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Bird - Lore 



there. When these eucalyptus trees grow along a roadway, or beside a cement 

 walk, the remains of the red berries are most abundant and a cause of surprise 

 to one who cannot "read a roadside as he reads a book." 



This year I was amazed to find my yard full of Waxwings the first of 

 October, and they were reported to have been seen in September, a most 

 unusual occurrence. On October 24 a Robin called in the yard. I thought that 

 I had heard one earlier in the month, but by the end of October the yard was 



full of these big, jolly birds, and 

 some of them were singing their 

 'really, truly,' song as well as the 

 familiar 'wheat-wheat,' 'tut-tut-tut' 

 call-notes. Last year was the first 

 time that I had heard, commonly, 

 that wonderfully clear, liquid song 

 which, so far as my recollection 

 goes, is just like that of the eastern 

 bird, and brings fond memories of 

 a childhood when Robins nested 

 familiarly in the garden and dug 

 worms from the lawn. 



These birds are also fond of 

 pepper berries, gathering them from 

 the trees and from those fallen on 

 the ground. They also disgorge the 

 hard inner pellet as, I doubt not, 

 all birds do that eat them. These 

 spicy little berries seem to create 

 in the Robins a great thirst, so 

 that my bird drinking-plates are 

 freely patronized and , often the 

 pellets are deposited there. Some- 

 times four big Robins are on one small dish at once, and one day I saw a Cedar 

 Waxwing circle dangerously near the head of a Robin as it tried to find a 

 resting-place. The larger bird resented the Wa.xwing's presence and made 

 faces at it in a most undignified way, but nevertheless the Waxwing dis- 

 regarded the Robin's protest and, lighting on the dish, helped himself to 

 water. I rcgrettefl that my camera was not set up in time to catch this 

 attractive picture. 



On November 9 a busy little Mountain Chickadee was seen foraging in a 

 fruit tree in the garden. Some days before I had heard a call which I thought 

 might l)e that of this little stranger, but as it came from high up in the tree- 

 tops and I felt might l)e that of the Plain Titmouse. I gave it little heed. Only 

 once before have I had these mountain-loving birds in my yard and that was 



WESl 



