The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1904-03-04
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
..FEEDINO THE BIRDS"
[BY O. o. WRIGHT.

Some CQcoTluk uOUcS lave COuc W
me in response to my suggestions I'M
der the above heading in The BEE of
January %; and I am glad to know
the birds have such kind, admiring
friends For ourselves, the "bird-
table" has brought US some Of the most
delightful experiences of the long,
hard winter. Our pet cat, "Susie,"
has also taken great interest in our
feathered friends, and in spite of all
precautions caught junco, and got
her paw on a chickadee which just es-
capped being eaten, when he came to
eat.
1t is noticeable that the birds are
Self-reSpecting, and as rule Self-Sup-
porting. They are ready and willing
to work for their living so long as
there is chance. Evidently they pre-
fer to put in their time in the natural
way, which no doubt is best for them,
as it is for us all. They are not like
'tramps and political paupers who pre-
fer to live on other people. When
everything is covered with snow and
ice, they cannot find enough food, and
seem to be grateful for little timely,
temporary help. But when the warm
er days come, and the ground is I'M
covered, and the trees are free of ice,
they do not depend upon their humane
benefactors.
What a precarious, hunted life they
have at best! Watch, how they are
ever on the alert! How cautiously
they approach, looking on every side!
Carefully they consider before they
light on the board spread for them;
they have examined it; and then how
quickly they seek place Of greater
safety, even before they eat what they
have in their beaks! The cat may be
lurking near to springupon them; or a
dog may be watching to rush at them;
or desperate hawk may be lowering
over the place; or lawless boy with
stone or gun may be hiding close at
hand. And yet they seem to be cheer
full, and at times ventufesOme. What
would life amount to without Difficult
ties, dangers, risks and perils? The
world was made on that plan. We all
hunt, and SO must expect to be hunted.
The cat is after the bird, the dog is
after the cat, and the housewife is
after the dog with the broom. 1t all
helps to make life worth living.
Some one asks If I know where the
winter birds sleep, nights, in the cold
weather. I can do little more than
guess. Some in the hollow trees, 9TH
ers in or under deserted buildings,
some in the thick evergreens, others
in cosy corners by sheltering rocks.
Sparrows hide behind the blinds, or
under the sheds; and 1 once found a
winter wren in the wood-house. Any
where, perhaps, out of the way of owls
and cats.
On hungry morning our bird-board
presents a lively and brilliant scene,
with five or six kinds of feathered folk
eager for share of the food. They
come and 60 in quick succession, and
we never know how many get fed. 1t
is evidently against the law to come
all at once. 1t would not be prudent.
Some watch and wait, and each takes
his turn. Sometimes three or four
lusty jays swoop down, and If not
driven of, gobble up the whole meal.
They stun their mouths full, and jam
in more by pressing their beaks on the
board, and carry of all they can, and
look to see what is left to come fol
next time. I have wondered whether
they eat it, or hide it as plumber. The
blue jay is handsome, but piggish.
The red-headed woodpecker started
from the board in such haste one
morning with so large piece Of suet
that he pitched into snow-bank ano
was almost out of sight. But he dove
back again and secured his spoils
More than once he flew against thu
window, but without any serious re
suits.
The cunning little chickadee, 81
lively and cheerful, still holds tn
warmest place in our hearts.