Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-10
BEDTIME OF BIRDS.
Activity and Commotion When
Shades of Evening Fall.

From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Children often ask where all the birds
go at night. 1t would seem TO one not
familiar with bird life that many of our
feathered visitors find difficulty in Sc
curing suitable places in which TO
spend the night.
An observer will notice that birds be-
come quite active as twilight ap-
proaches. Many kinds. such as black
birds and crows. have regular haunts.
and as the sun nears the western hori-
zon thousands of these birds may be
seen flying in great hocks toward a
certain orchard or grove. Many select
a thicket in some lonely hollow. while
| others will select some large lawn
where shade trees stand.
Crows often select dark. deep hol-
| low with trees and bushes on all sides.
where they form q sort Of rookery.
They like dead trees to roost on. and in
some places they visit certain favored
spots until their continued occupancy
kills many of the trees.
Crows and black birds are aaiet dur
ing the dark hours if unmolested, but
occasionally some enemy besides the
human hunter will disturb them. and
there is a great chatter and nuttering
OF wings. A hungry owl or cat with
some Of its wild nature still remaining
will frequently visit such a place. and.
OF course. has no trouble in obtaining a
meal. Such a visitor often disturbs
those near. and the frightened birds
viii fit away in the darkness to seek
another roasting place.
Swallows. after "A day spent in skim
ming the air and catching hundreds of
insects, will seek a rooSting place at
night. The chimney swift will soar and
dart about until after sunset and then
suddenly dive into some chimney. The
birds have very snarp-pointed claws
and cling on the sides of the sooty
fues. Old or unoccupied factory smoke
stacks make excellent places for the
chimney swa,io"s '" r""st II vast nuin-
bers.
In early spring before robins begin to
ST. these birds gather in large num-
berS in some group of trees or grove.
where they sing until almost dark. and
then they remain quiet until the Hfst
signs OF day. when they break forth
in song. filing the air with the sweet
est OF music. As soon as they begin
nesting each pair seeks a sheltered
roosting place near the spot selected to
raise their brood. After the first egg
is deposited in the nest. and until the
young birds are able to leave. one of
the robins remains on the nest While
the other sits near on some limO. When
the young birds can fly the parents in
duce them To go with them 10 some
protected thicket or sheltered location.
Some birds roost in very exposed
places. Others will select protected
spots and secrete themselves IN such
manner in the foliage of the trees and
vines that even their enemies cannot
find them Many birds choose natu-
raj shelter from the rains by getting
beneath a leaf which sheds the water
from them. while others sit out in the
omen taking, the storm in all it's fury.
Many birds roost upon the ground.
All sorts OF places are chosen. Quail
sit In a circle with their heads out al
ways ready to fly If disturbed. They
have been seen sitting in such posi-
ton in daylight.
Many small birds roost in large weeds.
and others select a tuft of grass in
which to spend the dark hours. Other
birds build their nests on the ground In
pastures and meadows. and while the
mother bird is Matching and caring for