Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-05-13

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Of the birds recently published in
the list of residents or visitors of
Webster City and it's immediate vi
cinity, eleven were classed as per-
manent residents, or those which we
have with us the year round. OF
these we have endeavored to sketch
a brief description and to note some
of their chief characteristics.
Bluejay-12 inches from head to
tip of tail; a bluegray bird with
crested head and black necklace;
tail bright blue barred with black.
A noisy troublesome bird Of whom it
is sometimes said, "His beauty COW
ers a multitude of sins"
Chickadee-smaller than the Eng
lish sparrow. Ashy gray above,
black cap, nape and throat; nests in
cavities of tree usually near the
ground. An especially goodnatured
and friendly bird Characteristic
song chick "a dee -dee-dee or dee-dee-
dee. 1t is especially gay during a
snow storm.
Crow-nearly twice as large as
robin. A glossy black with violet
reflections. Occasionally a conspic-
uous albino or white specimen is
seen. Though usually considered
nuisance he does one serviceable act
during the sprin gtime when he fol-
lows the farmers plow and snatches
up the bugs, worms and field mice
turned in the furrow.
Purple grackle or crow blackbird
"a refined crow little larger than
a robin. Iridescent black; iris of
eye bright yellow; a purple head
and greenish back. This bird has
peculiarly of steering itself with its
tail when it wishes to turn its di-
rection or alight. 1t is very de-
structive. .>--
Quail-same length as a robin
but heavier. A reddish brown bird
streaked and barred with black;
white forehead and a stripe over eye
extending down the side Of neck;
white throat. Call-bob-wh tt
Is of immense value to farmers be-
cause of the amount Of weed seeds
and insects which it annually de-
stroys.
English sparrow-6A inches long.
Like the poor we always have
them with u.s." This bird was in
troduced into America in 1850 and
has multiplied rapidly and spread all
over the country Ashy above with
black and chestnut stripes on back
and shoulders; middle Of throat and
breast black (lacking in the female)
He is a bully and fighter and hated
by all other birds
Lark sparrow-same size as Eng
lish sparrow. Gray with darker
streakings chestnut stripes on crown
and sides Of head; blackish tail with
white on edges This bird has a
fine song, stays in the field and nests
on the ground among old weeds or
grass.
Downy woodpecker-same size as
the English sparrow. Black above
stripped with white; outer tail
feathers white barred with black
red patch on the back Of head with
a black stripe on the top of head
and distinct white band over and
under the eye; white underneath.
Cry-a sharp screaming rattle A
very sociable bird with both men
and other birds; very fearless; in
habits back yards. The scarlet
patch on the head is lacking in the
female
Hairy woodpecker-size of the
robin. Very similar to the downy
woodpeCker only larger and thei
outer tail feathers are white with
out oars. lhey love the deep WOODS
and are seldom seen outside the tim
Der lands.
Prairie ChiCken-nearly twice the
length of a robin and heavier Ash
gray barred above: whitish barred
below. The males have slender dark
neck tufts. They nest in the open
prairics and fields or along the edges
Of the swamps They make a loud
booming noise in the spring and
the mother takes all the care OF the
young.
Screech owl-shorter than the
robin but heavier Small ear tuftsI
conspicuous. There are two distinct
phases of this owl, the red and the
pad nh &c