Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24

chickadees are usually heard or seen. Pass
ing Twin Oaks one is almost sure to come
something interesting, for the Wild tan
gle along the small stream at the foot of
the grounds is beloved of the BIRDS winter
or summer. Here kingfets, song sparrows
white-throats and Carolina wrens find food
and shelter. and a winter wren. robin or
cardinal Is not uncommon.
Snow Birds and Their Companions.
Going on up the hill to the Cathedral
School the sunny slopes and honeysuckls
tangles are alive with small birds mostly
5uncos and field sparrows The beautiful
little juncos or snowbirds are the most com
mon of all the winter residents and we
could III spare them from our country
walks. After puZzling over the indstinct
markings of various sparrows and wrens
II is most satisfying to come on the unnis-
taxable white tail feathers and yellow bill
OF these little gray birds. and their chatty
notes as they gather seeds from every way
side and weed stalk are very pleasant to
hear
Over any open field sloping to the south
meadow larks may be flying or horned larks
walking, while 1t is always among the pos
slbilities to see a hooking bird or a hand
some, big fox sparrow. If IL Is the first
time you have met the latter you will
doubtless take him for a thrush, with his
heavily spotted breast and sides.
On the Cathedral plateau. over which the
winter winds have full sweep. perhaps no
wild birds will be seen, but going into some
small ravine, open to the sun and sheltered
from the wind. one notices a surprising
change In the temperature and may come
on some species rare in winter, a chip
ping sparrow, or brown thrasher, or hap
Ply family Of cedar waXwings.
On the Potomac River.
Farther west, I'm another locality. an en-
tirely different group of birds will be en-
countered The Potomac river. either UP to-
ward Great Falls or down In the direction
of the Chesapeake. is the winter feeding
ground of a large number OF water
birds. for 1t is seldom frozen over and In
many places Is unfrequented by man, the
latter condition being all-mportant with
these wary birds. Here the ducks congre-
gate, the most abundant being the mallard
blue-winged and green-winged teal, and the
red-head, a near relative OF the canvas.
back.
The river is also a favorite resort of the
fish crow, readily distinguished from the
common species by its smaller size anc
hoarse call-note. Grebes are regular viSi.
tants. as are the beautiful herring gulls
and occasionally a bald-headed eagle may
be described in the blue ether.
Those who go a-birding only In summer
miss much that is interesting and delight
full, as the majority of our winter birds
come down from the north I'm the autumn
and return in early spring. While there
are comparatively few birds seen on win
ter's walk yet a glimpse of one rare spe-
cies at this season equals long list In
summer and one sweet song now gives all
the delight of a spring concert.
Our winter birds do not suffer from IN
tense cold and heavy snowstorms so much
as might be thought. They are very warm
ly dressed and have cosy retreats In we'll
sheltered holes in or under trees or stumps
Snow it never SO deep in this neighborhood
as to completely cover the weeds and grass
es whose seeds are the food of snow birds
and others of the sparrow family while the
fruit of various shrubs and trees, which Is
the dependence of many species. is always
obtainable except in blizzard weather.
But 1t Is well to feed the birds; they ap-
preciate finding a meal ready for them and
will come about country houses much more
freely and regularly II grain or dry break
fast cereal is put out for them daily, or a
piece of suet is fastened to tree or post
where they can help themselves at any
time. Tufted tits and woodpeckers are very
partial to the suet, while cardinals and
blue birds are pretty sure to come for ce-
reals.