Evening star., 1944-06-03
This and That
By Charles Z. TrdceDeH.
@ STREET Sc,

Dear Sir:
How very much We do enjoy your
column, especially those on birds. Three
years ago We moved to our house in
Coral Hills, Md Due to the war, build
ing was stopped, so We have woods on
one side OF us. Many beautiful and
interesting things come from that woods.
My Oldest boy Jimmie, is three years
old. He, my mother and myself enjoy
every day the lovely birds. We have
two bird baths Easter We gave Jimmie
q wren house. Much to our delight q
pair OF chickadees moved in right away.
Their cousin, the tufted titmouse, and a
house wren also came and peered in the
doorway Of the house But the chicka-
dees had already taken over.
During my childhood In Cincinnati,
Ohio, my mother and used to walk In
the woods and take q small bird book
with us. Birds can be such q source of
pleasure to children. Our Jimmie loves
the birds and although he is only three
years old, can tell by sight the catbird,
thrush, thrasher, towhee, hairy wood
pecker, robin, blue jay, mother and
daddy cardinal, flicker, white -throated
sparrow, tuncos, chickadee, humming-
I'VE have also had in our yard blue
birds, one male indigo bunting, one
Baltimore oriole, one male scarlet tana-
ger, mourning doves, two bob whites and
pine warblers.
Little wild bunnies come down from
the woods to nibble the clover In our
yard. We've also had a baby ground
mole, chipmunks several turtles and a
u,koi ~
usually on rainy days
The other evening saw bird which
looked great deal like the kingbird
that is so common on Marthas Vineyard,
where we used to spend our vacation
Are they found in Washington also?
These are such busy days, caring for
never too busy to take look out of the
window. We are never disappointed, as
there Is always some bird ENJOYING the
breadcrumbs or taking bath
Il am sure our Jimmie will carrv
through life this interest in birds. He
has several little bird books he studies
when 1 get mine out
so much pleasure and happiness
awaiting us all, for just opening our
eyes. Sincerely E. W."
~
The kingbird is common local sum-
mer resident 1t begins to nest about the
lst of June. Three or four eggs are laid
white to pale pink, with spots OF chest
nut. The nest is usually placed in a tall
tree, and is made of grass roots, weed
stalks and twigs. lined with feathers,
hair and the fluff from vacuum sweeper
bags. Householders would be doing these
and other birds service by placing out
some OF the contents Of their sWeepers.
The klngbird has very modern scien-
tiflc name. Tyrannus tyrannus In some
sections OF the country, including near
by Maryland, he Is called the beebird
In some localities he is known as the
bee martin, In others the tyrant n.y.
catcher.
He Is about 8 inches long. the upper
parts black and gray, the under parts
white The crown has large concealed
patch OF orange. The tail Is black tipped
with white
This bird flies from Greenland to Mex
leo and Is famous for attacking both
crows and hawks.
kingbird has been known to alight
on its enemy's back. 1t never gives up
the chase but lodges in at its chosen
Zoe, clrcling and wheeling, at which 1t
has received good training in catching
insects in the air
The name bee martin" is regarded as
slander, since scientific examination of
634 stomachs showed but 81 bees in ~
stomachs, 81 being drones. At least IS
per cent OF its food consists of harmful
insects.
Our correspondent points out the value
OF teaching small child to know and
be interested in good way In the birds.
Not only does such training prove in
teresting. but 1t gives one lifelong in
terest. and makes sure that the beauty
and wonder Of bird life will be appre-
ciated and their economic value under
stood. 1t Is safe to say that there will
be no problems of juvenile delinquency
In homes where birds are part OF the
| daily picture.