Notes from Field and Study 



191 



again observed it from a distance of about 

 twenty yards, and could see that it had 

 white wing-bars. After observing it sev- 

 eral minutes, I tried to get closer, when 

 it again flew toward the east end of the 

 fence. I did not follow, but hurried home 

 to consult Chapman's 'Birds of Eastern 

 North America.' On looking over the list 

 of Sparrows which are not common here, 

 I found that the description of Harris's 

 Sparrow exactly suited the one which I 

 had observed. This is the largest and most 

 beautiful Sparrow I have ever seen, and 

 is easily identified, on account of its large^ 

 size and very different markings from 

 any other Sparrow. — J. J. Schafer, Port 

 Byron, III. 



Curious Actions of a Robin 



Can any reader of Bird-Lore explain 

 the actions of a Robin as described below? 



I live at West Newton, and my house 

 has a covered porch, underneath which 

 projects a bay-window with three sashes. 

 Adjoining is a glass-enclosed breakfast- 

 room on one side, and on the other a sash 

 recessed about six feet from the floor of 

 the porch. 



Upon coming down to breakfast, April 

 8, we found a Robin flying repeatedly at 

 the three windows in the bay, trying to 

 get in, striking the glass with its bill, 

 wings and feet. This it kept up all day 

 long, and until darkness settled down. 

 We tried to drive it away, fearing that it 

 would hurt itself. When, it appeared to be 

 somewhat exhausted from its labors it 

 would fly to the recessed window, which 

 afforded room for it to alight on, and 

 would then gaze into the room. Con- 

 stantly throughout the day it issued its 

 call. 



The next morning it appeared promptly, 

 and I pulled the shades down thinking 

 that it might discourage its efforts; but 

 when I left it was still flying toward the 

 sash and then back to the porch-rail. 



In flying against the sash, with the 

 exception of the recessed window, there 

 was no opportunity to alight; so that, 

 a,fter striking the glass with its bill, wings 



and feet, it would return to the porch- 

 rail. These efforts occurred about every 

 ten seconds, and would last about one- 

 half to three quarters of an hour. 



When under observation, the Robin 

 would drop to the lawn, running about a 

 bit and returning to its futile efforts to 

 get into , the house. Nothing that we 

 could do would discourage it. 



This Robin was under observation by 

 us for three days but it did not appear to 

 us to be seeking self-destruction. It was 

 apparently careful in striking the window 

 not to injure itself. But for fear that it 

 would exhaust itself, other means failing, 

 we tied cross lines in front of the window, 

 with many fluttering streamers. The 

 Robin did not appear to mind these par- 

 ticularly, though naturally it acted as 

 though it could not quite make out why 

 they were there, but the flutterings did 

 not entirely discourage it in its efforts. 

 The fourth day it acted more rationally, 

 and since then apparently has been 

 normal. 



After erecting the streamers in front of 

 the three windows which attracted its 

 first efforts, it shifted its attentions to 

 adjoining windows, but in a lesser degree. 



Another reason which makes me feel 

 that it was not trying self-destruction is 

 that it would land on the sill of an adjoin- 

 ing window and call for minutes at a time. 

 — Clarence B. Wood, Boston, Mass. 



A Successful Bird's Bath 



Possibly a description of a birds' bath 

 I have found to be successful may be of 

 interest to Bird-Lore readers. 



The stones which form the support are 

 laid up without mortar, so as to leave 

 openings between them. These are filled 

 with soil and ferns planted in them, and 

 in one large opening we planted an 

 umbrella plant, which grows very fast, 

 as the drip from the tank keeps it well 

 watered. The stone support is about two 

 feet high by three feet long and eighteen 

 inches wide. The open bathing-tank on 

 top of the stones is ten inches wide, three 

 feet long, and one and ope-half iiicbe§ 



