Evening star., 1936-12-18

"On Saturday morning, November 81,
this year, being up a little earlier than
usual we were eating our breakfast
around $50 o'clock. It was not yet real
light. While sitting at the dining table
I looked out the South window and saw
some small birds fitting about in an
apple tree. could tell they were not
English sparrows.
"On going to the window I saw they
were bluebirds GaysD, some half dozen
or more. The first had seen for long
time. I saw also downy woodpecker
and a chickadee on another tree getting
their breakfast. Returning to the table
to finish my breakfast. raised my eyes
and looked out the west window across
the street where there were some bar
berry bushes and saw sight had not
seen before nor since, although look
there every morning.
y n
There was flutter of wings. Irresis-
tably quit my breakfast to gaze. On a
gravel walk in small space were five
bluejays, seemingly eating gravel, while
on a bush nearby was a sixth. In a
barberry bush we're a male and female
cardinal. Some juncos were picking up
seeds on the parking; q flicker pecked
away the earth for some ants; a red
bellied woodpecker was peeking in the
crotch of a maple tree for his food; a
downy woodpecker was hopping on an
other tree; a nuthatch walking head
downward was peering around closely for
a morsel that tempted his appetite.
I was elated. In half an hour not bird
was to be seen. Breakfast over, they de-
parted. That was the greatest single bird
scene I have ever witnesses and was
worth rising earlier to see any day.
Sincerely, M. B. H"
Such bird displays are unusual, but
there is no telling what one will see in
bird watching. That is one of its charms.
Every observer has these different eX-
perienceS, which at times he finds greeted
with questioning smiles from others.
In the above letters, for instance, we
see some birds appearing one year, not
coming the next The favorite cardinal
will come in numbers one season to show
only pair the next, or the other way
around.
The English sparrows are ground feed
ers by preference, but take readily to the
platforms of feeding stations. Since
their habit Of feeding is 20 dash the bill
into the grain, by this method they
always throw out a quantity of food on
the ground for their numerous relatives
who have not been able to secure perch
on the platform.
Birds at feeders undoubtedly make a
prettier picture in the snow, although
whether that is good enough reason to
want snow is a matter for individual
judgment. If SHOWS would be obhging
and only remain long enough to help
make nice picture that would be an
other matter.
1t is interesting to note in one of the
letters quoted that the writer eagerly
awaits the starlings. 1t is good that some
people like them. for many do not. and
it takes all kinds to keep the balance
true.
Comic aspects of this bird earn it
place in the fancies of many bird
watchers. Its short tail and waddling
gait and general motions seem to appeal
particularly to many persons. 1t is, in
deed. handsome and interesting bird
in the suburban and country sections.
no matter what may be said against it in
the deep city.
We note one correspondent speaks Of
the bird bath being dismantled for the
Winter. Such baths are better kept in
place. even if they do freeze. for they
will thaw out enough in the afternoon
sun to give the birds opportunity to
drink and bathe.
An old saucer left in pergola recently
was the scene of as merry bird bathing
party as We ever saw. Nature herself,
by means of a rain, had attended to the
water supply.