South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-09
F ANGUS BIRD MAN
IN LECTURE HERE
Charles Crawford GOrSt in
Delightful Program at
High School.

Bird life in its loveliest phases
was described for an audience
which filled the auditorium Of the
high school Monday evening by
Charles Crawford Gorst the noted
bird man and lecturer whose re-
markable bird limitations have de-
lighted audiences from coast TO
coast. Mr.. Gorst was brought to the
city through the efforts of the new
Is organized bird club.
DR.. j. p. Feagler as president of
the club acted in the capacity of
chairman. w. G.. Crabill of South
Bend gave a brief and eloquent ap-
peal TO the patriotism of the audi
ence and urged that Liberty bonds
be purchased, and every pOssib bic
financial aid be given 10 the gov
eminent in the prosecution of its
warfare against Germany. Musical
numbers were rendered by Mrs.
Grace Fink Davis of south Bend.
accompanied by Mrs. q. B. Will
liams.
Mr.. Gorsts program opened with
whistling number which ne said
represented a mocking bird as it
would undoubtedly sing had it gone
TO singing school in its youth. The
solo, with others which he gave,
was an extraordinarily beautiful
one, and illustrated to what extent
whistling may be cultivated as a
musical accomplishment. Mrs Will
liams assisted the lecturer at the
piano.
Bird Music Description.
With colored charts of the birds
he described, i'm pastel. Mr.. Gorst
supplied the calls peculiar TO each
species, giving in many instances
several for each bird. In speaking
of bird music, the speaker stated
that the little singers rarely sing
actual melodies, or tunes. although
in the calls OF most, there are the
motives and the suggestion of dis
tinct harmony. Most of the music
is descriptive, and by it one is en-
abled TO understand the natural
character of the bird itself, as in
the instance of the blue jay, a
harsh, cruel. vigorous bird, with an
abrupt and unlovely call.
OF complete contrast to the lat
ter is the morning dove, a modest,
harmless little gray pigeon. with a
soft and gentle song. The meadow
larks are exceptionally sweet sing
ers, the western variety gathering
into his song an exquisite note OF
rapture. Among the purest of bird
singers are the members of the
thrush family. among them the
wood thrush whose evening SONG
has been immortalized by the poets.
The veerie or Wilson thrush, also
favorite with the balladists, ecnoes
the wierdness of the evening woods
in his plaintive and beautiful song.
Many critics, however, are prone to
give the favors TO the hermit
thrush, whose call is said to possess
a delicacy and spiritual tenderness
incompatible.
Many Birds Initiated.
Among the birds whose calls were
initiated by Mr.. Gorst with startling
likeness were the homely robin, the
oriole, the blue bird, bob o. link,
Maryland yellow throat, indigo
bunting. white throated sparrow,
brown thresher. rose breasted sros-
beak, whippoorwill, the screech owl,
night hawk. toehee, cardinal. purple
finch, spotted sandpiper, the scar
let tanager, the cat-bird and the
oven bird. long known as the
thrush.
Informally, Mr.. Gorst told Of the
valuation which the department of
agriculture has put upon birds as
a means of aid in the production of
crops. and stated that S1,20O.000
900 OF farm and orchard products
are Yearly destroyed by insects. and
that the assistance rendered by
birds in combating this evil is val
ued at $3.50. 100000.
He stated that agriculture would
become positively impossible within
short time, should the birds all
be destroyed. because of the ravages
of the insects. II has become more
than ever, owing TO the war, q pa
triotic duty to preserve and pro-
tect bird life, he stated and eau
toned the small BOYS to forbear
hunting with guns He urged that
bird homes be erected and every
means taken 10 assist the tiny song
sters to live and multiply.