Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-02-08

Everyone fully agrees that this is
one Of the severest winters that we
nave endured for many years. Every
living thing more or less suffers from
the rigors Of a severe winter, but, we
believe, taking all things into consid-
Grafton, the non-migratory birds that
try to brave the severe storms and /
blasts Of old Boreas are the most help
less, particularly when their feeding |
places become covered by heavy drifts
of snow and the trees covered with |
sleet. We know Of nothing that can
give one more pleasure at this time of
the year, when all things are tied up
in the grip of winter and the halmy
days of Spring seem to be a good
ways off,-than to scatter few
crumbs to the humble little petition
ers outside your door. This little act
IF kindness will be received with such
gratitude by them, that you will feel
greatly repaid for your little trouble
At first you may be a bit disappointed
to find only the sparrows as your
guests, but after all, aren't you feed
ing hungry little mouths and aiding
in sustaining life that you cannot
give?
After you have fed these little birds
a few times, every morning at a
regular hour, you will soon find a
blue jay or two, and by and by the
friendly little nut-hatch and chicka-
dees and downy woodpecker who will
all take turns for a bite to eat,
We know of no better way to study
the characteristics of the different
varieties of birds that remain at this
northern point throughout the winter
than to place a feeding board, high
above the reach of cats and dogs and
where it may conveniently be watched
from your windows. This is the sec
0nd winter the writer has done this
and their one regret is that it was
not done sooner. Birds that we have
never believed remained so far north
during the winter, have found their
way to this 'sfree lunch" counter, and
we are of the firm belief that at least
two belated travellers, pair of cherry
birds or "wax wings" must have
missed connections going south and
found their winter quarters in con-
venient proximity to this feeding
place. To watch the different birds
enjoying their meal will afford you a
great deal of fun, the different
traits and characteristics of the var
led species will afford you much amuse
ment. The blue jay, we are sure will
make you laugh at the greedy way
he devours his food, and after swal-
lowing a generous meal, will fly away
5 with three or four pieces Of bread in
7 his beak, only to return in a short
time and do the same thing over He
J is truly "Iord of the table" All the
: birds show him the highest respect,
or contempt, the writer has not been
5 able to make out which,-as all are
, anxious to make way for him when he
; appears.
: The Chick-a-dee and woodpeckers
are friendly, but seem to prefer din
ing alone. The nuthatch is true lit
tie aristocrat, and tho friendly, never
seems to mix or feed with other birds.
The cherry birds eat right with the
sparrows, and when blue jay swoops
down, they all fly away and sit side
by side awaiting their turn at the
board.
Have a place to feed them and feed
them everyday at the same place and
as nearly the same time as possible,
and you will see your little guests "a
round everywhere watching for you
to bring them their food.
One morning we counted seven blue
jays here all at one time. Besides the
blue jays and sparrows who came to
the feeding board, we have a couple
Of nuthatches, pair of chick-a-dees,
a pair of cherry birds or wax wings,
and to a piece of suet tied on a clothes
line came two species Of woodpecker
and another of larger species, MAX
ing six or seven kinds of birds we are
feeding.
We doubt if these different varie-
ties of birds ever become quite so