Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-05-07
BOYS ARE STILL
MENACE TO BIRDS
r. VI. Wilson Declares Campaign oi
Education for the Young should
Not Cease.
GIVES SECOND TALK IN SERIES
Nesting Habits OF Feafhered Friends
Inhabiting This Locality are
Described.

Nesting habits OF birds was dis
cussed last evening by Burtis II VII
/ son in the second OF the series OF bird
study talks AT Lincoln school. The
stereopucon view OF birds nests were
numerous and most OF them were tax
en- within the vicinity making the
study OF localized interest
Not all birds will nest in houses
built Tor them said Mr.. Wilson. though
as the birds become tanner because
OF protection more are giving up their
old haunts and coming nearer 20
mans abode. At present the msrten
house wren. blue bird and grey crest
ed fy catchers make up the sum OF
birds that will nest in houses. Easy
access 20 water Is a great inducement
for them 20 live In ones dooryard and
ways % providing this were brought
out in open discussion between the
speaker and his audience. a shallow
pan sunk en- the sod with a bank OF
sand az one end tapering into the wa
ter is thought 20 he the simplest and
most expedient way OF giving bathing
facilities.
In the recent storm a ficker's nest.
IN course OF remodelinE. was destroy
cd In Trinity churchyard here in the
city A. the stub end Of a branch Of
a tree the flicker had been seen for
several days casting ont chips from
the hollow 81 was eNcavatiug. After
the storm had brought low the rotted
branch DO was seen that Mr. Flicker
was abandoning his old home and
building an entirely modern structure
Just beneath Go probably with the hui
man intention OF renting the domicile
20 tenants.
Return Year After Year.
Some birds return year after year
90 build nests i'm the same locality.
certain haid-headed robin coming 10
Sir. Wilson's yard for several years
and easily distinguishable from other
robins I'm that IL probably is the only
bald-headed specimen. The bird was
given 20 him by a friend and was
reared ar the Wilson place. In the
fall it was Gagged and wore the feath-
ers of its head on the bars. These
never grew out again and since the
bird has been liberated IL returns
year after year 70 nest and will feed
from hand.
a nest OF rough winged swallows
has lust been discovered near Twenty
third street This is the first in
stance OF the birds nesting inside the
CITY IT is thought that more varieties
% birds will come in proportion az
safety IS guaranteed. IL is urged that
parents instruct their children, '1-
crease their knowledge OF birds In that
the nests are undisturbed. Boys. as
vet. appear 20 he the enemy most fear
Cd. a source that could ne turned to
one OF protection If the parents see
fit
Mr.. Wilson related the instance Of q
school AZ Edrington where one year
a brown thrasner made a nest In a
hedge nearby. When discovered by
boys all claimed possession with the
result the nest and eggs we're destroy
cd I'm the scrimmaEe. Last year the
thrasher came again with different re-
suit for I'm the meantime the teacher
had made e her especial work 20
teach the youngsters interesting facts
abou- bird life. The brown thrashers F.
have nothing 20 fear in consequence /
Eat Tons Of Weed Seed.
An estimate made by the aEricultu- /
raj bureau disclosed that SIS tons Of F.
weed seed are disposed of yearly by /.
birds in Iowa. In the crop OF one bird ,
gao grasshoppers. - bugs beetles,
? wasps and a spider were found. this
calculated 20 have been just a little
lunch.
some beautiful picture taken on
yiackinac island the state park Of
Michigan were shown Birds % ali
kinds abound there and Mr. Wilson
has a collection OF views OF their hah-
It's Something OF the travelling men
81 the skies will be explained az the
lecture which takes place next Thurs
iav evening at s o'clock at Lincoln
school. the third OF the talks. The dis
courses are made very interesting,
are highly instructive and should he