ORNITHOLOGY 



'7 



many such nests throughout the mar- 

 shes. We also found after this storm 

 several nests of swamp and song spar- 

 rows, which contained eggs, entirely 

 submerged, as the 



water rising 



tar 



above its usual height and covered 

 many of the grass hummocks which 

 contained their nests. Such a prolong- 

 ed storm in June, 1903. caused the 

 death of hundreds of thousands of hirer's 

 in Massachusetts. Many colonies of 

 martins were exterminated, nests were 

 abandoned and dead birds were picked 

 up in various places. This storm was 

 so severe in its general effect upon bird 

 life as to call for a special report by 

 the Massachusetts State Ornithologist. 

 Severe gales are sometimes destructive 

 to sea birds by blowing them far in- 

 land where they cannot obtain food, 

 such storms also causing the death of 

 many of the smaller birds in the mi- 

 grating seasons. 



The young oriole shown on the edge 

 of the swinging basket had fallen from 

 its nest and was cared for by some one 

 interested in its welfare. Young birds 

 may often be saved from destruction 

 in some such way by providing food 

 and shelter until they are able to care 

 for themselves. Nests which have fall- 

 en down may sometimes be attached 

 to a temporary support and the parent 

 birds induced to resume their duties of 

 caring for the young. 



Probably the greater part of all bird 

 life comes to a tragic end Many other 



YOUNG BALTIMORE ORIOLE WHICH HAD 

 FALLEN FROM ITS NEST. 



agencies of destruction might be men- 

 tioned besides those illustrated here, 

 but it is not a very pleasant subject 

 when we consider those things over 

 which we have no control. It should 

 concern us, however, to know that 

 there are many things which we can 

 do to conserve these useful creatures, 

 for probably more than all these com- 

 bined is man the agent of death among 

 the birds. A sane and reasonable con- 

 trol of cats, a proper provision of food 

 and nesting sites where we remove 

 those which Nature has provided and 

 the checking of their natural enemies 

 will tend to increase rather than dimin- 

 ish those species of value which are 

 especially desirable about the house, 

 while still further restrictive laws and 

 assistance to such organizations as the 

 Audubon Societies, which are doing 

 protective work among the birds, is 

 vitally necessary if we would stop the 

 ruthless slaughter, if not actual exter- 

 mination, which is still being perpe- 

 trated among some of our naitve birds. 



YOUNG RED- WINGED blackbirds. 

 Nest broken down and birds killed by storm. 



In Passing. 



BY GRACE E. EMERSON, NORWALK, CONNECTICUT. 



There's so much good in field and wood 

 I fail to count the half I find : 

 Refreshing ease 'mid grass and trees; 

 With lengthening shadows peace of mind; 

 Again the birds sing hopeful words, 

 And healing lingers in the breeze, 

 Yet is my heart a living part 

 Of all the life I find in these? 



