Bird lore - Project Puffin

112 Bird - Lore
25irtr=1Lore
A Bi-Monthly Magazine
Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES
Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN
Contributing Editor,MABEL OSGOOD'WRIGHT
Published by D. APPLETON & CO.
Vol. XVIII Published April 1,1916 No. 2
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Price in the United States, Canada and Mexico, twenty cents
a number, one dollar a year, postage paid.
COPYRIGHTED, 1916, BY FRANK M, CHAPMAN
Bird-Lore's Motto:
A Bird in the Bush Is Worth Two in the Hand
It is a long time since Bird-Lore has
published a more valuable and significant
article than the one contributed by Mr.
Gilbert H. Grosvenor to this issue. Its
chief value does not lie in its important
bearing on what may be termed avian
sociology or on its surprising demonstra-
tion of the close connection existing between
available nesting-sites and bird-
population. Rather is it to be found in
the relations which it reveals between
human-life and bird-life as the result of
the best type of what we have before
called 'bird gardening.'
The birds which Mr. Grosvenor has
brought about him are unquestionably
more his birds than if he had shot them
and placed their skins in a cabinet. With
their death his responsibility for their
welfare would cease. But a living bird,
to which we feel we owe protection,
is exposed to so many dangers that our
fears for its safety are correspondingly
aroused. These birds of our garden are
our guests. Through the erection of bird-
houses and by other means we have invited
them to live with us and when they accept
as readily as they have with Mr. Gros-
venor, they make us realize not only our
responsibility but they awaken the
strongest sense of hospitality.
In a former number of Bird-Lore we
had something to say about what we
believe to be the difference between orni-
thologists and bird-lovers. That is,
between the bird student eager to devote
his life to research work some of which
may be so dry and technical that it would
repel anyone but a born enthusiast; and
the person whose interest in birds, while
keen and genuine, does not beget that
hunger for knowledge concerning them
which is the birthright of the true natur-
alist.
The first type of interest we feel
distinguishes the born ornithologists, the
second is an almost universal heritage of
mankind. Usually, however, it is dormant.
We may be in possession of this
priceless gift and still be unaware of its
existence. Herein lies the value of nature-
study, and particularly of the kind of
educational work the National Association
of Audubon Societies accomplishes through
its Junior Classes. It is not to be expected
that the one hundred and fifty odd thou-
sand children included in these classes
during the past year will become orni-
thologists. But if their inherent love of
birds is quickened and they become ac-
quainted with the more common species
and are taught to realize the beauty and
value of bird-life we shall have added
immeasurably to their resources.
Mr. Grosvenor tells us that in April,
1 9 13, when he moved to his country home
near Washington, neither he nor any
member of his family could name more
than three species of birds. Opportunity
so quickly added to this number that
within two years, as his statistics show,
he had succeeded in inducing to nest on
his home acre more than twice as many
birds as had been before reported from
the same area and under similar con-
ditions.
So much we learn from the figures given.
But no figures can express the pleasure
derived from the friendships which have
been established between landlord and
tenant, and between landlord's family
and tenants' families. Mr. Grosvenor may
regret that his own childhood lacked that
association with the commoner birds
which gives them an enduring place in our
affection. But his pictures show that he
does not propose to have his children
denied this privilege.