Evening star., 1935-11-30

Of the object at which one n looking, the
difficulty of observing the subject, and
light conditions.
If the feeder Is placed on tree trunk
increased dificulty is experienced on ac-
count Of the perfect blending Of many
birds with the bark.
There can be little doubt that scores
Of birds are present in average yards
which are never once noticed by the home
owners.
"Oh, there are no birds around our
way"
Every one has heard that remark, but
the chances are ten TO one that the
speaker is honestly mistaken.
Many little birds are 20 softly colored
that they blend with dry leaves and faded
flowers and branches, making them all
but invisible except to eyes trained to see
them. 1t is here as with fry Just Matched
out in an aquarium. Point them out to
the average beholder, he or she will not
see them at all because not trained to
Took small" enough. Although most fry
are very large, in comparison with truly
microscopic creatures, they still are 70
tiny, In comparison with the average per-
sons idea Of "a fish," that they escape
detection by his unframed eye, although
there may be hundreds Of them In tank.
%## -
Before setting up the bird feeder for
the Winter-especially If one has never
placed one before-real pains should be
gone to in order to find out the position
at which it will offer the least eyestrain
to those who are going to watch it.
Usually in the enthusiasm attending its
installation the feeder is placed at any
point which first suggests itself.
Properly enough, the amateur ornithol-
ogist thinks first Of the birds-as he
should debut he also owes something
to himself, too, and he might as well
combine the two thoughtS-which is the
subject Of this warning today. Old hands
at bird lore will have found this out
long ago, but the beginning enthusiast,
who discovers for himself that a bird
feeder is q great deal Of fun, will need
some help along a line which often
escapes discovery in the first flush of
feeding. Many who yearly put out seeds,
suet and crumbs for their feathered
friends nevertheless have not done 80
through the medium Of formal feeding
device.
And while no doubt the rear Of prop
erty, especially when well shrubbed and
with trees. is the very best place of all
as far as the birds are concerned some
medium point between the rear windows
and the rear Of the yard viii be better
for human eyes and almost as good from
the viewpoint Of the birds.
Placing the feeder too close to the house
wall will invite squirrels and starlings
too near for comfort. Mice and ants, too,
would be attracted, and none of these is
really desirable guest. II the feeder is
placed farther out the birds will like 1t
better and the eyes Of onlookers will be
conserved at the same time, provided the
station is not too far away. Finding this
mean or medium point is worth while
and is easily done by actually testing the
looking from the favorite armchair. Be
careful that this Is done with the so-called
naked eye and not with field glasses
There are many times when binoculars
come in handy for bird observation, but
watching the feeding station is not one
Of them. in our opinion. So be extra care
full in placing the feeder to prevent eye
Inflammation. Keep In mind that birds
are like no other living creatures in their
powers of hopping, fitting and jumping
around and that these quick movements
cause unusual eye activity to the watcher.