GOOD-BY TO THE SWEETWATER.
"WHAT are you doing to those fellows, boys?" demanded the champion of
law and order; from which remark it was plain to be seen that the smoke
had affected the eyes of the police officer to such an extent that he
had failed to recognize the culprits, and possibly believed the boys
were only carrying on high among themselves, as boys over in his town
frequently did, to the unhappiness of the constables.
"We just took a notion to prevent them from escaping, sir," remarked
Elmer. "And if you think you can hold them, we're willing to turn them
over into your charge, in the presence of Mr. Brady here and the
others."
A group began to cluster around them, most of the men rubbing their
smarting eyes. Already did they realize the uselessness of trying to put
up a fight against the flames that were spreading resistlessly amid the
hay.
"Well, I declare if it ain't the two hands that worked for me, and then
tried to rob my house, setting it on fire as they ran away!" declared
Mr. Brady, as he got a good look at the prostrate men.
"Do you mean to say these are the fugitives I have been chasing, the
desperate yeggmen named Shorty McCabe and Lanky Jim Smith?" cried the
police head.
"That's just who they are, sir," replied Elmer.
"But where did you find them?" demanded the other, hardly willing to
believe the plain evidence of his eyes and ears.
"As soon as I knew they had set fire to the hay I guessed it was only
meant to draw attention to that quarter while they slipped away. I've
seen that game played more than once out West, sir," Elmer remarked,
modestly.
"And it was a fact, was it; they did try to steal off?" questioned the
other.
"We found a place where there was a board off the barn, and Elmer, he
expected that was the way they'd come out," said Ty, breaking in; for he
just wanted this consequential personage to understand that he did not
know so very much after all, in spite of his splendid uniform and that
wonderful strut.
"Which same they did, all right," spoke up Landy, "and then, you see, we
just sat on 'em. Reckon the long feller must 'a' thought a mountain had
caved in when I dropped on his back."
"Will you take charge of the prisoners, Mr. Benchley?" asked Elmer.
"That's what we're here for, young fellow; though, as a rule we don't
much fancy boys interfering with the pursuit of justice," answered the
other, who did not look any too happy over the way things had turned
out.
Elmer, on his part, was fully satisfied Mr. Brady and a number of the
others had crowded around, astonished at the turn matters had taken, and
staring at the two prisoners. They would be in a position to prove,
should it be necessary at any time in the future, that the scouts had
indeed effected the capture of the hunted train wreckers, without any
assistance from the police.
And as for Shorty and Lanky Jim, it would not be polite to tell what
they thought and said when they discovered that their captors were
merely four half-grown boys. Perhaps on first seeing the khaki trousers
and leggings of the scouts they may have labored under the impression
that the militia had been called out to ran them down; and this would
account for the meekness shown all along.
The barn was now in the grasp of the fire. They could see the billows of
flame leaping upward; and a dense black smoke began to rise.
"This is tough luck, Mr. Brady," said Landy, after the officers had
fastened some shining steel ornaments to the wrists of their prisoners,
and led them over to the waiting car. "After saving your house by a
close shave, it's hard to have your barn and hay go up in smoke."
But the farmer did not seem to be very deeply concerned.
"Barn's insured; and it's an old one at that," he remarked, with a half
smile; "and as luck would have it, I sold all the hay in there just last
week, for cash! The man who bought it took out insurance, I believe. But
you boys have certainly covered yourselves with a lot of glory this
morning. First, saving my house, and then capturing those tough
characters. I consider that I'm getting off mighty cheap. Hope some of
you fellows will take a notion to camp up this way more times than a
few. It pays to have Boy Scouts around. That's been my experience,
anyhow."
"Well, how about milk, Mr. Brady?" asked Elmer.
"We brought that tin bucket along, but it's mixed up with all the rest
now. Suppose we could get one of your women folks to go to the milk
house with all this excitement on?"
"Why, any one of 'em would be only too proud to do such a little thing
for the brave boys who worked so hard to save a roof over their heads.
And don't think, young fellow," the farmer added, turning on the
confused Ty, suddenly, "that we don't appreciate what you did, just
because it turned out to be a pup instead of a baby. That was as bold a
thing as ever I saw done. If I had any boys about your age, I'd make
sure that they joined the scout movement before they were a week older.
Seems like it cultivates the best there is in a lad."
All of the boys glowed with pleasure at hearing these hearty words.
"Thank you, Mr. Brady," said Elmer. "It sure is a satisfaction to know
that you look at things that way. And we feel repaid for all we've done,
don't we, boys?"
"It's only been a pleasure to play coon for you, Mr. Brady," grinned
Landy.
"And I'm glad it was only a dog instead of a real baby," declared Ty,
stoutly; "'cause, you see, something might have happened to hitch my
plans, and think what a terrible thing would have happened then."
"Come with me, boys, and I'll see that you get milk; yes, cream if you'd
prefer it. It's lucky that those haystacks happen to be as far off as
they are, and the wind is blowing away from them; because, you see, I
kept that part of the crop. Intended making a lot of repairs to the barn
after it was empty. Now I'll take the insurance money, add some more to
it, and build me a better place three times over."
"There go Shorty and Jim," announced Landy, as the car started off for
the near-by public road.
"And they look at us as if they could eat us alive," commented Ty.
"I gueth thome of uth would rather thtick in their throath," remarked
Ted, gloomily.
"What ails you, Ted?" asked Elmer, as they trailed along after Mr.
Brady. "You don't look like you were altogether happy."
"I know," announced Landy, a little maliciously. "He just wanted to get
a chance to cut off a few arms and legs, and such things as go with a
battle. I could see it in his eyes when it looked like we were going to
have a real rumpus with them train wreckers. And it all turned out so
easy, Ted is disgusted. Ain't it so, Ted?"
The budding surgeon of the troop shrugged his shoulders and grunted the
one word: "Rotten!"
And those boys, who knew Ted so well, could understand something of the
wild ambition that must have fired his soul when he figured that one or
more persons must surely be seriously hurt, when the police came in
contact with the two house burners. But it had passed off, and now the
car containing prisoners and captors had gone, without even one little
blow having been struck on either side.
"What's the sense of knowing how to bind up wounds, and do all that sort
of stunts, when nothing ever happens; that's what Ted is saying to
himself," Landy remarked, chuckling as he spoke, for he did dearly love
to poke fun at others.
"If you keep on," said Ted, with a dark look, "there'll be a subject
forthcoming in double-quick order. But somebody'll have to sweep you up
with a broom first before I can do anything with you."
So Landy subsided, even though of course he knew that Ted was only
"talking through his hat," as he expressed it, and for effect.
Having procured the needed milk, the four boys returned to camp. Loud
were the lamentations of George and Adam when they learned what a great
event they had missed by not accompanying the others to the Brady home.
At first George, true to his nature, declined to believe a word of it;
but when he and Adam, urged on by curiosity to forget whatever cause
they had had for remaining in camp, hurried over to the scene of
excitement, they heard the story from numerous lips; so that the last
doubt was laid.
The balance of the day was spent in resting up, for all of them were
sore from their unusual exertions, however much they might try to hide
the fact. Of course a plunge in the river had soon removed all the smoke
stains, and refreshed them at the same time.
"It's lucky we had on our oldest trousers and leggings," remarked Elmer,
when they came to examine into the condition of things. "What with water
slopping over the pails, and the smoke and cinders, these are a sight
right now. But it'll wash out, fellows, and that's something our record
made this day will never do."
"Only one thing I'm sorry about," remarked Landy.
"What'th that! Anything to do with the way Ty here thailed into that
burning crib, and thnatched out the poor little innothent lamb, Bennie?"
asked Ted.
"No. What I meant was that I forgot to take Lil Artha's camera along
when we started for the farmhouse, because I never thought we'd have
anything happen to us worth remembering. Just think, boys, if I had
snapped off half a dozen views of that business, wouldn't they deserve a
frame in our meeting room?"
"Just what they would," affirmed Landy. "I'd give anything if I had one
to show my folks what a hero their son and heir had grown to be. But
then," he added, sighing, "they wouldn't have known me with all that
black on my face."
"Come off!" cried George. "Anybody'd know you by your elegant figure; I
could tell you a mile away, with one eye shut."
"Oh, thank you, George!" said Landy effusively, just as though he really
believed his cousin meant it. "I always knew you were a good chap, and
could appreciate true merit, no matter where found. It's worth something
to hear such splendid words of praise from one of your own family. I'll
treasure them for a long while, sure."
"Don't believe a word of it," remarked George, true to his colors, and a
doubter from the word "go."
Nothing more out of the way happened to the scouts while they were in
that snug camp on the Sweetwater. We saw them first on that same stream,
and it seems only right that we should take our last glimpse of some of
our friends while they are still in camp.
When on the morrow they would start to wend their way homeward, it would
doubtless be with many regrets, for they had certainly had a great time
of it, all told. As school duties began, the Hickory Ridge Troop of Boy
Scouts would not find so many opportunities for outings; but the ties
that had bound them together all summer still held good; and no matter
what the sport that engaged their attention, these lads who had signed
the roster under Roderic Garrabrant's guidance were bound to be drawn
together with the strong affection of those who have the same goal in
sight, and look upon one another as "comrades tried and true."
We shall hope to again meet with Elmer and his chums ere long, and in
new fields follow the fortunes of those good fellows who formed the
several patrols of the Hickory Ridge troop.
THE END.
ADDENDA
BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE
BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES.
Wild Animals of the United States } in Number I.
Tracking }
THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL.
Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.
WOODCRAFT, OR HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD.
Reptiles of the United States in Number III.
PATHFINDER, OR THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.
Fishes of the United States in Number IV.
FAST NINE, OR A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.
Insects of the United States in Number V.
GREAT HIKE, OR THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP.
Birds of the United States in Number VI.
ENDURANCE TEST, OR HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY.
THE BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES
THE birds constitute a large group of the animal kingdom. Their chief
distinguishing feature is their covering of feathers. Another
characteristic is the production of their young enclosed in eggs.
THE VULTURES.
[Illustration: TURKEY BUZZARD.]
The name "vulture" is applied to a family of birds of prey. The bill of
the vulture is large and very strong; the head and neck are almost
naked, being very lightly sprinkled with down. It is a carrion-devouring
bird and does not attack living animals. It displays marvelous quickness
in discovering a dead body. Vultures are generally protected in the
countries where they are found because of their value in clearing away
the putrid animal matter which would otherwise be injurious as well as
disagreeable. The American vultures sometimes reach a large size and are
very powerful in flight.
The Turkey Buzzard and Carrion Crow, both of which are vultures, are
common in the temperate parts of America. The Carrion Crow is found as
far North as Carolina. The Turkey Buzzard is not a true buzzard and is
wrongly so called.
THE EAGLE.
Eagles are large and powerful birds. The flight of this magnificent bird
is very beautiful and imposing, but its gait when on land is rather
awkward. Its food is usually smaller birds and quadrupeds such as hares,
rabbits, etc., but it does not hesitate to carry off young lambs or
sometimes to destroy sickly sheep. It generally hunts in pairs, one
eagle watching at some height while the other courses along the
ground and scares the game from the bushes. It lays two eggs of a
yellowish-white color with brownish spots on a nest composed of a great
mass of sticks, brush and grass. The young are fledged about the end of
July. While the young are in the nest it is very dangerous to approach
it as the eagles are then extremely fierce and daring. Some instances
have been related of children that have been carried off by an eagle,
but these stories are very doubtful. Eagles have certainly been known to
pounce upon children and carry them a little way, but there are no true
accounts of children having been actually taken to the eagles' nest,
although there are many stories founded on such a supposition. The beak
of the eagle is curved from the face, having a sharp point. Its wings
are long and large. They catch and kill their own prey, but unlike the
vultures will not eat carrion. The eagle which is found in North America
is usually the golden eagle, and inhabits the Western States. The
Indians called it "the War Eagle." Its feathers are dark brown.
[Illustration: AMERICAN BALD EAGLE.]
THE BUZZARDS.
The family of Buzzards are distinguished by their short beaks, large
rounded wings and squared tails. They live on small animals, reptiles
and various insects.
[Illustration: COMMON BUZZARD.]
The Common Buzzard, when searching for food, rests upon some high
branch, keeping a keen watch on the ground, and waiting patiently until
some small animal makes its appearance or some bit of carrion is
scented. Its length is from twenty to twenty-two inches. In flight it is
rather slow and heavy. The bird popularly known as a Hen Hawk is a
buzzard.
THE FALCONS.
The falcons are also birds of prey. Hawks are members of this family.
The Peregrine Falcon is an inhabitant of most parts of Europe, Asia,
South America and North America. It builds its nest on cliffs and lays
from two to four eggs which are spotted with dark red. It preys on other
birds; its strength and swiftness are very great, enabling it to strike
down its prey with great ease; indeed, it has been known to disable five
partridges in succession. It changes the color of its plumage several
times before it arrives at full maturity. Its length is from fifteen to
eighteen inches.
The Sparrow Hawk feeds on mice, ground squirrels, insects, small birds.
It displays great pertinacity in pursuit of its prey which it will chase
for a long while, skimming along a few feet above the ground. When taken
young it is easily tamed and will then associate with the most
incongruous companions. Its length is from twelve to fifteen feet. It
builds upon lofty trees.
THE OWLS.
The owls are nocturnal birds, pursuing their prey by night and sleeping
by day. They have a large round head with enormous eyes looking forward.
Many species possess two feathery tufts placed on the head greatly
resembling horns. In order to enable them to see their prey their eyes
are enormously large, capable of taking in every ray of light. To
protect them from the cold they are furnished with a dense covering of
downy feathers which also prevents the movements of the wing from being
heard. The beak is short and horny, but very strong. They prey on small
animals, fish, insects, reptiles. The cry of the owl is very peculiar
and weird. This, coupled with their strange appearance, has made them
objects of superstition. The ancients adopted them as symbols of wisdom.
The owls of North America that are the best known are the Horned Owl,
the Grayish-barred Owl and the Mottled Owl.
[Illustration: AN OWL.]
The Snowy Owl also is found in North America; it is a good fisher,
snatching its prey from the water by a sudden grasp of the foot; it also
preys on small animals, chasing and striking at them with its foot. It
makes its nest on the ground and lays three or four white eggs. Its
length is from twenty-two to twenty-seven inches. It extends its wings
four feet. There are some species of owl found in America that burrow,
living in the same hole with prairie dogs, making their nest in the
mouth of the prairie dog's burrow.
Cousins to the owls are the Nightjars, for example, the night hawk and
whip-poor-will. They feed on moths and insects which they catch as they
fly. Their eggs are laid on the ground without a nest.
THE SWALLOWS.
Swallows are remarkable for their great power of wing, their wide
mouths, their short legs and weak feet. Their wing feathers are long,
stiff and pointed, and their tails are long and forked. Nine species of
swallow are found north of Mexico. They spend most of their time on the
wing and live almost entirely upon insects which they capture as they
fly; their large mouths particularly adapt them for this manner of
feeding. They nest frequently in colonies; they migrate in large flocks
and can often be seen in great quantities at roosting places. They show
skill in the construction of their nests. The purple martin belongs to
this family; it is common in the South but rare in the Northern States.
The tree swallow builds its nest, of grasses and feathers in the hollow
of a tree. The bank swallow nests in a sand-bank.
THE SWIFTS.
The swifts are often confused with swallows owing to the similarity of
their flight and the manner in which they feed. A Chimney Swift,
commonly but erroneously called the Chimney Swallow, in construction is
more like the humming-bird than the swallow; they nest in chimneys about
ten feet from the top.
THE KINGFISHER.
These birds are chiefly tropical, the Belted Kingfisher being the only
one of the family that is found north of Texas. They feed on fishes and
frequent the land near the water and nest in holes which they make in a
bank. They perch on some limb overhanging the water and watchfully wait
for their dinner.
[Illustration: KINGFISHER.]
THE HUMMING-BIRD.
[Illustration: HUMMING-BIRD.]
Eighteen species of these have been found in the United States, but only
one of these is found east of the Mississippi. They feed on insects and
also on the juices of flowers. The humming-bird has no song, but the
beauty of its plumage makes up for this deficiency. It darts through the
air almost as quickly as thought; now it is within a yard of your
path--in an instant gone--now it flutters from flower to flower to sip
the dew--it is now a ruby--now a topaz--now an emerald--now burnished
gold. Its tongue is almost like that of the woodpecker, being curled
around the head under the skin, and is thus capable of being darted to a
considerable distance; like many other little creatures, it is
remarkable for its assurance and impudence; it is easily tamed for that
very reason and has been known to domesticate itself in an hour from the
time it is captured, and often when released has returned again to
partake of the dainties which it has tasted during its captivity. It
seems to have no fear and will attack any bird, irrespective of size.
The nest of the humming-bird is as dainty as the bird itself.
THE WRENS.
The American House Wren is larger than the European wren, being about
five inches long. It is of a reddish-brown color. The nest of the wren
is built in any convenient cranny: an ivy-covered tree, the thatch of a
barn or a warm scarecrow are all used by this featherless little bird.
It is a good fighter and will attack bluebirds and swallows. The nest is
usually of an oval shape, always covered on the outside with some
material resembling the color of the objects around it, such as green
moss, if built among ivy, or brown lichen, if built on a rock or in the
fork of a withered branch. The eggs are six or eight in number--white,
specked with reddish-brown.
The Carolina Wren frequents the undergrowth in thickets; he is the most
nervously active of all the wrens.
The Bewick's Wren is often found in the barnyard.
The Winter Wren builds its nest usually in the tree-roots and heaps of
brush.
The Marsh Wrens build their nests of a globular shape with the entrance
at the side, either attached to weeds or tall grass, near or on the
ground.
THE WARBLERS.
This is a very large family; they feed almost entirely upon insects.
They are the first to leave upon the approach of winter and the last to
come in the spring. They migrate at night and thousands are killed
annually by dashing against lighthouses.
The black and white warbler is streaked with black and white and can be
readily identified; it can be often seen creeping under branches in
search of its insect food.
The yellow warbler. What boy has not seen a "wild canary"? It likes to
inspect the gardens and shrubbery around our houses, and consequently
may be frequently noticed. There are a great many more in this numerous
family.
THE THRUSHES.
This is another large bird family. In it are the bluebird and the
friendly robin; their song is very sweet.
The wood thrush is less shy than the veery or hermit thrush. It can be
distinguished from the others by its larger size and its ruddy color and
the large black spots covering its underparts. The veery's upper parts
are cinnamon color; its dress is finely marked and its sides almost
white; it inhabits the dense woods and does not frequent the habitation
of man as does the wood thrush.
The Hermit Thrush is distinguished by its red tail, which is much
brighter in color than its back; it comes early in the spring and
lingers long in the autumn.
There are probably few boys who do not know a robin when they see one,
nor does the bluebird need to be introduced.
THE BLACKBIRDS AND ORIOLES.
The Red-winged Blackbird has bright scarlet shoulders; the rest of the
feathers are mainly black; they frequent marshes.
Orchard Orioles are to be found in the orchards, the elms, the maples,
and other trees of our lawns. This bird is remarkable for the complete
change he makes in his plumage, from a dull yellow to a deep orange and
black, the bird in the summer presenting an entirely different aspect
from that in the winter. He builds his nest very near the end of a tall
limb where it will swing in the wind like a hammock.
The Bobolink is another one of this family that changes its clothes each
year. It goes North as the bobolink and goes South as the reedbird or
ricebird.
The Purple Grackle comes to us early in the spring; its plumage is an
iridescent purplish and greenish black.
The Cowbirds build no nests; they deposit their eggs in the nests of
smaller birds. These eggs are hatched with the others in the nest and
the young birds clamor constantly for food and often starve or crowd out
the rightful bird babies.
THE THRASHERS, MOCKING-BIRDS, ETC.,
frequent the borders or the edges of the woods and have considerable
singing ability; possibly the best known of this family is the catbird,
so called because his most familiar cry is similar to the plaintive
"meow" of the cat. Although very few seem to know it, the catbird is
also a fine songster.
The mocking-bird is a great singer, sometimes singing throughout a
particularly bright moonlight night as well as all day long. While
sitting on its eggs it is an exceedingly courageous bird, attacking
without discrimination men, dogs, or any animal that may approach too
near the nest. The black snake is the special object of its vengeance.
The snake, which has perhaps just arrived at the vicinity of the nest,
and is contemplating a pleasant breakfast on the young or eggs, is
violently attacked by the enraged mocking-bird, which, by repeated blows
on the head, generally destroys its enemy, and then, mounting on a bush,
pours forth a triumphant song of victory. The nest is made generally in
a bush or fruit tree, frequently close to houses, as the bird is
protected by the inhabitants. The mocking-bird is often kept tame, in
which case, so far from its imitative powers showing any decrease, the
variety of domestic sounds heard about the house is often very
perplexing.
[Illustration: MOCKING-BIRD.]
The thrasher is also a vocalist of some quality; he likes to sit where
he can be seen when he is singing, generally high up in the tree.
THE FLYCATCHERS.
The flycatchers are songless; they are found all over the United States.
They remain on their perch, waiting for a passing insect; when their
prey is within sight they dart after it and then return to their
station.
The kingbird is grayish in color and bears a crest which, when raised,
reveals reddish feathers. He perches quietly at his station, but is
alert to every movement near him, and rarely does a passing insect
escape his keen eye.
The phoebe is very fond of building its nest under an old bridge. His
call is a monotonous, plaintive reiteration. It sounds as though he were
saying, "phoebe"; hence his name.
Very common flycatchers are the Arcadian Flycatcher, the Wood Peewee and
the Least Flycatcher: the latter being called the Least Flycatcher on
account of its being the smallest in size.
THE SHRIKES.
The color of this bird is gray, black and white. It causes fright at
once among sparrows, on which it preys as well as upon mice and insects.
He has a characteristic flight, flying steadily and in a straight line
close to the ground, flapping his wings. When he gets near his
destination he reaches it by a sudden upward movement. The shrikes are
often called "butcher birds"; they well deserve their name; they
transfix their prey upon a thorn preparatory to devouring it, having
darted on it from some place of concealment after the same manner as the
flycatchers.
THE CROWS AND JAYS.
It will probably surprise you to know that the gaily colored blue jay
belongs to the same family as the dusky crow. All of this family are
great feeders, taking fruits, seeds, insects, eggs and refuse; all of
them possess great intelligence. The blue jay seems to take positive
pleasure in teasing other birds; he is noisy and reckless; he nests
usually in the crotch of a tree from ten to twenty feet high.
The crow's harsh voice, large size and black plumage make this bird well
known. Every boy who lives in the country knows how fond the crow is of
corn, and who has not seen the scarecrows flapping their empty sleeves
in the winds of the cornfield.
THE FINCHES AND SPARROWS.
[Illustration: BLUE JAY.]
This is the largest bird family. They possess stout bills fitted to
crush the seeds on which they feed. The House, or English sparrow, was
first introduced into the United States in 1851. The Crossbill derives
its name from having the tips of its bill crossed. They frequent pine
forests and the structure of their bills helps them in forcing the
cones open to get at the seeds within.
The Goldfinches are canary-yellow and black; they travel usually in
small flocks; in song they become at times so ecstatic that it seems as
if they would burst their little bodies.
The Junco is a small, plump bird. When the summer birds have left for
the South the Junco comes from the North.
The Cardinal is one of the gayest of our feathered friends; its plumage
is a rosy-red with a little black patch at the throat and the crest; it
nests in bushes, the nest being composed of twigs, rootlets and lined
with grasses.
The Indigo Bunting is blue as his name. You will find him in old
pastures among bushes and clearings. The female of this bird is like a
sparrow in marking, except for the tinge of blue which you may discover
in her plumage.
THE TANAGERS
are closely related to the finches; all of them have pretty clothes,
especially the Scarlet Tanager, who is bright scarlet with black wings
and tail. It is well worth a day's tramp to see one.
THE WAXWINGS.
The Cedar Waxwings arrive late in the spring. They have a black line
which runs through the eye; their upper parts are brown, their head is
greenish, their tails gray. You will often find them among fruit and
shady trees; they like old orchards where they hunt for cankerworms.
They have red spots on their wings that look like drops of sealing-wax.
THE VIREOS.
Small insect-eating birds; they do not catch their prey on the wing as
do the flycatchers, but search for their food on bark and leaves; they
are pleasant songsters and their nests are neat and well-rounded,
suspended from the fork of a branch.
THE WOODPECKERS.
[Illustration: WOODPECKERS.]
The claw of the woodpecker is constructed of two toes forward and two
toes backward, which assist them in climbing the tree-trunks; their tail
feathers are pointed and stiff and serve as a prop; the bill is adapted
for chiseling out the homes of grubs, insects, etc., in the bark.
The Downy Woodpecker. Its upper parts are black, scarlet band on the
neck, the middle of the back is white, while the wing feathers are
specked with white. You can often see him in an orchard or in the trees
on the lawn, picking out the grubs as he climbs the tree-trunks and
branches.
The Sapsucker has a scarlet cap; its back is black and yellow, tail
black; it feeds largely on tree juices.
Red-headed Woodpecker. Head, neck, throat and principal parts red; back
black and white; nests generally in a dead tree.
The Flicker. The top of the head gray; red band across back of the neck;
back brownish with black bars; they are frequently called "high-holes."
THE PIGEONS AND DOVES.
The passenger pigeon is now practically extinct. Captain Bendire,
writing twenty years ago, says: "It looks now as if their total
extermination might be accomplished within the present century. The only
thing which retards their complete extinction is that it no longer pays
to net these birds, they being too scarce for this now, at least in the
more settled portions of the country, and also, perhaps, that from
constant and unremitting prosecution on their breeding-grounds they have
changed their habits somewhat, the majority no longer breeding in
colonies, but scattering all over the country and breeding in isolated
pairs." They used to be seen in enormous flocks, which, as they
migrated, really hid the sun, destroyed forests miles wide, breaking
down branches with their weight and wasting the crops far and wide. This
bird moves with extraordinary speed and goes enormous distances. Many
have been killed in New York State with their crops full of rice that
they must have eaten in Georgia. That means that they flew three hundred
miles in six hours. In 1813, Audubon says the air was literally filled
with pigeons, and the midday sun darkened as in an eclipse, and the
flocks flew over him in countless numbers for three whole days.
The Mourning Dove is similar to the Passenger Pigeon, but not as large.
GROUSE.
The Grouse are as a rule ground birds and trust to their ability to hide
to escape detection, their color being such as to make them difficult to
detect against a background of dead leaves. The Ruffed Grouse can easily
be detected by the drumming sound which it makes. This drumming begins
gradually and gradually dies away. The sound is made by the male bird
beating its wings in the air. The young birds run about like small
chickens. They feed on insects, berries and seeds.
QUAIL.
Who has not heard the quail call across the fields "bobwhite, poor
bobwhite"? They like the fields of corn in the fall; in the winter they
journey to the deep woods; like the grouse, they rely upon their
coloration for protection and will only take flight as a last resort.
THE PLOVERS.
In habit they are like the snipes; but their tails are shorter and
thicker. The Golden Plover may be found in marshes and sand-flats; they
can run very rapidly; they may be seen as the tide goes out feeding on
sand-flats or sand-bars. After running a few yards they stop suddenly
and seem to take their bearings. It is well known by its plaintive cry
and the stratagems it employs to decoy intruders away from its nest, or
rather eggs.
The Killdeer is so called on account of the cry which it utters; it
resembles "kill-dee, kill-dee." It is found usually in flocks and nests
on the ground in a hollow.
THE CRANES
frequent marshes and are fond of frogs, field mice, snakes, etc. They
have a loud cry. When in flight the neck is not bent like the Heron's.
They nest on the ground.
THE HERONS AND BITTERNS.
[Illustration: HERON.]
The Herons nest in flocks; the bitterns are not as sociable. The latter
inhabit grassy marshes, while Herons like the shores of lakes and
rivers. The Herons fly with their neck bent in between their shoulders.
The American Bittern lives in large grassy meadows; it makes a peculiar
booming sound which can be heard for a long distance. The Great White
Heron is found along the Gulf of Mexico and in Florida. The Great Blue
Heron is found further north; its nest is usually in tall trees and is
made up of sticks and twigs. The Egrets belong to this family.
THE SPOONBILLS.
The Roseate Spoonbill is found only in the very Southern parts of the
United States and in small quantities; their bill is large and flat,
shaped at the end like a large spoon.
[Illustration: THE SPOONBILLS.]
THE IBISES.
The Ibises find their food on mud-flats along the shores of lakes and
rivers. It consists of frogs, small fish, etc.
THE SNIPES AND SANDPIPERS.
The birds are also found near the water; they have long bills which they
force into the mud in search of their food.
The Wilson Snipe nests in meadows and swamps. It builds its nest on the
ground and is a game bird popular with the sportsman. The Snipe in its
habits much resembles the Woodcock; its flight is very singular,
rendering it a difficult mark.
THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK.
The presence of Woodcock can always be determined by the holes which
they make in the earth in search of worms; these are known as woodcock
borings. When the bird is found near its nest or young birds it will
feign an injury and will endeavor in this way to lead you away from
them. The Woodcock frequents dense thickets during the day and at night
it leaves for swamps and meadows in search of worms and insects.
AVOCETS AND STILTS.
Called "The Wading Snipe"; they wade in shallow water and can swim when
necessary. The bill of this bird is curved like that of the Curlew, but
the curve is upward instead of downward.
THE RAILS, GALLINULES AND COOTS.
The Rails live in marshes. The Gallinules live on marshy banks of
rivers, lakes, etc. The Coots are still more aquatic, and are very
noisy; all of this family lay their eggs on the ground.
[Illustration: FLAMINGOES.]
THE FLAMINGOES.
The Flamingoes formerly visited Southern Florida every winter. Now their
appearance is rare. The singularly shaped beak of this splendid bird is
peculiarly adapted to its long and flexible neck. When the bird wishes
to feed it merely stoops its head into the water; the upper mandible is
then lowest and is well fitted to receive the nutritive substances which
are entangled in a filter placed on the edges of the beak.
The color of its plumage is a deep brilliant scarlet, except the quill
feathers, which are black. When a number of these birds stand ranged in
a line, according to their custom, they present the appearance of a
small and well-drilled body of soldiers.
THE SWANS.
Wild Swans are now rare birds in the United States. They feed as they
swim by putting their long necks and heads under the water. They swim
with great rapidity.
[Illustration: SWAN.]
GEESE.
Watch the skies in the spring and when you see a V-shaped flock of birds
flying northward, the wild geese are flying. It is said that the apex of
the V is always an old gander. They feed on vegetable matter, both in
the water and on shore.
The White-fronted Goose is common in the Mississippi Valley and on the
Pacific Coast.
The Canada Goose travels many thousand miles each year in its
migrations.
Geese nest on the ground, the nest being made of grasses and twigs and
thickly lined with down.
DUCKS.
The Mallard is the origin of our domestic bird, and is widely spread
over the northern parts of Europe, Asia and America. In the winter it
migrates in countless flocks to the warmer States.
[Illustration: WILD DUCK.]
The Black Duck is sometimes called the Black Mallard. The Red-head Duck
along the Atlantic Coast feeds in salt water. The Canvasback is in great
demand on account of the superior quality of its flesh as food. Both the
Red-head and Canvasback are fond of feeding on wild celery, and it is
said that it is this that gives their flesh the fine flavor.
THE PELICANS.
These birds nest in colonies. Their flight is strong. The White Pelican
and the Brown Pelican are found in Florida. It is a very conspicuous
bird, its singular membranous pouch offering a distinction perfectly
unmistakable. The pouch, when distended, holds two gallons of water, but
the bird has the power of contracting it so that it can scarcely be
discerned.
[Illustration: PELICAN.]
The pouch serves as a net in which to scoop up the fish on which the
Pelican feeds.
Another most important use of the pouch is to convey food to the young.
The parent Pelican presses the pouch against its breast, in order to
enable the young to obtain the fish, which action in all probability
gave rise to the fable of the Pelican feeding its own blood. Although
web-footed, it can perch on trees, although it prefers sitting on rocks.
THE CORMORANTS.
Cormorants like the sea, but sometimes may be seen inland. They, too,
are colony birds. Their nests are made of sticks and seaweed.
[Illustration: CORMORANT.]
The Cormorant is exceedingly voracious, and devours an almost incredible
amount of fish. It is an excellent diver, and chases the fish actually
under the water, seldom if ever returning without having secured its
prey. Like the otter, when engaged in chase, it occasionally rises to
take breath, and then resumes the pursuit with renewed vigor. It has the
power of perching on trees, an accomplishment which we should hardly
suspect a web-footed bird of possessing.
The Cormorant is easily tamed, and its fishing propensities can be
turned to good account. The Chinese, at the present day, employ a kind
of Cormorant for that purpose, having previously placed a ring round the
bird's neck to prevent it from swallowing the fish. Its length is about
three feet.
THE PETRELS.
The Stormy Petrel is, under the name of Mother Carey's Chicken, the
terror of the sailor, who always considers the bird as the precursor of
a storm. It is the smallest of the web-footed birds. Few storms are
violent enough to keep this curious little bird from wandering over the
waves in search of the food that the disturbed water casts to the
surface.
THE ALBATROSSES.
The Albatrosses are relatives of the Petrels, but much larger birds.
The Wandering Albatross, the largest of the genus, is a well-known bird
in the southern seas, following ships for many miles. The flight of this
bird is peculiarly majestic. Its extreme length of wing prevents it from
rising at once from the ground, but when once launched into the air it
seems to float and direct its course without effort.
[Illustration: ALBATROSS.]
THE TERNS.
The Terns, or Sea Swallows, are possessed of great power and endurance
of flight, their long forked tails and pointed wings indicating strength
and swiftness.
It preys on fish, which it snatches from the surface with unerring aim
as it skims over the waves with astonishing velocity.
They inhabit the seashore and, unlike gulls, make distant journeys from
the coast.
THE GULLS.
The Gulls are larger birds than the Terns. As the vultures are the
scavengers of the land, these birds are the scavengers of the sea. They
are frequently seen at great distance from land, resting on the water.
Their nests are found in colonies.
[Illustration: GULL.]
PUFFINS.
The Puffin is an excellent diver, plunging fearlessly from a lofty cliff
into the sea, and speedily returning with its beak full of fish, which
are secured by their heads, and lie in a row along the bill of the
Puffin, forming a kind of piscatorial fringe. Its enormous and
sharp-edged bill renders it a formidable antagonist to intruders. It is
often called the "Sea Parrot."
LOONS.
Inhabit fresh water lakes during the summer and the sea during the
winter. They can swim considerable distances under water. Their nest is
near the shore.
GREBES.
The foot of the Grebes is not webbed like that of most water birds, but
each toe is separated and flattened, so as to serve as a separate
paddle.
COMMON RED BIRDS.
Scarlet Tanager.
Cardinal.
Rose-breasted Grossbeak.
Redstart.
COMMON BLUE BIRDS.
Blue Jay.
Bluebird.
COMMON YELLOW AND ORANGE BIRDS.
Yellow Warbler.
Flicker.
Baltimore Oriole.
COMMON BLACK BIRDS.
Crow.
Purple Grackle.
Red-winged Blackbird.
Cowbird.
COMMON BLACK AND WHITE BIRDS.
Black and White Warbler.
Bobolink.
Downy Woodpecker.
COMMON BROWN BIRDS.
Thrushes.
Sparrows.
INDEX.
PAGE
Albatross, 174, 175
Wandering, 174
American Bald Eagle, 149
American House Wren, 156
Arcadian Flycatcher, 160
Avocet, 168
Baltimore Oriole, 177
Bank Swallow, 153
Belted Kingfisher, 153
Bewick's Wren, 156
Bittern, 166
Black and White Warbler, 157, 177
Blackbirds, 157
Red-winged, 157, 177
Black Duck, 172
Bluebird, 157, 177
Blue Jay, 160, 161, 177
Bobolink, 158, 177
Bobwhite, 165
Brown Pelican, 172
Butcher Bird, 160
Buzzards, 150
Common, 150
Turkey, 147, 148
Canada Goose, 171
Canvasback Duck, 172
Cardinal, 162, 177
Carolina Wren, 156
Carrion Crow, 148
Catbird, 158
Cedar Waxwing, 162
Chimney Swift, 153
Common Buzzard, 150
Coot, 168
Cormorant, 173, 174
Cowbird, 158, 177
Crane, 166
Crossbill, 161
Crow, 160, 177
Carrion, 148
Curlew, 168
Doves, 164
Mourning, 165
Downy Woodpecker, 164, 177
Ducks, 171, 172
Black, 172
Canvasback, 172
Mallard, 171
Red-head, 172
Eagles, 148, 149
American Bald, 149
Golden, 148
Egrets, 167
English Sparrows, 161
European Wren, 156
Falcons, 151
Peregrine, 161
Finches, 161
Gold, 162
Flamingoes, 168, 169, 170
Flicker, 164, 177
Flycatchers, 159
Arcadian, 160
Least, 160
Gallinules, 168
Geese, 171
Canadian, 171
White-fronted, 171
Golden Eagle, 148
Plover, 165
Goldfinch, 162
Grackle, Purple, 158, 177
Grayish-barred Owl, 152
Great Blue Heron, 167
White Heron, 167
Grebes, 177
Grosbeak, Rose-breasted, 177
Grouse, 165
Ruffed, 165
Gulls, 175, 176
Hawks, 151
Hen, 150
Sparrow, 151
Hermit Thrush, 157
Herons, 166, 167
Great Blue, 167
White, 167
High Hole, 164
Horned Owl, 152
House Sparrows, 161
House Wren, 156
Humming-birds, 155
Ibis, 167
Indigo Bunting, 162
Jay, 160, 161
Junco, 162
Killdeer, 165
Kingbird, 159
Kingfisher, 153, 154
Belted, 153
Least Flycatcher, 160
Loon, 176
Mallard Ducks, 171
Marsh Wren, 156
Martin, Purple, 153
Mocking-bird, 158,159
Mother Carey's Chickens, 174
Mottled Owl, 152
Mourning Doves, 165
Night Hawk, 153
Nightjar, 153
Oriole, 157
Baltimore, 177
Orchard, 157
Owls, 151
Grayish-barred, 152
Horned, 152
Mottled, 152
Snowy, 152
Passenger Pigeon, 164
Pewee, Wood, 160
Pelican, 172
Brown, 172
White, 172
Peregrine Falcon, 151
Petrel, Stormy, 174
Phoebe, 159
Pigeon, 164
Passenger, 164
Plover, 165
Golden, 165
Puffin, 176
Purple Grackle, 158, 177
Martin, 153
Quail, 165
Rails, 168
Red-head Duck, 172
Headed Woodpecker, 164
Winged Blackbird, 157, 177
Redstart, 177
Reedbird, 158
Ricebird, 158
Robin, 157
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 177
Roseate Spoonbill, 167
Ruffed Grouse, 165
Sandpipers, 168
Sapsucker, 164
Scarlet Tanager, 162
Sea Parrot, 176
Shrike, 160
Snipe, 168
Wading, 168
Wilson's, 168
Snowy Owl, 152
Sparrow Hawk, 151
Sparrows, 161, 177
English, 161
House, 161
Spoonbill, 167
Roseate, 167
Stormy Petrel, 174
Swallows, 153
Bank, 153
Tree, 153
Swans, 170
Swifts, 153
Chimney, 153
Tanagers, 162, 177
Scarlet, 162, 177
Terns, 175
Thrasher, 158, 159
Thrush, 157, 177
Hermit, 157
Veery, 157
Wood, 157
Tree Swallow, 153
Turkey Buzzard, 147, 148
Veery Thrush, 157
Vireo, 162
Vulture, 147, 148
Wading Snipe, 168
Wandering Albatross, 174
Warblers, 156, 157
Black and White, 157, 177
Yellow, 157, 177
Waxwing, 162
Cedar, 162
Whip-poor-will, 153
White-fronted Goose, 171
Pelican, 172
Wilson's Snipe, 168
Winter Wren, 156
Woodcock, 168
Woodpecker, 163
Downy, 164, 177
Red-headed, 164
Wood Thrush, 157
Wood Pewee, 160
Wrens, 156
American House, 156
Bewick's, 156
Carolina, 156
European, 156
House, 156
Marsh, 156
Winter, 156
Yellow Warbler, 157, 177
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Transcriber's note:
Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.
First advertising page, "Chenoweth" changed to "Chenowith" to match
actual book usage (Elmer Chenowith, a lad from)
Page 27, "ith" changed to "it" (stand it)
Page 65, "suite" changed to "suit" (Ty's long suit is)
Page 85, "galivanting" changed to "gallivanting" (he was just
gallivanting)
Page 129, "beween" changed to "between" (find himself beween)
Page 151, "iself" changed to "itself" (bird itself)