Evening star., 1949-02-17
This and That
By Charles E. TrdcelUell
DECATUR STREET.

OECA1 1UR SlHEE1.
Dear Sir:
What joy it is to be able to identify a
new bird It is pleasure that one always
wants to share with another.
AT the Seashore this summer we had
chance to see some water birds at close
range, such as sanderlings gulls, terms and
plovers.
"One day on one of the marshy meadows
we saw large white bird with long slender
neck and pointed bill said to myself, Is it
possible that am seeing an egret this far
North?' New Jersey)
Later in the day we saw three more in
the waving grass. They stood still most of
the time we watched them. 1t seemed to me
there were slight blush tints on their wings.
Later when l consulted my bird books
came to the conclusion that they were little
blue herons. The books said these birds are
white and white mixed with blue until they
are 2 years old.
II should like also to tell you about the
pleasure had when saw and identified the
least tern for the first time.
1T was perched on pile at the waters
edge. Suddenly it dived and completely sub
merged itself. Then it flew back to the pile
Later I noticed its very graceful flight over
the water. think like the name sea
swallow better than least tern.
Il must tell you one other experience had.
One hot summer morning we we're passing an
attractive looking garden. It had in it
pool with fountain in the center. Around
the edge flowers were blooming.
1--WE looked up and saw above the garden
hundred or more tree swallows perched on
telegraph wires Each minute or so two or
three would fly down, skim the surface of the
pool. and fly back to the wire. They seemed
to take turns in enjoying the pool. They
made a beautiful picture.
i am glad I formed the habit of bird
watching. feel that such habit will bring
pleasure into any ones life
Very respectfully, E. D. B."
Watching the birds and other outdoor
creatures is a good habit, indeed
And let no one worry about that fine sneer,
IAN armchair ornithologist.''
bird watcher is not necessarily an Or
nithologist. in the first place.
He or she may be just one who wonders.
The wonderer, the appreciator, is the mas
ter of life.
Life will never get such a one down, as
the phrase has it.
Life is too wonderful.
From an armchair is just as good as any
other place to watch the birds
Indeed invalids and sedentary people can
watch them from no other place.
The idea of walking in the open. going on
"bmd hikes is a very deep-seated idea. Such
walking and looking make an ideal combi-
nation for certain persons.
But that it is the only way to enjoy nature
is absurd.
Thousands of housewives, who look out
their kitchen windows at the BIRDS are Just
as true lovers of nature as Audubon.
Watching the outdoor creatures while in
the open, yourself, is not particularly better
than seeing them from the inside, looking
out.
There are many times when this is the
only way. There are other times when it is
the best way.
Even the armchair watcher goes out at
times and then he will keep his eyes open,
if he has made the habit his own.
What difference does it make how one
forms good habit. or why?
The action is the thing. and a good action
it is to look for the birds. the dogs. cats,
rabbits horses, COWS. pigs, mice, centipedes,
fleas, praying nantes. birds. human beings,
and countless others. All belong to the great
circle of nature. All have life in them. All
are to be seen, but only by those who want
to see, having in their hearts and minds a
bit of wonder, mixed with one part curiosity.
two parts appreciation. and three parts love