Page:Bird-lore Vol 06.djvu/249

 ﬂorets from inelb ant: 5min?

Balancing Robins

Perhaps the following observations on a- Rohin's methods of balancing will be of interest to the readers of BtRn»LoltE. On February 2!, 1904. a heavy sleet fell. and by the afternoon everything was so coated with ice that many of the birds found it a hard matter to secure food. Three or four hundred Robins came into the barnyard in search of food A persimmon tree that stood near the granary where l was con- cealed, seemed to be the center of attack Usually between twenty-ﬁve and titty Robins were in this tree at once, eating the fruit and calling an occasional loud pip, or piep.

The branches of this tree were so laden with ice that the birds could not easily secure a foothold, and were continually slipping and tumbling about. cealed within a few yards of the tree and had a good opportunity to observe the many dilferent methods used for maintain- ing a balance. When 3 Robin ﬁrst ﬂew into the tree he usually held both wings high over his back until he had gained a ﬁrm position, and the tail also was usually spread wide to aid himr When in danger of fall- ing the wings were often raised only slightly and the tail spread about half-way, until the balance had been regained. Sometimes a coated persimmon was just outof reach, and then the bird would crane his neck out until in imminent danger of tumbling headlong. Then, as quick as a ﬂash, he would thrust out a wing, and I saw them even stand in this position balanc' g with one wing until they were either satisﬁed that the fruit was not to be had or had secured it, The left and right wings were both seen to he used in this operation. The tail was sometimes used in conjunction with one or both wings, being wholly or partly spread and usually pumped up and down. As an extreme measure, when nearly talling headlong. l have seen the Robin thrust out one wing on the side of his body that was lowest, and

I was con-

bring it quickly forward until it was nearly an a level with his head,

Often one of the ice-coated branches would fall. and it was amusing to see the Robin who was perched thereon pick him- self up, so to speak. in mid airt When the crackling of the branch was heard the birds usually ﬂew away, but soon returned and were as busy as before. A small ﬂock of Cedar Waxwings was engaged in the same pursuit, but I did not see one of them fall or balance himself, probably because at their lighter weight and because they were not so clumsy as the Robins.—ERNEST SEE- MAN. Greensboro. N. C.

The European Skylark near New York City

On July 22 and 29, of this year, I had the opportunity of seeing and hearing Sky- larks within an hour’s journey of New York City, The birds were seen in and over extensive ﬁelds of timothy. clover, red top and sorrel, situated about one and one- halt miles northwest of Canarsie, L. l. Other birds of the immediate vicinity were Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrows and Meadowlarks. all of which breed abun» dantly, a pair of Great Blue Herons, a pair of Sparrow-hawks, besides a few Spotted Sandpipers, Indigo Buntings, Barn Swal- lows, English Sparrows and Starlings, and numerous Song Sparrows, Swifts and Chip- ping Sparrows.

Skylarks were heard singing almost con- rinually. alrhough the singer was trcqueutly not in sight. The song must be heard to be appreciated. The bird rises from a low perch and, ascending in a very irregular spiral. potlts iotth a medley of notes remindv ing one at times of the Canary, Long- hilled Marsh Wren. Bobolink and Gold- ﬁnch ! The descent is much quicker than the ascent—a few turns in the spiral and then the bird rapidly descends on closed wings until within a few feet of the ground. when it spreatls its wings and. after sailing

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