Bird lore - Project Puffin

The Audubon Societies S3
pointed hoof-marks of a deer proved that all wildness had not left
the spot.
I left this paradise, feeling the deep sense of reverence that close contact
with Nature always brings.
lover.
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. A fellow bird-
Israel R. Sheldon.
[So sincere an observation should make us all wish to be true Nature-lovers. It is
easy to awaken enthusiasm in the spring, and to continue outdoor observations during
the summer and fall, but only true Nature-lovers are found in the open after the advent
of snow and frost.
Mr. Sheldon's Christmas bird census in 19 lo was taken in two places, and will be of
value as a basis of comparison with those sent in this season from Rhode Island. It is as
follows: Point Judith, R. I., Bobwhite, 8; Dusky Duck, 8; Widgeon, 2; Golden-eye, many;
Greater Scaup, many; Loon, 4; Crow, 4; Titlark, many; Meadowlark, 3; Shore Lark,
many; Herring Gull, many; Fox Sparrow, 3; English Sparrow, many; Large Hawk, i;
Goose, 2. Pawtuxet, R. I., Sparrow Hawk, i; Meadowlark, 2; Robin, i; Goldfinch,
many; White-tailed Sparrow, 2; Bufflehead, 8; Golden-eye, many; Lesser Scaup, 2;
Greater Scaup, many; Herring Gull, many; Chickadee, 4; Nuthatch (presumably
White-breasted), 2; Hairy Woodpecker, i; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 6; Flicker,
3; Crow, many; English Sparrow, many.—A. H. W.]
EXPERIMENTS AND RESULTS
Last winter I got some suet and put it up in the cherry tree for the birds.
A Downy Woodpecker discovered it first.
Every day I put out crumbs on the lawn and in a bo.x which was nailed up
in the tree. When the ground was frozen, I put out crumbs on the lawn, and a
great many Sparrows came. Sometimes there were as many as thirty at once.
Last year a family that lives near me put up bird-houses, and Bluebirds lived
there all summer.
My father said he would put up a bird-house for me. Now I put out strings
for the birds' nests. I haven't any cats, so the birds can live peacefully around
my house. Lillian Hyam (aged 12), Beverly, Mass.
[Attracting birds to one's home is always more or less of an experiment. During
the latter days of November, the writer was surprised to see two Flickers attempting
to sip water off the top of a sunken gas-pipe which had a flat iron cover, a contrivance
for holding a clothes-post. The first Flicker that made the attempt was evidently more
or less suspicious of this novel drinking-fountain, but succeeded in quenching its thirst.
The second Fhcker, possibly more timid, did not make the trial many times, but it is
likely that the scanty supply of moisture on the iron cover had already been exhausted
by its mate or companion. This incident happened on the back lawn of a new residence,
and is perhaps worthy of notice, because it shows how easily the Flicker is attracted to
pipes, eave spouts and the like. No other birds have been observed investigating the
post socket, although several different species frequent the trees about the place.
A. H. W.]
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