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Pomology

Pomology image
Parent Issue
Day
9
Month
July
Year
1880
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The regular monthly meeting of the 'omological society was held Baturday uly 8, vlce-president Baldwin in the hair. The attendahce was somewhat miied owlng tu the eelebration and arge ooncourseoi people on the streets. 'he recular routine of business was alled u and disponed f. At a previus meeting Prof. Alexander Winchell sked the society " how he might be irotected against the depredations of re voracious cow blackbirds, which ecited some lnteresttng remarks, N. B. Covert taking ground in defence of the lirds. Since the June meeting Mr. Coert has corresponded with severa! opithologists In purauance of the inquiy. The following received in reply ■as read at the meeting: MOLOTHBUB I'ICORIS. OW BIIiD- COW BüN'l'INO- COW ULAC1Cr.iiti). This common and wel] known species enerally arrive in southem Michigan hout the Becond weel; in April, long fter the blue bird, robin and black bird ave made the orcbards and üeldsreound with their songs. With the cow )ird the art of nest-building haa oever een studied, so to speak, or else it is a pst art which has never been restored. tisashy and suspicious species, and an only be approached with the greatst precaution. It is gregarious, and, ke most of iis family relatives, is exeediugly terrestrial m its habita of eeding. Il occasionally however visits mail trees and shrubs,but more forreóse than aught else. It is chiefly a enizen of den. and waste flelds vergrown with brambles, bushes and hrubs. lts flight is lofty and wel! susairred and re embles tljai of the oi j ui' ccrw tnra siutsists lipón seeas, rains. and various insects. In ow minations of about Qfty specimen we tavedetected in their stómachs the f ol)wine liül of fare: Of grain we have he following': Triticum mugare, sécale ereale, and hordeum mugaré, besidea he seeds of amar anthushybr idus, amar anihus albus, phleum pratense, and frtolium pratense; and insects of the folDwing orders: Hymenoptera, aphieds, liptera, coleopters, and various earthvonns in Iheir larvae and perfect 8tacs. In fourteen yeara of hard study .nd earnest observations with the birds f Michigan I have never detected lnc mee, fruit of any kind in the Btomachs f this species, and that fruit was a species of rebus or blackberry. I have never observed this bird in owns or villages, and doubt that it fretuents such places. Although taken inly this bird lias no great attraction is a Binger; hut a Hoek of these birds as hey pass overhead or settle on soine orest tree will niake the air resound itli their melody, and it might be well 0 rcmaik right iiere that tliis bird is lassed as a BOngbird, and tliat the laws if' the siate impose a Sne of $5 each for dlling or attempting to kill ;i song bird it any season of the year. In closing his communication, and witbtheconBent of this worthy body, I deern it iroper and just tliat i few personal reuarks be made. I have prepared this iaperatthe urgent request of several nembers of this society. I Beek no inarrel witli any peTSOD or persons, luit deern it a duty I owe to nature and tal ure's God, that I protect the feath■ied tribes of tliis world to the best of nyability; and while hoping that this vin be carried no further, l would ask f this society that il' it should be that liey would cali on Prol'. .). Mea! Steere, a person whom the peoplè of this state lave placed ín a high position of honor ind whom this society have made tiieir irnithologist) to assist their endeavors o place ihisliinlin proper position of iselulness and trust, but should Prof. Steere refuse to do bo, I will then resume and carry it to the proper closing. Adolphb B. ('d ! Taxidennisi and Naturalist, Albion College, Alhion, Michigan. Mr. ('has. A. Garfleld, Secretary of the state society, being present, was called for, and gave us a most entertaining and delightful speech upon the subject " Uow to make happy and delightful homes," which was responded to by 1'. L. Page, J. A. Scott, J. 1. Baldwin and ottiers.. Mr. Baldwin of Mississlppi, being present, was called for and made extended remarksof the culture and fruits of that state. Mr. White and family entertained us with music. Mr. .lames 'I'oms made a fine display of cut and pottèd flowers. Subject Eor next meeting, " TTowshall we protect ourselves againstbirdsinjurious to pomologists."

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Argus