Diary of a Teenage Birder from New Canaan, circa 1910. Part 6.

Photo by Kristin Quell-Garguilo

June 21, 2020 — Most of us think nothing of hopping in the car and driving for an hour or more to go birding. Young Harold Jones relied on his horse, Star. His diary continue. Scroll through Natural Selections for Parts 1 through 5; the most recent was June 4.

[Tuesday] April 26 [1910] This morning I took quite a long drive with Star, riding up Weed Street past Adriane’s, crossing over to Ponus Street and returning by way of the Mill Pond. The weather was cloudy with occasional moments of sunshine, and the temperature was about 60 degrees. Not as many birds were in evidence as I expected. Doubtless the cold and rainy weather of the past two or three days has checked the migrations somewhat. The principal songsters of the morning were Field Sparrows and Song Sparrows – the former predominating, if not in numbers at least in persistence in singing. I also heard Chippies frequently, and occasionally a Robin sang. Once I heard a Brown Thrasher. The total number of species observed was thirteen.

To the lover of nature the woods at this season present a most attractive aspect. A number of trees (Tulips, Maples, Willows, Birches, Elms etc.) are just putting forth their new leaves, and the light tints of the tender young foliage are even more beautiful than the darker and thicker verdure of summer. The Flowering Dogwoods make a great showing just at present, and it is well worth one’s time to visit the woods and see their beautiful blossoms.

A curious thing which I saw on my trip was a spring, which I am about to describe. It was at the foot of a big Swamp Maple, several rods from the road, and was covered with board. On the maple were printed the words, in white paint, THE SPRING, and below, GOD IS GOOD. Standing by the road was a huge white sign, ornamented by weather vanes and a bird house which looked like a church, and bearing the words:

RADIUM, COME AND DRINK, SPRING.

Nearby on a big rock was repeated, GOD IS GOOD. The spring was near a house, which was unoccupied. Who uncovered the spring? Who put up the signs, proclaiming the divinity of God, and inviting the thirsty traveler to “come and drink”? Some honest, godly person, doubtless, whose thought was to benefit the community. Let us not ridicule him, but rather bless his memory. If all of us were as thoughtful and Christian, how much better off the world would be! A little further on, on another property, was posted up a sign which said: “TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED!” Comments are not needed.

[Thursday] April 28 [1910]
If you want to discover what a medley is like, search out a flock of goldfinches on some nice spring morning. I found such a flock, to-day, and was surprised at the amount of melody which poured into my ear. “Goldfinches to the right of me, Goldfinches to the left of me, Goldfinches behind me,” and each one singing to the limit of his ability. Twitters, calls, and the hearty, canary-like notes of the song itself filled the air. “Enchantment divine!” No Grecian chorus can compare with it.