Identifier: cu31924022528677 (find matches)
Title: The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state
Year: 1903 (1900s)
Authors: Dawson, William Leon, 1873- Jones, Lynds, b. 1865
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Columbus, The Wheaton Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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nsumption—be it chilly-footedmouse or palpitating Sparrow—upon some convenient thorn. In spring thenorth-bound bird is somewhat more amiable, being better fed, and he pausesfrom time to time during the retreat to sing a strange medley, which has wonfor him the name Great Electric Buzz. This is meant for a love song, andis doubtless so understood by the proper authorities, but its rendition some-times produces about the same effect upon a troop of Finches which a cata-mounts serenade has upon the cowering deer. It is quite the fashion nowadays to discover, after much scrutiny of rudelyarrested meals, that various bird-devils are not really so black as they have beenpainted. This is welcome news to those of us who have become so thoroughlyidentified with the bird-world as to desire easy shrift for its sins; but one won-ders in the case of the Butcher-bird at least, whether the laity will receive it.It is high doctrine for one who has really seen the cruel beak dyed red with -i^p«»
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THE MIGRANT SHRIKE. 289 some winter songsters gore. I, for one, am willing to accept with becominghnmility the verdict of the leading stomachologists Avith reference to mostbirds, but when one of them extols the moderation of the Northern Shrike, Ireserve the right to do a little incredulous grumbling. It is true that the birdsometimes allows his fond glance to fall upon the English Sparrow—and inso far he is above reproach—but it is not recorded that the creature exercisesproper discrimination between the beggar in fustian and our gentle guests ofwoodland and weed-lot. No doubt, too, our northern brigand would eat miceor grasshoppers by preference, and does when opportunity offers, but it is nofault of ours that we cannot set such viands before his butchership in winter,so that he must needs fall to eating our Juncoes and Goldfinches. The slaugh-ter of Horned Larks and the terrorizing of an innocent band of Tree Sparrowsare offences not easily forgiven. Have at thee, Sirrah! My g

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