Lectures on birds by Henry Oldys

              Lectures on Birds by Henry Oldys


I.
Bird Notes
II.
The Æsthetic Sense in Birds
III.
The Music of Man and Bird
IV.
Bird Protection

For many years Mr. Oldys has devoted his leisure moments to study of bird music.  In the course of this study he has discovered many evidences of close relationship between bird music and human music.  His discoveries have been given to the public in addresses before the American Ornithologists' Union and the Biological Society of Washington, of each of which organizations he is a member; in various magazine articles, technical and popular, and in his lectures.  For more than twelve years he was connected with the Biological Survey of the United States Department of Agriculture, associated in the work of bird and game protection, but resigned his position early in 1912, in order to devote his entire time to lecturing and writing.

MR. OLDYS will lecture in
during
For particulars of terms and open dates address him at Silver Spring, Maryland.

If certain dates or days of the week only are available, kindly state the fact and so save time and correspondence.




DETAILS OF LECTURES
BIRD NOTES.—This is an account in lighter vein of some of our best-known song birds—robin, chewink, oriole, Carolina wren, meadowlark, wood thrush, song sparrow, yellow-breasted chat, and many others.  The lecture is replete with anecdotes of personal experiences and with humorous stories illustrating certain points, but beneath all is an undercurrent of serious appreciation of the actual music of bird song.  Suggestive imitations of the morning and evening concerts of the birds are included.  In the course of his study of birds in the field, Mr. Oldys has made notations of hundreds of songs and some of these he uses to illustrate his lectures.  In reproducing these songs by whistling, he uses the exact notes uttered by the bird in each case and endeavors to render them as nearly as possible with the quality of tone used by the bird; but it is as an interpreter of the music of bird songs, rather than as an imitator, that he appears before his audiences.

THE ÆSTHETIC SENSE IN BIRDS.—This lecture is a demonstration of the possession by birds of a sense of beauty.  It includes descriptions of many beautiful nests and the wonderful bowers constructed by bower birds and regent birds; of attractive displays of plumage; of interesting bird dances; and of melodious bird songs.  The conclusion reached is that birds share with man an appreciation of the beauty of these various things.

THE MUSIC OF MAN AND BIRD.—In this lecture a direct comparison is instituted between human and avian music.  The history of the origin and growth of human music is sketched and examples are given of ancient music and that of modern man, both civilized and savage.  Then follows an analysis of the music of man and bird to show that common rules of construction govern both, leading to the final conclusion that music is not a fortuitous growth, but is an evolution toward an ideal standard.  This lecture is especially addressed to such as possess some knowledge of music, but has much in it to interest the nonmusical.

BIRD PROTECTION.—Mr. Oldys's long connection with the Federal Government in its bird and game protection work enables him to speak authoritatively on this subject.  In his lecture he sets forth the value of birds; gives an account of their reckless destruction by man; outlines the history of protective measures, showing their growth throughout the world; and describes modern methods of protection through both organized and private effort, noting especially the increasing tendency to establish bird reservations, or sanctuaries, in the United States and other countries.




WORDS OF COMMENDATION
I have had ample opportunity to recognize Mr. Oldys's ability as an accomplished musician and lover of birds.  I am sure his lectures on bird songs can not fail to be of great interest both to ornithologists and musicians.

ROBERT RIDGWAY, Smithsonian Institution.

Mr. Oldys' rendering and analysis of bird songs interested me more than anything else that I heard at the A. O. U. meeting last November.

WILLIAM BREWSTER, Cambridge, Mass.

All who listen to Mr. Oldys upon Bird Notes will certainly agree that seldom is one permitted to hear so exquisite an artistic production.

WILLIAM ROGERS LORD, Dover, Mass.

The rare ability which Mr. Oldys brings to this study, and the patience with which he has followed it, makes what he says on the subject of bird music authoritative.

J. WALTER FEWKES, Smithsonian Institution.

I was very glad to be one in the large audience that listened to your most interesting, instructive, and enjoyable lecture on The Music of Birds given before the institute.

FRANKLIN W. HOOPER, Director, Brooklyn Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y.

It gave Mrs. MacLean and me both pleasure and profit to hear your lecture on Bird Notes in the Auditorium of the University last Wednesday evening.

GEORGE E. MACLEAN, President, State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Seldom have we had lectures that so immediately interested our boys as did yours.

D. W. ABERCROMBIE, Principal, Worcester Academy, Worcester, Mass.

Many weeks afterwards the teachers were still talking about your lecture on Bird Notes.

EDWARD RYNEARSON, Secretary, Academy of Science and Art, Pittsburg, Pa.

Mr. Oldys's reproduction of the calls and songs of the birds were wonderful.

(Miss) LUCY J. BROOKS, Acting Principal, Northfield Seminary, Northfield, Mass.

A marvelous demonstration in bird lore and nature study.

FREDERICK W. D'EVELYN, President, Children's Pets Exhibition Association, Alameda, Cal.

The lectures were enthusiastically enjoyed by all.

(Miss) M. I. BILLINGS, The Jacob Tome Institute, Port Deposit, Md.

I can not tell you the inspiration your visit gave to all who listened.

W. E. SARGENT, Principal, Hebron Academy, Hebron, Me.

Nothing but commendation of Mr. Oldys's work and personality have been heard since his lecture here.

SOLON R. TOWNE, President, Nebraska Audubon Society, Omaha, Nebr.

Mr. Oldys's three days at this school were most enjoyable to us all.

JOHN L. ALGER, Principal, Vermont Academy, Saxton's River, Vt.

The lectures were interesting and instructive to a degree and altogether delightful.

(Miss) E. I. CUMMINS, Former Secretary, W. Va. Audubon Society, Wheeling, W. Va.

Your lecture opened the eyes of everybody.

LYNDS JONES, Professor of Animal Ecology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.

Quite the most interesting and suggestive lecture that I have heard for years.

L. O. HOWARD, Entomologist, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Your lecture struck me as charming in its quality and interesting as to its information.

ENDICOTT PEABODY, Principal, Groton School, Groton, Mass.

Intensely interesting, and most instructive to every man who had the privilege of being present.

RANDOLPH H. MCKIM, Rector, Epiphany Church, Washington, D. C.

Our boys will not for many a day cease to recall your talk.

DAN C. VAUGHAN, Secretary, National Lodge No. 12, F. A. A. M., Washington, D. C.




NEWSPAPER COMMENT

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the session this forenoon of the Twentieth Congress of the American Ornithologists' Union was an address by Henry Oldys, of this city, on Form in Bird Music.—
Washington (D. C.) Evening Star.


Mr. Oldys has made an exhaustive study of bird music, and his address was one of the most interesting presented to the Congress.—
Washington (D. C.) Post.


A revelation and a delight.—
The Presbyterian Banner, Pittsburgh, Pa.


A delightful talk.—
Binghamton (N. Y.) Republican.


Exquisite imitations of bird phrases and songs.—
Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch.


It is not an easy task to entertain children and interest grown-ups at the same time, but this Mr. Oldys did in a most delightful manner.—
Bedford (Va.) Bulletin.


Time after time he was applauded, and when he had completed his lecture the applause was enthusiastic.—
Worcester (Mass.) Daily Telegram.


The entertainment was one of great charm.—
Winter Park correspondence, Jacksonville (Fla.) Times Union.


One of the most beautiful and interesting lectures of the season.—
Daytona correspondence, Jacksonville (Fla.) Times Union.


The whistled reproductions were marvelously perfect.—
Brooklyn (N. Y.) Eagle.


His bird concert was a marvel of skill and perfection.—
Waterville (Me.) Mail.


Delighted his audience by his beautiful imitation of bird songs.—
Baltimore (Md.) Sun.


Mr. Oldys charmed an audience which completely filled the cloister room at the Glenwood Mission Inn, with his realistic imitations of bird songs.—
Riverside (Cal.) Morning Enterprise.


Mr. Oldys's powers of bird-tone reproduction are truly remarkable.—
Madison (Wis.) Democrat.


A marvelous imitator of bird notes.—
Los Angeles (Cal.) Times.


Proved to be an excellent story-teller.—
Portland (Oreg.) Oregonian.


A rare treat.—
St. Johnsbury (Vt.) Caledonian.


A truly valuable addition to our knowledge.—
Brooklyn (N. Y.) Times.


Mr. Oldys gave some truly remarkable and exquisite examples of melody in bird songs.—
Brooklyn (N. Y.) Eagle.


Mr. Oldys showed in pleasing fashion the relation of bird to human music.—
Boston (Mass.) Evening Transcript.


Mr. Oldys spoke before several local audiences here last year, delighting every one.—
Bellows Falls (Vt.) Times.


A large audience gathered at Ashland last night, many coming from Richmond, and the close attention given showed that Mr. Oldys was talking on a very interesting subject in a highly entertaining and instructive style.—
Richmond (Va.) News Leader.


Mr. Oldys reproduced many bird songs, which were so perfect that even the birds themselves, had they heard, would have thought that some of their kind were expressing their joy at living.—
Battle Creek (Mich.) Journal.