Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-04
THIS AND THAI
BY CHARLES Z. TRACEWELL.

in the growth Of grass, owing to the
fact that most lawn makers SOW heavily.
They are willing to let the birds have
share, so long as they get grass in the
end
The cultivated yard, neatly moved
and clipped, Is veritable paradise for
all sorts and conditions Of birds. Espe-
cially in the evening. at the time called
dusk, or cleaning, and shortly before,
the birds love to gather, on the hunt
for stray bits Of food.
The common earthworm likes the
dusk, too, and comes to the surface as
night draws near. Those who wish to
gather them as bait commonly do 30
after dark, with the aid OF flashlights.
Robins and other thrushes prefer this
feeding time. just as dark comes on.
with their placid hop they garner in
a neat meal to do them through the
night.
Bird baths. especially set out for
them, are regarded by the birds, there
can be no doubt, as peculiarly their
own.
II one is placed in a shrubby loca-
ton, not too close to the house, the
birds will make good use of it, not only
for bathing, but particularly for drink
ing
What must q bird think who flies
down to bait or drink and who finds
his bowl entirely empty?
Yet this is the situation which pre-
walls in all too many bird baths. In
hot weather the evaporation from these
wide-mouthed and shallow vessels is
very rapid; If they are to become bird
baths in fact as well as in name. those
who install them should make certain
that they contain water at all times.
The role of the great trees, in the
preservation of bird life. needs no par
ticular stress Poets and writer's of
prose have Wed with one another over
the centuries in telling Of the love Of
the birds for the trees.
If there is any one thing in creation
which the birds may call genuinely
their own it is the tree, within whose
leafy province they find shelter and a
home. and often food In these trees
merciful human beings often erect
bird houses. as well as so-called feed
ing stations, which are of particular
value to the birds in Winter time.
There are many materials made by
human hands which the birds utilize
for their own needs, particularly in
making their nests, and which they
must think therefore. to be Just the
dence for their usage.
Bits of Irvine are spied by their bright
eyes at great distances. These are used
by them in weaving the intricate meshes
of their nests. Various other types OF
materials. such as cotton, and the like,
fnd their way into bird nests.
All in all, the birds live in a world
which prepares matters very much to
their liking Not even man profits
more in some ways, from the world
as it is The birds also benefit. although
this must be entirely unknown to them,
from mankinds love for song and
beauty.
II they were lacking in grace, and in
bright colors, and possessed no musical
notes, it is extremely questionable
whether mankind would have tolerated
them in the world all these centuries.
Even with all their charm. the birds
need the strongest man-made conserva-
ton measures to enable them to hold
their own in the whirl of life.
1t is always a pleasure for the friend
OF birds to reflect that so many of his
ways are in accord with the habits OF
birds; that they derive evident pleasure
and profit from so many man-made
things, and that they are one with him
in the habit Of singing
Many Of his creations are appropriate
ed by the birds for their own use, as If
they had been created from the be-
ginning with that very intention. The
telephone wire he talks over to a friend
is at that very instant being used as a
perch by scores Of birds, along miles of
streets. And the lawn which he views
with a pleased eye. is being hoped
across by some bird in search of its
dinner. The bird, as well as the man,
may say, This is mine"