The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-12-29
FEED THE BIRDS

We appeal to the genera public
at this time to establish feeding sta
tions for the benefit of our feathered
and furred friends. The establish
ment of feeding stations during the
winters of the rast few years has
produced wonderful results. The
Press has been very kind in publish
ing articles released by this Depart
ment each season to inaugurate an
active winter feeding campaign in
each and every section OF each and
every county of Maryland for the
protection of our game, song and in
sectivorous birds and desirable fur
bearing animals. A great many sec
lions. have paid especial attention to
this program and have greatly bene-
fitted thereby. There should be a
special effort made to establish your
winter feeding program at once and
continue as late as April 1st to 18th
following. Every person, not only
the agriculturists, orchardists and
woodland owners, but residents of
the towns and cities of our State,
should cooperate by furnishing din
ner tables for the song and insecti-
vorous birds which visit their homes.
Thousands of pieces of brood stock
can be saved by supplying grain at a
winter feeding station, thereby as
surfing the birds or animals susten-
ance at the time of the year when ma
tural feed is scarcest, and with very
little expense or trouble.
It is the duty of every man, wo-
man and child to protect one of
Maryland's most valuable assets
the birds. The welfare of crops and
the economic success of the farm,
orchards and forests are closely re-
lated to the number and kinds Of
birds present, the vast majority OF
which are very beneficial and merit
your protection. 1t is impossible to
ascertain the value in dollars ano
cents that birds save the public thru
the destruction of injurious insects
and obnoxious weed seeds.
Feeding Stations
Feeding stations are inexpensive.
One Of the best methods is to use the
ordinary field corn, stalks out at the
ground, from which the fodder has
not been stripped, set in the form OF
an Indian teepee, leaving the bottom
open at all times so that birds or an
finals may escape vermin, if attack
ed. Scatter gain inside, the trail
leading outward. This method is
bound to attract within short per-
Tod the birds of the neighborhood
which will soon learn to avail them
selves of the dinner table. Another
method is to cut long pole, nail To
post or from tree to tree OF place
each end in a forged stick and pile
brush or corn fodder at the north
side, covered with straw, if possible,
always leaving open to the south.
For the song and insectivorous
birds which are so beneficial TO oul
agriculturists throughout the entire
year, a little shelf should be placed
on the window sill or erected in 9
tree or on fence post, on which
suet or grain can be place ddaily anC
serve as dinner table for these very
beneficial species. Suet and meats
can also be tied with string to tht
limbs of trees or to poles and the
birds will pick it as they need it
English sparrows are very trouble
some. The aforementioned foods
may be suspended at the end of tive
feet of cord tied to the end of a liml
in such a manner as it will swing
freely in the wind. Only birds &C
customed to feeding in the swayins
limbs of trees can successfully take
food SO placed. Mixed grain such
as scratch feed, screenings, sweep
ings from barn floors and graneries
bread crumbs, table scraps and sim
liar foods are very useful at feeding
stations and furnish excellent food
for birds.
e. LEE LE'CoMPTE,
State Game Warden.