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diff --git a/25874.txt b/25874.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f158f2a --- /dev/null +++ b/25874.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1826 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photograph +[April, 1897], by Various + +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: Birds Illustrated by Color Photograph [April, 1897] + A Monthly Serial designed to Promote Knowledge of Bird-Life + +Author: Various + +Release Date: June 22, 2008 [EBook #25874] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + Transcriber's Notes: + 1) Title added. + 2) Characters following ^ are supercripted. + + * * * * * + + + + + BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY + + Vol. One APRIL, 1897 No. 4 + + + * * * * * + + + + + FROM: THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. + + _STATE OF NEW YORK_ + _Department of Public Instruction_ + _SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE_ + + _Albany_ December 26, 1896. + + [Illustration: (seal)] + _Stenographic Letter_ + Dictated by __________ + + + W. E. Watt, President &c., + Fisher Building, + 277 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill. + + My dear Sir: + + Please accept my thanks for a copy of the first publication of "Birds." + Please enter my name as a regular subscriber. It is one of the most + beautiful and interesting publications yet attempted in this direction. + It has other attractions in addition to its beauty, and it must win its + way to popular favor. + + Wishing the handsome little magazine abundant prosperity, + I remain + + Yours very respectfully, + [signature] + State Superintendent. + + + * * * * * + + + + + Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Ry. + THE + +-----------------+ + | #MONON ROUTE# | + +-----------------+ + + PROVIDES FOR ITS PATRONS + + Every Accommodation and Comfort + Known to Modern Railroading + + Luxurious Parlor and Dining Cars by Day + Palace Buffet Sleeping Cars by Night + + SOLID VESTIBULED TRAINS DAILY BETWEEN + + CHICAGO + INDIANAPOLIS ALL POINTS + CINCINNATI AND SOUTH + LOUISVILLE + + FAST TRAINS, ALWAYS ON TIME, AND FEW STOPS + Illuminated by Pintsch Light + + Stop over at Mammoth Cave on the way to Chattanooga, or to the + NASHVILLE CENTENNIAL + + ONLY LINE TO THE FAMOUS HEALTH RESORTS + West Baden and French Lick Springs + "THE CARLSBAD OF AMERICA" + + HOTELS OPEN THE YEAR ROUND + + +--------------------------------+ + | THROUGH SLEEPERS DAILY | + | FROM CHICAGO | + | TO WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE. | + +--------------------------------+ + + W. H. McDOEL, + Vice-Pres't and Gen'l Manager. + + CHAS. H. ROCKWELL, + Traffic Manager. + + FRANK J. REED, + Gen'l Passenger Agent. + + GENERAL OFFICES: 198 Custom House Place, CHICAGO. + + Please mention "BIRDS" when you write to advertisers. + + + + + +----------------------------+ + | #A. REED & SONS PIANOS.# | + +----------------------------+ + + Manufactured under patents granted by the governments of the + United States, England, Germany, France and Canada. + + #A New and Scientific + Method of Piano + Construction# + + FREE SOUNDING BOARD, VIBRATION BAR, STRINGS + RESTING ON ALUMINUM WHEELS, ANTI-MOISTURE + PIN BLOCK, LATERAL + PEDALS + + #Grand Diploma and Medal of Honor# + Awarded at Columbian World's Exposition, 1893 + + Only American Piano receiving mention in the Official Report + to the German Government + + #A. REED & SONS# + No. 5 Adams Street ... CHICAGO + + Illustrated Catalogues ... + containing full explanation Mailed Free. + + Please mention "BIRDS" when you write to advertisers. + + + + + NOW READY. + #THE STORY OF THE BIRDS.# + + By JAMES NEWTON BASKETT. + Edited by Dr. W. T. Harris, U. S. Com'r of Education. + + TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + CHAPTER + I.--A Bird's Forefathers. + II.--How did the Birds First Fly, Perhaps? + III.--A Bird's Fore Leg. + IV.--Why did the Birds put on Soft Raiment? + V.--The Cut of a Bird's Frock. + VI.--About a Bird's Underwear. + VII.--A Bird's Outer Wrap. + VIII.--A Bird's New Suit. + IX.--"Putting on Paint and Frills" among the Birds. + X.--Color Calls among the Birds. + XI.--War and Weapons among the Birds. + XII.--Antics and Odor among the Birds. + XIII.--The Meaning of Music among Birds. + XIV.--Freaks of Bachelors and Benedicts in Feathers. + XV.--Step-Parents among Birds. + XVI.--Why did Birds begin to Incubate? + XVII.--Why do the Birds Build So. + XVIII.--Fastidious Nesting Habits of a few Birds. + XIX.--What Mean the Markings and Shapes of Bird's Eggs? + XX.--Why Two Kinds of Nestlings? + XXI.--How Some Baby Birds are Fed. + XXII.--How Some Grown-Up Birds get a Living. + XXIII.--Tools and Tasks among the Birds. + XXIV.--How a Bird Goes to Bed. + XXV.--A Little Talk on Bird's Toes. + XXVI.--The Way of a Bird in the Air. + XXVII.--How and Why do Birds Travel? + XXVIII.--What a Bird knows about Geography and Arithmetic. + XXIX.--Profit and Loss in the Birds. + XXX.--A Bird's Modern Kinsfolk. + XXXI.--An Introduction to the Bird. + XXXII.--Acquaintance with the Bird. + + 1 vol. 12mo. 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Steam engineering a specialty. Call or address, + INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, + 151 Throop St., Chicago. + + + + + [Illustration: SEWING MACHINE CLOSED] + + #$9.00 For 30 Days Only# + Buys the OXFORD Improved High Arm Sewing Machine, with a complete set of + attachments and guaranteed for 10 years. This elegant High-Grade Folding + Table Cabinet Oxford Sewing Machine sent to your own home on 80 DAYS + FREE TRIAL, no money required in advance. 75,000 now in use. World's + Fair Medal awarded. Silver Tea Set FREE. Buy from factory and save + Dealer's and Agent's profits. Write to-day for free catalogue. Address + OXFORD MDSE. CO., 300 Wabash Ave., CHICAGO, ILL. + + + + + Stays lit. Don't jolt or blow out. "Out shines them all." + Standard in fame, standard in name. + + [Illustration] + + #Standard Cycle Lamp.# + + For sale by all Sundries dealers. + + Made by + Standard Carriage Lamp Co. + Chicago. + + 43 S. Canal. + + + Please mention "BIRDS" when you write to advertisers. + + + * * * * * + + + + + [Illustration: ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. + 9/16 Life-size.] + +THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. + + +This is an American bird, and has been described under various names by +various authors. It is found in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, in the +state of New York, and in New England, particularly in autumn, when the +berries of the sour gum are ripe, on the kernels of which it eagerly +feeds. As a singer it has few superiors. It frequently sings at night, +and even all night, the notes being extremely clear and mellow. It does +not acquire its full colors until at least the second spring or summer. +It is found as far east as Nova Scotia, as far west as Nebraska, and +winters in great numbers in Guatemala. This Grosbeak is common in +southern Indiana, northern Illinois, and western Iowa. It is usually +seen in open woods, on the borders of streams, but frequently sings in +the deep recesses of forests. In Mr. Nuttall's opinion this species has +no superior in song, except the Mocking Bird. + +The Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks arrive in May and nest early in June. They +build in low trees on the edges of woods, frequently in small groves on +the banks of streams. The nest is coarsely built of waste stubble, +fragments of leaves, and stems of plants, intermingled with and +strengthened by twigs and coarser stems. It is eight inches wide, and +three and a half high, with a cavity three inches in diameter and one in +depth, being quite shallow for so large a nest. + +Dr. Hoy, of Racine, states that on the 15th of June, within six miles of +that city, he found seven nests, all within a space of not over five +acres, and he was assured that each year they resort to the same +locality and nest in this social manner. Six of these nests were in +thorn-trees, all were within six to ten feet of the ground, near the +center of the top. Three of the four parent birds sitting on the nests +were males. When a nest was disturbed, all the neighboring Grosbeaks +gathered and appeared equally interested. + +It is frequently observed early in the month of March, making its way +eastward. At this period it passes at a considerable height in the air. +On the banks of the Schuylkill, early in May, it has been seen feeding +on the tender buds of trees. It eats various kinds of food, such as +hemp-seed, insects, grasshoppers, and crickets with peculiar relish. It +eats flies and wasps, and great numbers of these pests are destroyed by +its strong bill. During bright moonshiny nights the Grosbeak sings +sweetly, but not loudly. In the daytime, when singing, it has the habit +of vibrating its wings, in the manner of the Mocking-bird. + +The male takes turns with his mate in sitting on the eggs. He is so +happy when on the nest that he sings loud and long. His music is +sometimes the cause of great mourning in the lovely family because it +tells the egg hunter where to find the precious nest. + + + + +THE CANADA JAY. + + +I don't believe I shall let this bird talk to you, boys and girls, for +I'm afraid he will not tell you what a funny fellow he is. Isn't he a +queer looking bird? See how ruffled up his feathers are. He looks as +though he forgot to fix up, just as some little boys forget to comb +their hair before going to school. + +Well, to tell the truth, he is a very careless bird and does very funny +things sometimes. He can't be trusted. + +Just listen to some of the names that people give him--"Meat Bird," +"Camp Robber." I think you can guess why he is called those names. + +Hunters say that he is the boldest of birds, and I think they are right, +for what bird would dare to go right into a tent and carry off things to +eat. + +A hunter thought he would play a joke on one of these birds. He had a +small paper sack of crackers in the bottom of his boat. The Jay flew +down, helped himself to a cracker and flew away with it to his nest. +While he was gone the hunter tied up the mouth of the bag. + +In a few moments the Jay was back for more. When he saw he could not get +into the bag, he just picked it up and carried it off. The joke was on +the hunter after all. Look at him. Doesn't he look bold enough to do +such a trick? + +Look back at your February number of "BIRDS" and see if he is anything +like the Blue Jay. + +He is not afraid of the snow and often times he and his mate have built +their nest, and the eggs are laid while there is still snow on the +ground. Do you know of any other birds who build their nests so early? + +There is one thing about this bird which we all admire--he is always +busy, never idle; so we will forgive him for his funny tricks. + + + + + [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. + CANADA JAY.] + +THE CANADA JAY. + + +Many will recognize the Canada Jay by his local names, of which he has a +large assortment. He is called by the guides and lumbermen of the +Adirondack wilderness, "Whisky Jack" or "Whisky John," a corruption of +the Indian name, "Wis-ka-tjon," "Moose Bird," "Camp Robber," "Hudson Bay +Bird," "Caribou Bird," "Meat Bird," "Grease Bird," and "Venison Heron." +To each of these names his characteristics have well entitled him. + +The Canada Jay is found only in the more northern parts of the United +States, where it is a resident and breeds. In northern Maine and +northern Minnesota it is most common; and it ranges northward through +the Dominion of Canada to the western shores of Hudson Bay, and to the +limit of timber within the Arctic Circle east of the Rocky Mountains. + +Mr. Manly Hardy, in a special bulletin of the Smithsonian Institution, +says, "They are the boldest of our birds, except the Chickadee, and in +cool impudence far surpass all others. They will enter the tents, and +often alight on the bow of a canoe, where the paddle at every stroke +comes within eighteen inches of them. I know nothing which can be eaten +that they will not take, and I had one steal all my candles, pulling +them out endwise, one by one, from a piece of birch bark in which they +were rolled, and another pecked a large hole in a keg of castile soap. A +duck which I had picked and laid down for a few minutes had the entire +breast eaten out by one or more of these birds. I have seen one alight +in the middle of my canoe and peck away at the carcass of a beaver I +had skinned. They often spoil deer saddles by pecking into them near the +kidneys. They do great damage to the trappers by stealing the bait from +traps set for martens and minks, and by eating trapped game. They will +sit quietly and see you build a log trap and bait it, and then, almost +before your back is turned, you hear their hateful "Ca-ca-ca," as they +glide down and peer into it. They will work steadily, carrying off meat +and hiding it. I have thrown out pieces, and watched one to see how much +he would carry off. He flew across a wide stream and in a short time +looked as bloody as a butcher from carrying large pieces; but his +patience held out longer than mine. I think one would work as long as +Mark Twain's California Jay did trying to fill a miner's cabin with +acorns through a knot hole in the roof. They are fond of the berries of +the mountain ash, and, in fact, few things come amiss; I believe they do +not possess a single good quality except industry." + +Its flight is slow and laborious, while it moves on the ground and in +trees with a quickness and freedom equal to that of our better known +Bluejay. + +The nesting season begins early, before the snow has disappeared, and +therefore comparatively little is known about its breeding habits. It is +then silent and retiring and is seldom seen or heard. The nest is quite +large, made of twigs, fibres, willow bark, and the down of the +cottonwood tree, and lined with finer material. The eggs, so far as is +known, number three or four. They are of a pale gray color, flecked and +spotted over the surface with brown, slate gray, and lavender. + + + + +THE PURPLE GALLINULE. + + +Purple Gallinules are found in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and +casually northward as far as Maine, New York, Wisconsin, and south +throughout the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and northern South +America to Brazil. The bird pictured was caught in the streets of +Galveston, Texas, and presented to Mr. F. M. Woodruff, of the Chicago +Academy of Sciences. Gallinules live in marshy districts, and some of +them might even be called water-fowls. They usually prefer sedgy lakes, +large swampy morasses and brooks, or ponds and rivers well stocked with +vegetation. They are not social in disposition, but show attachment to +any locality of which they have taken possession, driving away other +birds much larger and stronger than themselves. They are tenderly +attached to their little ones and show great affection for each other. +The nest is always built among, or near the water plants of which they +are fond. It is about eight inches thick and fifteen to eighteen inches +in diameter, and is placed from a foot to two feet out of water among +the heavy rushes. The Purple Gallinule is known to build as many as five +or six sham nests, a trait which is not confined to the Wren family. +From four to twelve smooth shelled and spotted eggs are laid, and the +nestlings when first hatched are clad in dark colored down. On leaving +the nest they, accompanied by their parents, seek a more favorable +situation until after the moulting season. Half fluttering and half +running, they are able to make their way over a floating surface of +water-plants. They also swim with facility, as they are aquatic, having +swimming membranes on their feet, and while vegetable feeders to some +extent, they dive for food. It is noted that some Gallinules, when +young, crawl on bushes by wing claws. The voice somewhat resembles the +cackling or clucking of a hen. It eats the tender shoots of young corn, +grass, and various kinds of grain. When the breeding season approaches, +the mated pairs generally resort to rice fields, concealing themselves +among the reeds and rushes. Mr. Woodruff noted that when the railway +trains pass through the over-flowed districts about Galveston, the birds +fly up along the track in large multitudes. + +The Purple Gallinules are stoutly built birds, with a high and strong +bill, and their remarkably long toes, which enable them to walk readily +over the water plants, are frequently employed to hold the food, very +much in the manner of a parrot, while eating. + + O, purple-breasted Gallinule + Why should thy beauty cause thee fear? + Why should the huntsman seek to fool + Thy innocence, and bring thee near + His deadly tool of fire and lead? + Thou holdest high thy stately head! + Would that the hunter might consent + To leave thee in thy sweet content.--C. C. M. + + [Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. + PURPLE GALLINULE.] + + + + + [Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. + SMITH'S LONGSPUR.] + +SMITH'S PAINTED LONGSPUR. + + +Smith's Painted Longspur is usually considered a rare bird in the middle +west, but a recent observer found it very common in the fields. He saw +twenty-five on October 3rd of last year. They were associated with a +large flock of Lapland Longspurs. On account of its general resemblance +to the latter species it is often overlooked. It is found in the +interior of North America from the Arctic coast to Illinois and Texas, +breeding far north, where it has a thick, fur-lined, grass nest, set in +moss on the ground. Like the Lapland Longspur, it is only a winter +visitor. It is not so generally distributed as that species, the +migrations being wholly confined to the open prairie districts. Painted +Longspurs are generally found in large flocks, and when once on the +ground begin to sport. They run very nimbly, and when they arise utter a +sharp click, repeated several times in quick succession, and move with +an easy undulating motion for a short distance, when they alight very +suddenly, seeming to fall perpendicularly several feet to the ground. +They prefer the roots where the grass is shortest. When in the air they +fly in circles, to and fro, for a few minutes, and then alight, keeping +up a constant chirping or call. They seem to prefer the wet portions of +the prairie. In the breeding seasons the Longspur's song has much of +charm, and is uttered like the Skylark's while soaring. The Longspur is +a ground feeder, and the mark of his long hind claw, or spur, can often +be seen in the new snow. In 1888 the writer saw a considerable flock of +Painted Longspurs feeding along the Niagara river near Fort Erie, +Canada. + +The usual number of eggs found in a nest is four or five, and the nests, +for the most part, are built of fine dry grasses, carefully arranged and +lined with down, feathers, or finer materials similar to those of the +outer portions. They are sometimes sunk in an excavation made by the +birds, or in a tuft of grass, and in one instance, placed in the midst +of a bed of Labrador tea. When the nest is approached, the female +quietly slips off, while the male bird may be seen hopping or flying +from tree to tree in the neighborhood of the nest and doing all he can +to induce intruders to withdraw from the neighborhood. The eggs have a +light clay-colored ground, marked with obscure blotches of lavender and +darker lines, dots, and blotches of purplish brown. The Longspur is a +strong flier, and seems to delight in breasting the strongest gales, +when all the other birds appear to move with difficulty, and to keep +themselves concealed among the grass. While the colors of adult males +are very different in the Longspur family, the females have a decided +resemblance. The markings of the male are faintly indicated, but the +black and buff are wanting. + + + + +THE AMERICAN CROSS BILL. + + +American Crossbills are notable for their small size, being considered +and described as dwarfs of the family. Their food consists exclusively +of pine, fir, and larch, which accounts for the fact that they are more +numerous in Northern latitudes where these trees abound. When the cones +are abundant they visit in great numbers many places where they have not +been for years, appearing at irregular intervals, and not confining +themselves to particular localities. + +They are very social even during the nesting season. Their nests are +built among the branches of the fir trees, and there they disport +themselves gaily, climbing nimbly, and assisting their movements, as +parrots do, with their beaks. They will hang downward for minutes +clinging to a twig or cone, seeming to enjoy this apparently +uncomfortable position. They fly rapidly, but never to a great distance. +"The pleasure they experience in the society of their mates is often +displayed by fluttering over the tops of the trees as they sing, after +which they hover for a time, and then sink slowly to their perch. In the +day time they are generally in motion, with the exception of a short +time at noon. During the spring, summer and autumn they pass their time +in flying from one plantation to another." + +The Crossbill troubles itself but little about the other inhabitants of +the woods, and is said to be almost fearless of man. Should the male +lose his mate, he will remain sorrowfully perched upon the branch from +which his little companion has fallen; again and again visit the spot in +the hope of finding her; indeed it is only after repeated proofs that +she will never return that he begins to show any symptoms of shyness. + +In feeding the Crossbill perches upon a cone with its head downwards, or +lays the cone upon a branch and stands upon it, holding it fast with his +sharp, strong pointed claws. Sometimes it will bite off a cone and carry +it to a neighboring bough, or to another tree where it can be opened, +for a suitable spot is not to be found on every branch. + +The nest is formed of pine twigs, lined with feathers, soft grass, and +the needle-like leaves of the fir tree. Three or four eggs of a grayish +or bluish white color, streaked with faint blood red, reddish brown, or +bluish brown spots, are generally laid. + +The following poem is quite a favorite among bird lovers, and is one of +those quaint legends that will never die. + + + THE LEGEND OF THE CROSSBILL. + From the German of Julius Mosen, by Longfellow. + + On the cross the dying Saviour + Heavenward lifts his eyelids calm, + Feels, but scarcely feels, a trembling + In his pierced and bleeding palm. + + And by all the world forsaken, + Sees he how with zealous care + At the ruthless nail of iron + A little bird is striving there. + + Stained with blood and never tiring, + With its beak it doth not cease, + From the cross it would free the Saviour, + Its Creator's son release. + + And the Saviour speaks in mildness: + "Blest be thou of all the good! + Bear, as token of this moment, + Marks of blood and holy rood!" + + And that bird is called the Crossbill, + Covered all with blood so clear, + In the groves of pine it singeth, + Songs, like legends, strange to hear. + + [Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. + AMERICAN RED CROSSBILL.] + + + + +BIRD DAY IN THE SCHOOLS. + + +Bird Day! Have you heard of it? Whether you have or not, we wish to +assure you that it is worthy the thoughtful consideration of all +teachers, and of all others interested in protecting and preserving our +sweet birds. + +Bird day has already proved a great success in two cities of the United +States, both in the enthusiasm shown by the children in their friendly +study of birds and in the result of such study. + +In 1894, Oil City, Pa., observed the day, and in 1896 it was celebrated +in the schools of Fort Madison, Iowa. + +Of the results in his schools, Supt. Babcock, of Oil City, says, "There +has been a complete change in the relations existing between the small +boy and the birds." + +Although we in Fort Madison have been engaged in bird study less than a +year, and have observed but one BIRD DAY, results similar to those +secured by Supt. Babcock are becoming manifest. Only a few days ago a +boy said to his teacher, "I used to take pleasure in killing all kinds +of birds. Now I don't wish to harm even an English Sparrow." + +The object of BIRD DAY and the study that leads to it, is to diffuse a +true knowledge of the aesthetic and practical value of birds and to +arouse an interest in bird protection. + +And it is high time that something be done. From all over the country +come reports of a decrease in native birds. In many places some of our +sweetest songsters and most useful insect destroyers have become very +scarce or have disappeared entirely. The causes are many, but the +greatest is an inexcusable thoughtlessness on the part of young and old +of both sexes. Johnny teases for a gun. His fond parents get it for him. +Result--Johnny shows his marksmanship by shooting several birds in his +vicinity. Or, perhaps, the ladies need new hats. Nothing except birds +for trimming will do, though ten thousand sweet songs be hushed forever. + +The study of bird life is one of especial interest to children and if +properly pursued will develop in them sympathetic characters that should +make them kinder towards their playmates now and towards their +fellow-men in the coming years. + +Impress upon a child that + + "He liveth best who loveth best + All things, both great and small," + +and you have built into his life something that shall shine forth in +good deeds through countless ages. + +And how go about this work? The limit of space allotted this article +forbids a full answer. Briefly,--study the birds themselves. Get a boy +aroused to a friendly, protective interest in one bird and you have +probably made that boy a friend of all birds. If you are a teacher, take +your little flock out early some bright, Spring morning and let them +listen to + +[Continued on page 138.] + + + + +THE CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER. + + +I may not be as pretty a bird as my red-headed cousin but I'm just as +busy. My home is in the west among the pines on the mountains. I do not +visit the east at all. + +Of course I like insects and fruits just as my relations do, but I like +best to eat acorns. You know, if I left the acorns on the trees and just +got enough to eat at one time, after a while I would have a hard time +finding any. They would drop off and roll away and get lost among the +leaves and grasses. What would you do if you were I? + +I have a very sharp bill, you see. So I can peck and peck at the tree +until I have made a hole which will hold an acorn. Sometimes I fill my +store house quite full in this way. You can see how they look in the +picture. When I want to get at the meat in the acorn I drive the nut +into a crack and split the shell. Then I have my breakfast easily +enough. + +Some of the other birds like acorns too--but I think they should find +and store away their own and not try to take mine. I do not like to +quarrel and so have many friends. + +Then I have my nest to look after. I make it as my cousin does, by +digging into a tree, first a passage way or hall--then a living-room. +There are the four or five white eggs and there too soon are the little +baby-birds to be taken care of. Now, have I not a great deal of work? Do +you not think I am quite as busy as my cousin? + + + + + [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. + CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER.] + +THE CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER. + + +This fine specimen of the Woodpecker is by far the most sociable +representative of the family in the United States, and it is no unusual +occurrence to see half a dozen or more in a single tree. It is also a +well disposed bird, and seldom quarrels or fights with its own kind, or +with smaller birds, but it attacks intruders on its winter stores with +such vigor and persistence that they are compelled to vacate the +premises in a hurry. Its manner of flight and call notes closely +resemble those of the Red-Headed Woodpecker, and, like it, it loves to +cling to some dead limb near the top of a tree and drum for hours at a +time. It is one of the most restless of birds, and never appears to be +at a loss for amusement, and no other bird belonging to this family +could possibly be more industrious. + +During the Spring and Summer its food consists, to some extent, of +insects, including grasshoppers, ants, beetles, and flies--varied with +cherries, apples, figs, berries and green corn. Acorns form its +principal food during the greater portion of the year. Of these it +stores away large numbers in the thick bark of pines, in partly rotten +limbs of oak trees, telegraph poles, and fence posts. A writer in the +"Auk" says of its habits: "It is essentially a bird of the pines, only +occasionally descending to the cotton woods of low valleys. The oaks, +which are scattered through the lower pine zone, supply a large share of +its food. Its habit of hoarding food is well known, and these stores are +the source of unending quarrels with its numerous feathered enemies. I +have laid its supplies under contribution myself, when short of +provisions and lost from the command on which I had been traveling, by +filling my saddlebags with half-dried acorns from under the loose bark +of a dead pine." + +The California Woodpecker is found in western Mexico, northern Lower +California, and north through California into western Oregon. So far as +is known the eastern limit of its range is the Santa Fe Mountains. + +Its nest is usually from fifteen to twenty-five feet from the ground, +excavated on the side of a branch of a good sized oak or sycamore. +Breeding commences in April or May, according to locality. Both sexes +assist in the excavation. The entrance hole is about one and +three-fourths inches in diameter, perfectly circular, and is sometimes +chiseled through two or three inches of solid wood before the softer and +decayed core is reached. The inner cavity is greatly enlarged as it +descends, and varies from eight to twenty-four inches in depth. The eggs +rarely exceed four or five, and are pure white in color. + +The most remarkable fact concerning this species is the peculiar manner +in which it stores acorns. The thick bark of large sugar and other pines +has been seen completely riddled with small holes. A section of a partly +decayed oak limb, three feet two inches long and five and one-half +inches in diameter, contained 255 holes. Each hole is intended to hold a +single acorn. The acorns fit quite accurately, are driven in point +foremost, and are not readily extracted. Sweet acorns are selected. To +get at their contents the acorns are carried to a convenient tree where +a limb has been broken off, driven into a suitable crevice, split open, +and the outer hull removed. Truly the California Woodpecker is no idler +or bungler, nor is he a free-booter, like the noisy, roystering Jay. He +makes an honest living, and provides for the evil day which comes alike +to man and beast. + + + + +THE PIEDBILL GREBE. + + +Boys and Girls: + +This is the first time I've been on land for several weeks. I am sure +you can't think of any other kind of bird who can say that. + +Sometimes I don't go on land for months, but stay in the water all of +the time--eat and sleep there, floating around. + +My little chick wanted me to go on land so we could have our pictures +taken. + +If he were not sitting so close to me you could see better what paddles +I have for feet. + +I build my nest of weeds, grass, sticks, and anything I can find +floating around. I most always fasten it to some reeds or tall grass +that grow up out of the water. + +In this I lay the eggs and just as soon as the chicks come out of the +shell they can swim. Of course they can't swim as well as I and they +soon get tired. Do you know how I rest them? + +Well, it's very funny, but I just help them up on my back and there they +rest while I swim around and get them food. When they get rested they +slide off into the water. + +Are you wondering if I can fly? Well, I can fly a little but not very +well. I can get along very fast swimming, and as I do not go on land +often, why should I care to fly. + +Should any one try to harm me I can dive, and swim under water out of +reach. + +Well, chick, let us go back to our home in the water. + + + + + [Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. + PIED BILLED GREBE.] + +THE PIEDBILL GREBE. + + +Members of the family of Grebes are to be found in the temperate zones +of both hemispheres, beyond which they do not extend very far either to +the north or south. They are usually found on ponds or large sheets of +stagnant water, sometimes on deep, slow-moving streams; but always where +sedges and rushes are abundant. Probably there are no birds better +entitled to the name of water fowl than the Grebes--at least, observers +state that they know of no others that do not on some occasions appear +on dry land. It is only under the most urgent circumstances, as, for +instance, when wounded, that they approach the shore, and even then they +keep so close to the brink that on the slightest alarm they can at once +plunge into the water. Whatever they do must be done in the water; they +cannot even rise upon the wing without a preliminary rush over the +surface of the lake. From dry land they cannot begin their flight. Their +whole life is spent in swimming and diving. They even repose floating +upon the water, and when thus asleep float as buoyantly as if they were +made of cork, the legs raised to the edges of the wings, and the head +comfortably buried among the feathers between the back and shoulder. +Should a storm arise, they at once turn to face the blast, and are +usually able, with their paddle-like feet, to maintain themselves in the +same place. They dive with great facility, and make their way more +swiftly when under water than when swimming at the top. When flying the +long neck is stretched out straight forwards and the feet backwards. In +the absence of any tail, they steer their course by means of their +feet. When alarmed they instantly dive. + +Their food consists of small fishes, insects, frogs, and tadpoles. +Grebes are peculiar in their manner of breeding. They live in pairs, and +are very affectionate, keeping in each other's company during their +migrations, and always returning together to the same pond. The nest is +a floating one, a mass of wet weeds, in which the eggs are not only kept +damp, but in the water. The weeds used in building the nests are +procured by diving, and put together so as to resemble a floating heap +of rubbish, and fastened to some old upright reeds. The eggs are from +three to six, at first greenish white in color, but soon become dirty, +and are then of a yellowish red or olive-brown tint, sometimes marbled. + +The male and female both sit upon the nest, and the young are hatched in +three weeks. From the first moment they are able to swim, and in a few +days to dive. Having once quitted the nest they seldom return to it, a +comfortable resting and sleeping place being afforded them on the backs +of their parents. "It is a treat to watch the little family as now one, +now another of the young brood, tired with the exertion of swimming or +of struggling against the rippling water, mount as to a resting place on +their mother's back; to see how gently, when they have recovered their +strength, she returns them to the water; to hear the anxious, plaintive +notes of the little warblers when they have ventured too far from the +nest; to see their food laid before them by the old birds; or to witness +the tenderness with which they are taught to dive." + + + + +BIRD DAY IN THE SCHOOLS--Continued from page 129. + + +the singing of their feathered brothers of the air. Call attention to +their beauty and grace of form, plumage and movement. Watch them care +for their little ones. Notice their nests--their happy little +homes--those "halfway houses on the road to heaven," and as you and your +flock wander, watch and listen and call to mind that, + + "'Tis always morning somewhere, and above + The awakening continents, from shore to shore, + Somewhere the birds are singing evermore." + +Let us, fellow teachers and fellow citizens of America, take up this +work of bird study and bird protection. Let the schools teach it, the +press print it, and the pulpit preach it, till from thousands of happy +throats shall be proclaimed the glad tidings of good will of man towards +the birds. + + C. H. MORRILL, + _Supt. of Schools_. + Fort Madison, Iowa. + + + * * * * * + + +We are in receipt almost daily of letter inquiries for good literature +on birds, and suitable exercises for Bird Day Programs. + +It will be our purpose from time to time to suggest good works by the +best authors. + +We give below a list of publications that are especially fine, and shall +be pleased to supply them at the list price, as indicated, or as +premiums for subscribers to "BIRDS." + + "#Birds Through an Opera Glass,#" 75 cents, or two subscriptions. + "#Bird Ways,#" 60 cents, or two subscriptions. + "#In Nesting Time,#" $1.25, or three subscriptions. + "#A Bird Lover of the West,#" $1.25, or three subscriptions. + "#Upon the Tree Tops,#" $1.25, or three subscriptions. + "#Wake Robin,#" $1.00, or three subscriptions. + "#Birds in the Bush,#" $1.25, or three subscriptions. + "#A-Birding on a Bronco,#" $1.25, or three subscriptions. + "#Land Birds and Game Birds of New England,#" $3.50, or eight + subscriptions. + "#Birds and Poets,#" $1.25, or three subscriptions. + "#Bird Craft.#" + "#The Story of Birds,#" 75 cents, or two subscriptions. + "#Hand Book of Birds of Eastern North America,#" $3.00, or seven + subscriptions. + +In numbers 70, 63, 4, 28 and 54 of the Riverside Series, published by +Houghton, Mifflin & Co, may be found selections appropriate for Bird Day +Programs, and in the "Intelligence," of April 1, published by E. O. +Vaile, Oak Park, Illinois, may be found some interesting exercises for +Bird Day Programs. Copies of the paper may be obtained at eight cents. + + + + + [Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. + BOHEMIAN WAX-WING.] + +THE BOHEMIAN WAX-WING. + + +The Bohemian Wax-wing is interesting for its gipsy-like wanderings, one +winter visiting one country, next season another, often in enormous +flocks, and usually with intervals of many years, so that in former +times their appearance was regarded as sure forebodings of war and +pestilence, their arrival being dreaded as much as that of a comet. +Another interesting feature of its history is the fact that for a long +time this familiar bird eluded the search of the zoologist. Its breeding +habits, and even the place where it breeds, were unknown thirty years +ago, until finally discovered by Mr. Wolley in Lapland, after a diligent +search during four summers. It is also called the European or Common +Silk-tail, and is an inhabitant both of northern Europe and of North +America, though in America the Cedar Bird is more often met with. In the +northern portions of Europe, birch and pine forests constitute its +favorite retreats, and these it seldom quits, except when driven by +unusual severity of weather, or by heavy falls of snow, to seek refuge +in more southern provinces. It is said that even in Russia, Poland, and +southern Scandinavia it is constantly to be seen throughout the entire +winter; that indeed, so rarely does it wander to more southern +latitudes, that in Germany it is popularly supposed to make its +appearance once in seven years. On the occasion of these rare +migrations, the Silk-tails keep together in large flocks, and remain in +any place that affords them suitable food until the supply is exhausted. + +These birds are heavy and indolent, exerting themselves rarely except +to satisfy hunger. They live in perfect harmony, and during their +migrations indicate no fear of man, seeking their food in the streets of +the villages and towns. They frequently settle in the trees, remaining +almost motionless for hours together. Their flight is light and +graceful, but on the ground they move with difficulty. Their call note +is a hissing, twittering sound. In summer, insects are their chief food, +while in winter they live principally on berries. The Wax-wing will +devour in the course of twenty-four hours an amount of food equal to the +weight of its own body. In Lapland is the favorite nesting ground of the +Bohemian Wax-wing. The nests are deeply hidden among the boughs of pine +trees, at no great height from the ground; their walls are formed of dry +twigs and scraps from the surrounding branches, and the cavities are +wide, deep, and lined with blades of grass and feathers. There are five +eggs, laid about the middle of June; the shell is bluish or purplish +white, sprinkled with brown, black, or violet spots and streaks, some +of which take the form of a wreath at the broad end. The exquisite +daintiness and softness of the Wax-wing's coat can be compared only to +floss silk. + + + + +THE MARSH WREN. + + + With tail up, and head up, + The Wren begins to sing; + He fills the air with melody, + And makes the alders ring; + We listen to his cadences, + We watch his frisky motions, + We think--his mate attending him-- + He's got some nesting notions.--C. C. M. + +These Wrens inhabit marshy and weedy bottom lands along river courses, +and have all the brisk manners and habits of the family. This species, +however, has a peculiar habit of building several nests every season, +and it is suggested that these are built to procure protection for the +female, in order that when search is made for the nest where she is +sitting, the male may lure the hunter to an empty nest. + +Its song is not unlike that of the House Wren, though less agreeable. It +is a summer resident, arriving in May and departing in September. Its +nest, which is found along borders of rivers, is made of sedge and +grasses suspended near tall reeds. It has been found hanging over a +small stream, suspended from the drooping bough of an alder tree, swayed +to and fro by every breath of air. A careful observer states that a Wren +will forsake her nest when building it, sooner than any other bird known +to him. Disturb her repeatedly when building and she leaves it +apparently without cause; insert your fingers in her tenement and she +will leave it forever. But when the eggs are laid, the Wren will seldom +abandon her treasure, and when her tender brood are depending on her for +food, she will never forsake them, even though the young be handled, or +the female bird be caught on the nest while feeding them. The food of +the Wren is insects, their larvae and eggs, and fruit in season. + +This Wren has justly been called a perennial songster. "In Spring the +love-song of the Wren sounds through the forest glades and hedges, as +the buds are expanding into foliage and his mate is seeking a site for a +cave-like home. And what a series of jerks it is composed of, and how +abruptly he finishes his song, as if suddenly alarmed; but this is his +peculiar habit and common to him alone. In summer we hear his song +morning, noon, and night, go forth for very joyfulness, as he wanders +hither and thither in his leafy bower." It is only in the moulting +season that he does not sing. + +A lady who used to attract a great number of birds to her garden with +crumbs, seeds, and other dainties, said that when the weather became +cold the Wrens used to gather upon a large branch of a tree, about four +inches beneath another branch. They assembled there in the evening and +packed themselves very comfortably for the night, three or four deep, +apparently for the sake of warmth, the topmost Wren always having his +back pressed against the outer branch as if to keep all steady. Pitying +their forlorn condition, she provided a bedroom for them--a square box +lined with flannel, and with a very small round hole for a door. This +was fastened to the branch, and the birds promptly took possession of +it, their numbers increasing nightly, until at least forty Wrens crowded +into the box which did not seem to afford room for half the number. When +thus assembled they became so drowsy as to permit themselves to be +gently handled. + + + + + [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. + LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN.] + +THE MARSH WRENS. + + +A happier pair of birds than these little Wrens it would be hard to +find. + +They have just come up from taking their morning bath and are going to +sing a while before going to work on their nests. + +You see I say nests. That is a strange thing about the Wrens, they build +several nests. I wonder if you can tell why they do this. If you can't, +ask your teacher about it. + +It is a little too early in the season or I would have one of the nests +in the picture for you to look at. + +I will try to describe it to you, so that you will know it when you see +it. These little Wrens make their nests of coarse grasses, reed stalks, +and such things, lined with fine grasses. It is round like a ball, or +nearly so, and has the opening in the side. They fasten them to the +reeds and bushes. + +If you wish to get acquainted with these birds, you must visit the tall +grasses and cat-tails along rivers and creeks and in marshes. + +You won't have to let them know that you are coming; they will see you +long before you see them, and from their little nests they will begin to +scold you, for fear that you mean to do them harm. + +When they see that you mean them no harm, they will begin to entertain +you with their songs. Oh, how they do sing! It just seems as though they +would burst with song. + +You can see how happy the one is in the picture. The other little fellow +will soon take his turn. See how straight he holds his tail up. Find out +all you can about these Wrens. You notice they have long bills. We call +them Long-billed Marsh Wrens. There are several other kinds. You surely +must have seen their cousins, the House Wrens. I will show you their +pictures some day. + + + + +THE ARIZONA GREEN JAY. + + +The geographical range of the Arizona Jay is in southern New Mexico and +Arizona and south into Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico. It is a common +resident throughout the oak belt which generally fringes the foothills +of the mountains and ranges well up among the pines. In suitable +localities it is very abundant. It is rarely seen at any distance out of +the arid plains; but after the breeding season is over, small flocks are +sometimes met with among the shrubbery of the few water courses, several +miles away from their regular habitat. They are seen in the early +Spring, evidently on a raid for eggs and the young of smaller birds. On +such occasions they are very silent, and their presence is only betrayed +by the scoldings they receive from other birds. On their own heath they +are as noisy as any of our Jays, and apparently far more sociable, a +number of pairs frequently nesting close to each other in a small oak +grove. They move about in small family parties of from half a dozen to +twenty or thirty, being rarely seen alone. They are restless, constantly +on the move, prying into this or that, spending a good portion of their +time on the ground, now hopping on a low limb, and the next minute down +again, twitching their tails almost constantly. Their call notes are +harsh and far reaching, and are somewhat similar to those of the +California Jay. + +The voices of animals have a family character not easily mistaken, and +this similarity is especially observable in birds. As Agassiz says, +"Compare all the sweet warbles of the songster family--the +nightingales, the thrushes, the mocking birds, the robins; they differ +in the greater or lesser perfection of their note, but the same kind of +voice runs through the whole group. Does not every member of the Crow +family caw, whether it be a Jackdaw, the Jay, or the Magpie, the Rook in +some green rookery of the Old World, or the Crow of our woods, with its +long melancholy caw that seems to make the silence and solitude deeper?" + +The habits of the Arizona Jay are similar to those of its brethren. Its +food consists of grasshoppers, insects, animal matter, wild fruits, +seeds, and especially acorns. It flies by partly closing its wings, +darting suddenly down, then up again, and repeating these movements for +some time. It mates about the end of February. The nest, composed of dry +rootlets laid very closely in rings, is usually found in an oak sapling +about ten feet from the ground. The inside diameter is five inches, and +depth one and three-fourths inches. It is like a deep saucer. + +The Arizona Jay is considered a foothill bird, not going far into the +pines and not appearing on the plains. But one brood appears to be +raised in a season, and nesting lasts about sixteen days. The eggs vary +from four to seven, and differ from all the known eggs of this family +found within the United States, being unspotted. They are glaucous green +in color, and the majority are much more glossy than Jays' eggs +generally are. In one hundred and thirty-six specimens examined, all +were perfectly immaculate. + + [Illustration: ARIZONA JAY. + 3/5 Life-size. + CHICAGO COLORTYPE CO.] + + + * * * * * + + + + +#Amateur Photography.# + + + [Illustration: FLASH LIGHT PICTURE MADE WITH "DEXTER" CAMERA.] + +Amateur Photography is the most delightful pastime one can indulge in. +Aside from the pleasure and amusement derived, it cultivates the +artistic taste, the love of nature, is a source of instruction, and may +be made to serve many useful purposes. The "Dexter" is small, neat and +compact. Makes pictures 3-1/2x3-1/2 inches square and will produce +portraits, landscapes, groups, interiors or flashlights equally as well +as many higher priced cameras. Will carry three double plate holders +with a capacity of six dry plates. Each camera is covered with black +morocco grain leather, also provided with a brilliant finder for snap +shot work. Has a Bausch & Lomb single acromatic lens of wonderful depth +and definition and a compound time and instantaneous shutter which is +a marvel of ingenuity. A separate button is provided for time and +instantaneous work so that a twist of a button or pulling of a lever is +not necessary as in most cameras. A tripod socket is also provided so +that it can be used for hand or tripod work as desired. All complicated +adjustments have been dispensed with so that the instrument can be +manipulated with ease by the youngest amateur. Full and explicit +instructions are sent with each camera. Send _#5c stamps#_ for sample +picture and descriptive circulars. + + + #The "Dexter" Camera.# + Sent to any address in U.S. or Canada upon receipt of #$4.00.# + Send by P. O. Money Order or Express Order. + + [Illustration: Makes pictures 3-1/2x3-1/2 inches square. + Measures 4-1/2x5-1/2x7. Weighs only 15 ounces.] + + + _#SEARS JEWELRY CO., General Agents,#_ + 225 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill. + Manufacturers, Importers and Dealers in + Jewelry, Watches, Diamonds and Novelties. + + Sole Agents for the South African Off-Color Diamonds, + ($3.00 per carat, unmounted), and + Manufacturers Agents and Introducers of Novelties + to the trade and street men. + + + Please mention "BIRDS" when you write to advertisers. + + + + +The Racycle crank-hanger has from 20 to 30 per-cent less pressure on the +bearings than the crank-hanger of any other bicycle on the market. + +$1,000 in cash will be paid to the first one who can demonstrate that +the above assertion is not a fact. No cycle considered without the +consent of the maker. All infringements barred. Address all +communications to + + #Racycle# + Middletown, + Ohio. + + [Illustration: $100.^00 $75.^00 $50.^00] + + + ... INQUIRY BLANK ... + To the Advertising Department, + Miami Cycle & Mfg. Co., Middletown, Ohio. + Please send me fuller information regarding your + wonderful Racycle, narrow-tread, and how I can + obtain one. + + Name.......................... + Address........................... + + P.S. If there is a Racycle Agent in your town + don't write us but call on him. + + + #The + MIAMI CYCLE + & + MFG. CO.# + + Middletown, + Ohio. + + +CHICAGO BRANCH: S. W. Corner Wabash Ave. and Congress St. + + + Please mention "BIRDS" when you write to advertisers. + + + * * * * * + + + + +TESTIMONIALS. + + NEW YORK, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1896. + + W. E. WATT, + Chicago, Ill. + +My dear Mr. Watt: I am glad to get yours of the 17th, and to find at the +top of the letter head the names of two good friends, interested in so +novel and valuable an undertaking. The idea is a good one, and the +execution seems to me extraordinary for the price. With best wishes, + + Yours sincerely, + NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER, + Columbia University, New York. + + * * * + + NEW YORK, N. Y., December 21, 1896. + + MR. W. E. WATT, + Fisher Building, 277 Dearborn Street, + Chicago, Ill. + +Dear Mr. Watt: I thank you very much for the copy of "Birds," which has +just been received, and I must congratulate you upon putting forth so +attractive a publication. I shall be very glad to receive circulars +stating the price of subscription. + + Very truly yours, + EDWARD R. SHAW, + New York University, Washington Square, N. Y. + + * * * + + CAMDEN, N. Y., March 3, 1897. + + MR. CHAS. H. DIXON, + NATURE STUDY PUBLISHING COMPANY, + Chicago, Ill. + +My dear Sir: The sample of "Birds" received. I am exceedingly pleased +with the beautiful little magazine. The cuts are truly marvelous. Why +did not somebody think of the scheme before? It _must_ prove a grand +success. Every teacher that knows enough to teach will be an +enthusiastic admirer of "Birds." I shall do all I can for it. Please +send me a few more copies. Find some stamps enclosed. + + Cordially yours, + D. D. VAN ALLEN, + Principal Camden High School. + + * * * + + CHICAGO, ILL., March 5th, 1897. + + MR. C. C. MARBLE, + 277 Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill. + +Dear Sir: Your kindness in sending me Nos. 1 and 2 of "Birds," and also +the premium picture "Golden Pheasant," is most fully appreciated. Your +magazine, of course, is most attractive by reason of the beautiful +pictures it contains, which are finer than any heretofore issued, +including "Baird's" and "Audubon's." I also find that the descriptions +and general reading matter are very interesting. It will equally please +both adult and youth, I am sure, so I wish your enterprise the success +it so abundantly deserves. + + Very truly yours, + HIRAM BALDWIN, + General Manager Northern Life Association. + + * * * + +#OUR PREMIUM# + +A picture of wonderful beauty of the Golden Pheasant almost life size in +a natural scene, plate 12x18 inches, on card 19x25 inches, is given as a +premium to yearly subscribers. Our price on this picture in Art Stores +is $3.50 + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Birds Illustrated by Color Photograph +[April, 1897], by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS ILLUSTRATED BY COLOR *** + +***** This file should be named 25874.txt or 25874.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/7/25874/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net + + +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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