Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-05-22

Every one has seen the hundreds Of
attempts to put bird songs into words,
with what success we leave to those in
terested. Mostly, we believe, with excep-
ton of the Bob White and q few other
birds, only the imagination can call
these attempts successful. Perhaps they
are better than nothing.
1t may be gathered, therefore, that one
good way to learn the bird songs is to
hear them initiated by some one who
knows, and is gifted with vocal chords
and organs which enable them to make
their limitations lifelike.
Undoubtedly the use of sound film
opens up an entire new field in this
respect. Already much work has been
done in this line, but most of it lies in
the future.
The bird lover will thrill to the pros
pect of some day having a complete
library of records which will give the
songs Of our most popular birds as actu-
ally sung in their native haunts. 1t is
true that several good records exist,
but in the main these are whiStled imi-
tations, surprisingly good, too, for that
matter.
Yet what we envision is a complete
set, some day, with perfect recording. The
only such records we have heard are not
very good, despite the large amount of
work put on them, and the many hours
of patient waiting and stalking the birds
in the forests and fields.
Birds love trees and shrubs and lawns,
and where these are provided they will
come.
1t is the presence of these everywhere
which has made Washington bird city
in peculiar sense.
Every fallen tree deprives us of some
birds.
Wherefore the bird lover will work
ceaselessly for trees and more trees, for
they are the bird attractors par ex-
cellence.
Nothing is more delightful, in the sub
urban life, than to walk to work in the
morning along an oak-lined avenue, in
which the thrushes and the chickadees
and the little wrens and the robins are
singing in all the joy of the Spring.
Scores Of other birds add their songs
to this morning symphony in an exquis-
tie blend of Natures own music.
This is melody yelling out of the very
heart of creation.
Recognition of each bird, as it sings, is
an added thrill to those "in the know"
One may love this music without know
ing a single song, but one will love it
more by knowing something about it
which bird song is which, one from the
other.
There is widespread ignorance on this
subject but 1t Is not to be wondered at
when one stops to realize just how many
birds there are, how different their cries
and calls and full songs, how all are
mingled and interSpersed, how so many
persons never stop to listen, how difficult
a subject these songs are. after all.
Their songs constitute another of
those subjects which so many persons
feel one ought to know by a sort of
instinct but which in reality are to be
known only by long observation and
genuine study.
1t is a life work, to know the bird
songs: it is hard work, to separate one
from another, and be able to point out
the differences so that others can under
stand and grasp them.
Fortunately. once a person has fixed
in his own mind. ears and heart the
song of any bird, it is his for lifetime.
Once you have come to recognize the
song of the wood thrush, that happiest
of singers, whose music somehow comes
from the very heart of Nature, it is yours
forever. Any aid that any one can give
us in understanding and recognizing the
songs of our wild birds is welcome.