SPRING ARRIVALS LOOKING FOR HOMES
From a drawing by Walter M. Dunk
NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Birds Beautifying Cemeteries
Some time ago, the Secretary happened to visit a suburban cemetery, where landscape-gardening and sculptural art had done what they could to make the scene beautiful and comforting, but he was impressed by the absence of singing birds. Alien Sparrows were chattering, and the gurgling of a Grackle was heard in the distance, but none of the sweet voices and pretty forms of the native birds charmed the ear or gladdened the eye of a visitor. This seemed strange, for the varied trees and shrubbery, with sunny spaces among them, quiet and guarded against noisy intrusion, would be exceedingly attractive and favorable to bird-life; and it occurred to him that in no place would an invitation to the birds to make themselves at home in summer be so likely to be accepted; nor could anything be more appropriate than their cheerful presence. They will prove useful, too.
These thoughts induced him to write a brief essay, entitled “Cemeteries as Bird-Sanctuaries,” which has been published by the National Association as Circular No. 2, and distributed to many persons likely to be interested. The response has been most encouraging. Associations and individuals all over the country have written for this circular, and are taking measures to furnish cemeteries with shelters, nesting-boxes and feeding-stations for birds under instruction from the Association. The great Forest Lawn Cemetery near Omaha, for example, is putting up 100 nest-boxes as a beginning. The Rosehill Cemetery and others about Chicago are undertaking similar enterprises, and the Cemetery Beautifying Association of San Francisco is planning this addition to its methods of making more attractive the resting-place of the dead. Blue Bird announces that the Lake View Cemetery at Cleveland, Ohio, will erect many feeding-tables and nest-boxes, in its grounds. The matter has been taken up by the Lexington Kentucky Audubon Society. Other instances might be mentioned.
It is greatly to be hoped that many others will follow their example. The movement we think is worth while, for the sake of humanity as well as for the birds.
The Oregon Audubon Society
The Oregon Audubon Society has recently established headquarters in the Young Men’s Christian Association building, in Portland. The room occupied by the Society has been tastefully decorated with pictures, and contains cabinets of specimens for study. It is planned to give lectures regularly on Saturday evenings.