Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 July 1906 — Knowing the Birds. [ARTICLE]

Knowing the Birds.

How grand is the hawk or the eagle sailing far away in the blue sky! And how beautiful are song birds, each in Its favorite position to sing, the song sparrow with head thrown back, the bobolink sailing down to the grass with raised wings! Those who have spent much time in watching birds in the field know bow differently the various birds perch, fly, run, climb or feed. The warblers catch flies, but they do not do It in such an Interesting way as do the true fly catchers. We come to know a bird by the flight or walk just as we know other friends by their gait or even by the sound of their tread. In flight the wings of many different birds make peculiar sounds whereby we may know the birds even if they themselves are out of sight It is not at all necessary to get close enough to a bird to see Its exact color or the shape of its bill and feet, for its movements and outlines can be seen at. a greater distance. And so we may know the bird even though it sboqld fly

away, as birds often do as soon as we try to stalk them for a nearer view.— St Nicholas.