Birds, Illustrated by Color Photography, Vol. 2, No. 4: October, 1897

In Short

Published in October 1897, this periodical issue provides a multi-layered exploration of North American birds to cultivate popular affection for natural history. Combining moral essays, technical field observations, poetic selections, and playful first-person monologues aimed at young readers, the text introduces readers to species such as the Blackburnian Warbler, Chimney Swift, Wood Pewee, and Kingbird. It addresses the ethical problem of capturing songbirds for human entertainment and highlights how wildlife protection efforts, like those of the Audubon Society, strive to preserve avian populations against habitat disruption and illegal trapping.

The Story

The volume opens with a firm moral defense of wild birds, decrying the persistent practice of keeping songsters confined in tiny wire cages. Citing the ongoing violations of protective statutes and the destructive work of trappers who operate during nesting seasons, the text highlights the tragic loss of entire bird families left to starve. It draws upon Laurence Sterne's literary reflections on a captive starling to argue that liberty is an essential right for all innocent creatures, calling upon parents and teachers to instill an enduring tenderness in the next generation.

Following this moral foundation, the publication transitions into a comprehensive study of individual species, blending natural history with narrative vignettes. It highlights the Blackburnian Warbler, detailing its migratory route from South America to northern coniferous forests, its high pine nests, and its fiery orange plumage. Poetic selections, such as Walt Whitman's verse on a lonely bird searching for a lost mate along the shore, emphasize the emotional life and beauty of the avian world.

The text then shifts to conversational and instructional accounts. Through a dialogue between a mother and her child, Bobbie, the text explains the life of the American Goldfinch, illustrating how its habit of eating thistle seeds aids farmers while its undulating flight pattern marks its identity in the air. Chief Pokagon of the Pottawattamie Indians contributes a vivid memory of the Chimney Swift, describing thousands of birds swirling in a giant, funnel-shaped mass before dropping into a hollow tree stub to roost for the night. The narrative notes how these swifts have adapted to human settlement by adopting brick chimneys as modern nesting places.

Further chapters detail the habits of cold-weather visitors and forest hunters. The Shore Lark is observed wintering on open plains, while the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and the solitary Wood Pewee are introduced through charming first-person monologues addressed to children. These monologues defend the birds against charges of being pests or bullies; the Sapsucker explains its role in destroying tree-boring insects, while the Wood Pewee recounts the tragedy of losing its mate to a boy's thrown stone. Cold-weather species like the Snowflake and the Slate-Colored Junco demonstrate remarkable resilience in winter blizzards, venturing into barnyards for food. The collection closes with the brave Kingbird, who aggressively drives off predatory hawks and crows to protect its nest, followed by concise reference profiles summarizing the ranges, nests, and eggs of each featured bird.

How It Unfolds

The plea for liberty The issue begins with an indictment of bird trappers who capture wild songsters during nesting season, leaving young nestlings to starve. It references Laurence Sterne's famous account of a caged starling to urge society to end avian captivity through education and empathy.

Voices of the forest The text examines the Blackburnian Warbler and the American Goldfinch, providing details about their nest construction, egg coloration, and feeding habits. A lighthearted dialogue between a boy and his mother reveals how goldfinches weave moss into smooth, wind-resistant nests near the ends of branches.

The spectacle of the swifts Chief Pokagon recounts watching a massive flock of Chimney Swifts circle high over a stream at twilight. The birds form a roaring, funnel-shaped ring before descending together into a hollow tree stub to rest until dawn.

Winter visitors and woodland hunters Observations of the Shore Lark, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, and Wood Pewee illustrate the diverse behaviors of migratory and resident species. Monologues written from the birds' perspectives explain their daily struggles with harsh weather, insect hunting, and human stone-throwers.

Resilience and defense Accounts of the Snowflake and Slate-Colored Junco show how tiny birds survive sub-zero blizzards by searching for weed seeds in open fields and seeking shelter near human farms. The Kingbird demonstrates its fierce courage by attacking large crows and hawks to guard its family.

The field guide summary The volume concludes with a structured summary cataloging the scientific names, geographical ranges, nest materials, and egg descriptions for every species profiled in the issue.

The People

• Laurence Sterne — A sentimental writer whose classic encounter with a caged starling is cited to awaken human sympathy against the evils of bird captivity and slavery.
• Bobbie — An inquisitive young boy who observes goldfinches and snow buntings with his mother, learning to appreciate wild birds in their natural habitats rather than behind cage bars.
• Chief Pokagon — A Pottawattamie Indian writer who records a childhood memory of watching thousands of swifts swarm into a hollow stub at dusk.
• The Wood Pewee — A small, plain-looking forest bird who speaks to young readers, describing its sweet yet plaintive song and its grief after a stone-throwing boy injures its mate.
• The Kingbird — A spirited flycatcher who defends his title, explaining that his aggressive attacks on larger birds like hawks and crows stem from a protective desire to guard his nest.
• "The Doctor" — A compassionate bird-lover featured in an embedded story who saves a starving flock of Juncos during a severe Christmas ice storm by luring them into his warm straw-barn with cracked corn.

In Its Own Voice

"I looked up and down the passage, and seeing neither man, woman, nor child, I went out without further attention."

Laurence Sterne describes the quiet hallway where he first heard the trapped starling crying out for its freedom.

"A dip and a jerk, singing as he flies."

Bobbie's mother explains to her son how to identify the characteristic flight pattern of the American Goldfinch in the sky.

"One by one the stars disappear. The moon grows pale."

Chief Pokagon describes the quiet dawn breaking just before the swarming mass of swifts exits the hollow stub.

What It's Really About

Underneath its descriptions of plumage, nests, and eggs, the issue is an earnest plea for ecological stewardship and moral compassion. Written during a period when bird populations faced heavy pressures from commercial trapping and fashion trends, the publication seeks to shift public sentiment away from exploitation toward protective interest. It argues that birds are not mere ornaments or minor pests, but intelligent, feeling creatures that fulfill essential roles in the natural order by eating weed seeds and harmful insects. By offering a mix of scientific observation, literary poetry, and child-friendly monologues, the text contends that educating youth to respect wild life is the most effective safeguard against environmental destruction.

Why Read It Today

This historical issue offers a charming, multi-faceted glimpse into late nineteenth-century natural history and the early American conservation movement. Readers who enjoy vintage nature writing, historical ornithology, or period literature will find its blend of field facts, poetry, and storytelling delightful. The text moves fluidly between scientific data provided by naturalists like Audubon and Brewer, vivid Native American observations, and simple children's tales designed to foster kindness.

Reading the text today also highlights late-Victorian stylistic conventions. Modern readers will encounter romanticized phrasing, sentimental moralizing, and anthropomorphic bird voices that feel distinct to the 1890s. Yet despite these period touches, the central message remains entirely relevant. The text's enthusiasm for the natural world, paired with its urge to protect vulnerable species, makes it an appealing historical document for anyone interested in how early naturalists introduced the public to the wonders of bird life.