Evening star., 1944-01-15
This and That
By Charles E. Trdce,oeH.
"TAKOMA PARK.


Our holiday caller came Sunday
morning when sleet had covered all the
ground. A bird, do not know the
species, but it was the size of the
startling. few on the front porch, and
lighted on our Christmas evergreen
spray on the front door, and proceeded
to eat the holly berries. The bird
did not seem to be a bit shy Of the
large red bow. This bird, or at least
bird, returned three times to feast.
Sincerely, L. B."
About the only birds hereabouts in
winter which would come to eat holly
berries are the mockingbird and the
starting.
The holly tree is an important source
OF food for some Of our finest birds,
especially in the spring.
Then there will eat at it the bob
white, the hermit thrush, the robin,
the brown thrasher, the mockingbird,
and the red-bellied woodpecker
No doubt many other species find
the berries of value to them.
Total destruction of the beautiful
holly trees to secure few berries con-
stitutes one of the real wastes of ma
tional materials.
Careful trimming will get the berries
just as well, and leave it to grow,
whereas destruction of the entire tree
is careless and sad fact too often
witnessed.
Our correspondents bird probably
was a mockingbird.
Usually one of these remains in most
suburban communities throughout the
winter.
Use of real holly berries on holiday
wreaths and sprays has the advantage
of drawing the wintering birds.
Much the same results may be
secured, however, by using bits of suet,
in which small seeds and grains have
been pressed.
Bright red beads do not fool the
birds, but they help to attract them.
Sometimes the artificial holly berries
are to be preferred, since they make
a better show at distance If they
are used by friend of birds, he will
see to it that some food is incorporated
in the wreath.
We have always felt that the birds
at Christmas time deserve a bit of
cheer, even in such days as these.
Mercifully, they know nothing of the
war.
The mockingbird Is a bold fellow,
true sample Of American wit and
invention.
The starting comes to us from Eng
land. He, too, is bold bird, with
many remarkable traits.
The winter mockingbird at times
tends to assume a "dog in the manger"
attitude, in regard to the smaller
species.
That is one reason why it is good
to have several feeding places, and
from time to time to put out special
treat just for the mocker.
X X X
Mockingbirds like raisins, currants,
apple, doughnuts and bread, and oc-
casionally little suet.
In ordinary times they will not turn
up their bills at bit of lean meat,
but there is no use of talking about
that now.
The mockingbird is much more
streamlined than the startling, and
shows great deal of white in his
wings ana tail when he flies.
II your winter bird is large gray
bird showing white when he flies he is
a mockingbird.
The starting is appreciated best when
he is by himself, at least in the home
yard. Three or four are not too many,
but when the number rises more than
that, the homeowner is likely to have
the much-mooted Startling problem"
Fortunately, the starting is too busy
downtown, in winter, to fool around
much in the suburbs He is an intel
ligent, powerful bird, resourceful to a
degree, and mighty flyer. AS a cor
respondent pointed out here recently,
to see him come in to roost at dusk
along Pennsylvania avenue is to wit
ness one of natures finest displays of
afr craftsmanship.