Bird lore - Project Puffin

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268 Bird - Lore
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wings. Then I looked in all of my bird-books to see if they said anything about
the flycatching of Cedar Waxwings, and was surprised to find that not one of
them even mentioned it. Since then, whenever I have seen Cedar Waxwings
I have seen them flycatching.
A Cedar Waxwing is not the only bird not a Flycatcher that I have seen catch
insects in the air. I undertake to say that every bird there is has done the
flycatching stunt. You may say, "Certainly not the Hummingbird;" but last
summer with my very eyes I actually saw the insect that it caught. It is well
known that some of the Vireos and Warblers do the stunt as well as the Redheaded
Woodpecker, and I have seen a White-crowned Sparrow do the same
thing. Tom McCamant (age 13), Portland, Oregon.
[Mrs. Florence Merriam Bailey writes of the Cedar Waxwing, which you remember
is, like the Goldfinch, a late-nesting species: "In July, when the wandering flocks are
no longer seen, a walk through the neighboring orchards may show where both tardy
builders have at last gone to nesting, and few bird-homes afford pictures of such human
tenderness and devotion. If there is an evergreen in the vicinity, the Cedar-bird mounts
guard upon its tip, but occasionally relieves the monotony of his watch by flying up in
the air for light luncheons of passing insects." It may be added that, in the vicinity of
fresh-water ponds, this Waxwing may not infrequently be seen during August flying
out over the water from its perch in an overhanging tree to catch insects.—A. H. W.]
THE GOLDFINCH
Do not fly away from me, Then you may go and hunt your flower,
Little Goldfinch in the tree
The dandelion, near your bower.
Come down, you fine yellow bird Or you may upon the thistle feed,
And let your thrilling voice be heard. We're glad to have you eat its seed.
— Grant Stark (age 13), Sixth Grade,
Naperville, Illinois.
[Those who have had the pleasure of discovering the nest of the Goldfinch, if wise
enough to watch it at a discreet distance, know how charming the devotion of the male
to the female is, as he feeds her while she incubates the eggs. The nest of the Goldfinch
is a beautiful structure, deep and snugly lined with its favorite thistledown.—A. H. W.]
THE CARDINAL
I suppose you know the Cardinal. He is red all over, and his wife looks
as though she was gray, dipped in red ink, because she is such a Hght color of
red. A pair of Cardinals came to our house. I suppose you know that they
are plucky birds.
Mr. Cardinal came on the drinking-pan that we had put out, but would
not let his wife drink till he was through. If she tried when he was there, he
would knock her off.
When he was through, a Robin wanted to drink, but Mrs. Cardinal would
Katie Marino (age 10),
not let the Robin drink till she was through.
Fourth Grade, Mount Vernon, Iowa.
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