Middletown transcript., 1907-03-16
BIRDS ADVANCE GUARDS
Have Been Wintering in the South but
Will Soon Return

VIII Soon Return
The present month marks the beginning
OF the Spring migration, when the birds
which have been spending the winter in
the South once more return to their Sum-
mer homes Our old friend robin redbreast
is among the earliest arrivals. Some
morning it. mid March we hear familiar
call, and look out to see Mr.. Robin hop
ping across the lawn or perched in some
nearby tree. His breast in reality not
red, only chestnut brown, but among
the leafiess trees and against the dead
grass of the lawn it has ruddy glow that
seems promise of the summer days to
come. He is soon joined by Mrs. Robin,
and they set up housekeeping in the crotch
OF some convenient tree. They are very
eompaniopable birds. not in the least
afraid of men, and we have little difficulty
in watching them raise their family 1t
| would be better to say families, for they
have two broods every season. Many
fruit and berry growers revile the robin
because he takes troll of them, but the
laborer is certainly worthy Of his hire,
and the robin does his share of the work
in keeping down insect pests.
The robins cousin, the bluebird, also
comes at this time. The male is clad in
suit of bright blue, with waistcoat of
chestnut red. His wife is more modestly
attired in suit of gray, which only
shows blue toward the tail, while the red
is duller in hue. In birds we have a re-
yersed state of affairs from human society,
With them the males are the more gayly
dressed. The robin is an aggressive bird
with noisy call and readiness for a
fight, but the bIuebird is always gentle
ness itself. His song is sweet, quiet re-
frain, which breathes the spirit of Spring.
Instead of nesting in the open, they make
their nest in hollow in an old tree or
even in fence post. When the young
appear they show their membership in
the thrush family by speckled markings
with which they are covered.
The kingfsher has not the social habits
OF the robin and the bluebird. He will
have none Of mans society, nor does he
travel in focks. In Spring, when the ice
has left the streams, he comes back to
his favorite haunt by some brook, where
he knows the fishing is good. His mate
makes nest in deep tunnel under the
bank. As We walk along the stream we
can see him ahead sitting motionless ON
a branch over the water. He pays. no
attention until we come too near; then he
flies away with a loud. rattling call.
With his crest and plumage gray above
| and white below, he makes striking fig
ure in the scene.
Across the meadows We hear a clear,
sharp call. We look around and see
bird perched on fence post or in tree
top. As we work closer to him we see he
has yellow breast with a black crescent
on the throat. When we have reached
point where he thinks bis position is no
longer safe he scars away in short fight
to alight in another tree or on the ground.
He spreads his tail in flight, and We see
two broad white outer tail feathers.
These marks show beyond doubt that he
is a meadow lark. Meadow larks are es-
sentially ground birds; they both feed and
make their nest on the ground. 1t has
always been marvel to me how birds
making nests on the ground can raise any
young. There are danger innumerable.
Prowling weasel or skunk may gather in
the eggs or young. Blacksnakes are very
partial to young birds. A careless foot OF
man or beast may crush nest and contents
out of existence Nevertheless, each
year young meadow larks appear to con-
tinue the race.
The grackIes are more careful where
they place their nests. They select a
high tree, an evergreen by choice, and
tuck the nest away as far out of sight
as possible. 1t is big rudely made af-
fair, built Of wigs and straw. If they
see anyone prowliDg around they will
keep sharp watch OH him, and until
he is far out of sight will not go near
the nest. 1t is great sight to see a
migrating flock in the spring. They fly
| in bodies of hundreds of birds, and keep
up constant chattering that one can