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diff --git a/21266.txt b/21266.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..34f8833 --- /dev/null +++ b/21266.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3043 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bird Day; How to prepare for it, by +Charles Almanzo Babcock + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bird Day; How to prepare for it + +Author: Charles Almanzo Babcock + +Release Date: April 30, 2007 [EBook #21266] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRD DAY; HOW TO PREPARE FOR IT *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Sankar Viswanathan, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by the Library of Congress) + + + + + + + + + + BIRD DAY + + HOW TO PREPARE FOR IT + + + + + BY + + + CHARLES A. BABCOCK, A.M., LL.B. + + _Superintendent of Schools, Oil City, Pennsylvania_ + + + + + + SILVER, BURDETT AND COMPANY + + NEW YORK BOSTON CHICAGO + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1901, + + BY SILVER, BURDETT AND COMPANY + + * * * * * + + + + +THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED + +TO THE LOVERS OF CHILDREN + +AND OF BIRDS + + * * * * * + + + + +AUTHOR'S NOTE + + +The aim of this book is to assist school children in the accurate +study of a few birds. It is believed that if this be attained, further +study of birds will take care of itself. + +Thanks are due the Audubon Society, ornithologists, educators, and +legislators, for the generous approbation and assistance which they +have given the Bird Day movement. + +Special thanks are due the Department of Agriculture for permission to +use the illustrations in this volume. Those on pages 65, 67, 69, 71, +73, 75, 77, 79, 85, 87, 89, 93, and 95 are printed from electrotypes +from the original illustrations appearing in "Farmer's Bulletin," No. +54. Those on pages 81 and 83 are from the Yearbook of the Department +for 1899, and that on page 91 from the Yearbook for 1898. All these +publications are issued by the Department. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT FOR "BIRD DAY" + +II. THE VALUE OF BIRDS + +III. THE DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS + +IV. PLAN OF STUDY + +V. FURTHER SUGGESTIONS + +VI. DIRECTIONS FOR WRITTEN WORK + +VII. PROGRAMS FOR BIRD DAY + +VIII. THE POETS AND THE BIRDS + +IX. OBJECTS AND RESULTS OF BIRD DAY + +X. SOME REPRESENTATIVE BIRDS + + * * * * * + + + + +PART I + +BIRD DAY. HOW TO PREPARE FOR IT + + * * * * * + + + + +BIRD DAY + +HOW TO PREPARE FOR IT + + + + +I + +HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT FOR "BIRD DAY" + + +In the spring of 1894 the writer's attention was attracted to the +interest of the children in that part of their nature study which +related to birds. Their descriptions of the appearance and habits of +the birds they had observed were given with evident pleasure. They had +a strong desire to tell what they had seen, not in the spirit of +rivalry, but with the wish of adding to the knowledge of a subject in +which all were equally interested. + +It was thought that this work would be done with even more +effectiveness if a day were appointed to be celebrated as "Bird Day." +With the hope of making a memorable occasion of the day for those +taking part in it, several of the noted friends of birds were asked to +write something to the children, and to give their opinion of the +introduction of "Bird Day" into the schools. + +Secretary J. Sterling Morton, the father of "Arbor Day," responded +with the following earnest letter, which was at once given to the +public through Washington dispatches, and later was sent out from the +Department of Agriculture, in circular No. 17:-- + +WASHINGTON, D. C., April 23, 1894. + +MR. C. A. BABCOCK, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, OIL CITY, PA. + + _Dear Sir_,--Your proposition to establish a "Bird Day" on + the same general plan as "Arbor Day," has my cordial + approval. + + Such a movement can hardly fail to promote the development + of a healthy public sentiment toward our native birds, + favoring their preservation and increase. If directed toward + this end, and not to the encouragement of the importation of + foreign species, it is sure to meet the approval of the + American people. + + It is a melancholy fact that among the enemies of our birds + two of the most destructive and relentless are our women and + our boys. The love of feather ornamentation so heartlessly + persisted in by thousands of women, and the mania for + collecting eggs and killing birds so deeply rooted in our + boys, are legacies of barbarism inherited from our savage + ancestry. The number of beautiful and useful birds annually + slaughtered for bonnet trimmings runs up into the hundreds + of thousands, and threatens, if it has not already + accomplished, the extermination of some of the rarer + species. The insidious egg-hunting and pea-shooting + proclivities of the small boy are hardly less widespread and + destructive. It matters little which of the two agencies is + the more fatal, since neither is productive of any good. One + looks to the gratification of a shallow vanity, the other to + the gratification of a cruel instinct and an expenditure of + boyish energy that might be profitably diverted into other + channels. The evil is one against which legislation can be + only palliative and of local efficiency. Public sentiment, + on the other hand, if properly fostered in the schools, + would gain force with the growth and development of our boys + and girls, and would become a hundredfold more potent than + any law enacted by the State or Congress. I believe such a + sentiment can be developed, so strong and so universal that + a respectable woman will be ashamed to be seen with the wing + of a wild bird on her bonnet, and an honest boy will be + ashamed to own that he ever robbed a nest or wantonly took + the life of a bird. + + Birds are of inestimable value to mankind. Without their + unremitting services our gardens and fields would be laid + waste by insect pests. But we owe them a greater debt even + than this, for the study of birds tends to develop some of + the best attributes and impulses of our natures. Among them + we find examples of generosity, unselfish devotion, of the + love of mother for offspring, and other estimable qualities. + Their industry, patience, and ingenuity excite our + admiration; their songs inspire us with a love of music and + poetry; their beautiful plumages and graceful manners appeal + to our aesthetic sense; their long migrations to distant + lands stimulate our imaginations and tempt us to inquire + into the causes of these periodic movements; and finally, + the endless modifications of form and habits by which they + are enabled to live under most diverse conditions of food + and climate--on land and at sea--invite the student of + nature into inexhaustible fields of pleasurable research. + + The cause of bird protection is one that appeals to the best + side of our natures. Let us yield to the appeal. Let us have + a Bird Day--a day set apart from all the other days of the + year to tell the children about the birds. But we must not + stop here. We should strive continually to develop and + intensify the sentiment of bird protection, not alone for + the sake of preserving the birds, but also for the sake of + replacing as far as possible the barbaric impulses inherent + in child nature by the nobler impulses and aspirations that + should characterize advanced civilization. + +Respectfully, + +J. STERLING MORTON, + +_Secretary of Agriculture._ + +Other friends of the birds responded cordially to the request, as will +be seen by the following letters:-- + +WEST PARK, N. Y., April 22, 1894. + + _Dear Sir_,--In response to yours of the seventeenth, I + enclose a few notes about birds to be read upon your "Bird + Day"--just an item or two to stimulate the curiosity of the + young people. The idea is a good one, and I hope you may + succeed in starting a movement that may extend to all the + schools of the country. + +Very truly yours, + +JOHN BURROUGHS. + +628 HANCOCK STREET, BROOKLYN, N. Y., April 25, 1894. + +MR. C. A. BABCOCK. + + _Dear Sir_,--Yours of the nineteenth is received. I am + delighted to know that your school children are to have a + "Bird Day." I wish I could be there to tell them something + of the delight of getting acquainted with their little + brothers in feathers; how much more interesting they are + when alive and doing all sorts of quaint and charming things + than when dead and made into "skins" or stuffed; and how + much greater is the pleasure of watching them to see how + they live, where they get their dinner, how they take care + of themselves, than of killing them, or hurting them, or + even just driving them away. If the boys and girls only try + keeping still and watching birds to see what they will do, I + am sure no boy will ever again want to throw a stone at one, + and no girl ever to have a dead bird on her hat. + +Very truly yours, + +OLIVE THORNE MILLER. + +CLINTON, April 30, 1894. + + _My Dear Sir_,--It strikes me that your idea is a + particularly happy one. Should you institute a "Bird Day," + the feathered tribe ought to furnish music for the occasion. + A chorus of robins and thrushes and a few other songsters + would be more appropriate than an orchestra. With thanks for + your cordial good wishes, I am, + +Yours faithfully, + +CLINTON SCOLLARD. + +From the Department of Public Instruction of Pennsylvania this +encouraging letter was received:-- + +HARRISBURG, April 27, 1894. + +SUPERINTENDENT C. A. BABCOCK. + + _Dear Sir_,--In your plan to inaugurate a "Bird Day" you + have struck a capital idea. When in the name of agriculture + a scalp act can be passed resulting in a year and a half in + the payment of $75,000 by the county treasuries of + Pennsylvania for the destruction of birds that were + subsequently proved to belong to the feathered friends of + the farmer, it is high time to make our pupils acquainted + with the habits and ways of the feathered tribes. Some birds + remain with us the whole year, others are summer sojourners, + still others are only transient visitors. How much of the + beauty of our environment is lost by those who never listen + to the music of the birds and never see the richness of + their plumage! + + May success attend you in carrying out your new idea of a + "Bird Day." + +Very truly yours, + +NATHAN C. SCHAEFFER, + +_Superintendent of Public Instruction_. + +Bradford Torrey gives an additional title to the day, showing his +appreciation of it:-- + +WELLESLEY HILLS, MASS., April 21, 1894. + + _Dear Mr. Babcock_,--Your young people are to be + congratulated. "Bird Day" is something new to me--a new + saints' day in my calendar, so to speak. The thought is so + pleasing to me that I wish you had given me its date, so + that in spirit I might observe it with you. Tell your pupils + that to cultivate an acquaintance with things out of + doors--flowers, trees, rocks, but especially animate + creatures, and best of all, birds--is one of the surest ways + of laying up happiness for themselves; and laying up + happiness is even better than laying up money, though I am + so old-fashioned a body and so true a Yankee as to believe + in that also. + + All the naturalists I have known have been men of sunny + temper. Let your boys and girls cultivate their eyes and + ears, and their hearts and minds as well, by the study of + living birds, their comings and goings, their songs and + their ways; let them learn to find out things for + themselves; to know the difference between guess-work and + knowledge; and they will thank you as long as they live for + having encouraged them in so good a cause. With all good + wishes for the success of your first "Bird Day"--and many to + come after it, + +Very truly yours, + +BRADFORD TORREY. + +The first observance of "Bird Day," May 4, 1894, is briefly set forth +in the following paragraph from the _New England Journal of +Education_:-- + + The day was observed in the Oil City schools with a degree + of enthusiasm which was good to see. The amount of + information about birds that was collected by the children + was simply amazing. Original compositions were read, + informal discussions were held, talks by teachers were + given, and the birds in literature were not forgotten or + overlooked. The interest was not confined to the children, + one gentleman surprising the classes in which his children + celebrated the day by presenting to them artistic programs + of the exercises. + + It seems to those interested that the idea simply needs to + be made known to meet with a warm welcome, akin to that with + which we greet our first robin or song sparrow in the + spring. + + + + +II + +THE VALUE OF BIRDS + + +Probably few people understand the value of birds or comprehend how +closely and yet how extensively their lives are interwoven with other +forms of life. The general sentiment in regard to them, at the best, +has been that they are harmless, even interesting and beautiful +creatures; but the idea that they are one of the most important +classes of creation, a class upon which the existence of many other +classes depends, has never been widely prevalent. Suppose we were +asked which is of more use to man, the fishes of our waters or the +birds of our forests and fields? Many of us would unhesitatingly +answer in favor of the fishes. + +If all of these denizens of the rivers, lakes, and seas should be +destroyed, it would be a stupendous calamity. Mankind would +universally deplore it; and if the nations of the world should, at any +time, become convinced that such a thing might occur, how quickly they +would take all possible means to prevent it! All civilized people now +have laws to preserve this food supply and are making expensive and +laborious efforts to increase it. Any one who should destroy thousands +of tons of these edible swimmers, simply for their heads and tails, or +fins and scales, would be regarded as a dangerous person. But if our +supposition were realized, if every fin and gill were to disappear +from the waters of the globe, what would be the result? A misfortune, +truly, for the fins represent a large part of the world's supply of +food, and this loss would be felt more deeply as time went on, because +the ocean will not raise its rent, however crowded may be the +population of its shores. The effort to secure the fish might be +applied, however, in other directions and be equally remunerative. +Harvest would still follow seedtime; the gold of autumn still reward +the shallow mines of spring. + +But suppose we were forced to the dreadful alternative of choosing +between the birds and the quadrupeds, again, the most of us would +probably decide against the birds. If the four-footed beasts should +disappear from the earth, it would be a much greater disaster than the +destruction of the fishes. A much larger fraction of the food supply +would be lost; while many of these animals contribute to man's comfort +and necessities in almost innumerable ways. Most nations have learned +to cherish their friends with hoofs and horns, and even some of those +with claws. Cruelty to animals is now generally forbidden by law; and +their wanton destruction would be regarded with horror. No one would +be permitted to slaughter large numbers of them because he might wish +to sell their horns or ears or the tips of their tails. + +By the departure of the quadrupeds the life of man would be rendered +much more difficult, but would still be possible. From fish and fowl +he could obtain a supply of meat limited in variety, yet sufficient +for his needs. The treasures of the vegetable world would still be +his, though he would miss the help of his animal allies in securing +them; but his ingenuity would help him to supply this loss, in part, +at least. + +Consider now what would be the effect of the total destruction of +birds. Birds are nature's check to the amazing power of insects to +increase. If insect life were allowed free course, it would soon +overpower vegetation; and plant life--and, therefore, animal life, +including that of man--would be impossible upon this globe. This is an +astounding conclusion, but it is sustained by the judgment of every +man of science who has investigated the subject. How long could the +ravages of insects be stayed were the birds gone? We should have to +depend upon a few predaceous beetles, the bats, and upon the sprayers +and squirtguns which throw insecticides. Think of the aesthetic loss in +substituting these agencies for the "sweet spirits" of the wood and +field! Besides not being musical or charming in action, they would +not prove efficient. Birds are therefore essential to the life of man. + +Their preservation is not merely a matter of sentiment, or of +education in that high and fine feeling, kindness to all living +things. It has a utilitarian side of vast extent, as broad as our +boundless fields and our orchards' sweep. The birds are nature's +guarantee that the reign of the crawlers and spinners shall not become +universal. The "plague of locusts" shall be upon those who sin against +them. + + + + +III + +THE DESTRUCTION OF BIRDS + + +From almost all sections of the country comes the plaint that the song +birds are fast disappearing. Less and less numerous are the yearly +visitations of the thrushes, warblers, song sparrows, orioles, and the +others whose habits have been so delightful and whose music has been +so cheering to their open-eyed and open-hearted friends. Many, who +when listening to the hymn-like cadences of the wood thrush have felt +that the place was holy ground, are now keenly regretting that this +vesper song is so rare; the honest sweetness of the song sparrow +mingles with the coarser sounds less often in the accustomed places. +Not many now find "the meadows spattered all over with music" by the +bobolink, as Thoreau did. + +John Burroughs says that the bluebird is almost extinct in his section +of country. The writer, though a frequent visitor to the fields and +woods, has succeeded in seeing only one pair of these beautiful birds +in two seasons, where they were abundant a few years ago, when almost +every orchard bore a good crop of them. A friend who is a good +observer has had the same experience. A careful exploration of the +country within a radius of five miles resulted in the discovery of +only two pairs of bobolinks, having their nests luckily in the same +field. The males sang together in friendly rivalry. The sparkling, +tinkling notes seemed to come in a rippling tumble, two or three at a +time, from each throat. Each started his song with his feet barely +touching his perch, his body quivering, his wings half extended, as if +he were almost supported by the upward flow of his melody. After +circular flights he alighted first upon one frail, swinging perch, +then upon another, the wonderful sounds not ceasing, as if he were +tracing magic rings of song round his home, and making them thick in +places. It was a musical embodiment of the love of life and of its +joyousness. + +The brown thrush is also absent from places where once there were +many. A farmer in this neighborhood states that a few years ago the +treetops near his house seemed to be filled with these fine singers. +Now he hears only one or two during the season. Last May the writer +found three nests at least a mile apart, but they were destroyed +before the time of hatching, and the birds went about silent as if +brooding upon their trouble. It is doubtful if they will build next +season in that vicinity. No doubt the clearing away of the forests and +the settling up of the country are responsible for the scarcity of the +birds in part, but only in part. If they were let alone, many of the +most interesting and useful birds would build near even our city +homes, and our gardens and fields would again become populous with +them. + +The wearing of feathers and the skins of birds for ornament is the +chief cause of the final flight of many of our songsters. It is stated +that a London dealer received at one time more than thirty thousand +dead humming birds. Not only brightly colored birds, but any small +birds, by means of dyes, may come at last to such base uses. It is +estimated by some of the Audubon societies that ten million birds were +used in this country in one season. All these bodies, which are used +to make "beauty much more beauteous seem," are steeped in arsenical +solutions to prevent their becoming as offensive to the nostrils of +their wearers as they are to the eyes of bird lovers. + +The use of dead birds for adornment is a constant object lesson in +cruelty, a declaration louder than any words that a bird's life is not +to be respected. It is currently reported that a million bobolinks +were destroyed in Pennsylvania alone last year to satisfy the demand +of the milliners. If this "garniture of death" is in good taste, then +our North American Indian in his war paint and feathers was far ahead +of his time. + +Let us hope that some oracle of fashion will decree that if the +remains of animals must be used for adornment, the skins of mice and +rats shall be offered up. Their office seems to be principally that of +scavengers, and their gradual but certain extinction would not matter +if the Christian nations should become, _pari passu_, more cleanly. +The squirrel could also be used effectively, mounted as if half +flying, with his hind feet fastened to the velvet pedestal, or sitting +upon his haunches with a nut between his fore paws. The squirrel's +main concern seems to be to prevent the undue extension of the +nut-bearing trees--an office man has already well taken upon +himself--and besides, he destroys fruit, injures trees, and is a great +enemy of birds. His gradual extinction would be tolerated by a +civilized nation. + +All these things may take the hues of the rainbow and are capable of +infinite variety of arrangement. There certainly seems to be no good +reason why in a few years some combination of them may not be +considered as effective as a row of dead humming birds. The world may +be saved in this way from presenting a spectacle that should excite +the pity of gods and men--the spectacle of the destruction of one of +the most beautiful, the most harmless, and the most useful classes of +creation, at the command of the senseless whims of fashion. + +Then, too, the sportsmen's guns and the small boys' slings and +shooters of various sorts are constantly bringing down numbers of the +feathered songsters. In many parts of our country men and boys roam +the fields, shooting at every bird they see, and their action is +tacitly approved by the community. This survival of the barbarous +instinct to kill is condoned as "sport." If these people were to spend +this time in following the birds with opera glass and notebook to +study them, they might not be so readily understood--they might even +be taken for mild lunatics, so utterly is public sentiment perverted +on this subject. + +A little consideration shows this destruction to be more disastrous +than at first appears. According to the latest biological science, +every species of animals must have long ago reached the limit beyond +which it could not greatly increase its numbers. However great its +tendency to increase might be, its natural obstacles and enemies +would increase in like proportions till at last the two would balance +each other, and there could be no further increase in the number of +individuals of that species. All classes of animals in a state of +nature must have reached this balanced condition generations ago. This +is true of the birds. Their natural enemies are capable of preventing +their increase; that is, they can and do destroy every year as many as +are hatched that year. Now if man be added as a new destructive +agency, the old enemies, being still able to destroy as many as +before, will soon sweep them out of existence. Warnings have been sent +out by the United States Department of Biology that several species of +birds are already close to extinction. We know that this is true of +the passenger pigeon. This bird used to come North in flocks so +extensive as sometimes to obscure the sun, like a large, thick cloud. +Now they come no more. Italy is practically songless, we are told. + +If man would right the wrong that he has done, he must not only stop +destroying the birds, but he must take all possible means to preserve +them and to protect them from their natural foes. + +Laws for bird protection have been passed in many of our states; but +these have been found effective only where they were not needed. They +are, however, right, and will help in the development of correct +sentiment. What is most needed is knowledge of the birds themselves, +their modes of life, their curious ways, and their relations to the +scheme of things. To know a bird is to love him. Birds are beautiful +and interesting objects of study, and make appeals to children that +are responded to with delight. + +Children love intensely the forms of nature--the clouds, the trees, +the flowers, the animals--all of the great beautiful world outside of +themselves, and it is their impulse to become acquainted with this +world; for this they feel enthusiasm and love. Marjorie Fleming, the +little playmate of Scott, who at the age of six could recite passages +from Shakespeare and Burns so that the great bard would sob like a +child or shout with laughter, may be taken as the universal voice of +childhood. She writes in her diary, "I am going to a delightful place +where there is ducks, cocks, hens, bubblejacks, two dogs, two cats and +swine which is delightful." In another place she says, "Braehead is +extremely pleasant to me by the company of swine, geese, cocks, etc., +and they are the delight of my soul." + +The waste of time in our public schools has been commented upon and +some of the causes have been pointed out; but is not the chief reason +the fact that much of the work of the school is unrelated to the world +of the child? At least the child does not see the connection. He +leaves at the threshold the things which he loves and desires +intensely to investigate, and begins his intellectual development with +abstractions, with "the three R's." It is said that teachers cannot +succeed unless they love their work. How can we expect children to +succeed and not waste time, not become disheartened at work that, so +far as they can discover, has little more relation to their interests +than to the mountains of the moon? + +We look to nature study to supply the missing links between the +child's life and his school work; to afford opportunities for the +interested observation of things, and to furnish a strong impulse +toward expression. It has been well said that the best result of the +primary schools is the power to use correctly one's own language. The +chief obstacle in the development of this power is the want of an +impulse to express. What can afford a stronger tendency to describe +than the attempt to report observations that have been made with +interest, even with delight? + + + + +IV + +PLAN OF STUDY + + +Begin as soon after the first of January as possible. Assign two +periods a week of from ten to twenty minutes each for bird study in +the school. Continue the work during these periods until after the +celebration of Bird Day in May. + +If no other bird is to be found, the English sparrow will answer. +Place the following questions upon the blackboard:-- + +THE ENGLISH SPARROW + + How long is this bird from the tip of its beak to the end of + its tail? + + What is the color of its head? Of its throat? Of its breast? + Of the underparts of its body? Of its back? Of its wings? + + What is the length, shape, and color of its bill? + + What is the color of its legs and feet? How many toes upon + each foot, and which way do they point? Does it walk, hop, + or run upon the ground? Is its tail square, or notched? Is + its flight even and steady, or bounding? What is the + difference in appearance between the male and female? + +The children should be directed to answer these questions from their +own observation, at the next period of study. For the lowest grades +two or three questions will be enough for the first attempt, and even +then the variety of answers will be surprising. + +No other questions should be taken until the first are answered +correctly. + +The teacher should have an opera glass or a small field glass with +which to make her own observations. It is obvious that the more +glasses there are among the children, the better. It is advisable for +the teacher to make short excursions with the children to the streets +to assist them in answering these questions. These can be made at the +close of school. As a preparation, have some crumbs or seeds scattered +where the birds have been seen. + +Continue work with these questions until each one can give a +reasonably accurate description of the appearance of the bird and of +its movements. Have the older pupils write this. It will make a good +language lesson. + +The next questions should have reference to the life and +characteristics of the bird. What does it eat? Put out crumbs or +scraps of meat and see if the bird will eat them. What sounds does the +bird make? Does it sing? Imitate as many of its sounds as you can. +Determine from its actions what its disposition is. For example--Is it +courageous? Is it quarrelsome? Is it inclined to fight? Is it selfish? + +Frequently a single incident in a bird's life will furnish an answer +to several of these questions. Two sparrows were seen attempting to +take possession of the same straw. Each held firmly to his end of the +straw. A regular tug of war ensued. They pulled one another about for +some time on the top of an awning, and finally, becoming tired of +this, they dropped the straw and furiously attacked each other. They +fought with beak and claw, paying no attention to the spectators, and +fell exhausted to the sidewalk, where they lay upon their backs until +able to hop slowly away from each other. It was some little time +before they recovered strength to fly in opposite directions, +conquering and unconquered. + +Early in March advise the children to watch the direction of the +sparrows' flight. They will discover that some of them are carrying +straws or feathers or other material for nest building. Notice the +position and style of these nests. Those built early in the season are +always in protected places, under the eaves of houses or in holes in +trees or in bird boxes. Some of those built later are in exposed +places, clumsy affairs, but well thatched with straw, having an +entrance on one side. This nest building may be watched during the +entire season, for the English sparrow raises more broods than any +other of our birds. + +The interpretation of the actions which indicate any of a bird's +characteristics is a valuable part of the study on account of its +exercise of the imagination and the reason. + +A plan similar to the foregoing should be followed with each bird that +is studied. With almost all other birds the study will be far more +interesting. The English sparrow may be considered as the A B C of +birds in his appearance and in the kind of life he leads. He is +therefore a good subject to begin with. But even he will be found to +exhibit unexpected individuality. + +After a few days of this study, or at least before the spring birds +begin to arrive, direct the children to try the following experiments. +Scatter crumbs where they may be seen from the windows. Nail cups in +the trees containing sugar and water, and others containing seeds. +Nail up a bone or two, and a piece of suet as large as your two hands. +This last will be relished by the birds, for it provides the kind of +food most needed in cold weather. + +Watch carefully the birds that are attracted by the food. After +feeding awhile they will become quite tame and may be closely +approached. Write a description of each bird upon the plan used for +the English sparrow. Encourage the children to add any observations of +their own which throw light upon the habits and character of the +birds, since one object of this study is the development of right +feeling toward them. + +Among the first to arrive will probably be the blue jay, chickadee, or +black-capped titmouse, and one or more of the woodpeckers. These all +show individual character and are well worth studying. + +The blue jay by his striking appearance and outlandish voice +challenges attention. He will be found to possess some gentlemanly +traits. To illustrate, a number of blue jays were seen taking turns, +waiting in line, to feed upon a bone where there was room for only +one at a time. There was no scramble, no hurrying of the one who was +eating. The blue jay is a most devoted parent, though not considered a +good citizen by other birds. Contrary to the usual belief, he has a +beautiful song. It is sweet and low and almost as varied as the +catbird's, and can be heard only a short distance. It has a +reminiscent character, as if he were thinking of past joys. + +The black-capped titmouse or the chickadee is noticeable for his +sprightliness and cheeriness, and for his trim, tailor-made +appearance. Emerson's poem worthily celebrates his brave spirit. He +flits around a limb and clings to it with his head up or down, with +his feet up or down, as if his movements were not physical exertions, +but mental efforts. His simple little song rings out at all hours of +the coldest day. + +The woodpecker gives himself freely to study. One winter we frequently +counted from twelve to fourteen children standing under the tree on +which a little sapsucker was at work. The upturned faces of the +children did not disturb him at all, although he was only a little +above their heads. He drilled away as if his work in the world was the +work which must be done. A downy woodpecker with a slightly wounded +wing was brought into one of our schoolrooms, where he lived +contentedly for several days, pecking a dead treetop, which the boys +brought in for him after a good deal of thought and several +excursions. The only food he seemed to like was sweetened water, +although the children brought him a great variety to choose from. No +visitor to a schoolroom ever produced a better effect. His presence, +instead of interfering with the regular order, pleased the children, +and they did their work even better than usual. When his wing was +healed he was dismissed from school through the window, and his flight +to a neighboring treetop was anxiously watched. + +Upon many other occasions wounded birds have been brought into our +schools. Some recovered and others died, but each visit was an epoch +in the life of the school. + +The other birds most likely to visit this feast during January are the +flicker, crow, purple finch, song sparrow, white-breasted nuthatch, +snow-flake; American crossbill, white-throated sparrow, tree sparrow, +junco, winter wren, golden-crowned kinglet, brown creeper, and even +the solitary robin. The sparrow hawk and the sharp-shinned hawk may +visit the vicinity to feed upon the other feeders. On the first of +January I saw a sparrow hawk sitting on the spire of a church in the +heart of a city of eighteen thousand people. After selecting a victim +from the sparrows on the street below, he calmly spread his wings and +pounced upon him, or with no effort at concealment chased the bird +whose flight was nearest. + +A female sparrow hawk wintered in the eaves of an apartment house in +Morningside Park, New York City. English sparrow was its principal +diet, and every morning and afternoon an observer might have seen the +hawk soar to the park grounds on its hunting trips. + +A few years ago a sharp-shinned hawk visited our yard. Apparently he +lived upon the sparrows there for several days. There was no skill in +his hunting or effort to take the game unawares. When he wanted a bird +he simply left his perch and captured it by speed of wing. His ease of +flight was remarkable; as a little boy said, "He just opened his wings +and sailed away." He stayed until the sparrows left the neighborhood. + +As the season advances the birds will come in greater numbers. On the +first of April a little girl in one of our schools had identified and +described seventeen different species of birds which she had seen in +her yard. The same child fed a family of chipping sparrows; they +became so tame that they would come to meet her when she came with +crumbs, and would pick them up even when they dropped close to her +feet. The next year this family evidently came again and raised +another brood and brought them along to be fed, for seven and +sometimes eight would come when she called. The English sparrow came +also, and the little maid drove them away without the chippies being +disturbed. A boy from one of our schools was even more fortunate. In +his yard were a number of trees in which ample provision had been made +for the birds. Late in April, with other kinds a pair of scarlet +tanagers and a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks visited the trees. +These stayed and soon seemed to feel quite at home. To the great +delight of their neighbors, the house-dwellers, they built their +nests, the grosbeaks in a tree near one side of the porch, the +tanagers in one near the opposite side. They became so friendly that +sometimes when the boy came out upon the porch and played softly on a +mouth organ, the grosbeak's silvery warble and the tanager's loud, +clear voice joined him. + +Brief written descriptions should be made by the pupils, similar to +the following:-- + + BLUEBIRD.--Length, six and a half inches; extent of wings, + about twelve inches; color, back, azure blue; throat, + breast, and sides, dull crimson; underpart, white; bill and + legs, blackish; eye, brown; arrives early in March; leaves + in late November. Song, soft and pleasing warble; sings both + in flight and at rest; nests in holes of trees or posts, or + in bird houses. + + CHICKADEE.--Length, about five and a half inches; extent of + wings, about eight inches; legs, bluish gray; bill, black; + back, brownish gray; throat, chin, and top of head, black; + sides of head, white; underparts, whitish; wing and tail + feathers margined with white; nests in holes in trees and + stumps. The common name arises from their familiar note of + "chic-a-dee-dee." + + CATBIRD.--Length, nine inches; extent of wings, eleven and a + half inches; bill and feet, black; eye, brown; color, slate + color, somewhat lighter beneath; top of head and tail, + black; reddish under the wings; arrives in May, leaves in + October; nests in bushes; lives in gardens and woodside + thickets; has a sharp cry not unlike the mewing of a cat, + but is a gifted songster. + + MEADOW LARK.--Length, about ten and a half inches; extent of + wings, about sixteen and a half inches; female is smaller; + body, thick and stout; legs, large; hind toe reaches out + beyond the tail, its claw twice as long as the middle one; + bill, brown, lighter at the base, dark towards the point; + feet and legs, light brown; throat, breast, and edge of + wing, bright yellow; breast with a large black crescent; + nests on the ground in the open field; clumsy in flight and + in walking; song, a plaintive whistle; arrives in March, + leaves in October. + + BARN SWALLOW.--Length, six and three fourths inches; spread + of wings, twelve and a half inches; bill, black; legs and + feet, light brown; color, upper parts glossy steel blue; + tail, very deeply forked, outer tail feathers much longer + and narrower than the others; forehead, chin, and throat, + deep chestnut; rest of the underparts lighter; nests usually + in barns. + + WOOD THRUSH.--Length, eight inches; spread of wings, + thirteen inches; legs and feet, flesh-colored; bill, + blackish, lighter at base; upper parts cinnamon brown, + brightest on top of the head, and shading into olive near + the tail; lower parts white and marked with roundish, dusky + spots; arrives the first of May, leaves in October. Song + consists of sweet, ringing, bell-like notes. + +Later these outlines should be expanded into free descriptions, +containing all that the pupil has learned about the bird, his habits, +his character, and his life. + +Each school should aim to possess a bird manual, for the +identification of the species. The following are recommended as +sufficient for the purpose: "Birds of the United States," by A. C. +Apgar; "Birds of Eastern North America," by Frank M. Chapman; "Bird +Craft," by Mabel Osgood Wright; "Birds of Pennsylvania," second +edition, by Warren (this may possibly be obtained at second-hand +bookstores); "Our Common Birds and How to Know Them," by Grant. The +report of your own state upon birds, if there is one, will also +furnish valuable information. + + + + +V + +FURTHER SUGGESTIONS + + +Direct the children to put up boxes for martins, bluebirds, and wrens. +These may be also put up around the schoolhouses, if fortunately there +is a yard with trees. Boxes for the martins should be large, +containing fifteen or more compartments, each ten inches high by eight +wide and eight deep, and each having a separate entrance. The martin +box or house should be placed twenty feet from the ground, upon the +top of a strong post or platform sustained by four smaller posts. If +vines are planted at the foot of the supports, they will be ornamental +and will make the houses more attractive to the birds. The English +sparrows will occupy these compartments; but if the martins conclude +to take possession they will push out the sparrows and their +belongings without assistance. Every spring I am amused in watching +the summary process of ejectment which the martins serve upon the +sparrows that have taken possession of their houses. In the morning +the sparrows may be in undisturbed possession, but by afternoon the +martins occupy their old quarters, having pushed out the nests of the +sparrows with their eggs or young. + +The boxes for bluebirds and wrens should be smaller and have only one +compartment. They should be nailed in the tops of trees. If the +English sparrows build in them their nests should be broken up; and +this repeatedly, so long as they persist in building. If this is not +done the wrens and bluebirds will not come. They are incapable of +coping with the sparrows. + +Note when the different birds arrive in the spring, making in this way +a bird calendar. + +Notice also when the birds gather together into flocks in the late +summer or autumn, preparatory to taking their leave. The last bird of +his kind to leave should be as carefully noted as the first to arrive +in your calendar. Distinguish carefully the birds of passage that stop +only a short time to rest on their journeys north and south, and those +that stay and help to make the summer. + +You will need to make frequent excursions afield, always taking your +notebook. Take first a small area and master the birds in that; then +gradually extend your territory. You can take no more healthful or +happy exercise. It will greatly increase the interest of children in +all their school duties if their teachers make occasional bird +journeys with them. Limit the size of the party to that number which +will keep still as a mouse while in bird-land. Encourage the children +also to make frequent excursions by themselves, in parties of three or +four. Instruct them to have the sun at their backs and to carry if +possible one glass with each party. Reports of these excursions can be +made in school, while particular attention should be given to the +exchange of the knowledge of bird haunts. This can be done during the +period devoted to bird study. + +Direct the party of excursionists to observe the same birds, notebook +in hand, and let each one immediately put down what he actually sees. +Afterward compare results. In this way improvement will be made in +rapidity and accuracy of observing. + +There are two ways by which birds may be closely approached. The first +is to go to some locality where birds have been seen and to stand or +sit in perfect quiet and wait for them to come. We have known some of +the shyest wood birds to come within a few feet of the motionless +observer. It is not an uncommon thing for one who waits to be able to +look directly into the eyes of the American redstart, the +chestnut-sided and golden-winged warbler, the wood thrush, catbird, +and of almost any other of the birds. + +If one can imitate the owl and make a fair "hoot," otherwise keeping +still, he may attract many birds that will feel bound to settle the +question of his identity. A young friend of mine, by a good imitation +of a blue jay's quack, finds many little woods' folks peering at him +from the trees which he might not otherwise see. The "smack" which is +produced by violently kissing the back of the closed fingers will call +many birds from their hiding places, especially during the nesting +season. The sound is similar to that of a bird in distress. + +The second method is to follow a bird very quietly and slowly, being +careful not to make any motions which would startle him. In this way a +shore lark has been followed all over a field, the observer gradually +coming near enough to the bird to see what he was doing, and to watch +his movements as he pulled the larvae of beetles out of the ground, +cracked their cases, and ate the contents. All birds that feed in the +fields, the meadow larks, the plovers, and the sparrows, may be +studied in the same way. + +It is commonly thought to be difficult to get close to the veery. On +one occasion, while the writer and a companion were resting from a +long ramble, the air was suddenly suffused with the songs of veeries. +The music seemed to fill the woods, as an organ seems to fill the +church with sound. It was weird and suggestive and never to be +forgotten. The still, deep woods seemed like enchanted ground where +nothing evil could come. After some search we saw one of the birds in +a tree not far from us. As we approached him he flew to another tree. +We humbly followed on foot from tree to tree, when to our surprise he +stopped on a low tree on the outskirts of the wood and allowed us to +come almost within reach of him, and to stand wonder-stricken while he +sang in answer to his companions. We stayed for twenty minutes +motionless. It was difficult to believe that this bird was singing. +His notes had a ventriloquous effect, his beak was scarcely parted, +and it was only by the trembling of the feathers of his throat that we +were sure the song came from him. Since this time we have frequently +found the veeries; in fact one locality is known to us as Veeryville. + +It is not necessary to live in the country in order to be a bird +student and to carry out the suggestions here given. All the large +cities have parks where birds may be observed and be encouraged to +become friendly to the observer. Central Park in New York is the home +of a great variety of birds. Bronx Park is said to be a paradise for +them. On Boston Common most of the birds which come to that latitude +have been seen. There is no city so poor that it cannot boast of a few +birds in its vicinity. + +Great interest and delight may be added to the study of birds by the +use of the camera. If the teacher or one of the older pupils is so +fortunate as to have a kodak and will take it when visiting the woods, +or will focus it upon birds in the dooryard, the pictures may possess +much value. To attempt to "take" a bird in flight is, of course, a +difficult matter, though it may be done; but birds upon the nest, +birds feeding their young, or in the trees above the nest, evidently +protecting it, have been successfully taken. Birds' nests with the +eggs in make most fascinating pictures. At an entertainment given by +the Pennsylvania Audubon Society in Philadelphia in December, 1898, +the audience with one accord cheered the picture of a nest which was +thrown upon a screen. + +Work of this kind is especially adapted for high schools, and there +are sure to be several painstaking amateurs among the pupils. To +possess genuine value from the point of view of the naturalist, the +pictures should not be touched up, no matter how much artistic beauty +might thus be given to them; they should be entirely true to nature. + +On no account should children be encouraged to make collections of +birds or of eggs. The only objection the author has felt to the very +fine bird manuals before the public is that they contain minute +directions for the preparation of dead birds for purposes of mounting +and preservation, and also for the collection and preservation of +birds' eggs. If this were to cause the school children of the country +to set out to make collections of birds and of eggs in order to study +them, the study would better be omitted. Nothing more deadly than an +opera glass should be aimed at a bird for a generation. The utility +of a collection is not so great; a dead bird's plumage is not as +beautiful as in life, and he loses every attitude and movement which +makes him an individual. A corpse is not a bird. Persons who can +identify birds by one glimpse of them through the trees, or by a few +notes of their song, or by their flight are frequently at a loss to +identify the same birds when they are dead, unless they are familiar +with the dead birds. + +The only collection the children should be encouraged to make is that +of nests after the birds are through with them; and especially of +nests with whose family history they are acquainted. These may be +brought into the schoolroom. In one of our school yards the children +discovered a pair of red-eyed vireos building. The nest was so +situated that it could be seen from one of the upper schoolroom +windows. After the young had left, the nest was taken down, and to the +pleasure which the children had enjoyed in watching its builders and +their family was added another. They found in the bottom of the nest +little bits of the papers they had used in school with their letters +and figures upon them. + + + + +VI + +DIRECTIONS FOR WRITTEN WORK + + +Have the children give anecdotes about birds that they have observed. +Let them describe actions which they saw them perform, paying +particular attention to the ways of birds in eating. For example, +sparrows were observed carrying hard crusts of bread to a little pool +of water, formed in a dent in a tin roof, to soften before attempting +to eat them. Day after day crusts were put out, and the water was +renewed. + +_Written descriptions of birds feeding their young._--Young birds live +entirely upon insect life. It has been computed that a bird during the +first few weeks of its life consumes nearly one and one half times its +weight of insects daily. Note the amazing amount of insect life that +will be destroyed by the birds of a neighborhood in a single season. +Give, if possible, illustrations from your own observation. A robin +was noticed feeding one of its young, which sat on a limb with its +mouth open, crying for more, except when it was stopped with food. The +parent came with her beak filled with worms twenty-seven times in less +than as many minutes, and then left her child seemingly as hungry as +ever, for he complained and hopped along the limb, keeping a sharp +lookout for several minutes. That chick must have been as full of +worms as a fisherman's bait-box. Picture the condition of our lawns, +gardens, and groves if all the birds were suddenly banished and the +insects held full sway. In this connection, the writer should study +and make quotations or abstracts from "The Birds of Killingworth," by +Longfellow. + +In a recent lecture, Prof. Witmer Stone, of Philadelphia, cited many +facts to show that birds are nature's great check on the excess of +insects, and that they keep the balance between plants and insect +life. Ten thousand caterpillars, it has been estimated, could destroy +every blade of grass on an acre of cultivated ground. In thirty days +from the time it is hatched an ordinary caterpillar increases 10,000 +times in bulk, and the food it lives and grows on is vegetable. The +insect population of a single cherry tree infested with aphides was +calculated by a prominent entomologist at no less than twelve million. +The bird population of cultivated country districts has been estimated +at from seven hundred to one thousand per square mile. This is small +compared with the number of insects, yet as each bird consumes +hundreds of insects every day, the latter are prevented from becoming +the scourge they would be but for their feathered enemies. + +Mr. E. H. Forbush, Ornithologist of the Board of Agriculture of +Massachusetts, states that the stomachs of four chickadees contained +1,028 eggs of the cankerworm. The stomachs of four other birds of the +same species contained about 600 eggs and 105 female moths of the +cankerworm. The average number of eggs found in twenty of these moths +was 185; and as it is estimated that a chickadee may eat thirty female +cankerworm moths per day during the twenty-five days which these moths +crawl up trees, it follows that in this period each chickadee would +destroy 138,750 eggs of this noxious insect. + +A pamphlet issued by the Department of Agriculture of the United +States says that the cuckoo, which is common in all the Eastern +States, has been conclusively shown to be much given to eating +caterpillars, and, unlike most birds, does not reject those that are +covered with hair. In fact, cuckoos eat so many hairy caterpillars +that the hairs pierce the inner lining of their stomach and remain +there, so that when the stomach is opened and turned inside out, it +appears to be lined with a thin coating of hair. This bird also eats +beetles, grasshoppers, sawflies, and spiders. It turns out from the +investigations of the department that the suspicion with which all +farmers look upon woodpeckers is undeserved by that bird. These birds +rarely leave an important mark upon a healthy tree, but when a tree +is affected by wood-boring larvae the insects are accurately located, +dislodged, and devoured. In case the holes from which the borers are +taken are afterward occupied and enlarged by colonies of ants, these +ants are drawn out and eaten. Woodpeckers are great conservators of +forests, and to them more than to any other agency is due the +preservation of timber from hordes of destructive insects. + +The department defends the much-abused crow and states that he is not +by any means the enemy of the farmer, in which role he is generally +represented. The pamphlet shows that he is known to eat frogs, toads, +salamanders, and some small snakes, and that he devours May beetles, +June bugs, grasshoppers, and a large variety of other destructive +insects. It is admitted that he does some damage to sprouting corn, +but this can be prevented by tarring the seed, which not only saves +the corn, but forces the crow to turn his attention to insects. + +_Insects injurious to vegetation._--Essays may be written describing +some of the insects injurious to fruit trees; also the birds that feed +largely upon these insects--the warblers, thrushes, orioles, wrens, +woodpeckers, vireos, and others. Tell, if possible, from your own +observation, of their curious, but effective, ways of finding their +food. Describe how the birds inspect the trees, limb by limb and bud +by bud, in their eager search for the eggs, larvae, and mature forms of +insects. Note, especially, the oriole as he runs spirally round a +branch to the very tip, then back to the trunk, treating branch after +branch in the same way, till the whole tree has been thoroughly +searched, almost every bud having been in the focus of those bright +eyes. It is hard to describe which is the more beautiful--their +brilliant, flaming colors or their bugle-like bursts of music. Is the +woodpecker's drumming, and apparent listening with the side of his +head turned to the tree, all for fun, and nothing for reward? + +_Birds that feed upon the potato beetle._--The grosbeaks and the +tanagers. Describe these. Why are these and other brightly colored +birds so shy? What has been the effect of the extensive killing of +them for ornament, and the equally cruel practice of securing their +young to be kept in cages? Note how much more attractive our fields +and gardens would be if these beautiful beings were common in them, +and by their quaint ways were "teaching us manners." + +_Personations of birds._--Ask the children to write "personations" of +birds, as if the writer were the bird. Give them the following +directions: Write in the first person. Describe yourself as accurately +as you are able, without telling your name. Tell of your habits and +manner of life, your summer and winter homes, your home cares--your +nest building, your parental joys and anxieties, the enemies you have +to avoid. Mention at some length the trouble you take to give your +little ones a good start in life, and to enable them to earn their own +living. Describe your songs, and try to indicate why they differ, and +what you mean by each one. Try to present a somewhat complete picture +of the bird and its life, from the bird's point of view. At the close +of your personation the hearers may vote upon the name of the bird +presented. + +A family of birds may also be described, as if they were persons,--and +are they not? A very fine model of this kind of work is "Our New +Neighbors at Ponkapog," by T. B. Aldrich. + +Have essays written upon the following subjects:-- + + Are there birds that do not sing? + + What is the attitude of other birds to the owl? + + Is any country too cold, or any too warm, for birds? + + Have birds individuality? + + What is the largest bird of North America? + + The smallest? + + What laws has your state made about birds? + + Ought the "government to own" the birds? (That is, make laws + for their protection.) + + Is the blue jay wicked? + + What birds walk? + + Do birds travel at night, during their migrations? + +Beginning in March, note for several days the different kinds of birds +you see, which were not seen the day before. Make at least two +observations daily, one in the morning and one after school. When is +the greater number of new birds seen, in the morning or in the +afternoon? Or, if you live in a comparatively quiet neighborhood, even +in a large city, go out at night and listen for bird sounds in the +air. You need not go far to make this trial--your own back door "opens +into all outdoors." + + What states have established a Bird Day by law? + + Is woman cruel or only thoughtless? + + Do robins raise more than one brood in a season? If so, do + they use the same nest twice? If they raise two broods, what + becomes of the first, while the mother is sitting upon the + eggs for the second? + +Watch for a robin leading out his family. Notice the feeding, after +the birds are large enough to run and fly fairly well. The young birds +are placed apart, and kept apart by the parent, who visits each one in +turn, and rebukes any who tries to be piggish, sometimes rapping it +with his bill when it runs out of turn. Notice this parent teaching +the young to sing. It is a very interesting sight. + + What birds have you heard sing at night? + +More birds sing at night than is commonly supposed. The female robin +calls to her mate frequently during the night, and he responds with a +song. The catbird also sings at night. Last May one was heard to sing +three nights in succession from eleven o'clock until daylight in +response to little complaining calls from his mate. The song sparrow, +warblers, and many other birds sing at night. Their songs at these +times sound as if the bird were sleepy and reluctant to sing, or as if +he were startled and were hurrying through the performance. Make a +note of songs heard at night and try to determine the cause. Learn to +distinguish the call of the female from the song of the male. + +_The kinds of nests._--What birds are weavers? What ones are masons or +plasterers? What ones are tailors, in the construction of their nests? + +Find a pair of birds engaged in nest building; robins may generally be +found. Learn to distinguish the male from the female in appearance, as +well as voice. Notice what materials they are using. Which bird takes +the lead in building? What does the other bird do? Does he ever carry +material, or does he simply act as escort? Does he ever protect his +mate from other birds? + +Write this out, carefully drawing your conclusions from your own +observations. After the young birds have left the nest and have no +further use for it, you may take the nest and examine it closely. You +will find that while there is a similarity in the nests of the same +kind of birds, they differ considerably in the materials of which they +are composed. For example, the typical robin's nest consists of straws +and hairs plastered together with mud and lined with some soft +material, but others have been found made entirely of raveled rope; +others of carpet rags. The bird evidently is not guided in this matter +by blind instinct, but uses its reason in adapting materials that are +at hand. + +If you are fortunate you may find a pair of orioles building their +nest. Place some bright-colored yarn or string in pieces of convenient +length where the birds will see them. Some of them are almost sure to +be woven into the nest. The oriole's nest may be attached to a limb by +two or more cords; if it is, notice how it is prevented from swinging +by side ropes. You will find it guyed against the prevailing winds. +The oriole frequently ties several twigs together, and so uses these +to suspend his nest. Notice the nest pouch; those built near houses +are quite shallow; those near forests are much deeper. Can you tell +why? + +_The wings of birds._--Describe the different kinds, as short and +round, or long and slender, and the effect of the wing-shape upon the +bird's motion in the air. Describe the flights of different birds. + +_Songs of birds._--Write the syllables which seem to you to express +the different songs of birds. Notice the different songs of the same +bird. A song sparrow was observed to have twelve different songs. He +sang each one several times over, as if each song had a number of +verses. Then changing his position, he would sing another. To most +ears the robin's song is always the same, but close attention +discovers that there are variations. Many birds are genuine musicians +and compose as they sing, not having formal songs. + +_Free description of birds._--Write description of some bird of your +acquaintance, noting the following:-- + +_Its appearance._--Color, gait, flight, size from tip of beak to end +of tail, spread of wings. + +_Its common name._--Why given? + +_Time of arrival and departure._ + +_Character._--Is it trustful, or shy and retiring? + +_Song._--Season when song is most frequent, also times of day. Does it +consist of many or only a few notes? Is it cheery, like the robin's, +or tuneful, like the thrush's, or rollicking and rapturous, like the +bobolink's, or a Romanza, like the catbird's? Notice the different +emotion sounds, the notes of fear, of parental or conjugal reprimand, +of joy, of anger, of deep sorrow, made by the bird at times. + +_Food._--Insects (kinds), seeds, fruit, etc. + +_Nest._--Where placed, how made? + +_Incidents._--From the writer's knowledge of the bird. + +_This bird in literature._--What writers have described, what poets +have immortalized him? How did they characterize him? + +Some of the following books are almost indispensable to one who wishes +to know the birds:-- + +"Wake Robin," John Burroughs; "Birds and Poets," John Burroughs; "The +Birds and Seasons of New England," Wilson Flagg; "Upland and Meadow," +Charles C. Abbott; "Bird Ways," Olive Thorne Miller; "Birds through an +Opera Glass," Florence A. Merriam; "Birds in the Bush," Bradford +Torrey; "The Birds About Us," Charles C. Abbott; "From Blomidon to +Smoky," Frank Bolles. + +Recent magazines should be searched and the current ones scrutinized +for articles by any of the above-named writers. + +_Destruction of birds._--Find out how many birds are annually +slaughtered in the United States, and for what purposes. + +In the report of the American Ornithologist Union published in 1886, +it was estimated that about five million birds were annually required +to fill the demand for the ornamentation of the hats of the American +women. In 1896 it was estimated that the number thus used was ten +million. "The slaughter is not confined to song-birds; everything that +wears feathers is a target for the bird butcher. The destruction of +40,000 terns in a single season on Cape Cod, a million rail and reed +birds (bobolinks) killed in a single month near Philadelphia, are +facts that may well furnish food for reflection. The swamps and +marshes of Florida are well known to have become depopulated of their +egrets and herons, while the state at large has been for years a +favorite slaughter ground of the milliners' emissaries." An article in +_Forest and Stream_, speaking of the destruction of birds on Long +Island, states that during a short period of four months 20,000 were +supplied to the New York dealers from a single village. + +The Audubon Society of Massachusetts has looked up the figures and +reports that "it is proved that into England alone between 25,000,000 +and 30,000,000 birds are imported yearly, and that for Europe the +number reaches 150,000,000. Hence, the fashionable craze has annually +demanded between 200,000,000 and 300,000,000 birds. From the East +Indies alone a dealer in London received 400,000 humming birds, 6,000 +birds of paradise, and 400,000 miscellaneous birds. In an auction +room, also in London, within four months, over 800,000 East and West +Indian and Brazilian bird skins, besides thousands of pheasants and +birds of paradise, were put up for sale." + +This demand for birds has been going on for a quarter of a century, +and billions of rich-plumaged creatures have been slaughtered to meet +it, and several of the feathered tribes have been exterminated. + +Write to the following for literature upon the destruction of birds:-- + +Humane Education Committee, 61 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.; +George T. Angell, Boston, Mass.; Secretary of the Massachusetts +Audubon Society, Boston, Mass.; Secretary of the New York Audubon +Society at New York; Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, +Washington, D. C.; Secretary of the Audubon Society of Pennsylvania at +Philadelphia; also write to the Department of Agriculture of your own +state. + + + + +VII + +PROGRAMS FOR BIRD DAY + + +A Bird Day exercise, in order to have much value educationally, should +be largely the result of the pupils' previous work, and should not be +the mere repetition of a prepared program taken verbatim from some +paper or leaflet. It is, of course, better to have the pupils recite +this leaflet or list of statements than it would be to have it ground +out of a phonograph. The program should be prepared by the pupils +under direction of the teacher. + +The following general suggestions are offered:-- + +1. For the first observance of this day by a school it would be well +to have some pupil read Senator Hoar's petition of the birds to the +Legislature of Massachusetts. + +PETITION OF THE BIRDS + +_Written by Senator Hoar to the Massachusetts Legislature_ + +The petition which was instrumental in getting the Massachusetts law +passed, prohibiting the wearing of song and insectivorous birds on +women's hats, was written by Senator Hoar. The petition read as +follows:-- + + To the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of + Massachusetts: We, the song birds of Massachusetts and their + playfellows, make this our humble petition. We know more + about you than you think we do. We know how good you are. We + have hopped about the roofs and looked in at your windows of + the houses you have built for poor and sick and hungry + people, and little lame and deaf and blind children. We have + built our nests in the trees and sung many a song as we flew + about the gardens and parks you have made so beautiful for + your children, especially your poor children to play in. + Every year we fly a great way over the country, keeping all + the time where the sun is bright and warm. And we know that + whenever you do anything the other people all over this + great land between the seas and the Great Lakes find it out, + and pretty soon will try to do the same. We know. We know. + + We are Americans just the same as you are. Some of us, like + you, came across the great sea. But most of the birds like + us have lived here a long while; and the birds like us + welcomed your fathers when they came here many, many years + ago. Our fathers and mothers have always done their best to + please your fathers and mothers. + + Now we have a sad story to tell you. Thoughtless or bad + people are trying to destroy us. They kill us because our + feathers are beautiful. Even pretty and sweet girls, who we + should think would be our best friends, kill our brothers + and children so that they may wear our plumage on their + hats. Sometimes people kill us for mere wantonness. Cruel + boys destroy our nests and steal our eggs and our young + ones. People with guns and snares lie in wait to kill us; as + if the place for a bird were not in the sky, alive, but in a + shop window or in a glass case. If this goes on much longer + all our song birds will be gone. Already we are told in some + other countries that used to be full of birds, they are now + almost gone. Even the nightingales are being killed in + Italy. + + Now we humbly pray that you will stop all this and will save + us from this sad fate. You have already made a law that no + one shall kill a harmless song bird or destroy our nests or + our eggs. Will you please make another one that no one shall + wear our feathers, so that no one shall kill us to get them? + We want them all ourselves. Your pretty girls are pretty + enough without them. We are told that it is as easy for you + to do it as for a blackbird to whistle. + + If you will, we know how to pay you a hundred times over. We + will teach your children to keep themselves clean and neat. + We will show them how to live together in peace and love and + to agree as we do in our nests. We will build pretty houses + which you will like to see. We will play about your garden + and flower beds--ourselves like flowers on wings, without + any cost to you. We will destroy the wicked insects and + worms that spoil your cherries and currants and plums and + apples and roses. We will give you our best songs, and make + the spring more beautiful and the summer sweeter to you. + Every June morning when you go out into the field, oriole + and bluebird and blackbird and bobolink will fly after you + and make the day more delightful to you. And when you go + home tired after sundown, vesper sparrow will tell you how + grateful we are. When you sit down on your porch after dark, + fifebird and hermit thrush and wood thrush will sing to you; + and even whip-poor-will will cheer you up a little. We know + where we are safe. In a little while all the birds will come + to live in Massachusetts again, and everybody who loves + music will like to make a summer home with you. + +The signers are:-- + +Brown Thrasher, +Robert o' Lincoln, +Hermit Thrush, +Vesper Sparrow, +Robin Redbreast, +Song Sparrow, +Scarlet Tanager, +Summer Redbird, +Blue Heron, +Humming Bird, +Yellowbird, +Whip-poor-will, +Water Wagtail, +Woodpecker, +Pigeon Woodpecker, +Indigo Bird, +Yellowthroat, +Wilson's Thrush, +Chickadee, +Kingbird, +Swallow, +Cedar Bird, +Cowbird, +Martin, +Veery, +Chewink, +Vireo, +Oriole, +Blackbird, +Fifebird, +Wren, +Linnet, +Pewee, +Phoebe, +Yoke Bird, +Lark, +Sandpiper. + +It should be noted that the result of this petition was the passage of +a law by the Legislature of Massachusetts forbidding the wearing of +parts of wild birds. A bill forbidding the transportation of feathers +or the skins of birds from one state to another was also introduced by +Senator Hoar in the United States Senate. + +2. At this first exercise it would be well to have read "Our New +Neighbors at Ponkapog," by T. B. Aldrich. + +3. The best essays that have been written by the pupils during their +preliminary study may be given. If the school has not made this +preliminary study, select subjects and have essays written according +to the directions already given, allowing as much time as possible for +original observations. + +4. Have recitations from the poets. These will add a peculiar charm to +the occasion. A short list of suitable poems will be given. Many +others may be found in a book called "Voices of the Speechless," +published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. + +The works of John Burroughs, Bradford Torrey, Maurice Thompson, Mrs. +Olive Thorne Miller, and Dr. C. C. Abbott abound in passages which are +excellent for recitation. It is surprising how familiar the best-known +novelists have been and are with birds. In appreciation of them they +are second only to the poets. Charles Reade's description of the +lark's song in the mines of Australia, in "Never Too Late to Mend," is +an inspiring recitation. + +5. Short quotations from well known authors should be given, if +possible, by every pupil in the school. We give a few taken almost at +random:-- + + Away over the hayfield the lark floated in the blue, making + the air quiver with his singing; the robin, perched on a + fence, looked at us saucily and piped a few notes by way of + remark; the blackbird was heard, flute-throated, down in the + hollow recesses of the wood; and the thrush, in a holly tree + by the wayside, sang out his sweet, clear song that seemed + to rise in strength as the wind awoke a sudden rustling + through the long woods of birch and oak.--WILLIAM BLACK, in + _Adventures of a Phaeton_. + + We seemed to hear all the sounds within a great compass--in + the hedges and in the roadside trees, far away in woods or + hidden up in the level grayness of the clouds: twi, twi, + trrrr-weet!--droom, droom, phloee!--tuck, tuck, tuck, tuck, + feer!--that was the silvery chorus from thousands of + throats. It seemed to us that all the fields and hedges had + but one voice, and that it was clear and sweet and + piercing.--WILLIAM BLACK, _Ibid._ + + Silvia could hear the twittering of the young starlings in + their nests as their parents went and came carrying food, + and the loud and joyful "tirr-a-wee, tirr-a-wee, prooit, + tweet!" of the thrushes, and the low currooing of the wood + pigeon, and the soft call of the cuckoo, that seemed to come + in whenever an interval of silence fitted. The swallows + dipped and flashed and circled over the bosom of the lake. + There were blackbirds eagerly but cautiously at work, with + their spasmodic trippings, on the lawn. A robin perched on + the iron railing eyed her curiously and seemed more disposed + to approach than to retreat.--WILLIAM BLACK, in _Green + Pastures and Piccadilly_. + + A jay fled screaming through the wood, just one brief + glimpse of brilliant blue being visible.--WILLIAM BLACK, + _Ibid._ + + And as they came near to one dark patch of shrubbery, lo! + the strange silence was burst asunder by the rich, full song + of a nightingale.--WILLIAM BLACK, _Ibid._ + + A sudden sound sprang into the night, flooding all its + darkness with its rich and piercing melody--a joyous, clear, + full-throated note, deep-gurgling now, and again rising with + thrills and tremors into bursts of far-reaching silver song + that seemed to shake the hollow air. A single nightingale + had filled the woods with life. We cared no more for those + distant and silent stars. It was enough to sit here in the + gracious quiet and listen to the eager tremulous outpouring + of this honeyed sound.--WILLIAM BLACK, in _Strange + Adventures of a House-Boat_. + + Shoot and eat my birds! The next step beyond, and one would + hanker after Jenny Lind or Miss Kellogg.--HENRY WARD + BEECHER. + + There on the very topmost twig, that rises and falls with + willowy motion, sits that ridiculous, sweet-singing + bobolink, singing as a Roman candle fizzes, showers of + sparkling notes.--_Ibid._ + +This poet affirms that our bobolink is superior to the nightingale:-- + + Bobolink, that in the meadow, + Or beneath the orchard's shadow, + Keepest up a constant rattle + Joyous as my children's prattle, + Welcome to the North again, + Welcome to mine ear thy strain, + Welcome to mine eye the sight + Of thy buff, thy black and white. + Brighter plumes may greet the sun + By the banks of Amazon; + Sweeter tones may weave the spell + Of enchanting Philomel; + But the tropic bird would fail, + And the English nightingale, + If we should compare their worth + With thine endless, gushing mirth. + +--THOMAS HILL. + + The mocking bird is a singer that has suffered much from its + powers of mimicry. On ordinary occasions, and especially in + the daytime, it insists on playing the harlequin. But when + free in its own favorite haunts at night, it has a song, or + rather songs, which are not only purely original, but are + also more beautiful than any other bird music whatsoever. + Once I listened to a mocking bird singing the livelong + spring night, under the full moon, in a magnolia tree; and I + do not think I shall ever forget its song. + + The great tree was bathed in a flood of shining silver; I + could see each twig, and mark every action of the singer, + who was pouring forth such a rapture of ringing melody as I + have never listened to before or since. Sometimes he would + perch motionless for many minutes, his body quivering and + thrilling with the outpour of music. Then he would drop + softly from twig to twig till the lowest limb was reached, + when he would rise, fluttering and leaping through the + branches, his song never ceasing for an instant until he + reached the summit of the tree and launched into the warm + scent-laden air, floating in spirals, with outspread wings, + until, as if spent, he sank gently back into the tree and + down through the branches, while his song rose into an + ecstasy of ardor and passion. His voice rang like a + clarionet in rich, full tones, and his execution covered the + widest possible compass; theme followed theme, a torrent of + music, a swelling tide of harmony, in which scarcely any two + bars were alike. I stayed till midnight listening to him; he + was singing when I went to sleep; he was still singing when + I woke a couple of hours later; he sang through the livelong + night.--THEODORE ROOSEVELT. + + Amid the thunders of Sinai God uttered the rights of cattle, + and said that they should have a Sabbath. "Thou shalt not do + any work, thou, nor thy cattle." He declared with infinite + emphasis that the ox on the threshing-floor should have the + privilege of eating some of the grain as he trod it out, and + muzzling was forbidden. If young birds were taken from the + nest for food, the despoiler's life depended on the mother + going free. God would not let the mother-bird suffer in one + day the loss of her young and her own liberty. And he who + regarded in olden time the conduct of man toward the brutes, + to-day looks down from heaven and is interested in every + minnow that swims the stream, and every rook that cleaves + the air.--DEWITT TALMAGE, D.D. + + And how refreshing is the sight of the birdless bonnet! The + face beneath, no matter how plain it may be, seems to + possess a gentle charm. She might have had birds, this + woman, for they are cheap enough and plentiful enough, + heaven knows; but she has them not, therefore she must wear + within things infinitely precious, namely, good sense, good + taste, good feeling. Does any woman imagine these withered + corpses (cured with arsenic), which she loves to carry + about, are beautiful? Not so; the birds lost their beauty + with their lives.--CELIA THAXTER. + + I walked up my garden path as I was coming home from + shooting. My dog ran on before me; suddenly he went slower + and crept carefully forward as if he scented game. I looked + along the path and perceived a young sparrow, with its downy + head and yellow bill. It had fallen from a nest (the wind + was blowing hard through the young birch trees beside the + path) and was sprawling motionless, helpless, on the ground, + with its little wings outspread. My dog crept softly up to + it, when suddenly an old black-breasted sparrow threw + himself down from a neighboring tree and let himself fall + like a stone directly under the dog's nose, and, with + ruffled feathers, sprang with a terrified twitter several + times against his open, threatening mouth. He had flown down + to protect his young at the sacrifice of himself. His little + body trembled all over, his cry was hoarse, he was + frightened to death; but he sacrificed himself. My dog must + have seemed to him a gigantic monster, but for all that, he + could not stay on his high, safe branch. A power stronger + than himself drove him down. My dog stopped and drew back; + it seemed as if he, too, respected this power. I hastened to + call back the amazed dog, and reverently withdrew. Yes, + don't laugh; I felt a reverence for this little hero of a + bird, with his paternal love. + + Love, thought I, is mightier than death and the fear of + death; love alone inspires and is the life of all.--IVAN + TOURGUENEFF. + + The first sparrow of spring! The year beginning with younger + hope than ever! The faint, silvery warblings heard over the + partially bare and moist fields from the bluebird, the song + sparrow, and the redwing, as if the last flakes of winter + tinkled as they fell!--H. D. THOREAU. + + I heard a robin in the distance, the first I had heard for + many a thousand years, methought, whose note I shall not + forget for many a thousand more,--the same sweet, powerful + song as of yore.--_Ibid._ + + Walden is melting apace. A great field of ice has cracked + off from the main body. I hear a song sparrow from the + bushes on the shore,--_olit, olit, olit--chip, chip, chip, + che char--che wis, wis, wis_. He, too, is helping to crack + the ice.--_Ibid._ + + The bluebird carries the sky on his back.--_Ibid._ + +6. One of the most interesting features of a Bird Day program will be +the personations of birds. + +The following was given by a boy in the seventh grade:-- + + One day in February a gentleman and his wife stopped beside + the wall of old Fort Marion, in St. Augustine, to listen to + my song. The sun was shining brightly, and little white + flowers were blooming in the green turf about the old fort. + It was not time yet to build my nest, so I had nothing to do + but sing and get my food and travel a little every day + toward my Northern home. + + I am about as large as a robin, and although there is + nothing brilliant in my plumage I am not a homely bird. I + like the songs of other birds and sometimes sing them. I + frequently sing like my cousins, the catbirds and robins and + thrushes. But I have my own song, which is unlike all the + others. My mate and I build a large nest of small sticks, + pieces of string, cotton, and weeds, in thick bushes or low + trees. We have five eggs that are greenish blue and spotted + with brown. We eat many beetles, larvae, and many kinds of + insects which we find feeding upon plants. The worst enemy + we have is man. He steals our children almost before we have + taught them to sing, and puts them in cages. He is a + monster. + + Many poems have been written about me. One of the finest is + by Sidney Lanier, in which he calls me "yon trim Shakespeare + on the tree." + + Any one who has heard my song can never forget me. + + What is my name? + +7. Bird facts and proverbs form a valuable part of a program and may +be given by some of the children. Let the pupils search for them and +bring some similar to these:-- + + Birds flock together in hard times. + + A bird in the bush is worth two in the hand. + + The American robin is not the same bird as the English. + + The bluebird and robin may be harbingers of spring, but the + swallow is the harbinger of summer. + + The dandelion tells me to look for the swallow; the + dog-toothed violet when to expect the wood thrush.--JOHN + BURROUGHS. + + It is not thought that any one bird spends the year in one + locality, but that all birds migrate, if only within a + limited range. + + A loon was caught, by a set line for fishing, sixty-five + feet below the surface of a lake in New York, having dived + to that depth for a fish. + + The wood pewee, like its relative, the phoebe, feeds + largely on the family of flies to which the house fly + belongs. + + The birds of prey, the majority of which labor night and day + to destroy the enemies of the husbandman, are unceasingly + persecuted. + + Seventy-five per cent of the food of the downy woodpecker is + insects. + + The cow blackbird lays its eggs in other birds' nests, one + in a nest. What happens afterwards? + + Why should not a man love a bird? If the palm of one could + clasp the pinion of the other, there would come together two + of the greatest implements God and nature have ever given + any two creatures to explore the world with, and when two + bipeds gaze at each other, eye to eye, the intelligence in + the one might well take off its hat to the subtle instincts + in the other.--JAMES NEWTON BASKETT. + + A bird on the bonnet means so much less bread on the table. + A bird in the orchard is a sort of scavenger and pomologist + combined, and does his share in giving you a dish of fruit + for dinner. The scarlet tanager looks like a living ruby in + a green tree; but--I speak bluntly--it looks like a chunk of + gore on a woman's bonnet. In behalf of good taste and the + birds, I enter my protest against this barbarous + Custom.--LEANDER T. KEYSER. + + What does it cost, this garniture of death? + It costs the life which God alone can give; + It costs dull silence, where was music's breath; + It costs dead joy, that foolish pride may live. + Ah, life, and joy, and song, depend upon it, + Are costly trimmings for a woman's bonnet. + +--MAY RILEY SMITH. + +The program may be diversified by songs about birds. Many suitable for +this occasion will be found in a collection called "Songs of Happy +Life," made by Sarah J. Eddy. It is published by the Nature Study +Publishing Company, of Providence, R. I. + + + + +VIII + +THE POETS AND THE BIRDS + + +"The birds are the poets' own," says Burroughs. How could it be +otherwise? The bird, with his large brain, quick circulation, and high +temperature, is possessed of a tropical, ecstatic soul that blossoms +into music as naturally as a bulb bursts into bloom and fragrance. He +is a creature of marvelous inheritance. Poetry is a true bird-land, +where you shall hear the birds as often as in any meadow or orchard on +a May morning. All poets have been their lovers, from the psalmist of +old, who knew "all the birds of the mountains," to our own Lowell with +his "Gladness on wings--the bobolink is here." + +The poets, who voice our deepest thoughts, have studied birds with the +utmost care. It is astonishing to note the mention made of them in the +pages of Browning, Tennyson, and in fact of every great maker of +verse. Not merely as adjuncts of the landscape are they mentioned, but +with intensity of feeling, as in William Watson's poem on his recovery +from temporary loss of mind--one of the most pathetic poems ever +written--where he thanks the Heavenly Power for letting him feel once +again at home in nature and again related to the birds and to human +life. Dr. Van Dyke's wish that, when his twilight hour is come, he +"may hear the wood note of the veery" finds response in the heart of +every one who has listened to that song. Frequently the poet seems to +have entered into the life of the bird and to have found his inner +secret, as Keats in the "Ode to a Nightingale":-- + + Immortal bird, thou wast not born for death, + No hungry generations tread thee down. + +Sometimes the words seem to have caught the rhythm and ripple of the +song, as in Browning's reference to the thrush:-- + + The wise thrush, he sings each song twice over, + Lest you think he never could recapture + That first fine careless rapture. + +Or the bird's voice may be so suggestive as to lead the seer to the +very limits of thought and aspiration, like Shelley's "Skylark." As we +need the help of the naturalists, who see more accurately than we, we +also need the assistance of the poet's clearer vision, with its wider +and deeper sweep. How completely Sidney Lanier summed up the mocking +bird! and how much more pleasing is the bird in the tree because of +the bird in the poem:-- + + Superb and sole, upon a plumed spray + That o'er the general leafage boldly grew, + He summed the woods in song; or typic drew + The watch of hungry hawks, the lone dismay + Of languid doves when long their lovers stray, + And all birds' passion plays that sprinkle dew + At morn in brake or bosky avenue. + Whate'er birds did or dreamed, this bird could say. + Then down he shot, bounced airily along + The sward, twitched in a grasshopper, made song + Midflight, perched, prinked, and to his art again. + Sweet science, this large riddle read me plain:-- + How may the death of that dull insect be + The life of yon trim Shakespeare on the tree? + +Recitations from the poets should be a prominent feature of Bird Day +exercises. Readings and studies of poems about birds may be very +profitably made a part of the literary work of the year. + +The following poems are suitable for recitation and study:-- + +"The Birds' Orchestra," Celia Thaxter; "The Robin," Celia Thaxter; +"The Song Sparrow," Celia Thaxter; "The Blackbird," Alice Cary; "The +Raven's Shadow," William Watson; "On Seeing a Wild Bird," Alice Cary; +"What Sees the Owl?" Elizabeth S. Bates; "Lament of a Mocking Bird," +Frances Anne Kemble; "The Snow-bird," Dora Read Goodale; "To a +Seabird," Bret Harte; "The Rain Song of the Robin," Kate Upson Clark; +"The Swallow," Owen Meredith; "A Bird at Sunset," Owen Meredith; "The +Titlark's Nest," Owen Meredith; "The Dead Eagle," Campbell; "Ode to a +Nightingale," John Keats; "What the Birds Said," John Greenleaf +Whittier; "The Sandpiper," Celia Thaxter; "The Blackbird and the +Rooks," Dinah Mulock Craik; "The Canary in his Cage," Dinah Mulock +Craik; "The Falcon," James Russell Lowell; "The Titmouse," Ralph Waldo +Emerson; "The Stormy Petrel," Barry Cornwall; "To the Skylark," Percy +Bysshe Shelley; "The O'Lincoln Family," Wilson Flagg; "To a +Waterfowl," William Cullen Bryant; "Robert of Lincoln," William Cullen +Bryant; "The Return of the Birds," William Cullen Bryant, "The Eagle," +Alfred Tennyson; "To the Eagle," James G. Percival; "The Forerunner," +Harriet Prescott Spofford; "The Skylark," James Hogg; "To the +Skylark," William Wordsworth; "Sir Robin," Lucy Larcom; "The Pewee," +J. T. Trowbridge; "The Yellowbird," Celia Thaxter "The Dying Swan," +Alfred Tennyson; "Story of a Blackbird," Alice Cary; "The Blue Jay," +Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney; "The Song Sparrow," Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney; "The +Catbird," Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney; "Sparrows," Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney; +"The Ovenbird," Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney; "The Vireos," Mrs. A. D. T. +Whitney; "The Ovenbird," Frank Bolles; "Whip-poor-will," Frank Bolles; +"The Veery," Henry Van Dyke; "The Song Sparrow," Henry Van Dyke; "The +Wings of a Dove," Henry Van Dyke; "The Whip-poor-will," Henry Van +Dyke; "To the Cuckoo," William Wordsworth; "Secrets," Susan Coolidge; +"The Falcon," James Russell Lowell; "The Mocking Bird," Sidney Lanier; +"Forbearance," Ralph Waldo Emerson; "The Mocking Bird," Clinton +Scollard; "The Mocking Bird," Maurice Thompson; "The Mocking Bird," R. +H. Wilde; "The Mocking Bird," A. B. Meek; "The Mocking Bird," Albert +Pike; "The Song of the Thrush," Edward Markham. + +This list can of course be indefinitely extended. + +IN CHURCH + + Just in front of my pew sits a maiden-- + A little brown wing on her hat, + With its touches of tropical azure, + And sheen of the sun upon that. + + Through the bloom-colored pane shines a glory + By which the vast shadows are stirred, + But I pine for the spirit and splendor + That painted the wing of the bird. + + The organ rolls down its great anthem; + With the soul of a song it is blent; + But for me, I am sick for the singing + Of one little song that is spent. + + The voice of the curate is gentle: + "No sparrow shall fall to the ground;" + But the poor broken wing on the bonnet + Is mocking the merciful sound. + +--_Anonymous._ + + + + +IX + +OBJECTS AND RESULTS OF BIRD DAY + + +The general observance of a "Bird Day" in our schools would probably +do more to open thousands of young minds to the reception of bird lore +than anything else that can be devised. The scattered interests of the +children would thus be brought together, and fused into a large and +compact enthusiasm, which would become the common property of all. +Zeal in a genuine cause is more contagious than a bad habit. + +The first Bird Day in the schools was celebrated on the first Friday +in May, 1894. This is as good a date as any for the sections not in +the extreme North or South. + +It would better come a little after the birds begin to arrive. The +afternoon session will be found sufficient to devote to the special +exercises. The date should be announced some time beforehand, so that +the children may prepare for it. They will not only prepare +themselves, but will have the whole community aroused by the sharp +points of their inquisitorial weapons. Exercises should be held in all +grades, from the primary to the high school. + +We quote the following from circular No. 17 sent out by the United +States Department of Agriculture:-- + +OBJECT OF BIRD DAY + + From all sides come reports of a decrease in native birds, + due to the clearing of the forests, draining of the swamps, + and cultivation of lands, but especially to the increasing + slaughter of birds for game, the demand for feathers to + supply the millinery trade, and the breaking up of nests to + gratify the egg-collecting proclivities of small boys. An + attempt has been made to restrict these latter causes by + legislation. Nearly every State and Territory has passed + game laws, and several States have statutes protecting + insectivorous birds. Such laws are frequently changed and + cannot be expected to accomplish much unless supported by + popular sentiment in favor of bird protection. This object + can only be attained by demonstrating to the people the + value of birds, and how can it be accomplished better than + through the medium of the schools? + + Briefly stated, the object of Bird Day is to diffuse + knowledge concerning our native birds and to arouse a more + general interest in bird protection. As such it should + appeal not only to ornithologists, sportsmen, and farmers, + who have a practical interest in the preservation of birds, + but also to the general public, who would soon appreciate + the loss if the common songsters were exterminated. + + It is time to give more intelligent attention to the birds + and appreciate their value. Many schools already have + courses in natural history or nature study, and such a day + would add zest to the regular studies, encourage the pupils + to observe carefully, and give them something to look + forward to and work for. In the words of the originator of + the day, "the general observance of a Bird Day in our + schools would probably do more to open thousands of young + minds to the reception of bird lore than anything else that + can be devised." The first thing is to interest the scholars + in birds in general and particularly in those of their own + locality. Good lists of birds have been prepared for several + of the States, and popular books and articles on ornithology + are within the reach of every one. But the instruction + should not be limited to books; the children should be + encouraged to observe the birds in the field, to study their + habits and migrations, their nests and food, and should be + taught to respect the laws protecting game and song birds. + +VALUE OF BIRD DAY + + When the question of introducing Arbor Day into the schools + was brought before the National Educational Association in + February, 1884, the objection was made that the subject was + out of place in the schools. The value of the innovation + could not be appreciated by those who did not see the + practical bearing of the subject on an ordinary school + course. But at the next meeting of the Association the + question was again brought up and unanimously adopted--to + the mutual benefit of the schools and of practical forestry. + With the advent of more progressive ideas concerning + education there is a demand for instruction in subjects + which a few years ago would have been considered out of + place, or of no special value. If the main object of our + educational system is to prepare boys and girls for the + intelligent performance of the duties and labors of life, + why should not some attention be given to the study of + nature, particularly in rural schools where the farmers of + the next generation are now being educated? + + The study of birds may be taken up in several ways and for + different purposes; it may be made to furnish simply a + course in mental training or to assist the pupil in + acquiring habits of accurate observation; it may be taken up + alone or combined with composition, drawing, geography, or + literature. But it has also an economic side which may + appeal to those who demand purely practical studies in + schools. Economic ornithology has been defined as the "study + of birds from the standpoint of dollars and cents." It + treats of the direct relations of birds to man, showing + which species are beneficial and which injurious, teaching + the agriculturist how to protect his feathered friends and + guard against the attacks of his foes. This is a subject in + which we are only just beginning to acquire exact knowledge, + but it is none the less deserving of a place in our + educational system on this account. Its practical value is + recognized both by individual States and by the National + Government, which appropriate considerable sums of money for + investigations of value to agriculture. Much good work has + been done by some of the experiment stations and State + boards of agriculture, particularly in Illinois, Indiana, + Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. In the + United States Department of Agriculture, the Division of + Biological Survey (formerly the Division of Ornithology) + devotes much attention to the collection of data respecting + the geographic distribution, migration, and food of birds, + and to the publication and diffusion of information + concerning species which are beneficial or injurious to + agriculture. Some of the results of these investigations are + of general interest, and could be used in courses of + instruction in even the lower schools. Such facts would thus + reach a larger number of persons than is now possible, and + would be made more generally available to those interested + in them. + + If illustrations of the practical value of a knowledge of + zooelogy are necessary they can easily be given. It has been + estimated recently that the forests and streams of Maine are + worth more than its agricultural resources. If this is so, + is it not equally as important to teach the best means of + preserving the timber, the game, and the fish, as it is to + teach students how to develop the agricultural wealth of the + State? In 1885 Pennsylvania passed its famous "scalp act," + and in less than two years expended between $75,000 and + $100,000 in an attempt to rid the State of animals and birds + supposed to be injurious. A large part of the money was + spent for killing hawks and owls, most of which belonged to + species which were afterwards shown to be actually + beneficial. Not only was money thrown away in a useless war + against noxious animals, but the State actually paid for the + destruction of birds of inestimable value to its farmers. + During the last five or six years two States have been + engaged in an unsuccessful attempt to exterminate English + sparrows by paying bounties for their heads. Michigan and + Illinois have each spent more than $50,000; but, although + millions of sparrows have been killed, the decrease in + numbers is hardly perceptible. A more general knowledge of + the habits of the English sparrow at the time the bird was + first introduced into the United States would not only have + saved this outlay of over $100,000, but would also have + saved many other States from loss due to depredations by + sparrows. + + Is it not worth while to do something to protect the birds + and prevent their destruction before it is too late? A + powerful influence for good can be exerted by the schools if + the teachers will only interest themselves in the movement, + and the benefit that will result to the pupils could hardly + be attained in any other way at so small an expenditure of + time. If it is deemed unwise to establish another holiday, + or it may seem too much to devote one day in the year to the + study of birds, the exercises of Bird Day might be combined + with those of Arbor Day. + + It is believed that Bird Day can be adopted with profit by + schools of all grades, and the subject is recommended to the + thoughtful attention of teachers and school superintendents + throughout the country, in the hope that they will cooeperate + with other agencies now at work to prevent the destruction + of our native birds. + +T. S. PALMER, + +_Acting Chief of Division_. + +Approved: + +CHAS. W. DABNEY, JR., + +WASHINGTON, D. C., July 2, 1896. + +The results of Bird Day are noticeable in the schools in which it has +been observed. The spirit of the schools has become fresher and +brighter. There has been more marked improvement in the composition +work and in the language of the pupils. Most of the children know the +names of many of our birds and considerable of their ways of life, and +wish to know more, and are their warm friends and protectors. The old +relations between the small boy and the birds have been entirely +changed. The birds themselves have been affected. They have become +much more numerous. Many that were formerly rare visitants now nest +freely in the shade trees of the city; for example, the orioles, the +grosbeaks, the scarlet tanagers, and even the wood thrushes, and their +nests are about as safe as the other homes. The children say that the +birds know about Bird Day, and have come to help it along. + +The correlation of the public library and the public schools is +assured in those towns where Bird Day has been introduced. If there +were no other result of this new day, the demand for healthful +literature would be enough. The call for Burroughs and Bradford +Torrey, Olive Thorne Miller, and the other writers of our out-of-doors +literature is so great as to attract attention in the libraries. In +fact, in one the writer knows well there is a constant and steady +demand, particularly from the boys. Frank Bolles is a great favorite +with them. The excursions to the woods have a new and aesthetic +interest. What would Emerson have thought when he wrote that matchless +bit-- + + Hast thou named all the birds, without a gun? + Loved the wood-rose and left it on its stalk? + +if he had known that the boys of another generation would be able to +answer as he would have liked to have them! + +The effect upon teachers is not less marked. The trip to the woods in +the early morning and at sunset, sometimes with the children and +sometimes in parties by themselves, has resulted in physical and +mental good. A new and charming relation has sprung up between +teachers and children. The tie of community of interests is a strong +one. A taste in common is always conducive to friendship. + +The surprising thing about this new departure in nature study is that +once taken up it will never be abandoned. There is something +fascinating in it. One may love trees and flowers, but their processes +and habits of growth are in a way unrelated to us; but our "little +brothers in feathers" are kin to us in their hopes and fears. + +"When I think," said a bright woman the other day, "that this summer I +have learned to know by plumage and by song twenty birds, and when I +realize the delight the knowledge has given me, I feel as if I ought +to go out as a missionary to the heathen women in my neighborhood." +She did not exaggerate the feeling of every bird lover. So much is +lost to life and good cheer by this ignorance. + +Now that the Bird Day idea is being taken up and spread by the United +States Government in the interests of economy, it will do much to +sweeten the lives of the coming generation. The natural impulse to +love and watch the birds will be encouraged instead of being +disregarded. + + Hast thou named all the birds, without a gun? + Loved the wood-rose, and left it on its stalk? + O, be my friend, and teach me to be thine! + +--EMERSON. + + No longer now the winged inhabitants + That in the woods their sweet lives sing away, + Flee from the form of man, but gather round, + And prune their feathers on the hands + Which little children stretch in friendly sport + Towards these dreadless partners of their play. + +--_Extract from_ SHELLEY'S _Queen Mab_. + + + + +PART II + +NOTES ON REPRESENTATIVE BIRDS + + + + +KINGBIRD (_Tyrannus tyrannus_) + +CALLED ALSO BEE BIRD, BEE MARTIN, AND TYRANT FLYCATCHER + + +Length, about eight and one-half inches; spread of wings, fourteen and +one-half inches. The upper parts of body are a blackish ash; top of +head, black; crown with a concealed patch of orange red; lower parts +pure white, tinged with pale bluish ash on the sides of the throat and +across the breast; sides of the breast and under the wings rather +lighter than the back; the wings dark brown, darkest towards the ends +of the quills; upper surface of the tail glossy black, the feathers +tipped with white. + +This bird is a common summer resident of the Middle States, where it +usually arrives the last of April. The name _tyrannus_ given to it is +descriptive of the character of the male, since during the breeding +season he is anxious to attack everything wearing feathers. His +particular aversion is hawks and crows, which he assails by mounting +above his adversary and making repeated and violent assaults upon his +head. He will even drive the eagle from his vicinity. + +The farmer could have no better protection for his corn fields than +the near-by nest of a pair of kingbirds. They eat some honeybees, but +for every bee thus taken they destroy ten noxious insects. They can be +easily frightened away from the vicinity of the hives without being +killed. + +The kingbird's nest is made of slender twigs, weed stalks, and +grasses, and is placed among the branches of trees, fifteen to +twenty-five feet from the ground. There are usually four or five eggs, +white, spotted with brown. They have generally two broods a year. + +[Illustration: KINGBIRD] + + + + +FLICKER (_Colaptes auratus_) + +CALLED ALSO YELLOW-HAMMER, PIGEON WOODPECKER, HITTOCK, AND YUCKER + + +Length, twelve and one-half inches; extent, about twelve inches. The +back and wings above are of a dark umber, cross marked with streaks of +black; parts surrounding the eyes, a bright cinnamon color; upper part +of head, dark gray; strip of black on each side of the throat about +one inch long; a narrow crescent-shaped spot of a vivid red upon the +back of the head. The breast is ornamented with a broad crescent of +black; under parts of the body, white, tinged with yellow, and having +many round spots of black; the lower side of the wing and tail, a +beautiful golden yellow; the rump, white. + +This bird may be easily distinguished by the white rump and the bright +yellow under the wings seen in flight. + +Its food consists largely of wood lice, ants, of which it is very +fond, and of other insects which it finds upon the ground or upon +trees. The female differs from the male in appearance, the black +strips upon the sides of the throat being very indistinct or wanting +entirely. + +The flicker's nest, like those of other woodpeckers, may be found in +maples, oaks, apple trees, and occasionally pines or birches. They are +more frequently built in clusters of trees than in exposed places, and +from ten to thirty feet from the ground. The male has been noticed +coming to the ground and throwing chips about, so that the +nest-building might not be observed. The eggs are plain white. + +[Illustration: FLICKER] + + + + +RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (_Melanerpes erythrocephalus_) + + +Length, nine and one-half inches; extent, eighteen inches. The head +and neck are crimson; a narrow crescent of black on the upper part of +the breast; back, outer part of the wings, and tail, black glossed +with blue; rump, lower part of the back, inner part of the wings, and +the whole under parts, from the breast downwards, white; legs and +feet, bluish green; claws, light blue. Like all woodpeckers, the tail +feathers are sharp and stiff and help the bird to sustain itself upon +the tree. It can strike hard blows with its bill, and drill into the +hardest wood with rapidity and apparent ease. It will locate +accurately the position of a grub or an insect that is within the wood +of a tree, drill a hole to the inmate, and pull it out with its long, +sticky tongue. The female is like the male in appearance, except that +her colors are somewhat fainter. Woodpeckers as a class are +beneficial, and do much to preserve trees from destructive insects. + +The red-headed woodpecker builds its nest at the bottom of a tunnel in +a tree, dug by other birds, or adapted to use from an already existing +cavity. The nest is a mere heap of soft, decaying wood, more attention +being paid by the bird to securing protection against rain than in +having the nest clean and nice. The eggs are white, speckled with +reddish brown, and are usually six in number. + +[Illustration: RED-HEADED WOODPECKER] + + + + +BLUE JAY (_Cyanocitta cristata_) + + +Length, twelve inches; extent, seventeen inches. The head is crested; +crest and upper back are a light purplish blue; wings and tail, bright +blue; a collar of black proceeds from the hind part of the head, +gracefully curving down each side of the neck to the upper part of the +breast, where it forms a crescent; the chin, throat, and under parts +are white or slightly tinged with blue; the tail is long and composed +of twelve feathers marked with cross curves of black, each feather +being tipped with white, except the two middle ones, which are a dark +purple at the ends. The legs and bill are black. + +The nest of the blue jay is large and clumsily made, and is placed +high in the branches of tall trees, the cedar being preferred. It is +lined with fine, fibrous roots. The eggs are four or five in number, +of a dull olive, spotted with brown. + +[Illustration: BLUE JAY] + + + + +BOBOLINK (_Dolichonyx oryzivorus_) + +CALLED ALSO RICEBIRD, REEDBIRD, AND BOBLINCOLN + + +Length, seven and one-fourth inches; extent, twelve and one-fourth +inches. The female is a little smaller than the male. The male has the +top and sides of the head and under parts black; large yellowish patch +on the back of the neck; middle of back is streaked with buff; lower +part of the back and upper tail feathers, grayish white; wings and +tail, black; the bill is short, conical, and is blue black. The tail +feathers are sharp-pointed and stiff like a woodpecker's. The female +has the upper parts olive buff streaked with black; yellowish beneath; +two stripes on the top of head; wings and tail, brownish; tail +feathers with pointed tips. In the autumn the male puts on a dress +similar to that of the female, the colors being a little more +pronounced. + +The nest is built on the ground, of grasses. It contains from four to +seven grayish eggs, spotted with blotches of brown. + +[Illustration: BOBOLINK] + + + + +RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (_Agelaius phoeniceus_) + +CALLED ALSO AMERICAN REDWING, MARSH BLACKBIRD, AND SWAMP BLACKBIRD + + +Length, nine and one-half inches; spread of wings, fifteen and +one-fourth inches. The male is of a uniform black, which glistens in +the sunshine; shoulders bright scarlet bordered with brownish yellow; +bill, legs, and feet black. The female is smaller than the male, and +differs greatly from him in appearance. She is dark brown above, +streaked with lighter and darker shades; below, gray streaked with +brown; throat and edge of wing tinged with pink or yellow, but mostly +pink in the summer. The young male at first resembles the female, but +may soon be recognized by black feathers appearing in patches. + +The nests, which are composed chiefly of coarse grasses lined with +finer grass, are built upon the ground or in low bushes. Those built +in bushes are compact, the others are generally loosely made. The eggs +number four to six, spotted and lined with black and brown. + +[Illustration: RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD] + + + + +MEADOW LARK (_Sturnella magna_) + +CALLED ALSO FIELD LARK + + +Length of male, ten and one-half inches; spread of wings, sixteen +inches. The female is smaller. The feathers above are dark brown, with +transverse dark brown bars across the wings and tail; the outer tail +feathers, white; the throat, breast, under parts and edge of wing, +bright yellow. A yellow spot extends from the nostril to the eye. The +breast has a large black crescent, the points of which reach halfway +up the neck; hind toes long, its claws twice as long as the middle +one. The female is like the male, but duller in color. + +Their food is various forms of insects, beetles, grasshoppers, +cutworms, larvae, sometimes varied by the seeds of grasses and weeds, +wild cherries, and berries. + +The nest is built upon the ground, of dried grasses, carefully +concealed in tufts of grass. The eggs are oval, usually five in +number; they are white, dotted with reddish brown. Both sexes engage +in building the nest. + +[Illustration: MEADOW LARK] + + + + +BALTIMORE ORIOLE (_Icterus galbula_) + +CALLED ALSO GOLDEN ROBIN, FIREBIRD, AND HANGBIRD + + +Length, about eight inches; extent, twelve and one-half inches. The +head, throat, and upper part of the back are black; the lower part of +the back, the breast, and forward part of the wing are a brilliant +orange. The base of the middle tail feathers is orange, the ends +black; all the others are orange, with a black band in the middle. The +female is smaller, and colors are not so bright. + +The nest is composed of various materials, such as grasses, plant +fibers, hairs, strings, which are capable of being interwoven. It is +suspended near the end of a limb. The eggs are commonly five in +number. They are whitish and variously marked with black and brown +spots and lines. + +[Illustration: BALTIMORE ORIOLE] + + + + +SONG SPARROW (_Melospiza fasciata_) + + +Length, a little over six inches; extent, about eight and one-half +inches. General color of the upper parts brown streaked with black, +gray, and different shades of brown; no white wing bars; the crown +dull brown, with a faint grayish line in the middle; white line over +the eye; under parts whitish with numerous dark brown streaks on the +neck, breast, and sides; a conspicuous black spot in the middle of the +breast; bill, legs, and feet are brownish. The female is the same as +the male. + +The nest is composed of grasses, lined with finer grass. It is built +in a low bush or on the ground. The eggs vary greatly both in size and +in markings. They are generally five in number, and are greenish or +bluish white, variously spotted with brown. These birds raise two and +sometimes three broods. + +Not to know the song sparrow is to miss one of the delights of +summer. + +[Illustration: SONG SPARROW] + + + + +GOLDFINCH (_Spinus tristis_) + +CALLED ALSO YELLOWBIRD, THISTLE-BIRD, AND WILD CANARY + + +Length, five and one-fourth inches; extent, nearly nine inches. The +back and under parts are bright yellow; wings and crown cap, black; +tips of the wing and tail feathers, white on their inner webs. The +male in autumn loses his black cap, and his bright yellow parts change +to a dull brownish yellow similar to the female; the wings and tail, +however, remain darker and the white markings are more noticeable than +those of the female. The female has no black cap; the wings and tail +are dusky, marked with white as in the male; lower parts, yellowish +gray; upper parts inclining to olive. + +The nest is cup-shaped, composed of plant fibers, lined with downy +substances. The eggs are usually five in number, white or faintly +bluish. + +[Illustration: GOLDFINCH] + + + + +ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (_Habia Ludoviciana_) + + +Length, eight inches; extent, thirteen inches. Back, throat, and head +are black; breast and under wings, rose-red; wings, black; rump, white +tipped with black. The female is about the same size as the male. Her +upper parts are brown, margined with buff and pale brown, with whitish +line over the eye; wings and tail, dark gray; feathers of the fore +wing tipped with white; under parts yellowish, streaked with brown. + +The nest is a thin, flat structure made of dried grasses and small +twigs. The eggs are greenish white with brown spots; they are usually +four in number. These birds are said to be great destroyers of potato +bugs. + +[Illustration: ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK] + + + + +CEDAR BIRD (_Ampelis cedrorum_) + +CALLED ALSO CHERRY BIRD, AMERICAN WAXWING, AND CANADIAN ROBIN + + +Length, seven and one-fourth inches; extent, about twelve inches. The +head is crested; general color, grayish brown; forehead, chin, and a +line through the eye, black; tail and wings, gray; tail tipped with +yellow; some of the shorter wing feathers are tipped with small oblong +beads of red, resembling sealing wax. + +These birds are fond of cherries and berries. The fruit grower can +protect his interests by planting some choke cherries, mulberries, and +mountain ash trees at the edges of his orchard. Cedar birds destroy +great quantities of insects, and are entitled to a part of the fruit +which they have helped to save. + +The nest is large and loosely made of strips of bark, leaves, grasses, +sometimes of mud, lined with finer materials. The eggs are usually +five in number, dull gray spotted with black and brown. + +[Illustration: CEDAR BIRD] + + + + +BROWN THRUSH (_Harporhynchus rufus_) + +CALLED ALSO BROWN THRASHER + + +Length, eleven and one-fourth inches; extent, thirteen inches; tail, +five and one-half inches long. The iris is yellow; upper parts, +reddish or cinnamon brown; lower parts, white; feathers of middle wing +edged with white; the breast and sides strongly spotted with dark +brown. + +The nest is a carelessly made, bulky affair, composed of rootlets, +strips of bark, twigs, leaves, and other material. It is generally +poorly concealed in some low tree or even in the corner of a fence. +For this reason it is frequently broken up. The eggs, four or five in +number, are brownish mottled with darker brown. During the nesting +season the bird at morning and in the afternoon ascends to the tops of +trees and pours forth his wonderful song. He has even been thought to +be "showing off," for he will sing almost as long as any one will stay +to listen; but he is probably attracting attention to himself in order +to detract it from his nest, which is always somewhere within the +circle of his song. + +[Illustration: BROWN THRUSH] + + + + +CHICKADEE (_Parus atricapillus_) + +CALLED ALSO BLACKCAP TITMOUSE + + +Length, five and one-half inches; extent, eight inches. The general +color of back is ashy; the top of head, throat, and chin black; no +crest; under parts, whitish with buff on the sides; wing and tail +feathers edged with white; legs, bluish gray; bill, black. The song of +this bird is an oft-repeated _chick-a-dee_, from which it takes its +name. Its call consists of two high notes, the first one a third above +the second, which may be easily imitated, and the bird attracted to +the vicinity of the person answering his call. + +Its nest is made of grasses and feathers, placed in a hole in a stump +or tree; frequently in the deserted cavity made by a woodpecker. The +eggs, six or seven, are white, spotted with brown about the larger +end. + +[Illustration: CHICKADEE] + + + + +CATBIRD (_Galeoscoptes Carolinensis_) + + +Length, nine inches; extent, eleven and one-half inches. The general +color is dark slate, somewhat lighter beneath; top of the head and +tail, black; under side of tail near the base, chestnut; bill and +feet, black; eye, brown. The female is like the male, but smaller. As +a musician, this bird closely approaches the brown thrush. There are +great differences in individual singers. + +The nest is bulky, composed of twigs, rootlets, dead leaves, strips of +bark, etc. Strips of grapevine bark are quite commonly used, some +nests being constructed almost wholly of this material. The eggs are +generally four in number and of a greenish blue, unmarked. + +[Illustration: CATBIRD] + + + + +BLUEBIRD (_Sialia sialis_) + + +Length, six and one-half inches; extent, twelve and one-half inches. +The upper parts, wings, and tail are bright blue; sides of the head +and upper part of chin also blue; throat, breast, and sides, reddish +brown; abdomen and under side of tail, white; legs and bill, blackish; +eye, brown. The female is similarly marked, but the colors are duller. + +The bluebird's song is a continued pleasing, rich warble. + +The nest is loosely built of grasses, feathers, and soft material, in +holes of trees, in hollows of posts, or in bird boxes. The eggs are +light blue and are four or five in number. + +[Illustration: BLUEBIRD] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bird Day; How to prepare for it, by +Charles Almanzo Babcock + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRD DAY; HOW TO PREPARE FOR IT *** + +***** This file should be named 21266.txt or 21266.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/2/6/21266/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Sankar Viswanathan, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by the Library of Congress) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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