The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-11-29
BIRDS L|NGER
LATE THIS FALL
Goldhniches and Song Sparrows
Enjoy With Human Folk the
Indian Summer
WARNINGS DUE TO ARRIVE
BEFORE MANY DAYS NOW
Pheasants Are Getting Bolder
Where Unmolested and Bob
White Quail Are Reported to
Have Raised Large Families


Birds are lingering late in the val
ley this year, enjoying like their UNI
feathered fellow citizens, the wonder-
full stretch of perfect weather that has
been vopchsafed since the three days
alteration of cold There is plenty
of food about, what with the seeds
and the scattered apples left hanging
on the trees. A little lady gold finch
which met accidental death by hurl-
ing herself at the wire of a chicken
yard the other day, was plump and
we'll fed. showing that the lingerers
are having no trouble to find forage.
Travel by Calendar
The juncos are birds which under
stand well the change of seasons and
have chosen the Yakima valley as
winter abode. They arrived several
weeks ago indicating that they trave>
by the calendar, rather than by the
weather. The iuncos spend the sum-
mer in the mountains.
Bird lovers have been looking for
! the arrival of the Bohemian wax
wings which for seasons past have
stopped off in the valley on their
way south and spent from several days
to several weeks here. Travelling in
big flocks, friendly and affablN talk
ing mans good intentions towards
them for granted, the wax wing is a
delightful visitor. The name wax
wing comes from the fact that the
bird carries a splotch of red on its
/ II l>1-. 41n ri n
like a dash Of red sealing wax The
cedar wax wing is a smaller variety
and both have been seen in Yakima
within the past few years. Both have
a sober but dressy looking coat and
are crested birds. The Bohemian va
rietY, when seen close 20, has wonder
full markings of yellow and white and
was described by one North Yakima
woman who got close view of one
which had broken its leg, as Japan
csc painting on silk Only those
masters of details could have worked
out such delicate patterns as the bird
bore in its plumage, she thought.
pcclcd Big Hole
The gray jay is another bird which
winters here. There is nothing par
| ticularly prepossessing about this
Jay IT hasn't the bright plumage of
the west side jay to commend it to
notice and it has some of the bright
birds undesirable tricks. The red
shafted flicker, sometimes called the
| yelloWhammer, is a beautiful creature
which is not, however, altogether de-
sirable as a neighbor. 1t has per-
sistent way of making snug winter
quarters for itself by tapping a hole
through the house, up well under the
caves.
| Pheasants i'm ElOcks
The Chinese pheasants are interest
ing to watch at this time of year
Bold in fields and districts where
! they have been unmolested, they can
! be seen walking through the orchard,
or stroling along the ditch bank in
happy unconcern. A dog chasing
| field mice put up a flock of seventeen
in a South Mob Hill field the other
day. They seem in excellent condition
for entering upon the winter and can
forage for themselves except when the
snowfall is heavy and the ground COW
cred for a long time. At such pc
| RODS they throw themselves upon the
! hospitality of the rancher, sharing ra-
lions with the chickens. usually call
/ ing for their supplies rather early in
| the morning.
! IT is reported fom the Mckee where
| Bob White quail were released in the
spring that several good sized ilocks
have been seen this fail, indicating
that this most delightful of game birds
may wax strong in the land, if the
| hunters are not too merciless.
Song sparrow Here
| Of the more inconspicuous birds,
charming little fellow brown and
drab, with streaked breast and back
lis at present occupying bushes along
the bitches and creek bottoms, sing
ing as blithely as il it We're spring
instead of winter, at hand 1t is the
Merrills song sparrow and it not in
! frequently spends the winter here,
being ready. at the earliest warning
of spring, to build its nest on the
ground, or a low bush branch, and to
tackle domestic problems again.
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