The Detroit informer., 1900-01-13
A Restaurant for Birds.

A Restaurant for Birds.
L intend driving out to see Uncle
otto to-day" said Mr.. Marcy, at the
breakfast table. Who would like to
take a sleigh-ride with me?" and he
looked straight into Kitty's eyes. "Oh,
would like to, papa!" said Kitty,
quickly. May II"
II mamma thinks best" Mr. Marcy
answered, and as mamma WaY willing,
Kitty was soon putting on warm
wraps and preparing for her five-mile
drive. Uncle Otto lived upon the state
experimental farm, where he studied
the birds and insects, and then told the
farmers about them, and how to get
rid of those that destroyed the crops;
and visit to him was always full of
interest to Kitty. Indeed, she thought
there never could be another uncle
quite so nice as Uncle Otto. Kitty lived
In Minnesota, where they sometimes
have great deal of snow in the win
ter, and this year there had been an
unusual amount. The sleighing was
hne, and the country seemed so clean
and pretty that Kitty could not help
exclaiming as they sped along, for in
the city the snow was dirty, and here
everything was white as snow ought
to be. The drifts were piled high on
either side of the somewhat narrow
road, and when they met a team, papa
had to turn out very carefully in order
to avoid upsetting the sleigh. But
Kitty thought it all great fun, and
helped lean over when necessary to
keep the sleigh balanced. Il wonder
what Uncle Otto will have to show me
this time" said Kitty, as they caught
the first sight of the large buildings
which told her that they were nearly
at the end of their ride. HE always
has something different from what
anybody else would have" she added,
"and l learn something every time |
come out here" Il wonder, too" an
swered papa. And then he drove up
to the house and Uncle Otto himself |
came out and helped Kitty to unwrap
the big fur robe which tucked her in /,
so comfortably, and pretty soon they |
were all sitting beside the fire and |
talking as if it had been a year instead |
of two months since they had seen |
each other. Immediately after lunch |
Uncle Otto turned to Kitty and said, Il |
am going out now to see to my birds |
restaurant. Would you like to go with |
me?' AS they started, Uncle Otto took |
with him a large covered basket, and |
he went toward the great grove of oak |
trees which extended for miles back !
Of the house. Presently he stopped |
beneath tree from branch of which .
was hanging a loosely coiled wire.
Then he opened his basket and took
out something white and round like a
ball. What is that, Uncle Otto?" ask
ed Kitty. That is mutton suet,' he
answered. Then he uncoiled the wire
placed the suet on the branch and
Now" he added, turning to Kitty,
'one table is spread for dinner" oh"
said Kitty, suddenly, you do it for the
Oirds?" Yes, indeed" Uncle Otto re-
urned. You see there are lots of cold
weather birds who do not leave us
through the long winter, and when
he snow gets very deep they have a
lard time to find enough to eat; then
besides, when it is very cold indeed,
Is it has been lately, they need some
Kind of food which will produce heat
n their little bodies, and the mutton
uet does just that. So when l began
o think how deep the snow was and
I
lad better open a restaurant for the
,irds. or some of them might die, and
his is the way l did it," Kitty looked
Interested, so Uncle Otto went on. Il
asten the suet in place with wire, be-
ause if l tied it on with string the
irds would peck at the string and
heir dinner would drop to the ground
nd probably be eaten by a dog or cat.
tie it high on the tree for the same
eason. so that only the birds shall
ave it" Uncle Otto had been tying
lany pieces of suet in place while he
alked, and now that the last one was
4 place they turned back to the house.
What chatteringi" exclaimed Kitty,
topping suddenly and looking back. ,
Yes" said Uncle Otto, the birds are
cry sociable at dinner, and some !
ines, l am sorry to say, they dc not I
isplay the best of manners or disposi- :
on; but l always try to think 1t is ,
ne fault of their training and so do ;
OF blame them so much. At any rate, ,
would not want even the naughty ,
nes to go hungry" But how do they :
now so soon that their dinner is !
eady?" Kitty asked. 4 have come to I
elieve," answered Uncle Otto. that :
1me of them watch for me, and when i
ley see me they notify the others that ,
inner is ready by calling, for only Z
w days after l began putting ont the
let for them. noticed the noise, and
nat they all gathered very a. =
fter l went away. So have - -
lie conclusion that they lOok ne,
nd know that l am manager Of their |
Kitty laughed heartily. ;
What funny ideal" she said. And
len after a moment she added. Il be
eve I'll start a restaurant on a small
ale at home | like TO see the birds