Birds and Nature, Vol. 12 No. 5 [December 1902] Illustrated by Color Photography

The opening verses capture the hush of late December, when the forest sheds its leaves and the air turns sharp, setting a quiet stage for the birds that remain. A chorus of crows, chickadees, and even a playful squirrel is woven into a lyrical meditation on the season’s slow heartbeats. Listeners are invited to feel the chill and the promise of winter’s first snow.

The centerpiece of the issue is a vivid portrait of the hooded oriole, a bright flash of orange and black that brightens the far‑southeastern woodlands of Texas and beyond. It describes the bird’s cheerful song, its role as a natural pest controller, and the delicate construction of its moss‑lined nests high in shrubs or yucca. Accompanying poems and observations celebrate the oriole’s fleeting presence and its contribution to the seasonal soundtrack.

Scattered throughout are brief natural curiosities—a poetic tribute to the oriole’s hopeful call and a surprisingly detailed look at the clothes moth’s life cycle and its hidden silk cases—offering listeners a gentle blend of science and verse.