Evening star., 1936-02-20
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Laurel, Md.
"Dear Sir: For several years we have
been readers of The Star. And all that
time I have enjoyed This and That
But this long cold spell have not been
able to do much out Of doors, SO have
been especially interested in your bird
talks.
Early in the Winter put up feed
ing box on top Of a 9-foot pole. It has
a roof on 1t and sides about 2 inches
high and is about by IL inches. I
put scratch feed in it and watched for
English sparrows to come crowding
around.
For the first day not a bird came
near, so far as could see. The next
day a starting and jay came. Soon the
starlings and the jays were regular feed
ers I spilled some feed on the ground
as I was putting it in the feeder, and
the very first day the English Sparrows
came and picked that up.
1--WE soon saw that if we would feed the
birds and not our vanity we would have
to put the feed where the birds would
come and get it. put some suet in the
feeder with the chick feed, and the
starlings took possession.
I'VE put chick feed, coarse and fine,
on the ground, and the birds came regu-
larly. 1t has interested me greatly to
see the first to come and the last to CO.
THE tree sparrow and the cardinal
came together this morning. They seem
to try to see who shall get there first.
Soon the snow bunting then the English
sparrow and, always last, the startling.
X y
aTayc opd fytpoica orc o1opo o1,,ooct
any time.
THE birds that come first stay longest.
I'VE have eight cardinals. Three of
feathers. We have wondered if they
that way.
Where do they go? saw English
sparrows going one cold night under
drain pipe. The starlings are staying
around COW shed on the outskirts of
Laurel-some of them are.
I'VE have some evergreen trees just
across the street and I suspect some of
the birds go there. When we lived in
the country we found the birds always
roasted in the corn fodder around the
stables and in any sheltered place.
THE evergreens around where we have
lived have always been roosting places
for birds. I wonder if your readers
would not be interested in the roosting
habits of the different kinds of birds.
y am interested in wild life of any
kind and write this to thank you and
The Star for giving us so much along
the line of Nature study. Sincerely,
u. p. B."
Chevy Chase, Md.
Dear Sir: Each eve I've read with
interest the kind thoughts passed from
you to others in the care of our lovely
birds
I'm each talk I've found no one has
mentioned this fact: That the greatest
love and appreciation is shown by all
birds to the person who studies their
comfort. not only by throwing feed, but
for place made homelike for them
trees and bushes, to rest in after eating.
I've these, and revolving, large
feeder, protected in every way from
storms, always backing the winds, rains
and SHOWS, glass back window showing
food to them. Back and front I have
every bird one can mention, and many
which wouldn't dare stay here in such
weather if hadn't provided such an
inviting place.
Cardinals and bluejays are so happy
and if the jay isn't content with special
care he never stays long. My trees have
dozens-very handsome, large fellows.
His special dish, which I supply by
the many pounds per week, must be
roasted peanuts in the shell. This he
loves. Sits in the tree, holds them
tightly and with his strong bill opens
one end as well as we could, pulls out