Gilpin observer., 1911-05-25
Chicago Is Regular Migrating
Point for Feathered Tribe.
Henry oldys, Assistant Biologist Of
United States Biological Survey,
Delivers Lecture Before
Audubon Society.

Chicago-Birds flock to Chicago the
same as Chicagoans flock to Europe.
This city is regular migrating point
for the feathered creatures, and for
a number of reasons. Pre-eminent
among them is the fact that the Mis-
sissippi valley is the regular route OF
migration of all birds coming from the
south to the colder climes Of the north
land. Flying far above Chicago during
the night, the vast glare Of thousands
of electric lights attracts them. They
alight in Washington park, Lincoln
park or some other alluring spot. and
at once begin their semi-annual work
of BODYBUILDING.
Henry Oldys, assistant biologist OF
the United States biological survey,
delivered a lecture on birds and bird
music before the members of the ILL
nois Audubon society at the Academy
of Sciences in Lincoln park. In the
course of his dissertation upon the
subject he made remarks of which the
foregoing paragraph is only a brief
summary.
Chicago is an ideal place for birds"
Mr.. Oldys declared, for it is directly
in the path of their fight north and
south. The Mississippi valley Is
known as the bird route you know.
The fact that Chicago is Chicago, that
It is a city stretching miles one way
and miles in other ways and that 1t
has thousands and thousands of cleo
trio lights glaring at night. make 1t
one of the largest towns, speaking in
terms Of bird habitation, In the coun-
try.
And If 1t were not for the fact that
there is so much smoke hanging over
Chicago" Mr.. Oldys declared, in COM
menting upon his talk delivered before
the society, there would be many
more birds here. or course, the III
tie creatures will shun smoke, as
human being will. Can you blame
them?"
Birds are attracted to city in a
strange manner" Mr.. oldys went on.
AT night they are drawn by the glare
of the lights, as have explained. and
in the daytime they are lured by tall
spires. Lighthouses are especially at
tractive to them and many OF the lit
tie animals meet their death each
year by showing too much curiosity
and flying against the framework or
panes of the lamps.
"Of my own knowledge ! can speak
of one bright morning where the stiff-
ened bodies of $50 birds were picked
up from the base of the Washington
monument in Washington. On an av-
erage of seven hundred a month die
by flying against the statute of Lib
erty in New York harbor."
Another interesting observation
made by Mr.. Oldys was the effect OF
weather upon birds He declared that
a bright day and lots of sunshine sent
the little warblers high to the topmost
branch of the tallest trees in the
neighborhood, while on day rainy
and cloudy, the songsters stayed in
the lowest limbs or often ran about
on the ground.
Put a birdhouse in your backyard"
urged the speaker. "If you do you'll
have some wrens or some swallows
living in 1t within day or two, and
I'll warrant that you will be repaid
for the trouble you took by the pleas
ure you'll derive from watching the
little creatures"
Commenting upon the voices OF the
various birds. MIR. Oldys made the dec
laration that in many instances the
voice OF the human musician and the