Beneath glowing skies and in the silence, the hermit raises his exquisitely modulated voice in a strain of ethereal beauty; pauses, then in a higher key, repeats it; a third time, with still loftier elevation of tone, he sings,—and sings again.
More than once at twilight, a white fog has moved in from the bay and enveloped us as we listened. The voices of these thrushes, proceeding from the sea of mist, have seemed more like those of spirits from another world than of birds—unspeakably uplifting and full of significance.
AFTERWORD
The great psychologist, William James, preached the doctrine that it was immoral to have emotions that did not bear fruit in action,—a doctrine that many educators and teachers are putting into practice nowadays.
Music, art, noble architecture, poetry, fine prose, the drama, and the beauties of nature, all of which arouse the emotion of joy and minister to our higher natures, were formerly sought as means of self-development or culture—one of the great ends to be attained in life. Excessive cultivation of one’s self is now regarded by broad-minded people as a refined form of selfishness (often intellectual snobbishness), unless with it there exists a sense of responsibility and an attempt to assist in making possible by some form of activity a more nearly universal sharing of these pure forms of pleasure.
The conservation of forests, the preservation of scenic wonders, of wild flowers, of native animals and birds for the enjoyment of all, has become the aim of a great movement throughout the country. It is well known that the fine balance of nature is maintained by birds, and that upon them depend in large measure the preservation of forests, parks, gardens, orchards, and farms.
As they are so truly our benefactors and furnish us with so much genuine enjoyment and absorbing interest, we are under obligation to repay their services to us by some form of service to them, which will minister also to the well-being of our communities. The formation of Audubon Societies, the spreading of knowledge by means of bird-books, illustrated bird-lectures, and the invaluable bulletins easily obtainable at the Government Printing Office, Washington; the erection of bird-houses and baths, and of feeding-tables for the winter; the furthering of wise legislation regarding bird-protection and the supplying of bird-wardens in some localities to help carry out the laws; intelligent and humane regulations to prevent the depredations of cats; the creation, wherever possible, of bird-sanctuaries and preserves, and the planting of trees and shrubs which will attract birds are a few of the ways in which we may make practical our interest in birds and add to the well-being of our land.
THE END
FOOTNOTES
[1]Used with the permission of the Houghton, Mifflin Co., the authorized
publishers.
[2]The above lists of Winter Residents and Visitors near New York City is taken from Dr. Frank M. Chapman’s pamphlet, “The Birds of the Vicinity of New York City,” a reprint from the “American Museum Journal” of the American Museum of Natural History. The lists and dates are used with the permission of Dr. R. C. Murphy, Acting Director of the American Museum of Natural History, and of D. Appleton & Co., Dr. Chapman’s authorized publishers.
[3]From “Notes
on New England Birds,” by Henry D. Thoreau.
[4]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of
Biological Survey.
[5]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[6]From “Birds of New England,” by Wilson Flagg.
[7]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[8]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[9]From “Birds of a Maryland Farm,” by Sylvester D. Judd—Bulletin
No. 17, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Biological Survey.
[10]From W. L. McAtee; Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
[11]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[12]William Dutcher, Former President of the National Association of
Audubon Societies; Educational Leaflet No. 18.
[13]From “Notes on New England Birds,” H. D. Thoreau, page 421.
[14]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York,” page 255.
[15]Educational Leaflet No. 35, National Association of Audubon Societies.
[16]Used with permission of the Houghton Mifflin Co., the authorized publishers.
[17]Farmers’ Bulletin 506, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[18]“Useful Birds and Their Protection, ” by E. H. Forbush.
[19]From “Notes on New England Birds,” H. D. Thoreau, page 278.
[20]From “The Relation of Sparrows to Agriculture,” by Sylvester D.
Judd, Bulletin No. 15, Biological Survey.
[21]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush.
[22]Bulletin No. 15, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[23]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush, page 328.
[24]Bulletin No. 21, Bureau of Biological Survey, U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
[25]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush.
[26]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush.
[27]“Useful Birds and Their Protection, ” by E. H. Forbush, page 210.
[28]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[29]Educational Leaflet No. 61, National Association of Audubon Societies.
[30]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush, page 166.
[31]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, pages 161,
162, 163.
[32]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, pages
161, 162, 163.
[33]From Witmer Stone in Educational Leaflet No. 50, National Association
of Audubon Societies.
[34]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[35]From Witmer Stone, in Educational Leaflet No. 50, National Association
of Audubon Societies.
[36]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York.”
[37]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush.
[38]Bulletin No. 37, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[39]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush,
pages 245, 246, 252, 253.
[40]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush, pages 259 & 260.
[41]From “Birds of Eastern North America,” by Frank M. Chapman.
[42]Educational Leaflet No. 59.
[43]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Biological Survey.
[44]Educational Leaflet No. 59, National Association of Audubon Societies.
[45]From “Birds of Eastern North America,” by Frank M. Chapman.
[46]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, pp. 65
and 17.
[47]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, page
370.
[48]Farmers’ Bulletin 506, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[49]From “Under the Maples,” by John Burroughs, p. 55.
[50]Prof. D. Treadwell.
[51]Mr. Chas. W. Nash.
[52]Farmers’ Bulletin 630.
[53]From Olive Thorne Miller’s “First Book of Birds.”
[54]From “Birds of Village and Field,” by Florence Merriam.
[55]Used with permission of the Houghton Mifflin Co., the authorized
publishers.
[56]Used with permission of the Houghton Mifflin Co., the authorized publishers.
[57]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[58]“Notes on New England Birds,” Thoreau, p. 311.
[59]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[60]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[61]From “Birds of Eastern North America,” by Frank M. Chapman.
[62]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological
Survey.
[63]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological
Survey.
[64]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological
Survey.
[65]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, page 320.
[66]From Educational Leaflet No. 3, National Association of Audubon Societies.
[67]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
[68]Written by Coleridge about the European skylark, but applicable to our meadowlark.
[69]Farmers’ Bulletin 630 and 755, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[70]From “Birds of Eastern North America,” by Frank M. Chapman.
[71]From “Early Spring in Massachusetts,” by H. D. Thoreau, pages 160
and 161.
[72]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[73]From
“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, pages
261 and 262.
[74]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological
Survey, H. W. Henshaw.
[75]Bulletin No. 37, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[76]The Auk, IV, 194, 195, 1887. O. P. Hay.
[77]From
“Birds of Eastern North America,” by Frank M. Chapman, used
with permission of D. Appleton & Co.
[78]Farmers’ Bulletin 506, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[79]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[80]“Birds of a Maryland Farm,” by Sylvester D. Judd—Bulletin 17,
Biological Survey.
[81]Farmers’ Bulletin 506, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[82]Bulletin No. 37, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[83]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush, page 324.
[84]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[85]“Life Histories of North American Birds,”—Maj. Chas. Bendire.
[86]Educational Leaflet No. 19, National Association of Audubon Societies.
[87]From
“The Home Life of Wild Birds,” by Francis H. Herrick. Used
with the permission of the author, and of his publishers, G. P. Putnam
& Co.
[88]From “Useful Birds and their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush.
[89]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush.
[90]Farmers’
Bulletin 630, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[91]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological
Survey.
[92]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[93]Used
with permission of the Houghton Mifflin Co., the authorized publishers.
[94]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush,
page 348.
[95]Educational Leaflet No. 13, of the National Association of Audubon
Societies.
[96]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, page
346.
[97]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush, page 343.
[98]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[99]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[100]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, Biological Survey.
[101]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush, page 342.
[102]From “The Home Life of Wild Birds,” by Francis H. Herrick; used
with the permission of the author and his publisher, the G. P. Putnam’s
Sons.
[103]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, p. 241.
[104]“Life Histories of North American Birds,” Maj. Chas. Bendire.
[105]Farmers’ Bulletin 506, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[106]From “Notes on New England Birds,” by H. D. Thoreau.
[107]From “Under The Maples,” by John Burroughs.
[108]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[109]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[110]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, Biological Survey, Dr. Henry W. Henshaw.
[111]From “Notes on New England Birds,” by Thoreau, page 246.
[112]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[113]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[114]From “Under The Maples,” by John Burroughs; page 42.
[115]From “Under the Maples,” by John Burroughs, page 66.
[116]From
“Notes on New England Birds,” by H. D. Thoreau, p. 361.
[117]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[118]From “Under the Maples,” by John Burroughs, p. 67.
[119]From “Notes on New England Birds,” Thoreau, p. 361.
[120]From “Birds of New England,” by Wilson Flagg, used by special
arrangement with the Page Co., Boston.
[121]Farmers’ Bulletin 513, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
[122]From Farmers’ Bulletin 755, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Biological
Survey.
[123]From “Under the Maples,” by John Burroughs, pages 87 & 88.
[124]Farmers’ Bulletin 755, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[125]From “Life Histories of North American Birds,” by Major Charles
Bendire.
[126]Farmers’ Bulletin 630, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
[127]Biological Survey Bulletin, No. 326, “Birds of Porto Rico,” by Alex.
Wetmore.
[128]From “Life Histories of North American Birds,” by Major Charles
Bendire.
[129]From “The Whole Year Round,” by Dallas Lore Sharp.
[130]From Wilson Flagg’s “Birds of New England,” used with permission
of The Page Co., Boston.
[131]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, p.
205.
[132]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, p.
205.
[133]From “Under the Maples,” by John Burroughs, p. 99.
[134]From “Birds of Eastern North America,” by Frank M. Chapman.
[135]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, p. 208.
[136]From “Our Greatest Travelers,” by Wells W. Cooke, of the Biological
Survey.
[137]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, pages
185 and 186.
[138]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush.
[139]From “The Oven-Bird,” by Frank Bolles.
[140]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York,” page 383.
[141]“Our Greatest Travelers,” by Wells W. Cooke, of the Biological Survey.
[142]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush, page 202.
[143]Farmers’ Bulletin, Biological Survey, Henry W. Henshaw.
[144]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York,” pages 408, 409, 410.
[145]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, pages 196 and
198.
[146]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, pages 196 and
198.
[147]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, page 102.
[148]From “Birds of New York,” page 421.
[149]From “Useful Birds and Their Protection,” E. H. Forbush.
[150]“Birds of New York,” Eaton.
[151]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York.”
[152]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York.”
[153]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York.”
[154]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York.”
[155]James P. Chapin.
[156]From Eaton’s “Birds of New York.”
[157]“Useful Birds and Their Protection,” by E. H. Forbush, page 193.
[158]Bulletin 280, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Biological Survey.
INDEX
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- B
- PAGE
- Blackbird (Crow) 114
- Blackbird (Red-winged) 118
- Blackbird (Rusty) 120
- Blackbird (Yellow-headed) 120
- Bluebird 102
- Blue Jay 6
- Bobolink 212
- Bobwhite 38
- Bobwhite (Florida) 38
- Brown Creeper 78
- C
- Canary (Wild) 217
- Cardinal 19
- Catbird 220
- Cedar-bird 47
- Charee 161
- Chat (Yellow-breasted) 274
- Chebec 234
- Cherry-bird 47
- Chewink 161
- Chickadee (Acadian) 54
- Chickadee (Black-capped) 53
- Chickadee (Carolina) 53
- Chickadee (Florida) 53
- Chippy (Winter) 34
- Chuck-Will’s-Widow 185
- Cowbird 121
- Creeper (Brown) 78
- Creeper (Black and White) 260
- Crossbill (American or Red) 14
- Crossbill (White-winged) 26
- Crow (American) 14
- Crow (Fish) 17
- Crow (Florida) 17
- Cuckoo (Black-billed) 231
- Cuckoo (Yellow-billed) 231
- D
- Dove (Mourning) 141
- F
- Finch (House) 159
- Finch (Purple) 161
- Flicker (Northern) 127
- Flicker (Southern) 128
- Flicker (Red-shafted) 128
- Flycatcher (Crested) 239
- Flycatcher (Least) 234
- Flycatcher (Olive-sided) 240