birdfeeding | reading old birding journals

I went to a bookstore in a library and found some really cool books about birds, including Birds of an Iowa Dooryard by Althea R. Sherman. I haven't read all of her essays yet, but I'd really recommend "Down with the House Wren Boxes" (1925). You can read a pdf here.

I just thought it was really interesting and funny how she starts off talking about how the House Wren is a Menace to Society and should be put to trial for his Crimes... but people are biased due to his cuteness and would never hold him accountable.

You can find other old birding magazines online, like Bird-Lore, which has a mixture of scientific articles, personal experiences, questions, how to engage the youth, and some good old fashioned bird discourse, as well. I just think it's really interesting to read through and see that people circa 1899 were basically forming the same sorts of communities like we do today!

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>> Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I've had a few House Wrens bullying the other birds at my feeder and trying to keep everything to themselves. Surprisingly mean birds! <<

There was one screaming at me when I went outside today. They scream at squirrels, at crows, at cats or raccoons, anything.

>>It sounds really cute to have one land on you like that, though! Like a Disney Princess.<<

LOL yes.

I was out yardening, and it landed on my hat and sang a song. Then it flew down to my braid and sang another song. Then it flew to a bush a few feet away and sang another song. Sometimes, wildlife doesn't seem to distinguish me from the environment. :D

reading old birding journals

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