Evening star., 1911-05-27
STUDY OF BIRD LIFE
Audubon Society Completes
Its Observations AfieId.
SERIES OF TRIPS FOR 1911
Rare Warblers Of Numerous Species
Seen at Close Range.
LAST EXCURSION WAS MAY 20
Ninety-seven Persons Participate IN
Tramp Through Woods Ada
cent to Washington.


The Audubon Society Of the District Of
Columbia has Just finished its series Of
bird trips for 1911. Only once In nine
years, 1t is stated. has 1t been necessary
for the society to postpone an excursion
on account Of inclement weather. The
five regular trips on successive Saturdays
were taken this year according to sched
ule. and were all well attended.
The outings began earlier than usual,
the first being April % to Dyke, Va. 1t
was attended by thirty-two persons. Fifty
five kinds OF birds were seen--an un-
usually large number in view Of the earn-
ness OF the date and the cold, late
spring. Among the interesting birds seen
were tho Henslow sparrow. said to be
the rArest sparrow breeding near Wash
ington, and tho yellow-throated warbler,
q rare species from the south, found no.
where else in the vicinity OF Washing
ton. In addition to these nine other
walks.
The next trip was to wildwood and the
region OF the Sligo. A series OF cold
nights held back the birds during this
week. and the woods seemed silent and
deserted: Forty-two species Of birds were
observed by the flfty-four persons of the
party. The unusual sight Of flock Of
crossbills. several pine warblers and the
ascending scale Of the prairie warbler, to-
gether with the first sight and sound for
the season of several OF our finest song
sters. made the day satisfactory one.
Previous study at the Franklin School
under the auspices Of the Audubon So
skins belonging to the society gave the
members knowledge Of the distinguish
ing marks OF the various species Of birds,
while the possession of a liberal number
or high-power field glasses enabled the
owners to discern these marks In the
field. A great advance is also noticeable
In the average knowledge OF the songs
OF the birds. for. 1T is said, many Of the
members were able to name almost every
bird song heard in whole days outing.
Gratifying Results Recorded.
The third trip OF the season. May 6,
Is declared one Of the finest ever taken
by the society. The party left the Great
Falls and Old Dominion car line at Jack
son and walked two miles to Prospect
rock. a sheer precipice as high as the
tailest church spire in Washington, rising
directly from the waters OF the Potomac.
The fifty-two persons present were re-
paid by the sight OF sixty-two species
OF birds. Halt the party returned to the
city at noon, looking like moving snow
bank as they emerged from the woods
with their loads of Towering dogwood.
The remainder Of the excursionists spent
the afternoon in q visit to Black pond.
q beautiful sheet of water near the
mouth OF Difficult run, so surrounded and
guarded by heaped-up rock masses and
tangled vines that 1t is seldom visited.
Though declared by far the longest and
hardest walk ever undertaken on an
Audubon trip, not a hint OF weariness
was heard from any member OF the large
party that not only circumnavigated the
pond. but scaled intervening lodges and
returned home by way Of Difficult run.
The fourth trip. May 13. was at the
height Of the migrating season. The
forty-two persons who participated saw
six individuals OF the rare Cape May
warbler. only two OF which had been
previously seen in all the thirteen years
Of the society's outings. The party spent
the forenoon at Forest Glen and in the
country between it and Chevy Chase lake.
The afternoon was devoted to following
the windings Of Rock creek, thence to
the upper part Of Rock Creek Park-one
of the most beautiful parts Of Rock
creek. but, by reason Of the absence OF
ton excursionists.
The final outing for the season was
taken May 20. and the party took the
familiar route to Great Falls by way Of
present saw hftyfive species Of birds, in
Guiding tho summer tanager, which for
the past six years was seen On this trip
and at no other place visited by the So
ciety. A favorable opportunity occurred
during tho day for comparing the song
of the breeding parula warblers and the
much louder and more varied song Of
the migrating parulas on their way to
their more northern summer home The
extraordinary difference in the songs Of
hnc III oI InA q
seems not to have been noted in orni-
biological literature.
The migrating season OF 1911 has un-
folded q series Of surprises. It Is declared
Though the season was unusually cold
and backward, the absence Of leaves al
lowed the birds to be more easily OBJ
served and many rare species were re-
corded. A sudden cold snap the night OF
May checked the onward movement Of
the birds. and during May 2 and the
warblers. At Dyke sixteen species Of
warblers were seen at one spot. including
the prothoEotary warbler, seen near
Washington only three times before in
spring arc the American bittesn. Con-
necticut warbler, Cape May warbler.
Nashville warbler. actually common for
a few days: the white-crowned sparrow
and the Philadelphia vireo.
The members were divided into several
parties on each OF the trips. for the bet
ter observation Of the birds. Each party
was in charge Of some one familiar with
the bird-life of the District. This year
q larger number than usual of leaders
was present, making each individual
party SO small that every one had a
good chance to see and learn the birds.
Those who acted as guides during the
1911 excursions were w. d. Appel, Mrs.
Clarence Aspinwall, Prof. Wells w.
Cooke, w. L. McAtee. T. s. Palmer, w.
Palmer and c. r. Shoemaker.
List Of Participants.
The five trips Of 1911 were attended by
q total of ninety seven persons. OF this
number. thtrty-six had never before at
tended an Audubon excursion.
Those who attended each OF the five
trips were Mrs. Clarence Aspinwall, Miss
X. b. Baird, Miss Cornelia F. Boyden,
f. B. Beale. Miss May T. Cooke. Wells
w. Cooke. Miss Letta B. Fisher. Mrs. e.
J. Glasson, Mrs. w. r. Kattelle and Miss
Mary d. Suter-ten persons. the largest
number the society has ever had who did
not miss a single trip. The following were
present on all but one Of the trips: w.
D. Appel, Margaret Aspinwall. j. Boyle,
jr.. Miss Blanche p. Galiher, Miss Leila
Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Leo d. Miner, Miss
Hope M. Soule and Miss Viva NJ Shull.