
birds must first learn to see definitely
| The size of the bird. the general color
the characteristic movements, and then
the details in color and markings N ust
pe carefully noted The robin, which
measures 10 inches in length from tip
of the bill to end of the tail, aud the
English Sparrow, measuring 6f inches,
are frequently used as standards for
comparison.
An opera or feld-glass and pocket
note book are invaluable aids in the
field. Notes on size, color, markings
and movements of the bird should be
iotted down at once, for memory often
fails US before we have an opportunity
to use bird book.
Would you know the name of the
small birds which fit restlessly in and
out among the branches getting his
evening meal, do not describe him las
dark green above and gray below" if
you hope to identify him. Instead OF
this indefinite descri ption, notice that
he is about 44 incnes long, that his
head is ash gray, his back olive green,
wings brownish olive with two whit
ish wing bars, undelparts yellowish
gray, and bill black. Perhaps ruby
crown has first attracted your atten-
tion; with this description one ex-
claims at once, RUBY crowned King
let. " The female lacks the red crown,
which appears on the male in the sec
ond year.
The kinglets are the smallest birds to
be seen now. They soon go north to
nest. The song is clear, sweet war
bic. These small birds are worthy OF
protection for they destroy great guam
titles of grubs and larvae in fruit trees.
The Orange crowned Kinglet has an
orange or golden crown bordered with
black and whitish line above the eye.
This kinglet was seen here last spring
for a short time, but none have been
seen this year.
Woodpeckers.
The woodpecker group is represented
by the red headed woodpecker, the yel-
low bellied sap-sucker and the flicker.
Each may be observed resting flat
against the tree trunk, braced by the
tail, characteristic position OF these
birds.
Red Headed Woodpecker Length 10
incnes The entire head and breast are
bright red The back, wings and tail
are black The rump wing bands and
under parts are white. The young
birds have gray head and streaked
back. The bill is light, and long. The
call is harsh rattle.
The Yellow bellied Sap-sucker-s to
8 inches in length. The male has a
bright red crown and throat, bordered
with black. The side and belly are
greenish yellow, and tle back, wings
and tail are barred with black and
white. A prominent black stripe from
eyes to wings, and white stripe on
the wing aid in identifying him. In
the female the red crown and throat
are replaced by gray patches. The sap
sucker does harm trees to some extent
by boring through the cortexl but his
usefulness in destroying harmful lar
vac should prevent the wholesale
slaughter, 50 common in certain dis
tricts.
Flicker Length, ID inches. The
flicker is the largest one Of these three
birds and can readily be recognized on
the wing by the yellow on the under
side Of the wings and tail and the con
spicnous white rump. The crown is
gray, the nape marked by red patch
md the wings and back barred with
brown and black. The lighter under
parts are spotted. Botn male ana fe
male have a crescent shaped black
breast mark and the male shows black