Outlines for Scout Workers: The Bohemian Waxwing

—

Outlines for Scout Workers

BY DELBERT W. PARRATT, B. S.

IX. —THE BOHEMIAN WAXWING THOUGHTS

Who knows the joy a flower knows When it blows sweetly? Who knows the joy a bird knows When it goes fleetly? Bird's wing and flower stem Break them, who would? Bird's wing and flower stem Make them, who could? — Harper's Weekly. 1. Tell of the size, color, and markings of the Bohem'.an waxwing. 2. Why is it called a waxwing? Why a Bohemian waxwing? By what other names is it also known? 3. Name a near relative of this bird. 4. Tell of the Bohemian waxwing's nest and eggs. 5. During what season is this bird with us? 6. It is often called a chatterer. Why? Tell of its song. 7. Should the waxwing be protected? Give at least two reasons for your answer.

OUTLINES FOR SCOUT WORKERS 611

HANDY MATERIAL The Bohemian waxwing is somewhat smaller than a robin. It isthe best groomed and most beautifully colored bird frequent- ing our mountain regions. His toilet is made with scrupulous care, a feather is never seen out of place, and nothing to mar his cleanliness is allowed to remain for a moment. There are other birds having more striking and gorgeous apparel and more pro- nounced contrasts in tone and color, but none are more har- monious, pleasing, and prepossessing in appearance. His pre- dominating color is a quiet steel-gray with shading tints of deli- cate brown. These subdued tones are enlivened by little touches of bright red tipping a few secondary wing quills, by a clear white bar just above these gleaming tips, and by a narrow fringe of lemon yellow extending from this bar to the end of the wing. The main wing feathers, somewhat darkened, are crossed at the upper ends by another bar of cheering white. The tail feathers shade from a quiet steel-blue to a black and then into a showy terminal band of bright yellow. On the under tail coverts is a warm reddish tint, giving a modest contrast to the cool blue and black above. Below his broad, black bill, is a patch of reddish black and above is a streak of the same color circling back around the head. Within this circle, the brownish-gray feathers extend backward and upward, forming a delicate crest and giving the waxwing one of its prominent marks of identification. "A crown has been placed upon his head." We may wonder why nature bestowed this mark of royaltv upon some of our birds, but not so with the waxwing. It would be difficult to think of him without his appropriate crown of glory. If the royal insignia stands for good breeding, then, surely, the kingly waxwing should wear it. A more sedate, quiet, refined, affectionate bird is to be found nowhere. He has fittingly been called the Gentleman in heathers. Reference was made a moment ago to the fact that some of the secondary feathers were tipped with gleaming spots of bright red. An examination will show that the shafts of these feathers extend beyond the feathers proper and are then flattened and col- ored, giving a glossy appearance resembling ordinary red sealing wax. On account of having these wax-like tips on his wing, the charming fellow under consideration was at one time called the "waxen winged bird," but now, for brevity's sake, this is changed to simply "waxbird" or else, and more often, to "waxwing." There are two kinds of waxwings found in our northern states and in Canada, one principally among the Rocky Moun- tains and the other generally farther east. The eastern bird is commonly called the cedar waxwing and is somewhat smaller than

612 IMPROVEMENT ERA his "Bohemian" relative of the west. However, both are "Bo- hemians" in so far as that term relates to their roving disposi- tions, but to distinguish them apart our waxwing is specifically called the Bohemian waxwing. Owing to this Bohemian habit of wandering in groups with no apparent purpose, aside from search- ing for suitable food, the waxwings are often referred to as gypsie birds. And in addition to this and other names already mentioned, our waxbird is also known as the Black Throated, the Lapland, and the Silktail waxwing. The Bohemian birds spend most of the year and breed in the cooler regions to the north. Their nests, rather loose and bulky, are usually hidden among evergreen tree branches from fifteen to twenty feet above ground. They are composed of fine grass, roots, bark, twigs, weed stems, and hair, lined with soft hair, feathers, and leaves. A setting consists of from three to five sharply pointed, grayish-green eggs, thinly spotted with purplish tints and of such a nature as to be scarcely visible while in the nest. During their winter meanderings, these roving gypsies some- times find their way into our valley, but seldom if ever remain lorger than the latter part of February or early part of March. Four years ago, the writer observed a flock near Wandamere Park and two years ago another was seen near the center of our city. Last winter (Feb., 1915) a flock of eighteen visited us and was content to stay in various eastern parts of town for nigh on a month. This winter at least two flocks have been seen, one of which, comprising twenty-two individuals came into the writer's yard on January 30 and feasted in good sociable manner upon old apples still clinging to a Jonathan tree and upon weed seeds along a combination fence. Their flight, as usual, was swift and grace- ful, though not high. Locomotion on the ground seemed difficult and a little awkward. This, no doubt, was due to their com- paratively heavy bodies and somewhat indolent habits. The wax- wings seldom exert themselves except to satisfy hunger and they have been known to rest upon branches of trees for hours at a time without changing positions to any considerable degree. These birds are friendly to and considerate of one another. Their sociable chatter, in soft lisping notes, has given them the suggestive title of "waxen chatterers." However, they seem to have no song of the kind ordinarily associated with most birds of our clime and country. "The little birds twitter and cheep To their loves on the leafless larch; But seven foot deep the snow-wreaths sleep, And the year hath not worn to March." Except in breeding season, these gentle and beautiful crea- tures are decidedly gregarious. They flock close together and are

—

OUTLINES FOR SCOUT WORKERS 013

very seldom seen scattered to any noticeable degree. In fact, so compact is the flock that often every member could be taken at a single fire from a shot-gun. This, together with their unwariness and friendly attitude toward mankind readily exposes them to serious consequences from the few "persons of depraved sensi- bilities" yet in our midst. Could these few but agree with Rev. Arthur Sewell that,

"The bravest are ever the most humane, the most gentle, the most kind; and if any one would be truly brave, let him learn to be gentle and tender to everyone and everything about him."

Happy is he who lives to understand Not human nature only, but explores All natures, — to the end that he may find The law that governs each; and where begins The union, the partition where, that makes Kind and degree, among all visible Beings; The constitutions, powers, and faculties, Which they inherit, — cannot step beyond, And cannot fall beneath; that do assign To every class its station and its office, Through all the mighty commonwealth of things Up from the creeping plant to sovereign Man. Such converse, if directed by a meek, Sincere, and humble spirit, teaches love: For knowledge is delight; and such delight Breeds love: yet, suited as it rather is To thought and to the climbing intellect, Tt teaches less to love, than to adore; If that be not indeed the highest love. — Wordsworth.

A VIEW OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' CHURCH IN PORTLAND, ORE. President Smith Cost $10,000. Dedicated by President Joseph F. Smith, June 13, 1915. and Bishop Nibley are in the group to the left, just back of the child.