Evening star., 1944-04-06
This and That
By Charles E. TraceaDeH.

BUNKER HILL ROAD.
Dear Sir:
Yesterday was SO thrilled to make
the acquaintance of nuthatch that
have to write to tell you. He was de-
scending tree trunks and we watched
him for about 20 minutes. AS faithful
reader Of your column I am always
envious when you enumerate the diff
ferent kinds of native birds which
should but do not frequent our yard
We have great number of common
birds and a few aristocrats like the
thrushes.
Last summer I saw a red-headed
woodpecker occasionally and a pair of
tanagers several times, which was in
deed treat. For month I've had
pair OF cardinals feeding at my window
sill. I keep sunflower seed out for them
and I've seen the male put kernel
in the mouth of his mate I didn't
know about that until I read your ar
ticle a while back.
"A pair of sparrows has lived in one
bird house all winter. Today I saw
starting trying to get in. Do you sup
pose he was trying to oust the sparrows
and take possession himself?
Sincerely yours, D. M. c."
WESTERN AVENUE.
Dear Sir:
II is now seven years since wrote to
you about the birds. At that time tin
roof in town served as feeding place
how I am surrounded by eight acres
Of ground.
"On March 7 as I looked down from
my third-story window upon the garden
below beheld most beautiful sight
that I wished many could have shared
with me-a young, slender tree standing
among shrubbery had suddenly been
adorned with eight bluebirds that looked
for all the world like so many living
flowers.
Il have formerly lived where we had
bluebirds all the year around, but 7
never saw them wear such brilliant blue
before.
But alas, one pert robin spoiled the
whole game. I have always loved the
robin and never before noticed how
mean he can be. He persistently chased
each one of the bluebirds all over the
grounds. Some would make a round
and come back, but he gave them no
peace and finally succeeded in driving
them away.
"An amazed startling sitting on an up
per branch was motionlessly watching
the performance
ut pleased my sense of justice that
the mocking bird who stays here all year
just then came along and chased the
robin away.
THE day of the sleet storm the blue
birds returned for food and water. I
1aI ieip
cracked peanuts down on the ground
near the water basins. Just after the
snow had vanished I saw for the first
time here two fox sparrows scratching
and kicking up the sod like a pair of
old hens.
Your appreciative reader, A. H."
FALLS CHURCH, Va.
Dear Si-::
II have solved the problem of serving
suet which crumbleS so freely by the
use OF discarded hair net or wave set
cap SO often abandoned by women after
it has become useless.
Being resourceful by nature I find
this an excellent container for the suet,
preventing the dogs from getting what
is intended for the woodpeckers, nut
matches and others.
One of my robins from last years
nesting returned with a fallen right
wing, and she is house hunting daily
''Fne signs of real spring are at every
hand.
There is much bill feeding among all
species, sure sign that the mating sea-
son is here, and the chickadees lost no
time in house hunting Immediately
after l fastened two more bird houses
securely in the crotches of the dogWood
and mimosa trees about feet from the
ground.
Sincerely yours, O. E. c."
More bird houses in the yard is the
answer to the question of getting the
various species to remain in the home
grounds. Birds will not nest few feet
apart. but if there are plenty of houses,
some Of them probably will be taken.
Songsters looking for accommodations
are as "choosy" as human beings. Their
world of the great outdoors is always
free and no dictator can force them to
nest where they do not choose tc nest.
II there are plenty of houses, not just
one or two, there is that much more
chance that some will settle down for
the summer.