bird neighbors-第14章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



〃Matching　the　bravest　of　the　brave　among　birds　of　prey　in　deeds　of　daring；　and　no　less　relentless　than　reckless；　the　shrike　compels　that　sort　of　deference；　not　unmixed　with　indignation；　we　are　accustomed　to　accord　to　creatures　of　seeming　insignificance　whose　exploits　demand　much　strength；　great　spirit；　and　insatiate　love　for　carnage。　We　cannot　be　indifferent　to　the　marauder　who　takes　his　own　wherever　he　finds　it　　a　feudal　baron　who　holds　his　own　with　undisputed　sway　　and　an　ogre　whose　victims　are　so　many　more　than　he　can　eat；　that　he　actually　keeps　a　private　graveyard　for　the　balance。〃　Who　is　honestly　able　to　give　the　shrikes　a　better　character　than　Dr。　Coues；　just　quoted？　A　few　offer　them　questionable　defence　by　recording　the　large　numbers　of　English　sparrows　they　kill　in　a　season；　as　if　wanton　carnage　were　ever　justifiable。

Not　even　a　hawk　itself　can　produce　the　consternation　among　a　flock　of　sparrows　that　the　harsh；　rasping　voice　of　the　butcherbird　creates；　for　escape　they　well　know　to　be　difficult　before　the　small　ogre　swoops　down　upon　his　victim；　and　carries　it　off　to　impale　it　on　a　thorn　or　frozen　twig；　there　to　devour　it　later　piecemeal。　Every　shrike　thus　either　impales　or　else　hangs　up；　as　a　butcher　does　his　meat；　more　little　birds　of　many　kinds；　field…mice；　grasshoppers；　and　other　large　insects　than　it　can　hope　to　devour　in　a　week　of　bloody　orgies。　Field…mice　are　perhaps　its　favorite　diet；　but　even　snakes　are　not　disdained。

More　contemptible　than　the　actual　slaughter　of　its　victims；　if　possible；　is　the　method　by　which　the　shrike　often　lures　and　sneaks　upon　his　prey。　Hiding　in　a　clump　of　bushes　in　the　meadow　or　garden；　he　imitates　with　fiendish　cleverness　the　call…notes　of　little　birds　that　come　in　cheerful　response；　hopping　and　flitting　within　easy　range　of　him。　His　bloody　work　is　finished　in　a　trice。　Usually；　however；　it　must　be　owned；　the　shrike's　hunting　habits　are　the　reverse　of　sneaking。　Perched　on　a　point　of　vantage　on　some　tree…top　or　weather…vane；　his　hawk…like　eye　can　detect　a　grasshopper　going　through　the　grass　fifty　yards　away。

What　is　our　surprise　when；　some　fine　warm　day　in　March；　just　before　our　butcher；　ogre；　sneak；　and　fiend　leaves　us　for　colder　regions；　to　hear　him　break　out　into　song！　Love　has　warmed　even　his　cold　heart；　and　with　sweet；　warbled　notes　on　the　tip　of　a　beak　that　but　yesterday　was　reeking　with　his　victim's　blood；　he　starts　for　Canada；　leaving　behind　him　the　only　good　impression　he　has　made　during　a　long　winter's　visit。


BOHEMIAN　WAXWING　（Ampelis　garrulus）　Waxwing　family

Called　also：　BLACK…THROATED　WAX　WING；　LAPLAND　WAX　WING；　SILKTAIL

Length　　8　to　9。5　inches。　A　little　smaller　than　the　robin。　Male　and　Female　　General　color　drab；　with　faint　brownish　wash　　　above；　shading　into　lighter　gray　below。　Crest　conspicuous。　　　being　nearly　an　inch　and　a　half　in　length；　rufous　at　the　base；　　　shading　into　light　gray　above；　velvety…black　forehead；　chin；　　　and　line　through　the　eye。　Wings　grayish　brown；　with　very　dark　　　　quills；　which　have　two　white　bars；　the　bar　at　the　edge　of　the　　　upper　wing　coverts　being　tipped　with　red　sealing…wax…like　　　points；　that　give　the　bird　its　name。　A　few　wing　feathers　tipped　　　with　yellow　on　outer　edge。　Tail　quills　dark　brown；　with　yellow　　　band　across　the　end；　and　faint　red　streaks　on　upper　and　inner　　　　sides。　Range　　Northern　United　States　and　British　America。　Most　common　　　in　Canada　and　northern　Mississippi　region。　Migrations　　Very　irregular　winter　visitor。

When　Charles　Bonaparte；　Prince　of　Canino；　who　was　the　first　to　count　this　common　waxwing　of　Europe　and　Asia　among　the　birds　of　North　America；　published　an　account　of　it　in　his　〃Synopsis；〃　it　was　considered　a　very　rare　bird　indeed。　It　may　be　these　waxwings　have　greatly　increased；　but　however　uncommon　they　may　still　be　considered；　certainly　no　one　who　had　ever　seen　a　flock　containing　more　than　a　thousand　of　them；　resting　on　the　trees　of　a　lawn　within　sight　of　New　York　City；　as　the　writer　has　done；　could　be　expected　to　consider　the　birds　〃very　rare。〃

The　Bohemian　waxwing；　like　the　only　other　member　of　the　family　that　ever　visits　us；　the　cedar…bird；　is　a　roving　gipsy。　In　Germany　they　say　seven　years　must　elapse　between　its　visitations；　which　the　superstitious　old　cronies　are　wont　to　associate　with　woful　stories　of　pestilence　　just　such　tales　as　are　resurrected　from　the　depths　of　morbid　memories　here　when　a　comet　reappears　or　the　seven…year　locust　ascends　from　the　ground。

The　goings　and　comings　of　these　birds　are　certainly　most　erratic　and　infrequent；　nevertheless；　when　hunger　drives　them　from　the　far　north　to　feast　upon　the　juniper　and　other　winter　berries　of　our　Northern　States；　they　come　in　enormous　flocks；　making　up　in　quantity　what　they　lack　in　regularity　of　visits　and　evenness　of　distribution。

Surely　no　bird　has　less　right　to　be　associated　with　evil　than　this　mild　waxwing。　It　seems　the　very　incarnation　of　peace　and　harmony。　Part　of　a　flock　that　has　lodged　in　a　tree　will　sit　almost　motionless　for　hours　and　whisper　in　softly　hissed　twitterings；　very　much　as　a　company　of　Quaker　ladies；　similarly　dressed；　might　sit　at　yearly　meeting。　Exquisitely　clothed　in　silky…gray　feathers　that　no　berry　juice　is　ever　permitted　to　stain；　they　are　dainty；　gentle；　aristocratic…looking　birds；　a　trifle　heavy　and　indolent；　perhaps；　when　walking　on　the　ground　or　perching；　but　as　they　fly　in　compact　squads　just　above　the　tree…tops　their　flight　is　exceedingly　swift　and　graceful。


BAY…BREASTED　WARBLER　（Dendroica　castanea）　Wood　Warbler　family

Length。　　5。25　to　5。75　inches。　A　little　smaller　than　the　English　　　sparrow。　Male　　Crown；　chin；　throat；　upper　breast；　and　sides　dull　　　chestnut。　Forehead；　sides　of　head；　and　cheeks　black。　Above　　　olive…gray；　streaked　with　black。　Underneath　buffy。　Two　white　　　wing…bars。　Outer　tail　quills　with　white　patches　on　tips。　Cream　　　white　patch　on　either　side　of　neck。　Female　　Has　more　greenish…olive　above。　Range　　Eastern　North　America；　from　Hudson's　Bay　to　Central　　　America。　Nests　north　of　the　United　States。　Winters　in　tropical　　　limit　of　range。　Migrations　　May。　September。　Rare　migrant

The　chestnut　breast　of　this　capricious　little　visitor　makes　him　look　like　a　diminutive　robin。　In　spring；　when　these　warblers　are　said　to　take　a　more　easterly　route　than　the　one　they　choose　in　autumn　to　return　by　to　Central　America；　they　may　be　so　suddenly　abundant　that　the　fresh　green　trees　and　shrubbery　of　the　garden　will　contain　a　dozen　of　the　busy　little　hunters。　Another　season　they　may　pass　northward　either　by　another　route　or　leave　your　garden　unvisited；　and　perhaps　the　people　in　the　very　next　town　may　be　counting　your　rare　bird　common；　while　it　is　simply　perverse。

Whether　common　or　rare；　before　your　acquaintance　has　had　time　to　ripen　into　friendship；　away　go　the　freaky　little　creatures　to　nest　in　the　tree…tops　of　the　Canadian　coniferous　forests。


CHESTNUT…SIDED　WARBLER　（Dendroica　pennsylvanica）　Wood　Warbler　family

Called　also：　BLOODY…SIDED　WARBLER

Length　　About　5　inches。　More　than　an　inch　shorter　than　the　　　English　sparrow。　Male　　Top　of　head　and　streaks　in　wings　yellow。　A　black　line　　　running　through　the　eye　and　round　back　of　crown；　and　a　black　　　spot　in　front　of　eye；　extending　to　cheeks。　Ear　coverts；　chin；　　　and　underneath　white。　Back　greenish　gray　and　slate；　streaked　　　with　black。　Sides　of　bird　chestnut。　Wings；　which　are　streaked　　　with　black　and　yellow；　have　yellowish…white　bars。　Very　dark　　　tail　with　white　patches　on　inner　vanes　of　the　outer　quills。　Female　　Similar；　but　duller。　Chestnut　sides　are　often　scarcely　　　apparent。　Range　　Eastern　North　America；　from　Manitoba　and　Labrador　to　the　　　tropics；　where　it　winters。　Migrations　　May。　September。　Summer　resident；　most　common　in　　　migrations。

In　the　Alleghanies；　and　from　New　Jersey　and　Illinois　northward；　this　restless　little　warbler　nests　in　the　bushy　borders　of　woodlands　and　the　undergrowth　of　the　woods；　for　which　he　forsakes　our　gardens　and　orchards　after　a　very　short　visit　in　May。　While　hopping　over　the　ground　catching　ants；　of　which　he　seems　to　be　inordinately　fond；　or　flitting　actively　about　the　shrubbery　after　grubs　and　insects；　we　may　note　his　coat　of　many　colors　　patchwork　in　which　nearly　all　the　warbler　colors　are　curiously　combined。　With　drooped　wings　that　often　conceal　the　bird's　chestnut　sides；　which　are　his　chief　distinguishing　mark；　and　with　tail　erected　like　a　redstart's；　he　hunts　incessantly。　Here　in　the　garden　he　is　as　refreshingly　indifferent　to　your　interest　in　him　as　later　in　his　breeding　haunts　he　is　shy　and　distrustful。　His　song　is　bright　and　animated；　like　that　of　the　yellow　warbler。


GOLDEN…WINGED　WARBLER　（Helminthophila　chrysoptera）　Wood　Warbler　family

Length　　About　5　inches。　More　than　an　inch　shorter　than　the　　　English　sparrow。　Male　　Yellow　crown　and　yellow　patches　on　the　wings。　Upper　parts　　　bluish　gray；　sometimes　tinged　with　greenish。　Stripe　through　the　　　eye　and　throat　black。　Sides　of　head　chin；　and　line　over　the　eye　　　white。　Underneath　white；　grayish　on　sides。　A　few　white　markings　　　on　outer　tail　feathers。　Female　　Crown　duller；　gray　where　male　is　black；　with　olive　　　Upper　parts　and　grayer　underneath。　Range　　From　Canadian　border　to　Central　America；　where　it　　　winters。　Migrations　　May。　September。　Summer　resident。

After　one　has　seen　a　golden…winged　warbler　fluttering　hither　and　thither　about　the　shrubbery　of　a　park　within　sight　and　sound　of　a　great　city's　distractions　and　with　blissful　unconcern　of　them　all；　partaking　of　a　hearty　lunch　of　insects　that　infest　the　leaves　before　one's　eyes；　one　counts　the　bird　less　rare　and　shy　than　one　has　been　taught　to　consider　it。　Whoever　looks　for　a　warbler　with　gaudy　yellow　wings　will　not　find　the　golden…winged　variety。　His　wings　have　golden　patches　only；　and　while　these　are　distinguishing　marks；　they　are　scarcely　prominent　enough　features　to　have　given　the　bird　the　rather　misleading　name　he　bears。　But；　then；　most　warblers'　names　are　misleading。　They　serve　their　best　purpose　in　cultivating　patience　and　other　gentle　virtues　in　the　novice。

Such　habits　and　choice　of　haunts　as　characterize　the　blue…winged　warbler　are　also　the　golden…winged's。　But　their　voices　are　quite　different；　the　former's　being　sharp　and　metallic；　while　the　latter's　zee；　zee；　zee　comes　more　lazily　and　without　accent。


MYRTLE　WARBLER　（Dendroica　coronata）　Wood　Warbler　family

Called　also：　YELLOW…RUMPED　WARBLER　＇AOU　1998＇；　MYRTLE　BIRD；　　　YELLOW…CROWNED　WARBLER

Length　　5　to　5。5　inches。　About　an　inch　smaller　than　the　English　　　sparrow。　Male　　In　summer　plumage：　A　yellow　patch　on　top　of　head；　lower　　　back；　and　either　side　of　the　breast。　Upper　parts　bluish　slate；　　　streaked　with　black。　Upper　breast　black；　throat　white；　all　　　other　under　parts　whitish；　streaked　with　black。　Two　white　wing　　　bars；　and　tail　quills　have　white　spots　near　the　tip。　In　winter：　　　Upper　parts　olive…brown；　streaked　with　black；　the　yellow　spot　　　on　lower　back　the　only　yellow　mark　remaining。　Wing…bars　　　grayish。　Female　　Resembles　male　in　winter　plumage。　Range　　Eastern　North　America。　Occasional　on　Pacific　slope。　　　Summers　from　Minnesota　and　northern　New　England　northward　to　　　Fur　Countries。　Winters　from　Middle　States　south　ward　into　　　Central　America；　a　few　often　remaining　at　the　northern　United　　　States　all　the　winter。　Migrations　　Apri