Ernesto's excursion to the woods [short story] [series].

Title

Language

English

Source

The Young Citizen. I (6) July 1935

Year

1935

Subject

Children’s stories

Philippine birds

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

Ernesto with his father had a trip to the woods. In the woods, they saw birds like martines, kuliawan, luclac, tagak, and tarat. His father describes each of these Philippine birds to him.

Fulltext

144 THE YOUNG CITIZEN July, 19J'i ?!um Julia'or True Storiu ERNESTO'S EXCURSION TO THE WOODS F ATHER, are ail birds useful? I do not know of any harmful one." Ernesto asked. "There are very few birds which can be called harmful. In fact, even those that are harmful have some usefulness." "I know the names of only very few. Father, please teach me the names of some more. You have told me about the martines and the kuliawan." "Among the best of the farmer's friends are the luclac, the ta rat, and the tagak." "Oh, I know the tarat. I have seen boys set traps for catching that bird. The trap is called bitag." "These birds are useful because they feed upon insects and caterpillars which destroy grains and fruit. You can hear the noisv /uclacs in the guava, ratiles, and dapdap trees when these are in bloom. They go alone or in pairs. One luclac can eat 100 caterpillars in a day." "Can we find some tarat in this place, Father?" "I don't believe so. The tarat does not live in the Philippines throughout the year. It comes from northern China and Korea in September. After the cold months, it goes back home. I believe it builds its nest and lays egg·s in its native home." As Ernesto and his father emerged from the orchard, they came upon an open field. "Father, what birds are those? Looh! (Contir.ued) They are taking a carabao ride," Ernesto exclaimed pointing to a group of carabaos with white long-necked birds perched on their backs. · "Those long-billed birds are the tagak or cattle egret. They feed on locusts, insects, and small snakes. In exchange for the ride, they pick insects from the carabao's back. They like to live in groups and can · be utilized in catching locusts." "How interesting! Even animals know ·how to help one another. Both the tagak and the carabao seem to be happy and contented." "It takes very little to make animals happy. And they know how to entertain themselves. You will sometimes see birds chase one another in playful merriment. Birdf have been seen dropping small objects in mid-air and then swoop down to catch them before they reach the ground, with the greatest evidence of enjoyment." "Do they also feel sad, Father?'' "Birds display a variety of feeling. Ar.· cording to close observers of bird life, birds find pleasure in feeding th!)ir young. Where there is danger, they suffer very real fear. They are even subject to jealousy. You must have seen rival cocks fight to the death over a hen. The ravens, black birds which resemble the crows, show some sense of humor. Two will combine to tease a dog or a cat, one occupying its attention from the (Please turn fo page 15.9) THE YOUNG CITIZEN 159 CHILDREN'S SCHOOL SONG C'LEANU/''fESS ][S NEXT TO COlJUNJESS Composed exchisively for THE YOUNG CITIZEN J C!Qan-li --- n<>-ss J I tf j so \' ll d l::I na.xt ll'ords and Music fly RODOLFO V. CHAVES al -'---ways be claan ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~d~ ~) ~jtJ CLQan i.n mi.n.d so '3ol.d -- 0n. th.ou~hts \'LL find } ) I F tr\. h.ea.rt s love con. Jo its pa.rt ---J I J #~ I ij~ '1. ~ I ) I j , Clea.1"\. 1.1'- .soul for I'm God's chi.ld, ths J r F r - a. -Lon~, all, If 16,-u l'rr--. strol"\.~ h.eolth-y oT\.d all d Ii ,-JIJfJ(J _., If' ii l'm true- tn.d brave and Ltve - o/ too,. 1&:9-. d J I J g I g r I ~~ I ~~ I p ll's be.- -cau.se. THE SKY AND THE (Contimwd fl'om vage 147) The American Indians had a l·.:gend respecting this constellation. poared. She introduced hersdf ,, ERNESTO'S EXCURSION the spirit of the Pole Star. Follow- (Confini•cd fi·om page 144) ing her. the hunters reached home fronts, and the other stealing be· hind to tweak its tail.' safely. \\'hen the huncers di.:d. "Father, I wane to know mor·.! they were carried up into the hcav- about birds." Some Indian hunters lost their way. ens forming the Little Dipper and After praying to their gods to show following the Pole Star faithfull) them the way, a little child ap- every .dear night. "I shall tell you more about other interesting birds of thl' Philippines. II

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