Evening star., 1944-10-07
This and That
By Charles E. TrdceDeU
"FATI, CHITPCH Y

EALb S1OnC1, va.
Dear Sir:
"A very interesting thing happened
to me the other day.
We moved into our present house
IN June and even though knew it was
late l decided to put up two birdhouses
that had
I'VE never noticed any birds around
them SO decided to take them down
for the winter as they are painted
white and read in your column that
a dark color was much more attractive
to most birds.
L intended to repaint them and
have them ready for early use next
year.
When I took the first one down.
l noticed there was grass, ETC., in it,
which I proceed to clean out
In the bottom found four baby fly
ing squirrels.
i do not believe their eyes were open
yet. carefully replaced the grass and
put the birdhouse back where it had
been.
Il did not know if the mother would
return or not, but the next day I in
vestigated and she was in the house.
We have kept watch but do not see
them around. Is it habit for them
to come out only at night?
The opening of the box was about
Ia inches in diameter but they had
cheWed 1t to about twice that size.
What do you suggest do to keep them
from destroying all my birdhouses or
are they advantageous to have around
and warrant the use of my birdhouses?
I enjoy your column very much. I
appreciated the descriptions and di-
mensions of various birdhouses recently
described in the column. AS winter is
soon coming and feeding stations are
IN order, I suggest you write column
on how to construct simple feeding
station, also what is the best kind of
food to attract the birds.
Yours truly, r. S. p"
The flying squirrel avoids the light
during the day.
Its eyes somewhat resemble those of
an OWL and are better adapted for
nocturnal prowling.
1t is generally regarded as the most
gentle of squirrels, and makes an in
teresting pet, although somewhat
lethargic in the daytime.
While sleeping, the animal rests its
head on the base of the tail, and
covers itself with the rest of it.
The ordinary nest is made of leaves,
and is quite large, resembling that of
the gray squirrel
A really marvellous creature is the
flying squirrel, which can make its
way through trees as quickly as any
squirrel by its method of climbing up
one and flying down to the base of
another.
These flights make it the originator
OF certain tactics now utilized by human
flyers. The principles of flight used are
exactly the same
bird house given over to a family
OF these interesting creatures is very
much worth while.
There are variety of bird feeding
stations, but one of the best and
simplest is q platform with a raised
edge, the whole mounted on a stake.
A peaked roof with posts at each corner
makes good addition.
1t Is especially nice to have such
feeder near window, where the visitors
may be watched at close range.
In no other way will the observer
get to see the colors SO clearly. Some
times friends Of birds forget that these
colorings are among the most marvel
Gus in all nature. but that they can
not be seen In their perfection at dis
tance, even with the aid OF binoculars.
Mixed seeds called "wildbird food"
may be purchased at pet shops, some
hardware stores and at feed stores, gen.
orally. The sellers buy In large
quantities and can sell cheaper than
one can mix ones own.
Ordinary scratch feed, or baby chick
feed, with some sunfower, watermelon
or canteloupe seed put in, makes very
good mixture.