New Britain herald., 1916-09-07

w 1ACGS 11GLC1 CSGIltS Al CANAN
 on Feathered Choiristers
 and Tells of Their Useful
 ness Aside from Entertain
 ing Us
 (Written for the Herald by Burling rf ham Schurr, curator of Museum
 of Natural History and Art
 New Britain Institute).
 Doubtless there is nothing in all the world which can make more elaborate display of colors than the birds. The hues of the rainbow, the dazzling brilliancy of precious stones almost every conceivable color-are to be found in their dainty garments. But not only are these beautiful crea- lures distinguishable for rich and unique raiment, they also are prom inent as authors of music which defy imitation or description.
 t> With the smaller birds the voice seems to be a real, wholehearted out pouring of gladness; and it is ex- ceedingly wonderful to note the pow CT sometimes displayed by these tiny fellows. I believe in my heart that like the song of the robin at dawn or twilight, many birds in their melo- dious voices render prayers of praise and thanksgiving unto the Omnipo- tent.
 Take yourself into natures domain at the break of day and listen to the wondrous and harmonious melody which pours from the throats of the woodland dwellers. Forget every thing save your surroundings; drink deeply of the sweet morning air, feast your eyes upon the dew bespangled fora and enrich your soul with the praises of the feathered host. Tn the wildwood-there can be no strikes; the horrors of war are forgotten; in fact, all mans burdens are cast aside, for, in truth, nature in her own sweet way is proclaiming: "Glory to Goa in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,
 If we look into the lives and habits of birds, we find they were created, \ not only to be a pleasure to man, but profit. Small or large, to every ! creature having feathers a mission was given. That the fulfillment of it might be accomplished, each was en- dawed with certain faculties. To l some were given large and prom inent wings, that they might success fully battle with the tempests in pur- suit of their food. Others were made ! almost wingless and to such were given long and sturdy legs to run fast or that they could wade in wa ter. Stil there are others incapable of flying, which like many f1eet-of-wing, have short legs and broad-webbed feet. Upon the water, birds with such feet are indifferent to ripple or wave.
 Want of space forbids making a B detailed description of all the facili- i ties the birds have for the perform ance of their duty. Suffice it to say that with peaks as hard as adamant andoas brittle as glass, shaped in every conceivable form, from shovel to a pin; and with feet as strong as vises and as delicate as their very feathers, they are all we'll equipped , for their particular calling. Whether X digging in the soil swimming upon water or soaring through space, every bird does just as chosen by it's Creator. T Tn the birds we have a valuable aid. Do we fully realize this? @ At the Museum of Natural History 2 and Art on the upper floor of the \ New Britain Institute, in the Eugene # W. Schmidt collection of native birds, & there are specimens which invite most 8 careful study for they are so mount Z ed and arranged as to illustrate the # paEs they play in helping to keep the & balance in nature true. The wood 8 peckers mounted upon bark, or nut 2 2hatches, Or creepers arranged in like r manner show that such birds feed &upon insect life which are to be 2 found upon Or beneath the bark of "a trees. An examination of their feet & will show that they are formed for #the purpose of climbing about and
 clnging to the trunks and branches
 of trees, while their peaks are ar
 ranged to dig into or tear away the @ bark in their quest for food.
 #@ Observe the grouse feeding in the & dead leaves upon the ground. They are called scratching birds and it
 ean be readily seen that their toes and feet were formed for digging. In he large case where the hawks and #oWIs are displayed, ia specimen
 nounted feeding upon it's prey. It is
 seen at a glance that the beak and
 feet of "the birds of prey" are formed gA#to tear and pull flesh apart
 One can go from case to case and find birds so arranged as to suggest
 heir mode of procuring food. With ' ut s any scientific knowledge of the
 bird life, visit to the collections on
 display in the museum will convince
 Rnyone that the feathered creatures &lre wonderfullY enuiDned to perform