LABORATORY OF ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY /nk/' /[J CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY A year with the birds / 3 1924 022 541 563 Laboratory of Orni;-hr,lnr.v Cornell Ur.ivers.'Ly Ithaca, New Yofk 1485. j DATE DUE j GAYLORD PRINTED IN US A A Year With the Birds A Year With the Birds Br ALICE E. BALL Illustrated by ROBERT BRUCE HORSFALL PAINTER OF BACKGROUNDS IN HABITAT GROUPS AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY NEW YORK CITY 56 Colored Plates GIBBS a VAN VUECK. INC. NEW YORK CITY 1917 ^ < Copyright BY ALICE E. BALL April, 1916 June, 1917 TO MY SISTER SUSAN L. BALL BEST COMRADE OF THE WOODS AND FIELDS AND TO ALL BIRD-LOVERS THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED Contents 1. INTRODUCTION Page 11 2. PART ONE 15 Winter Residents and Visitors Our Winter Neighbors 3. PART TWO 47 The Early Spring Birds 4. PART THREE 95 The Later Spring Birds 5. PART FOUR 163 Nesting Time 6. PART FIVE 169 Birds' Song Interlude 7. PART SIX 183 Fall Migration LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Winter Birds PAGE Blue Jay 22 Caedinal 24 JUNCO 26 Snowflake 28 *Tree Sparrow 30 ♦Chickadee 32 Tufted Titmouse 34 PAGE Cedar Waxwing 36 White-breasted Nuthatch.. 38 Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers 40 Brown Creeper 42 Crossbill 44 Bob White 46 Early Spring Birds Song Sparrow 52 Bluebird 54 Robin 58 Purple Grackle 64 Red-winged Blackbird 66 COWBIED 68 Phoebe 70 Flicker 72 Meadowlark 74 Mourning Dove 76 Kingfisher 78 Red-headed Woodpecker ... 84 Field Sparrow 86 Vesper Sparrow 90 Chipping Sparrow 92 TOWHEE 94 Later Spring Birds Tree Swallow 98 Barn Swallow 100 Purple Martin 104 Chimney Swift 106 Nighthawk 108 Whip-poor-will 110 House Wren 112 Ovenbird 114 Wood Thrush 118 Brown Thrasher 120 *Catbird 122 •Mockingbird 124 ♦Yellow-billed Cuckoo 126 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 128 Indigo-Bird 134 Baltimore Oriole 136 Orchard Oriole 138 Scarlet Tanager 140 Rose-breasted Grosbeak .... 142 *bobolink 144 ♦Goldfinch 148 Yellow Warbler 150 Maryland Yellow-throat . . 152 Red-eyed Vireo 154 Wood Pewee 156 Kingbird 158 ♦Sandpiper 160 *Note. — The illustrations starred are made from plates owned by the National Association of Audubon Societies, loaned by the kind permission of T. Gilbert Pearson, Sec'y. 9 Introduction Mr. Frank M. Chapman in his "Birds of Eastern North America" says : — "The best time in the year to begin studying birds is in the winter, when the bird population of temperate regions is at the minimum. The problem of identification is thus reduced to its simplest terms and should be mastered before spring introduces new elements." Those who have at any time endeavored to initiate young people into the mysteries of bird-study, know how truly Mr. Chapman has spoken. They also know that children, notwithstanding their keen sense-per- ceptions, become confused if too many details are presented, but seize eagerly upon striking characteris- tics of a bird's structure, color and markings. Long experience has developed the plan of this book, which presents first the most common permanent resi- dents and winter visitors, and then introduces in proper order each newcomer of early spring, before the woods and fields become so filled with songsters as to render identification almost hopeless to a beginner. The descriptions are intended to emphasize distin- guishing points in each bird's appearance and song, or to show his most pronounced traits ; the illustrations, not only to give a true picture of the bird himself, but of the environment where he is most frequently found. As rhyme and rhythm are delightful to children, it is hoped that the verses will aid in fixing many truths in their minds and that the book may fill a great need in schools. It aims at accuracy of statement but not to be a technical hand-book, as there are so many u excellent ones on the market. It is hoped that it may make friends, not only among young people, but among "children of a larger growth." I wish to express my deep appreciation to Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary of the National Association of Audubon Societies, for his generosity in allowing me the use of a number of Audubon plates, for his kindly interest and encouragement, and for his criti- cism of the manuscript and drawings. I acknowledge gratefully Mr. Frank M. Chapman's careful inspection of many drawings and his kindness in loaning to Mr. Horsfall a number of bird-skins from the American Museum of Natural History, New York City. I am deeply indebted to Houghton Mifflin & Co. for their generous permission to use the following poems and quotations: Edith Thomas's "Nuthatch," "Vesper Sparrow," "Catbird" and "Morning in Birdland ;" Celia Thaxter's "Sandpiper;" Lucy Larcom's "Field Sparrow," "Sir Robin," (in part,) and four lines on bird-song; Frank Bolles' Oven-Bird;" Frank Dempster Sherman's "Bird Music;" E. R. Sill's "Spring Twilight;" Edna Dean Proctor's "Bluebird;" Ednah Proctor Clarke's "Hummingbird;" Edgar Fawcett's "To an Oriole;" Maurice Thompson's "Kingfisher;" Edmund Clarence Stedman's "Flight of the Birds;" three stanzas from William Caldwell's "Robin's Come," two from Emer- son's "Titmouse," two from James Ryder Randall's "Why the Robin's Breast Was Red," and two from Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney's "Sparrows ;" one stanza from J. T. Trowbridge's "Pewee," and extracts from Longfellow's "Birds of Killingworth," Lowell's "Vision of Sir Laun- fal;" Maurice Thompson's and T. B. Aldrich's lines on 12 the bluebird, J. T. Trowbridge's on the thrush, Low- ell's on the oriole and Stuart Sterne's on warblers. To the courtesy of D. Appleton & Co. I am indebted for Bryant's "Robert of Lincoln," "To a Waterfowl," and two stanzas of "The Return of the Birds;" also for the diagram of the goldfinch's song, Wilson Flagg's interpretation of the red-eyed vireo's song, and John Burrough's rendering of the oven-bird's song, all found in Mr. Chapman's "Birds of Eastern North America." (Copyright, 1903.) I wish to acknowledge the kind permission of Charles Scribner's Sons to use three stanzas of Henry van Dyke's "Song Sparrow" and two of his "Maryland Yel- low-throat;" also that of Little, Brown & Co. for the right to use Helen Hunt Jackson's "The Way to Sing." A. E. B. 13 PART ONE Winter Residents and Visitors 15 Winter Residents and Visitors Blue Jay Cardinal *Junco *Snowflake or Snow Bunting *Tree Sparrow or Winter Chippy Chickadee Tufted Titmouse * Cedar Waxwing White-breasted Nuthatch Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers * Brown Creeper * Crossbill Bob White or Quail *NoTB. — Snow Buntings migrate to the North the latter part of March; Brown Creepers and Tree Sparrows, from April 1 to 30; Juncos, from April 10 to May 10. Waxwings and Crossbills are irregular visitors. 17 I Our Winter Neighbors When Summer journeys toward fair southern lands, Her migrants follow close in roving bands ; Contented, there they dwell, until the Spring Beguiles them back again on eager wing. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Then radiant Autumn, clad in red and gold. Kills insect swarms with touch both swift and cold; But o'er the birds that linger, she doth keep A vigil keen, till she "lies down to sleep." A bounteous feast of berries, nuts and seeds With care she hung, on trees and shrubs and weeds; Old Winter calls the birds to share this cheer In field and forest, while the days are drear. Then flaps the noisy crow, with raucous cry; The jay gleams like a sapphire 'gainst the sky; The cardinal shines, a ruby in the snow ; To sheltered thickets quails in coveys go. Slate-colored juncos flock near chickadees ; Nuthatches wander up and down the trees. Up climb the downy and the creeper small ; The crested titmouse sounds his cheery call. A flock of waxwings seek the cedar-tree. Or coral-laden ash or barberry. The crossbills feast in groves of spruce and pine; On seeds in meadows winter-sparrows dine. 19 Their sweet- voiced goldfinch cousins, clad in brown; The tiny kinglet, with the golden crown; The owl, the shrike, the soaring hawk so bold. All brave Old Winter's stirring, stinging cold. Long bitter nights they hide, when blasts blow keen. In hollow trunks, or groves of evergreen ; Throughout the dreary days their voices ring, And life to forests gaunt and chill they bring. A. E. B. 20 The Blue Jay 21 The Blue Jay A flash of blue, a dash of white, Gleam from the branches dead, As from oaks to beeches and hickories flits The jay with the crested head ; Then in crannies the acorns and nuts he stores, His winter's feast to spread. 'Tis said he's the dread of the feathered-folk, — This robber in bright array- That they mourn when he drives them from new-built nests. Or carries their eggs away. And cry aloud when he takes their young, Withhis'Tah, yah, jay!" Devoted is he to his nestlings and mate, Or to jays that are feeble and old ; Delightfully gentle his household ways. Though his neighbors he loves to scold. "Pedunkle! Pedunkle! Parlez-vous !" Sweet tones his voice can hold. He's a handsome, noisy, unsociable bird, — An amusing mimic and tease ; He's the bane of the sleepy, half-blind owls, Till the mischievous fellow they seize ; But in spite of his pranks, we like him well, This clever knave of the trees. A. E. B. 22 BLUE JAY The Cardinal 23 The Cardinal When autumn woods are bare and dead, A crested bird, of cardinal red. Sways like an oak-leaf overhead ; And sighs, "D d d r r r e e e a a a r ! r ! r ! " When winter woods are white with snow. And drifts pile high as wild winds blow. Like flame this torchlike bird doth glow ; And cries, "W w w h h h e e e w ! w ! w ! " When springtime's crimson buds appear, And red-gold columbines are here, This songster welcomes the new year; And sings, "C c c h h h e e e e e e r I r ! r ! " When summer's sun sheds scorching beams, And cardinal flowers beside the streams Grow wild, this brilliant bird still gleams ; And whistles, "H h h u u u e ! e ! e ! " A. E. B. 24 CARDINAL The Junco or Slate-Colored Snowbird 25 The Junco or Slate-Colored Snowbird When the first gray days of autumn With their chill, have driven avt^ay Many merry bird-musicians That made blithe each summer day ; Or when leaden skies brood o'er us, And the snowflakes whirl about, Wings a cloud-gray flock, snow-breasted, To the thickets, in and out. Fluttering gently, lisping sweetly, — Cheery, friendly junco throng, — Neighbors till in April sunshine North they fly, with trilling song. A. E. B. 26 The Snowfiake or Snow Bunting- 27 The Snowflake or Snow Bunting Across the fields we see them go — Old brown leaves, driven by the snow. Are not the dead leaves clinging fast To oak or beech, or from the blast All deeply hidden ? Can it be That they are whirling rapidly? Ah! Now we hear a sharp, clear "Chur" As they speed onward with a whir ; Upon the snow they settle down, All white and black and leafy brown. They're but a gentle Snowflake band ; Their Mother Earth has laid a hand On head and throat and soft white dress Of each, and left a brown impress. While they're our winter guests, they wear These russet coats ; but when they fare To Arctic lands, their summer home. In robes of black-and-white they roam. A. E. B. 28 n rRVfC- ^^ClKif|^t. SNOWFLAKE The Tree Sparrow or Winter Chippy The Tree Sparrow or Winter Chippy When lordly Winter stalks abroad, With trailing robes of snow, That hide the lovely tender things His icy breath lays low ; When grasses, shrubs and hardy weeds Hold high their heads, and mock Their tyrant lord, — from Northland woods There comes a merry flock Of feathered songsters, soft and brown, With a dark spot on each breast ; They sway on stalk of golden-rod Above a snowdrift's crest. Their voices ring like tinkling bells Beneath the wintry sky. Till April, when with joyous songs Back to the North they fly. A. E. B. 30 TREE SPARROW The Chickadee or Black-capped Titmouse and The Tufted Titmouse 31 The Chickadee I am cheery, black-capped Chickadee, With my head as dark as the duskiest tree ; I'm as gray as the boughs of the beeches bare. And as white as the snow that is lodging there; While my sides are tinged like the willow wands, That rim with yellow the streams and ponds. As I dart about, as I swing and I sway, No blinding storm doth me dismay, For I'm borne with the flakes as they scurry along And I gleefully sing my tiny song : "Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! This world holds nothing but good for me." When insect eggs are incased in ice In the crystalled trunks, I fly in a trice To the homes of the human friends I know. Who have spread me a feast on the crusted snow. "Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! Oh, wouldn't you like to make friends with me?" A. E. B. 32 The Chickadee or Black-Capped Titmouse Piped a tiny voice hard by, Gay and polite, a cheerful cry, "Chic-Chic-a-dee-dee !" saucy note Out of sound heart and merry throat, As if it said, "Good-day, good Sir ! Fine afternoon, old passenger! Happy to meet you in these places Where January brings few faces." This poet, though he live apart, Moved by his hospitable heart, Sped, when I passed his sylvan fort, To do the honors of his court. As fits a feathered lord of land ; Flew near, with soft wing grazed my hand. Hopped on the bough, then, darting low. Prints his small impress on the snow, Shows feats of his gymnastic play. Head downward, clinging to the spray. Emerson's "Titmouse" 33 The Tufted Titmouse I am Chickadee's cousin! I am gray tinged with red ; No black velvet cap Do I wear on my head. I've a tuft of soft feathers, Like an Indian chief's, With which I express My joys and my griefs. I am merry and lively — An active athlete ; I can turn somersaults. An acrobat's feat. If my loud ringing call You should hear far away. You can find me with ease; This is what I will say: "Pe-to! Pe-to! Pe-to! Pe-to! Pe-to!" A. E. B. 34 / 9 '-^ ?^) " TUFTED TITMOUSE The Cedar Waxwing 35 The Cedar N)^axwing A beautiful gray-brown bird is he, With a crest on his velvet head, Which stands erect when he is surprised. And is flattened tight in dread; When contented and happy loose it lies — As when he is bountifully fed. His wings and tail are of softest gray That blend to a darker shade; On his wings are scarlet wax-like tips That seem by magic made ; On his breast and the band across his tail The "Golden Touch" was laid. He and his roving flock alight Where berries and seeds they spy; Well-fed, they perch on a bough of a tree In a row, remote and shy ; They preen their coats, and whisper and lisp. And then away they fly. A. E. B. 36 H 7^-3ftU'-''^ny^tirA^ CEDAR WAXWING The White- Breasted Nuthatch The Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers 37 The White-Breasted Nuthatch I'm the nuthatch — white-breasted, Black, rusty, blue-gray. Long-billed and bright-eyed. Over tree-trunks I stray, Up, down, all about — Wherever I see Tiny eggs in the bark, Tucked away cunningly. I've a short, square-cut tail ; I need no firm prop Like the woodpecker tribe. Or the creepers. I hop On my large, sturdy feet Where I please without fear ; And my cheery "Crank-crank" You will frequently hear. When not searching for food On a cold winter's day. Near Chickadee, Downy, Or Titmouse I stay; During long, bitter nights We may nestle — snug, warm — In a woodpecker's hole, Sheltered safe from the storm. A. E. B. 38 The Nuthatch Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray, Whom I meet on my walk of a winter day, You're busy inspecting each cranny and hole In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole ; You intent on your task, and I on the law Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw! The woodpecker well may despair of this feat — Only the fly with you can compete ! So much is clear ; but I fain would know How you can so reckless and fearless go, Head upward, head downward, all one to you. Zenith and nadir the same in your view? Edith M. Thomas 39 *The Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers Tree-dwelling insects must quiet be, When Downy knocks at their door in a tree; His ears are so sharp, if they stir a mite. He will dig them out for a toothsome bite. And when in winter they all are dead, You'll see his bobbing, red-capped head In search of the eggs they've hidden away, In the trunks of the trees, now gaunt and gray. Downy and Hairy look as though They had had a frolic in the snow ; Had tumbled about till their breasts were white, And with Jack Frost had a snowball fight. Till their backs were streaked, and flecked were their wings ; The grove with their cheerful voices rings ! Carx they be playing hide-and-seek? Just hear them call, "Peek — peek ! Peek — peek !" A. E. B. *NoTE.— Lower figure— Hairy Woodpecker; middle figure, without red on head — Female Downy; upper figure — Male Downy. 40 The Brown Creeper 41 The Brown Creeper I am Little Brown Creeper — White-flecked and pale gray, With no red on my head Like the woodpeckers gay. They climb up the trees; Nuthatches run down ; I circle the trunks — A tiny sprite brown. With my long curving bill Eggs of insects I seek, And I timidly call, "Skreek-Skreek, skreek-skreek !" You may find me in winter, A visitor shy ; In the spring, to my home In the North woods I fly. A. E. B. 42 BROWN CREEPER The Crossbill 43 The Crossbill In legends old, one reads That when our Lord they slew Upon a cross, a pitying bird To the suffering Savior flew. And tried to draw the nails From the mangled hands that bled; Till he twisted his slender little bill, And stained his breast blood-red. But searching eyes have learned The truth that the crossbill's beak Is fashioned thus, to withdraw the seeds From the cones he loves to seek ; And we marvel anew at the way A Master Mind and Hand Has created these wonderful winged things. And for their welfare planned, A. E. B. 44 :.i»^(BiM»,ij ' ■^'"■^wa??r**Jii."^ T^-Jj^WCt. HdRifA ■■■ w^sfiwifl^'iiasiiyfe CROSSBILL Bob White or Quail 45 Bob White or Quail "Bob White? Bob, Bob White?" Was ever more joy — more pure delight — Revealed in a voice? Mayhap you'll see The singer building his home with glee — A shallow nest, o'erhung with weeds. And lined with grass, to suit the needs Of a wife and a dozen babies small. (If she were to die, he'd attend to them all !) The lively nestlings ! They run around As soon as they're hatched, and on the ground Find seeds of weeds and insect food. In autumn, the parents and all the brood Wander in meadows to glean the grain. Each night they gather together again, — A family circle, on leafy beds, — And outward point their striped heads. All brown and quiet, like leaves they lie Till you're right upon them ; then "Whir-r- !" and they fly. If the covey are scattered, they tenderly call Again and again, till assembled are all. In winter to thickets and bogs they retreat; When snow falls, berries and seeds they eat ; A loving family they live till May, When each chooses a mate and wanders away. A. E. B. 46 PART TWO The Early Spring Birds 47 Spring Migration FEBRUARY 15th to MARCH 10th Song Sparrow Bluebird Robin Purple Grackle Red-winged Blackbird MARCH 10th to 31st Cowbird Phoebe Flicker Meadowlark Mourning Dove Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Field Sparrow APRIL 1st to 20th Vesper Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Towhee Tree Swallow Barn Swallow 48 APRIL 20th to 30th Purple Martin Chimney Swift Whip-poor-will House Wren Ovenbird Wood Thrush Brown Thrasher Catbird MAY 1st to 10th Yellow-billed Cuckoo Nighthawk Ruby-throated Hummingbird Indigo Bunting Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Scarlet Tanager Rose-breasted Grosbeak Bobolink Goldfinch Yellow Warbler Maryland Yellow-throat Red-eyed Vireo Wood Pewee Kingbird Sandpiper The Mockingbird is a resident of our southern and western states. 49 Spring Now that the winter's gone, the earth hath lost Her snow-white robes ; and now no more the frost Candies the grass or casts an icy cream Upon the silver lake or crystal stream: But the warm sun thaws the benumbed earth, And makes it tender; gives a sacred birth. ***** Now do a choir of chirping minstrels bring In triumph to the world the youthful spring ! Thomas Carew 50 *The Return of the Birds I hear, from many a little throat, A warble interrupted long; I hear the robin's flute-like note, The bluebird's slenderer song. Brown meadows and the russet hill. Not yet the haunt of grazing herds. And thickets by the glimmering rill, Are all alive with birds. Bryant *NOTE.— Reprinted by permission of D. Appleton & Co. Copyright, 1903. 51 The Song Sparrow "See? See? See? The herald of spring you see! What matter if winds blow piercingly! The brook, long ice-bound, struggles through Its glistening fetters, and murmurs anew With joy at the freedom the days will bring When the snow has gone ! And I, too, sing ! "See? See? See? A flush of color you see! The tassels are hung on the budding tree, Before it has drawn its curtain of leaves To shade the homes of the birds. Now weaves The silent spring a carpet fair. With wind-flower and hepatica there. "See? See? See? You are glad to welcome me. You will hear my voice ring cheerfully Through Summer's heat or days of rain. Till cruel Winter has come again. From dawn till dusk, my heart is gay. And I sing my happy life away. See? See? See?" A. E. B. 62 SONG SPARROW *The Song Sparrow He comes in March, when winds are strong, And snow returns to hide the earth; But still he warms his heart with mirth, And waits for May. He lingers long While flowers fade; and every day Repeats his small, contented lay ; As if to say, we need not fear The season's change, if love is here With "Sweet — sweet — sweet — very merry cheer." He does not wear a Joseph's- coat Of many colours, smart and gay ; His suit is Quaker brown and gray. With darker patches at his throat. And yet of all the well-dressed throng Not one can sing so brave a song. It makes the pride of looks appear A vain and foolish thing, to hear His "Sweet — sweet — sweet — very merry cheer." A lofty place he does not love. But sits by choice, and well at ease In hedges, and in little trees That stretch their slender arms above The meadow-brook ; and there he sings Till all the field with pleasure rings ; And so he tells in every ear That lowly homes to heaven are near In "Sweet — sweet — sweet — very merry cheer." Henry van Dyke *NOTB — Reprinted by permission of Charles Scribner's Sons. 63 The Bluebird bird of blue, with your robe from the sky, And a flame in your red-brown breast, When the home-love burns, from the South you fly, To the chill of your northern nest. "Tru-ly — tru-ly — ^tru-ly." wonderful bird with the loyal heart. To your home and mate you are true; Our own hearts leap, when the cold March days Bring the first glad sight of you. "Tru-ly — tru-ly — tru-ly." beautiful bird with the tender note You sing of the days to be; You promise bright skies and an earth renewed, And we wait expectantly. "Tru-ly — ^tru-ly — tru-ly." A. E. B. 54 BLUEBIRD The Bluebird Hark! 'tis the bluebird's venturous strain High on the old fringed elm at the gate : Sweet-voiced, valiant on the swaying bough, Alert, elate. Dodging the fitful spits of snow, New England's poet laureate Telling us that Spring has come again ! Thomas Bailey Aldrich From stake to stake a bluebird flew Along the fence and sang. From Maurice Thompson's " Plowboy" 55 The Bluebird I am so blithe and glad today ! At morn I heard a bluebird sing ; The bluebird, warbling soul of spring, The prophet of the leafy May, — And I knew the violets under the tree Would listen and look the birds to see, Peeping timidly, here and there. In purple and odor to charm the air ; And the wind-flower lift its rose-veined cup, In the leaves of the old year buried up ; And all the delicate buds that bloom On the moss-beds, deep in the forest gloom, Would stir in their slumber, and catch the strain And dream of the sun and the April rain, — For spring has come when the bluebird sings. And folds in the maple his glossy wings. And the wind may blow, and the storm may fall. But the voice of summer is heard in all. I am so blithe and glad today ! My heart, beside the bluebird, sings. And folds, serene its weary wings. And knows the hours lead on to May. Edna Dean Proctor 56 The Robin The Blackbird 57 Robin's Come From the elm-tree's topmost bough, Hark ! the Robin's early song ! Telling one and all that now Merry spring-time hastes along; Welcome tidings dost thou bring Little harbinger of spring, Robin's come! Of the winter we are weary. Weary of the frost and snow. Longing for the sunshine cheery. And the brooklet's gurgling flow ; Gladly then we hear thee sing The reveille of spring, Robin's come! Ring it out o'er hill and plain, Through the garden's lovely bowers, Till the green leaves dance again, Till the air is sweet with flowers ! Wake the cowslips by the rill. Wake the yellow daffodil ! Robin's come! William W. Caldwell 58 ct-tdp^^l^i^-f^ ROBIN Sir Robin Rollicking Robin is here again. What does he care for the April rain? Care for it? Glad of it. Doesn't he know That the April rain carries off the snow, And coaxes out leaves to shadow his nest, And washes his pretty red Easter vest, And makes the juice of the cherry sweet. For his hungry little robins to eat? Robin, Sir Robin, gay, red-vested knight. Now you have come to us, summer's in sight ; You never dream of the wonders you bring. Visions that follow the flash of your wing; How all the beautiful By-and-by Around you and after you seems to fly! Sing on, or eat on, as pleases your mind. Well have you earned every morsel you find. Lucy Larcom 69 Robin Redbreast (A True Story) One bright March day, when angry winds Had sobbed themselves to sleep, And fresh sweet Earth, 'neath melting snow Spring's secrets sweet held deep, We heard a robin's ringing call From treetop on the lawn ; He sang, "Cheer-up ! Cheer-up ! I'm here ! The gloomy winter's gone !" As if departing Winter heard — Was angered at his words — He straightway blew a cruel blast To harm the "early birds." The snow fell fast, the winds rode high, And ice incased the trees; No food could Robin Redbreast find ; We dreaded lest he freeze. We opened wide the window-sash, And on the sill we laid Some tempting crumbs ; down in a trice Flew Robin, unafraid. While raged the storm, each day we placed His food — a goodly store ; Ere long he gave a gentle tap Upon the pane for more! 60 Long after Spring had spread her feast For him, he came to see What dainty morsels we reserved To tempt enticingly. He hopped into our welcoming home, His store-house — rich, replete — And, close beside us, sang to us His love-song, tender, sweet. Four happy years, he and his mate Raised broods beside our door ; We fed them all, and every Spring Our hearts rejoiced once more To hear his friendly little tap Upon our window-pane. Then one sad year, ill must have come — He ne'er returned again. A. E. B. 61 The Children In The Wood He took the children by the hand, Tears standing in their eye, And bade them straightway follow him, And look they did not crye ; And two long miles he led them on, While they for food complained; "Staye here," quoth he, "I'll bring you bread, When I come back againe." These prettye babes, with hand in hand Went wandering up and downe ; But never more could see the man Approaching from the town ; Their prettye lippes with black-berries, Were all besmeared and dyed, And when they sawe the darksome night, They sat them downe and cryed. Thus wandered these poor innocents. Till deathe did end their grief; In one another's arms they dyed, As wanting due relief; No burial this "prettye pair" Of any man receives, Till Robin Redbreast piously Did cover them with leaves. Thomas Percy, 1765 62 Why The Robin's Breast Was Red The Saviour, bowed beneath his cross, climbed up the dreary hill, And from the agonizing wreath ran many a crimson rill; The cruel Roman thrust him on with unrelenting hand, Till, staggering slowly, 'mid the crowd. He fell upon the sand. A little bird that warbled near, that memorable day, Flitted around and strove to wrench one single thorn away; The cruel spike impaled his breast, — and thus, 'tis sweetly said. The Robin has his silver vest incarnadined with red. Selected from James Ryder Randall {E. C. Stedman's Anthology) The Blackbird or Purple Grackle In clumps of pines and spruces tall The blackbirds love to congregate, And there they creak and squeak; their call Sounds like a rusty garden-gate. Their tails are kite-shaped as they fly; You'll see, when they are on the ground, How knowing is each yellow eye, As haughtily they walk around. Their heads like brilliant jewels gleam With bronze and purple, green and blue; They're not so lovely as they seem. For nests they rob — black deeds they do. A. E. B. 64 The Red -Winged Blackbird 65 *The Red-winged blackbird In meadows where a streamlet flows Or sedges rim a pool, There swings upon a blade of green Beside the waters cool, A bird of black, with "epaulets" Of red and gold. With glee He plays upon his "Magic Flute ;" "0-o-ka-ree ! 0-o-ka-ree !" A. E. B. *NoTE. — The upper figure in the picture is the male bird; the lower, the female. 66 The Cowbird 67 The Cowbird In pastures where the cattle graze, Flock birds with very wicked ways. Their backs and wings are shining black; Their heads and breasts are brown. They clack And gurgle hideously. A brown-gray female sneaks away, Her egg in a small bird's nest to lay; When hatched, the young one cheats the brood Of tiny nestlings of their food. Till they starve piteously. Or possibly, the fledgling bold Will push them out to die of cold. Full-grown, to a cowbird flock he'll fly ; Bird villain of the deepest dye. He prospers shamelessly. A. E. B. 68 COWBIRD The Phoebe 69 The Phoebe When blustering March has gentler grown, A mild day surely brings A little bird of olive brown, With dusky head and wings. And soft white breast. He's journeyed north Without his well-loved mate ; Dejectedly upon a twig Or fence-post, he'll await Her coming ; then contentedly They'll seek some sheltered nook, Beneath a bridge, perchance, and build Above a murmuring brook. "Phoe-be ! Phoe-be !" Hear him now, From the pussy-willow bough ! A. E. B. 70 PHOEBE The Flicker or Golden -Winged Woodpecker 71 The Flicker or Golden- Winged Woodpecker Gay, golden-shafted flicker is here, With his wings all brightly lined ; On his blue-gray head with its long strong bill, A crescent of red you'll find; He wears a brown coat and a black mustache. And he shows a patch of white Above his sharply-pointed tail, When he takes his rapid flight. His breast and back are flecked with black ; A collar dark he wears. His feet are strong, and his four toes Are so arranged, in pairs, That he can climb the trunks of trees Where his food of grubs is found ; More frequently his sticky tongue Seeks ants upon the ground. Now hear him speak ! He says, "Che-aclc !" Or calls to lazy boys, "Oh, wake-up, wake-np, wake-up, you!" He'll rouse you with his noise. And when his heart beats high, he sings, "I'm Flick-Flick-Flick-Flick-Flicker !" Or fast and faster still it rings, "0-qui-qui-qui-qui-qui-qui-qui-qui- qui-qui-qui-qui- quicker !" A. E. B. 72 The Meadowlark The Mourning Dove 73 The Meadowlark When the sweet brown earth is upturned in the spring, And all the sky is clear, I make the fields and the heavens ring; "Spring /the >>syear ! " My coat is brown like my Mother Earth, My voice is full of cheer ; My heart is glad at the springtime's birth ; 'Spring 'the vof. ^ syear : My breast is gold like the sun's warm rays With a band like a rain-cloud dark ; My striped head from the fields I raise ; "I'm. 'OW- "Mead- ^Lark!" My mate lies low in her nest of grass, And I love to hover near; I sing to her heart as the sweet days pass, "I -you^ ^love' " vdear!" 74 .. w MEADOWLARK And when the nestlings begin to fly, They follow without a fear ; Two feathers white in my tail they spy ; *^0h. "^here ! When the meadows are yellow with ripened grain, And the days are crisp and clear, I share the bounty I've helped to gain ; "The. 'Vest's shar-. vhere ! " A. E. B. 75 The Mourning Dove Seek open woods or tree-girt fields Beneath a sky of blue ; A plaintive voice such woodland yields — "Coo-coo-a-coo-coo." You'll rarely glimpse the gray-brown wing Or breast of topaz hue, Or glistening head — a jewelled thing; You'll hear, "Coo-coo-a-coo." "Why grievest thou, Mourning Dove? Is thy sweet mate untrue?" He only answers — to his love — "Coo-coo-I love-you." By chance you'll find the flat, crude nest, Eggs white, or babies two ; 'Tis not the young, in voice distressed, That cry, "Coo-coo-a-coo !" Each morn and night, on swiftest wings To waters hid from view. Doves fly; drink deep of crystal springs. And murmur, "Coo-a-coo." A. E. B. 76 TOaMBff?iR^'---iTJ?: MOURNING DOVE The Kingfisher 77 *The Kingfisher By a wooded stream or a clear cool pond, Or the shores of a shining lake, A watchful sentinel silently stands. When the rippling waters break. And reveal a glistening fin or scale, This blue-coat dashes in. With his watchman's rattle sounding loud ; He makes a frightful din ! With the sword that he wears in his plumed cap, He smites his writhing prey ; If tiny, he swallows the fish head-first ; If large, he bears it away And beats it to death on the bough of a tree ; Then back to the bank he will go, Where his children eagerly wait for him, In their famous long "King-row." His rattle he sounds as he nears his home — Their baby rattles respond ; To enter, he crowds the one in front Till it pushes the others beyond. Now backward they run through the tunneled clay That their parents hollowed out. Where they quarrel and tease and bite and gorge, And pull the fish about. 78 KINGFISHER If a blustering storm piles high the waves, Or streams are sullied with mud, Without fish-dinners these children must go. Though frogs may be caught near the flood. For lizards and moUusks the parents then search- Grasshoppers and crickets are found; And they hasten away to southern climes. When waters become ice-bound. A. E. B. Laboratory of Ornithology 159 S:pr.uc!:er Woscis Road Corndl IJriivercily Ithaga, Haw York 1485 I *N0TE. — Bird in foreground, the male; in background, with chestnut bands, the female. 79 The Legend of The Kingfisher Bold iEolus was king of the winds, And he dwelt on a wondrous isle ; His palace rose high from a rocky cliff — 'Twas visible many a mile. Old Neptune knew when the Wind's sons played, And when they quarreled, too; For when rude Boreas rode from the North, He blew and blew and blew ! The gentle Zephyrus sprang from the West; From the East young Eurus came. While Notus hailed from the South — and oft They played a riotous game. Their sister, fair Halcyone, Wed Ceyx, a prince, who sailed On a voyage long, when ^Eolus And Boreas howled and wailed. His wife knew all the terrors dread That rode with a storm at sea ; But Ceyx would pay no heed to her fears. And set sail recklessly. His ship was tossed like a tiny shell And swallowed at last by the sea ; As he drowned, he prayed that his body be borne To his sweet Halcyone. 80 Then Morpheus flew on silent wings To her couch, at dead of night ; In a dream, he told of her husband's fate, And she wakened in a fright. She sprang from her bed with a piercing shriek And speedily sought the shore ; At dawn she beheld his body afloat. Above the breakers roar Was heard her cry of agony ; 'Neath the waves she was lost to view, To arise again as a marvelous bird With a crown and a robe of blue. Then Jove rebuked old -