Bird Census 



A census of birds of the United States, announced by the Department of 

 Agriculture, shows an average of sixty pairs of EngHsh sparrows to the square 

 mile, or seven to every 100 native birds throughout the country. 



The robin is shown to be the most numerous bird, with the English sparrow 

 a close second. In the northeast robins averaged six pairs to each farm of fifty- 

 eight acres, while English sparrows averaged five pairs to a farm. Taking 100 

 robins as a unit, other birds were noted in the following proportions : Cat birds, 

 49 ; brown thrushes, 37 ; house wrens, 28 ; kingbirds, 27, and bluebirds, 26. 



As for density of population on each acre of farm land, there was an 

 average of one pair of birds. Chevy Chase, Md., holds the record for density, 

 where 161 pairs nested on twenty-three acres. Thirty-four species of birds were 

 represented. 



The bird population is much smaller than it ought to be, according to depart- 

 ment experts, who assert that if birds were given more protection there would 

 be an increase in numbers. 



The ways of birds, animals, and insects, as these creatures have learned to 

 work them out, possess a fascinating interest to any patient and humble observer ; 

 the more so that they are their own, and not ours. It is not necessary to put their 

 cries and calls into the silly language of the nursery, or to give to their actions 

 motives too human in order that we may interpret their significance truly and 

 beautifully to children. "All sane the woods revolve," and their denizens are 

 neither sentimental nor hysterical. 



I 



Osprey {Pandion haliaetus carolinensis) 

 Length, about 23 inches. The great size, brown upper parts and white under 

 parts are distinguishing features. 



Range : Breeds from northwestern Alaska, and central Canada south to the 

 Gulf Coast, western Mexico and Lower California; winters from the southern 

 United States, Lower California and Mexico to Central America. 



A thin, high pitched whistle, the alarm as well as the call note of the Osprey, 

 frequently directs the attention of the passer by to this fine hawk as he circles 

 high in air on the watch for fish. The bird is common along our coast and to 

 some extent along our rivers, and his bulky nest of twigs, often in low trees or 

 sometimes on the ground, frequently attests his former presence when he is 

 wintering elsewhere. When unmolested, Ospreys return to their own strip of 

 territory year after year, and they and their descendants probably rear their young 

 in the same nest for generations, repairing it from season to season as necessity 

 requires. The Osprey lives solely on fish which he catches himself — he disdains 

 carrion — diving from mid air upon his quarry and often burying himself in the 

 water momentarily by the force of his descent. 



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