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Reverence for the Hermit Thrush, Disdain for the Kingbird and Pewee, and Banter with the Ovenbird
Nineteenth-century naturalist and essayist, John Burroughs gives a detailed account of the Hermit Thrush’s song. For him, it is the finest sound in nature; the peace and deep solemn joy only the finest souls may know. Strolling the undomesticated wilderness, greeted by the Wood Pewee and Eastern Kingbird. Documenting the curiosity and confidence of the…
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In the Hemlocks, a Guided Tour of a Primitive, Undisturbed Forest and the Avifauna Living There
The start of Wake-Robin, chapter 2, In the Hemlocks. Author and gentleman rambler, John Burroughs, begins a guided tour in the hemlocks. Years before, townsfolk, tanners, and lumbermen attempted in vain to tame and exploit the grove. But nature proved uncooperative and the effort abandoned. By his account, the spirit and energy of the wilderness…
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Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos, White-eyed Vireos, and a Side-by-Side Comparison of the Hermit Thrush and Wood Thrush Bird Songs
Naturalist John Burroughs quotes ‘To the Cuckoo’ by William Wordsworth. He considers in detail the White-eyed Vireo’s skilled mimicry in her mid-summer song and how it may rival the mockingbird’s own ability. Burroughs shares observations on how elevation might impact and effect the distribution of species in the Town of Highlands, New York. And concludes…
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Episode 18: Epilogue – 149 Years Later
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Episode 16: An Invitation
Burroughs invites you to become a birder, describing the thrill of seeing the natural world around you through a new lens. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Wood Duck Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Red-eyed Viero White-eyed Viero…
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Episode 8: Partridge Drumming, the Cowbirds’ deception, and so many Warblers in the Barkpeelings
Completing a late afternoon stroll in the Barkpeelings. Lounging on a moss sofa, listening to the chorus. Observations on the Cowbirds’ egg-depositing-deception and dereliction of parenting duty. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ruby-throated…
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Episode 7: Reverence for the Hermit Thrush, but None for the Pewee
The heavenly Hermit Thrush. Commentary about the cowardly Eastern Kingbird. The Wood Pewee’s plainness. Praise for the Ovenbird Click here to listen to Episode 1. Click here to listen to Episode 2. Click here to listen to Episode 3. Click here to listen to Episode 4. Click here to listen to Episode 5. Click here…
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Episode 6: Into the Hemlocks
“And what is a bird without its song? It seems to me I do not know a bird till I’ve heard its voice.” John Burroughs’s second essay, Into the Hemlocks featuring the red-eyed vireo, the winter wren and veery. Thoughts on taking specimens for study, Blackburnian warbler and the blue yellow-backed warbler, now known as the Northern Parula.…
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Episode 5: Scarlet Tanager and the End of the Season
The scarlet tanager and the birds of summer. Observations of the hawk and the end of the season. Click here to listen to Episode 1. Click here to listen to Episode 2. Click here to listen to Episode 3. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in…
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Episode 3: Welcome Back Cuckoos, Warblers & Thrushes
Click here to listen to Episode 1. Click here to listen to Episode 2. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Yellow billed Cuckoo Bobolink Black-billed Cuckoo Wood Thrush 1 Wood Thrush 2 Field Sparrow…