Evening star., 1946-08-14
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Trdce1DeU.
"FIFTEENTH STREET

Dear Sir:
Il saw half dozen upland plovers on
the Chevy Chase golf course recently.
have observed birds rather closely in and
around the District of Columbia for the
past 25 years, but this is the first time
I have ever seen an upland plover here.
I have seen few out in the country in
Northern Virginia. AS you doubtless
knoH', these birds formerly were very
numerous and were held in high esteem
as game Bird SO much SO, in fact, that
they were almost eXterminated and
have, for many years, been protected by
Law. Also, these birds take about the
longest flight in migration of any of
our local species, nesting as far North
as Alaska, and flying all the way to the
Argentine pampas to spend the winter.
Those I saw at the Chevy Chase Club
were evidently on their way South, and
stopped to rest on the open fairways.
They were busy feeding, but what on
could not tell, although I watched them
very carefully from distance of about
20 feet. Apparently there were some
insects or larvae in the short grass of
the golf course that appealed to them.
I am wondering if it might have been
the larvae of the japanese beetle.
Il am wondering if anybody else has
observed any of these birds in the
District of Columbia in recent years
Very truly yours, Y. E. B."
* = **
This plover is regarded as an uncom-
mon migrant seen more frequently in
the fall than in the spring
Under protection the upland plover is
coming back.
In the old days of the gay '90s, 1t was
regarded as rare summer resident
hereabouts. At that time few cases of
breeding in this territory were reported.
The latest record was of a pair near
Sandy Spring Md, in 1900 In 1927 sew
eral we're seen at Dickerson, Md, and
were believed to have bred there.
Average spring migration Is from
April to 26. The fall migration period
usually extends from July IS to Au-
gust 80
This is one of the early birds OF the
autum migration, so that we may feel,
with an authentic report of them. that
fall is really on the way.
1t won't be long now until the robins
begin to get ready to leave us, and the
wood thrushes, too, and the catbirds, and
such of the mockingbirds as determine
to 60.
The house wren will leave, and all the
other migrators, but already we have
heard that best of autumn indicators
the Carolina wren.
His whirling, happy song came slant
ing through the trees and shrubbery the
other day, and we realized that 1t would
not be long before the leaves begin to
fall
We like Carolina wrens better than
upland plovers, because these wrens
come to thousands of gardens, whereas,
the plover is rare pird, indeed.
The wren is the largest of his sort, a
fine bird with an outstanding tail, and a
most uncommon song
This is whirling tune, in groups of
three, giving the impression of an old
fashioned pinWheel.
The bird sometimes wants to make a
winter home for itself in old awnings
which have been rolled up on sleeping
porches and the like.
No place seems to suit it more, and
householders who have such a guest can
do no better than leave the awnings
as they are.
Meal worms are a favorite of this
species. These worms may be purchased
at pet stores, or may be grown in meal
or bran. The only trouble about feeding
them to the wrens is that other birds
| like them, too, SO they should be put out
only when the wrens are known to be
nearby.
The upland plover is not water bird,
| although 1t is classed with them on
the basis of structure. Food consists
of locusts, grasshoppers and many other
insects and grubs. There is little doubt
that this bird would eat japanese To-
Gusts, as many other species are learn
ing tn do