Evening star., 1944-06-27
This and That
By Charles Z. Traceuell.
KALORAMA ROAD,

Dear Sir:
Having been a constant reader Of
your column since the days OF Jack
Spratt, feel it Is due time for an ex-
preston Of appreciation. Often when I
mention my pleasure in 1t to 4 friend
(whose name you would know on ac-
count Of his bibliographies on birds) he
will say reproachfully, Have you written
to tell him SOP know you have literally
thousands Of readers who are likewise
delinquent.
Being very fond Of animals, 1 enjoy
your comments on them and like espe-
cially to hear incidents in the lives of
Penny. Quincy and Old Tigey.'
II think the value Of the work you
have done on birds Is incalculable, for
I know Of 80 many who have become
interested through your column, and al
though an urban dwellcr, I fnd great
enjoyment in your identiflcations and
remarks on our feathered friends for
such they are.
Their beauty, cheerful demeanor, and
lovely songs contribute materially to the
Joy OF living, to say nothing Of their
assistance in reducing insect pests. In
this connection would like to state
that according to my observation the in
crease in insect pests corresponds to
the reduction in bird numbers.
The birds used to be numerous in the
Middle West. and at that time insects
never did damage enough to justify
spraying, but now the poisonous sprays
that are thrown wholesale on every
thing from crops in the fields and fruit
trees to garden vegetables and flowers
must have killed of the birds, for there
are comparatively few to be seen in that
section at the present time.
"Your defense of the sparrows and
starlings meets with my strong approval,
for the city dwellers have no others, and
II they were rare think both would be
considered beautiful.
When I take peanuts to the park I
always break some into very small pieces
for the sparrows, who sit in a semicircle
just outside the range of the bolder
pigeons and look up with such an
appealing expression.
The greedy pigeons are not interested
In the tiny bits, so in this way the SPAR
rows get their share. I have also noticed
much music in the starlings' notes, and
love to hear them.
Before closing, want to express my
disappointment in the change of loca-
tlon OF your column and I know your
many readers feel the same way. We
have political columns facing us at every
turn, and though read some of them. it
was SO refreshing to have yours at the
top, where it had always appeared as an
old friend. I hope others will voice
protests and that we may again see
your notes in their old and rightful
place.
Sincerely yours, NJ H."
We thank this kind correspondent,
and wish to take the opportunity of
thanking the many other WASHINGTON
ians and others who during the past 20
years have written to us. This and That
celebrates its Goth anniversary July 7.
1t has been a wonderful period, both
In the personal history of the writer
ana OF the world. We would not
have missed it for anything Despite
the setbacks, and failures of intention,
and the not doing what should have
been done, SO common to failing hu-
manity, we may all believe firmly that
the right and the just and the true are
just little stronger today than they
were 20 years ago.
The seriousness of the present war
has made 1t again fashionable to talk
openly about the better things in life.
During many years of the last 20,
the person or group talking seriously was
laughed out Of court. as it were. Today
we know that life is, indeed, a serious
matter. We know the debt we owe to
millions Of men and women, and we are
not afraid to say so.
The brave boy who died in a plane
crash just of the California coast. be-
fore he even got In the fight for civiliza-
ton, died as surely and heroically to
save me and all of us as II he had rushed
out In the street to save us from a
ravening mad dog. We will never for
get.
There was something silly about 1924.
There LIS something heroic about today.
We may all look forward now to better
things.