Putnam patriot., 1918-09-13

A census of the bird-residents of
this summer would show (perhaps be-
cause of the rigorous winter, the
Kaiser, or some other unpleasant rea-
SOM an unusual increase of some
species, while others, and these | be-
lieve are in the majority. which were
formerly common, would be much
less in evidence.
The Cuekoos evidently belong to
the latter class, for do not recall
having heard either the black or yell
low-billed this summer in this local
ity. Never very plenty, as far as my
own observation is concerned, they
seem totally absent this season. As
| write this article in a bushy, over
grown pasture, a Towhee, whose
young evidently are near by. scolds
me necessarily from all points of the
compass, venturing as near me as he
dares. Possibly he wishes to give me
hint that his kind are much more
abundant this year. am glad of it,
because he is an interesting bird, and
his sweet, rather powerful sond end
ing with tremelo, is pleasing to
hear. In the same lot, hear the
wild, free. tinkling song of the Field
Sparrow, whose numbers seem about
the same as formerly. As for the
other Sparrows. the Song Sparrow
seems more abundant than usual,
while the insignificant attempt of the
Grasshopper Sparrow is not heard
from in the mornings quite as often
as in other years. although he could
never have been considered very
common. The Nesper is not so plen-
ty as number of years ago, but av-
erages up to the past few summers
very creditably. There was a con
siderable migration of these birds in
April
The Chippy continues common, and
| have seen at least four nests this
season in our orchard The Flicker
and other Woodpeckers are here as
usual, but excepting the former, are
not SO noticeable in summer. Hairy
Woodpeckers especially keep pretty
closely to their woodland haunts
through the warm weather. Nut
matches are rather scarce. and | noted
very few last winter. Chicadees are
more evident in winter than in sum-
mer, but notice that their numbers
are diminishing somewhat. His pleas
ing, sociable ways make him bird
whom we can i'll afford to spare An
average number of Swifts are seen.
Barn swallows are plenty again, for
which we should be thankful. The
Free Swallow, however, is less abund-
nestled in our bird-box this
year. To me they are the most at
tractive of their family, and their
liquid, gurgling song matches pleas
antly the running waters of the melt |
ing SHOWS of early April, when these |
birds arrive. Years ago pair would |
,ome almost invariably about the 25th |
IF March to one of our neighbors, and |
AXE possession of their box Since /
hey were a week ahead of time it |
would seem as though they wished to
make sure of a summer home before
he rush was on. Late years | have
Tot seen them. The little Humming-
bird is as noticeable as he ever is,
tut | have not been fortunate enough
o see the nest this year A member
If my family has discovered no less
han four, but not in one season.
The Flycatcher family is decidedly
off" this year. The Kingbird is here
n greater numbers than usual The
\ God Pewee is rather more common
han past years, while the little Cha
zee and the social Phoebe seem to
ave almost disappeared from their
aunts The Phoebes | have heard
his season were few and far between
nd no pair nestled under our barn as
SlOit. Inc "OOutIi NutDSN VI the |
east Flycatcher | have heard scarce
= at all this summer The Blue Jay, /
mo makes up in beauty what he lacks |
I character, is never so much noted
I summer as in fall and winter So,
nough | have seen few this season, | |
m inclined to think that his varied [
alls will as usual this autumn make a ,
erfect complement to, and complete
nat most beautiful season of the !
ear Cowbirds in large flocks have 1
cen noted, but | am not especially q
lterested. The Blackbirds are
bout as usual, though think the t
rackles are less evident here. | do /
OF remember hearing any wheel c
arrow chorus" in this locality last Y
oring, but l was not here very much \
, that time The Meadowlark's
veet notes were heard, but not quite a
many as other years. Bobolinks, t
fear, will never be so plenty again a
formerly To me, as to many 9TH h
:. the viyaeious, sweet and bub- d
ing song is a favorite bar of bird o
usic and a lessening Of the sweet il
.frain is a distinct loss. However. L