What Bird is That? Part 38

_Range._ Nests from Long Island (locally), the higher parts of Connecticut, and central Minnesota northward to Canada, and southward in the mountains to Maryland; winters from New Jersey and Ohio Valley to the Gulf States and Cuba.

Was.h.i.+ngton, very common T.V., sometimes not uncommon W.V., Apl. 6-May 17; Sept. 18-Nov. 12.

Ossining, common T.V.. Apl. 5-May 9; Oct. 18-Nov.

26. Cambridge, very common T.V., Apl. 15-May 5; Oct. 5-Nov. 15; occasionally one or two may winter; one summer record. N. Ohio, common T.V., Mch. 21-May 10; Oct. 2-28. Glen Ellyn, common T.V., Mch. 18-May 11; Sept. 14-Nov. 1. SE. Minn., common T.V. Apl. 1-; Sept. 13-Oct. 26.

The Hermit is the only one of the Thrushes to winter in the eastern United States and it is, therefore, the first one to reach us in the spring. It comes early in April and takes about a month to complete its migration. It rarely sings at this season and then only an echo of the heavenly music which has won for it first place among American songsters.

We may know the Hermit Thrush by the season in which he visits us, by his reddish brown tail, which he slowly raises and lowers after alighting, and by the low _chuck_ note with which he usually accomplishes this movement.

The Hermit nests on the ground, laying, in the latter part of May, 3-4 greenish-blue eggs, slightly lighter in tint than those of the Wood Thrush.

ROBIN

_Planesticus migratorius migratorius. Case 4, Fig. 80; Case 5, Fig. 12_

In spring and summer the head is blacker, the breast brighter, the bill more yellow than in fall and winter. L. 10.

_Range._ Nests from Virginia (in the mountains, northern Georgia) and northern Mississippi to Labrador and Alaska; winters from New Jersey and Ohio Valley to the Gulf. Birds from the lowlands, from Maryland southward, are somewhat smaller and paler and are known as the Southern Robin (_P. m.

achrusterus_).

Was.h.i.+ngton, rather common S.R., abundant T.V., from Feb-Apl.; irregularly common W.V. Ossining, common S.R., Mch. 4-Oct. 30; a few winter.

Cambridge, very abundant S.R., common but irregular W.V. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Feb.

26-Nov. 30; a few winter. Glen Ellyn, very common S.R., rare W.V., Jan. 25-Nov. 19. SE. Minn., common S.R., rare W.V., Mch. 8-Nov. 11.

The Robin is the best-known and probably most abundant of our native birds. Civilization agrees with him. Man has destroyed many of his enemies and has provided him with a bountiful supply of fruits and a vast area of lawns where worms are at his mercy. Sociable and trustful he has taken up his abode with us and become as much a part of our outdoor life as the flowers in our gardens and trees in our lawns. His varied calls have an intimate a.s.sociation with the hour and season and spring itself speaks through his cheerful song.

Robins show their confidence in us by building their nests in situations where few birds would venture to rear a family, and from mid-April to July they are occupied with household cares.

BLUEBIRD

_Sialis sialis sialis. Case 4, Fig. 78; Case 5, Fig. 13_

The Bluebird's red, white and blue mark him as a truly American bird. L. 7.

_Range._ Nests from the Gulf States to Florida; winters from Connecticut and northern Ohio southward.

Was.h.i.+ngton, common S.R., and W.V. Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, common S.R., Mch. 6-Nov. 1; more numerous during migrations, in Mch. and Nov. N.

Ohio, common S.R., Feb. 17-Nov. 18; a few winter.

Glen Ellyn, fairly common S.R., Feb. 19-Nov. 18.

SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 16-Oct. 31.

Not many years ago the Bluebird was as familiar as he was welcome about our homes; but too gentle to battle effectively with English Sparrows and Starlings for the possession of bird houses, he has sought such nesting sites in the orchard as the 'tree surgeons' have left. If we would not lose this bird, "beloved of children, bards and spring," who wears our national colors so modestly, we must supply him with a home in which he may rear his family in peace. It may be placed not only in our garden, but also in the orchard where it is less likely to be occupied by Sparrows or Starlings. It should be erected not later than March 15, for the Bluebird's bluish white eggs are laid in the first half of April.