The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-01-15
FEED THE GAME BIRDS

anOJnef DedutiIul SllNeT cup lor Heip-
ing to feed the game birds.
A publlc-spirited member of the
MARYLAND State Game and Fish Pro-
tective Association has again, as last
year, come forward and offered a
cup, even better than last years to
be awarded in April to the Maryland
boy or girl between the ages OF ten
and eighteen, who shall, In the win
ter of 1886 and 1887, do the best
piece of work IN Maryland in feeding
and protecting bob-whlte quail, par
tridges, ruffed grouse. preasants,
doves and other game birds. The
contest will again be sponsored by
the Maryland State Game and Fish
Protective Association.
The cold Is not the worst. 1t Is
the lack OF food that causes the dis
tress and death OF the birds. When
Ice and snow cover every hit Of seeds,
berries, grass, etc, the birds have
nothing to eat when the need Is the
most pressing
Constructing and attending to
feeding stations, us they are called,
is being done by many of our grown
ups and is stimulating and delight
full recreation. All that Is necessary
to do Is to find sheltered place
where quail or other game birds are
In the habit of frequenting and erect
a cover like little house. There
are several types of these. One Is
built by setting two sticks in the
ground, having forks or crotches In
in the upper ends and placing
ridge poles across from one to the
other, forming a top and against this
top, lean sticks, branches, boughs,
weeds, brush, cornstalks, fodder,
straw sheaves, sod, punches of roots
or what you can get. Build In the
sticks etc. first and finish off with the
cedar or pine boughs or straw or
turf, etc. If necessary, tie or sew
through this with old hay bale wire
or tar rope or the like, to keep the
wind and snow from tearing 1t away
or in holes. Always leave two or
more places open In the ends or sides
opposite each other so there will be
more than one exit or place to get out
If the quail are surprised by stray
dog or cat or wild enemy, as hawk,
owl, fox or weasel. This way the
birds can get out "by the back door"
and away Birds must have small
sharp gravel grit, too, for the di
gestion of their food, so be sure to
rake away or remove enough snow
or ice or sod to expose this necessary
gravel, either inside or outside near
by. If there is none at that loca-
ton, get supply somewhere else and
put it in the shelter.
Another good kind of shelter is
made by leaning rails or parts OF
rails or any of the articles used In
the other kind of shelter, against a
fence or rock or bank, so as to form
a space between. Close parts of the
ends, If desirable, but do not forge
the two places to get out. This type
Is called "lean-to" Any kind oil
feeding station built on the side Of
hill is better on the south side of the
hill and if on a level place or other
wise, If located to the south or south
east of a hill, stand of timber, oil
even one tree or bushes or any OBJ
ject that will break the wind force
The ground inside the little house
should be clean and If leaves or snow
blew in, remove them.
Scratch grain wheat, chick grain
and buckwheat are good food with
which to keep the shelter supplied
and any boy or girl who cannot
otherwise secure the feed necessary,
can obtain a supply free Of cost to
the boy or girl by applying to the To-
cal salaried district game warden.
A little trail of feed strewn out few
feet, beginning at the entrance, will
help the birds find the feed when the
feeding is begun especially. Have
trail leading from each hole or door.
The shelters should be cared for daily
and keep sharp lookout for tracks
or other signs of vermin or enimies
When April comes, the boys and
girls who have taken part in this
conservation activity, SHOULD write to
C. Clemson Brown, 4O16 Parkwood
Avenue, Baltimore, Md, telling In
detail of their accomplishments and
the Cup Committee of the Maryland
State Game and Fish Protective AS
ISOLATION will award the cup.
TEMPERANCE GROUPS MERGED