Evening star., 1946-06-27
This andThat
By Charles e. Tracewell.
"FARRAGUT STREET
Sir:

Dear Sir:
II am interested to know If you read
the statement made in a local paper by
an authority on birds that while many
District residents might think sparrows
and robins were our most numerous
birds, such was not the case. He said
they might be surprised to learn that
red-eyed vireos and American redstarts
came f1rst in numbers. Surprise Is not
the word, so far as am concerned. I
should like this authority to locate just
one redStart for me. have not seen
one in three years.
"Of course, any one who walks abroad
knows the woods and yards are filled
with robins and sparrows. also know
the haunts Of many catbirds, thrashers,
thrushes, f1ickers, phoebes, cardinals,
kingbirds and red-winged blackbirds
and others. In addition, I have this
spring seen indigo buntings, yellow
breasted chats and scarlet tanagers.
Although your column has not car
ried the usual reports Of tanagers, have
seen a pair almost daily since June l..
Could you tell me If they nest in the
vicinity Of Washington? have never
seen them at the nesting season closer
than the Severn River, but this pair
seems to be here later than usual.
There seems to be the usual variety
and number of summer residents In
the bird colony, with one exception
chewinks. They are almost nonexistent
In spots where, in previous years, they
were numerous.
"Also, have been interested in the
northward movement Of purple martins
for the past two weeks. I am usually
leaving the downtown section just before
daylight, and the chatter of these birds
Is quite clear, although they cannot be
seen. With the coming Of daylight, they
are no longer heard. Could they be
migrating at this late season2 If not,
where would they be moving by night?
Respectfully yours, P. G. NJ"
): 4 X Y
Certainly as far as the average resi-
dent Of Washington and vicinity is con-
cerned, he sees far more sparrows and
robins than red-eyed vireos and Ameri-
can redstarts.
The authority quoted-and he is, in
deed, an authority-does his work of
painting bird portraits In their natural
haunts, by the river, in the woods and
fields. and unquestionably sees more Of
the rarer species.
He Is not, however, as familiar with
our local bird population as he is with
birds in other parts Of the country,
perhaps.
Maybe he doesn't get around enough
to realize how many thousands of SPAR
rows and robins there are to bring cheer
to just plain folks who love the birds
here. Nineteen species of sparrows
come to Washington during the year.
AS for the red-eyed vireo, he is con-
sidered an abundant summer resident
here, being found from April % to Octo-
ber II, with nesting beginning in the
last week in May. There may be more
than one nesting, since young have been
found as late as August II.
The redstart is an abundant migrant
and common summer resident. Nesting
begins the first Of May. Young have
been found here June II. Migration
dates are April % to September 20, on
an average.
Scarlet tanagers nest here, eggs hav-
Ing been found May "a. Migration dates
are April q to October 4.
Purple martins usually come here the
first week in April, and leave by the
middle Of September. Extreme dates are
March 13 to October /.
Many birds stop singing after day
light has come. Martins have q habit
of flying around. Of course, to catch
their meals, and then after they have
had breakfast they settle down q bit.
A note from A. I. s. Of Nineteenth
street:
"The lady who wants the birds to stay
of her clothes line might try putting it
away as soon as her clothes are taken
from it.
"The birds would then not be accus-
toned to that perching spot and might
stay of 1t while she was drying clothes
l on it."