. Bird-lore . eezing, with heavy rain. SomeEnglish Sparrows flew on the piazza by my window, two were drenching wet,soaked and shivering. I thought, You are not long for this world, my littlefriends. However, a flower-box under shelter afforded just what they wanted—a dust-bath; in this they set to work to dust themselves vigorously and infifteen minutes all were dry and warm and in sleek feathers. The Snow-bath is probably a mere winter substitute for the the Downy Woodpecker and the Shorelark are known to take it. WHY THEY BATHE The question is not yet answered but Dr. A. A. A
. Bird-lore . eezing, with heavy rain. SomeEnglish Sparrows flew on the piazza by my window, two were drenching wet,soaked and shivering. I thought, You are not long for this world, my littlefriends. However, a flower-box under shelter afforded just what they wanted—a dust-bath; in this they set to work to dust themselves vigorously and infifteen minutes all were dry and warm and in sleek feathers. The Snow-bath is probably a mere winter substitute for the the Downy Woodpecker and the Shorelark are known to take it. WHY THEY BATHE The question is not yet answered but Dr. A. A. Allen sends the following:My idea is that dust-baths kill vermin, but I have as yet found no biologicalreason for sun-baths or water-baths except as it seems to bring a pleasurablesensation to the birds. My observation has been that water-baths often followdust-baths, and sun-baths often follow water-baths, for obvious reasons, but Iknow that that sequence is not always followed, and when a perfectly dry bird. IMMATURE WHI IE-liiKoA 1 Kl> -IAkKoW lARlNt, A >L.\ liUIIPhotographed by A. A. Allen 126 Bird - Lore indulges in a sun-bath it seems to do so for the pleasure it derives from it.(The only effect the sun could have on the vermin would be to drive them overto the shady side.) My efforts to drown bird-lice have been so unsuccessfulthat I can scarcely believe that the little soaking that the feathers get couldhave much effect upon them. A little dust in their spiracles, however, seemsto put them out of business promptly. GENERAL NOTES The following is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa: I can assert positively havingseen bathing, Blackbird, Bluebird, Robin, Catbird, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Oriole, Brown Thrasher, Goldfinch, Woodthrush, someother Warblers, and, of course. Sparrows. When I brush out the bath every day I thought it must surely be primarilyfor cleanliness—there is so much sediment in the bottom of the bath. However,as you say, the Robins are in,
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