Evening star., 1937-02-08

bluebirds with the other. This pair Of
blues was much handsomer than the
first (though no more loved by this
owner Of the houses. They started at
once their nest, and he sat always on q
nearby tree or fence. and at times went
into the box, 50 there was never an
occasion Of absence, as before.
"Also they were much more aggressive
than the first pair, and seemed much
better able to take care Of themselves in
the usual little f1are-ups with sparrows.
II do not recall ever seeing q starting
In any way pay any attention to the
blues, and all Of yesterday afternoon,
when the trees were filled with starlings
(for we've had our full share all Win
teri, and also several pairs Of blue
birds, none seemed to mind the other.
1.-THE most aggressive rascal, when it
came to chasing the blue papa watcher
was robin, which had young in q
tree in front Of the house. Also they both
gave severe chase to O squirrel which
came too near the box. Our days were
made happy watching our bluebird
family. And then early one morning we
heard q furious noise in the garden and
never again saw our little blue mamma.
oO VIC d1C SO1ul0Cnt O AldWA SOk 4AC4. x2C
mourned about for five days, and we
recalled many stories we'd read and
hoped he'd come with a new mate, but
the box was not again occupied.
However, 1t was many times visited.
and while we have no pairs that stay
in our garden all Winter-nor have we
ever seen bluebird at either Of the
feeding stations-yet on frequent occa-
sions they come and look over the boxes.
when five came on Christmas eve
we hadn't then seen them for some
weeks-all five were in the bird bath
at one time, a beautiful picture.
Christmas day they came again.
These visits lasted quite long and con-
sisted Of much flying in and out Of
boxes, and back and forth. Again on
New Year day we had them. Then on
January 8-on this day one blue only
bathing, but so frequently. When four
or more spent most of yesterday in our
trees we felt that Spring must surely
be just around the corner Many thanks
for your bird articles, which we always
anxiously await. Sincerely yours,
III. M. s."
A pale yellow bluebird house, with
one of these fine birds standing on the
perch, would make sight well worth
seeing.
The combination Of yellow and blue
is one of the best possible. in flowers or
birds. Who has not seen yellow and
blue flowers together in vase?
Surely there is nothing prettier. Snap
dragons and delphinium. for instance,
although there are many other plants
which combine as well.
As far as We have been able to dis
cover, the way a bird house is painted
makes little if any difference. If birds
do not come to a house painted GER
tain way, the chances are that other
factors are responsible, not the color.
There are, of course, many factors
which may tend to drive away birds,
particularly bluebirds, which, as a rule,
do not seem very aggressive, or even
able to protect themselves from such
smaller birds as wrens.
The bluebirds are among the most
desirable of all birds, and it is somewhat
diSconcerting that many sections which
enjoy large bird populations still do not
have bluebirds.
In section Of Chevy Chase, Md, for
instance, which 10 years ago had many
of these charming creatures, none will
be found today. Whether this is due to
widespread building. or other factors, re-
mains mystery.
Whatever it is which bluebirds prefer,
all bird lovers should strive to give them,
for certainly there is no prettier bird in
the world, and none which deserves our
care and attention more.