Wabash Carnegie Public Library

188 W. Hill St., Wabash, Indiana 46992
Phone: 260.563.2972
Fax: 260.563.0222
E-mail the Library

We need the tonic of wildness... We can never have enough of nature. -Henry David Thoreau

Birds and humans have always had a special relationship. People have historically looked at birds in their search for answers to some of life's questions. During Columbus's first venture to the New World, it was a dove carrying a green sprig that told the weary sailors that land was not far off. In Europe it was golden canaries which men took down with them into the mines that signaled whether or not the mines contained fatal gases and whether it was safe for miners to continue down or to draw back in their quest for valuable ore. Songbirds dying after the spraying of insecticides prompted Rachel Carson to write a revolutionary book, Silent Spring, thus creating a new era of environmental awareness.

History is dotted with examples of men who became intrigued with birds, and then used this interest to change the world. A birder, naturalist, philosopher and author, Henry David Thoreau, who crystallized his thoughts while scrutinizing birds and the out-of-doors, changed the political climate of the world with his essay on civil disobedience. A writer and lover of birds, John Burroughs, taught a man who eventually became President of the united States the romance of birding, and later this man, Theodore Roosevelt, was responsible for the establishment of many of our national parks, parks that are now enjoyed by millions of people each year.

Poets have frequently referred to the "dove of peace" and the "bluebird of happiness"; and our Founding Fathers chose to select a bird, the bald eagle, as our national emblem.

The question is why have birds had this extraordinary influence on people? Why not fish, butterflies, wildflowers or trees? An answer to this would require an analysis of all of the feelings that man has, for birds are so diverse that they appeal to all the different views and emotions that man is capable of expressing. For those who appreciate beauty, there are warblers- thirty to thirty-five in Indiana alone! Those who admire the trait of aggression can look to the hawks and owls for the epitome of this quality. For industriousness, watch for the many species of birds that possess it in large measure, like wrens and sparrows. Courage, tenacity, devotion to family: these are all qualities evident in the world of birds.

If you are interested in pursuing this challenge, here are some recommendations:

Purchase a pair of fairly good lightweight binoculars, perhaps a six-power.
A small notebook and pen to take notes on a bird's habits and its location.
If you're ambitious, take along a camera. Bird photography is a challenging hobby and an excellent way to get to know the birds.
Buy a reliable field guide: A Field Guide to the Birds by Roger Tory Peterson, or Birds of North America by Chandler Robbins.
Discipline yourself to spend a few hours each week getting out to a park or woods or large body of water. The important thing is to get out regularly.
Be patient in trying to learn all the birds. It can't be done all in one year. In fact, you should guard against getting discouraged the first year. Consider, many of the warblers and shorebirds are here only for a week or two in spring and fall.
Time spent the first year should be considered a learning experience. In the second year, you should feel more confident of your ability to identify fifty to one-hundred different birds.

The National Audubon Society now numbers around 500,000 members, with chapters in all states and at least twelve chapters in Indiana. The nearest is the Tippecanoe Audubon Society, Inc. A monthly newsletter "Tippe-Topics", edited by David Eiler and published by the Tippecanoe Audubon Society, is full of information and area news, programs and coming events.

An anticipation of the coming change in season is now evident in the behavior of many birds. At the beginning of the month small groups of mixed blackbirds, red-wings, grackles, cowbirds, and starlings, can be seen moving about just before sunset. Their numbers will increase almost daily, and by the end of the month, they will have gathered into huge flocks.

Swallows, also have started to prepare for migration. First to gather are the bank swallows, which can often be seen lined up on telephone wires not far from where they have nested. Shortly after they have left, the purple martins take their place on the wires, to be followed shortly by the barn swallows. Other swallows: the rough-winged and a few cliff, will follow their lead, and within a month, only the tree swallows can be found lingering briefly here. It boggles the mind to see thousands of swallows in mid-August and realize that within thirty days most of these birds will have departed the country with some already having accomplished the long journey to South America.

One of the attributes which makes birds appealing to so many people is their beautiful coloring. The orange of the orioles, the red of the cardinal, the blue of the bluebird are all colors that appeal to everyone. However, there are other birds able to blend less striking colors in such a manner as to make them at least equal in beauty. The cedar waxwing is a perfect example of these. The waxwing is a blend of soft yellows, grays, and browns. The cedar waxwing normally is a late nesting bird and frequently is still feeding young in Indiana in late August and even into September. It is possible to see waxwings every month of the year in Indiana, although there is a period from November to March when their presence there is dependent upon the availability of berries or wild fruit. Waxwings seem to have a very gentle personality, and never seem to quarrel over tidbits while feeding. They never exhibit hostility toward their own kind or other birds. These peaceful birds seem to have done well in the world, since their numbers do not seem to have decreased. Maybe they are familiar with the Beatitudes and believe that "the meek shall inherit the earth."

Jubilant the music through the fields a-ringing- Carol, warble, whistle, pipe-endless ways of singing, Oriole, bobolink, melody of thrushes. -Frances Louisa Bushnell

In North America, Indians were the first birdhouse keepers. They used hollow gourds to attract a variety of species. In Colonial America, European immigrants attached small clay vessels to the clapboards of their homes to attract wrens and other social birds. The clay proved to be more durable than wood, and some still exist today. Toward the end of the 19th century, Americans began applying a more scientific approach to birds and their houses. You can welcome a colorful variety of birds to your yard by offering a number of birdhouses designed especially for the different species. With the right dwellings, bluebirds, wrens and martins are just a few of the species you can attract.

Many types of birds will set up housekeeping in your yard if you create a variety of habitats.

American Birding Association P.O. Box 6599-Colorado Springs, CO 80934
National Audubon Society 950 Third Ave.-New York, NY 10022

Befriending birds can be a lifelong hobby that's started as easily as by setting up a simple feeder or scattering some seed on your sidewalk. Until next month, good luck and happy bird- watching!

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come.
-Chinese Proverb