Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-04

Many people nave the impression
that there are few or no birds present |
during the winter months. While tnis
is true 10 a large extent the fact re-
mains that We have seven or eishl
species that stay with US regular!
thru the cold months and perhaps as
many as twenty more that OCCASION
ally remain. These birds are invaIu-
able in protecting the trees from in
sect pests, as most Of them spend the'r
time feeding upon insect eggs ana
larvae which they find in the bark
Ii. then. We could attract these birds
70 our door yards and homes. We would
not only have the pleasure OF their
company but would be receiving val
liable service as we'll II is fortunate
that it is so easy TO attract them by
putting out little food where they
can find it. In the center Of Marshall
town it is of little use TO put out grain
as the English sparrows get most OF
it, but other foods can be placed in
such a manner as to prevent the spar
rows from taking it.
A little suet, a piece of pork rind. or
bone hung in tree viii provide a
veritable feast for the chickadees,
brown creeqers, whitebreasted nut
matches and downy woodpeckers. These
are our four most common winter
birds and all have feet adapted TO
clinging TO the bark of a tree. II the
food is tied on the side Of a. branch
there is no place for the sparrows to
perch to get it while the other birds
will manage by clinging TO the bark.
You may, IL you have little shrub
! berry in the yard, attract others sucn
as juncos and tree sparroWs to JOIN
! in the feast The birds soon come to
recognize a friend and in many places
! where they are regularly supplied with
! food come daily to get meal. Some
I Of them become so tame that they viii
( come 10 q window and feed, and in
distances are not rare where they have
! learned TO enter a window, feed and
leave again.
This is especially true Of the chick
atee, a merry little black ca pped fell
low, who is a most confiding optimist.
He speedily responds TO friendly adj
vances and learns to appreciate the
food supplies put out for him. To OBJ
tain the best results the food should
be put out in November to get the
birds in the habit of coming to your
locality, but a start even now VIII
bring them to you to stay until the
spring weather begins.
If you live in the edge of town all
you need to do to get juncos and tree
sparrows Is to scatter little seed OF
any kind, millet. wheat weed seeds
chaff, etc. on the snow A small brush
pile or two for them to sleep in will
be greatly appreciated. If the neigh
bor's cat gets to bothering the birds
at your feeding station, a piece OF tir
or galvanized iron eighteen or more
inches wide tackled about the tree
trunk, will effectually prevent her from
climbing into the tree after them.
Besides these common birds that arr
almost sure to be attracted by tn
food, there is a never ending source
of pleasure in watching for the DC
casional visitor. My suet provisions II
the bushes and trees about the hous
, remain untouched as yet e2esp. for
} chickadee or two and the sparrows blu
this has been a exceptional winter s.
e far because Of the numerous warn
: spells. When we get bitter cold wealth
or and snow or sleet then we can eN
pect the birds to taste of our supple;
Then there is the possibility of receiv
ing a visit from the wary bluejay, tn
flaming cardinal. the beautiful purpl
. finch, or the goldf1nches in their win
ter dress Of brown and yellow. No
one Of these have visited me yet thi
| winter but they are here and there
u always that chance.
Further Information and hints o
the methods Of attracting biyds in win