Evening star., 1937-11-09

Observers who use the best OF seeds
to attract the rarer birds will not be
bothered by starlings unless they for
get and include breadstuffs in the menu.
Then the fun begins.
Starlings really are fun. rightly viewed.
80 that a little bread may be included.
now and then. for the express purpose
Of attracting them.
The starting is an unconscious come
dian. He is perfectly unaware of his
ability, that is what makes him so good.
The way he swaggers is as comical
as anything can be. 1t is mostly ply
sical. due to the lack of balance, on &C
count of his lack of adequate tail. but
also there is something which reflects
the soul Of the bird.
Those who watch birds in autumn
and winter at the feeding station will
feel sure that each species has its char
acter, different from that of any other.
While this is mainly shown In actions,
1t also manifests itself in the coloration.
the size, and physical actions which are
reflections of mental traits
There is no need to deprive birds of
character simply because they cannot
read. Yet that is what some observers
might be said to try to do. Every species
has Its mental side, as well as physical.
Celebration and song Tin season. are
important, but not the most interesting.
Those who fail to look deeper than coat,
and hear farther than song. have missed
some of the better parts of their feath-
cred friends
One of the biggest mistakes some
watchers make is to demand that only
mice" birds come to their feeders.
This placing of human qualifications
on the creatures, and subsequent de-
mand that those which do not exemplify
| them stay away, is the one sure way to
deprive ones self of the real Joy of bird
feeding and watching
There is in this combined indoor and
outdoor sport something for everybody,
provided that an open mind is carried
| along.
1t is surprising how many people there
are who cannot do even the simplest
thing with an open mind
Perfection Is not required There are.
alas, few persons who own perfectly
open minds. Probably 1T would not be
good for the race if there we're, any
more than it would be helpful if all
| people we're gentle and kind Until this
| planet and its contained lite assume a
| far different complexion than they have
| worn since the dawn of creation, it may
be we'll for humanity If there are some
| gunbearers and killers. In recent years
| there even has grown up certain
| philosophy which declares that certain
amount of cruelty is necessary for the
| individual, and that, lacking this, he
| will be too soft for this world.
Feeding the birds is based solidly on
a kindness which finds in the creatures
without self-consciousness a pleasing
antidote to too much awareness in
humankind.
"The world is too much with us-"the
| trouble is not so much with the world
as with ourselves, that we find trouble
in the mere working out of events in
| our world.
There is relief OF sort in observing
the wild creatures which go on legs and
| wings. Consider the appeal which the
| Zoo makes to the millions.
The thousands may watch creatures
| at play, even on the football fields.
The hundreds have their bird feeders
| In back yards, and get world of in
terest out of their feathered friends
starlings and English sparrows included