302 Bird - Lore 



About May i, it was noticed that the flock had grown smaller by some 

 ten or twelve of their number, and a few days later about as many more were 

 missing. A dozen or more of the birds yet remained, and came with the same 

 regularity to the feeding-ground each morning. 



The trees were fast putting on their summer garments of leaves; pear, 

 peach and apple blossoms were forming magnificent bouquets everywhere; 

 Orioles, Summer Warblers sang and Hummingbirds flitted among the 

 flower-laden branches, — still the Grosbeaks remained. 



It was plain to see, however, that they were greatly aftected by the hot 

 weather; for in the middle of the day they might be seen perched among the 

 branches of the trees, screened by the thick foliage from the direct rays of 

 the sun, yet with beaks open, panting with evident discomfort from the intense 

 heat. 



Still, they seemed to evince no desire to leave, and speculation became 

 rife as to whether or not they would stay all summer, and perhaps breed here. 

 Some even went so far as to aver that they saw them picking up sticks and 

 straws, as though in the act of nest-building; but, when these statements 

 were sifted down, it was found that they were not to be relied upon. 



In reply to a letter that I sent to the American Museum of Natural His- 

 tory, New York, it was stated that in 1890 Evening Grosbeaks were seen 

 in Pennsylvania as late as May 11, but that there was no evidence to show 

 they nested there; so it was with considerable interest that I watched these 

 birds, to see if they would remain here as long as they did in Pennsylvania, 

 in 1890. It was, therefore, with no small degree of pleasure that I saw them 

 appear on the morning of May 12, and still greater joy, when, for several 

 days afterward, they were still to be seen at their usual feeding-place. 



On May 15, at noon, they were last seen. At that time some eight or ten 

 of them were feeding on the lawn directly under the window of a near neigh- 

 bor of mine. Their actions appeared normal and, after their usual noonday 

 meal of seeds and crumbs, they took wing, and were gone. The next morning 

 no Grosbeaks appeared, nor were they again seen here. 



It is highly probable that during the night following the fifteenth they 

 started on their long journey to the far-away Rockies. 



Besides the keen pleasure and enjoyment that these birds gave to hundreds 

 of people, the good they otherwise did is incalculable; for many persons, who 

 until last winter had taken absolutely no interest in birds or their protection, 

 by watching and studying these beautiful creatures, have developed into 

 ardent bird-lovers, and enthusiasts in the matter of bird protection. And 

 now in homes, where, only a few months ago, a worthless, prowling cat was 

 kept, there appears, instead, a suitable bird-house, feed-box, or bathing- 

 fountain. Wherever these conditions prevail, our song and insectivorous 

 birds are not slow to appropriate them, and become useful, tame and con- 

 fiding. 



