Evening star., 1944-03-30
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TrGceUeU.

SER1NG VALLEY.
Dear Sir:
Since we have lived in this suburb,
which is over 10 years, we have had
some interesting experiences with birds,
not the least of which has been the
bluebird, who has been a luncheon and
dinner guest at our kitchen window at
some time during the winters.
When We first came out here and
only few homes were very near ours,
five bluebirds came every day during
the coldest snowy weather and they
nested in the yard twice during that
time.
They have not come in such numbers
now for several years, but we never
have a snow that they don't show up
about three usually come at the same
time.
For the benefit of those who do not
know what to feed them, find they
never refuse warm toast softened with
milk or just hot water, and raisins
soaked few minutes in warm water is
one of their favorites too. AS they have
soft bills they cannot eat seed.
We have habit of putting out seed
for the cardinals when they call late in
the evening, and yesterday call very
much like Mr.. Red Birds was heard
and we started to throw out the seed,
but instead of that gentleman we found
he was being impersonated by mocking
bird. Do you think he had Interior
motives? Sincerely yours, r. S. T"
+
ARLINGTON, Va.
Dear Sir:
'Bluebirds have moved into the blue
bird house we made according to your
specifications.
I'VE have taken three days to be sure
they were here to stay. The male came
first on March Is. He was the first
blueblrd OF spring. He seemed to have
difficulty in getting in the entrance,
which didn't seem to be big enough
Il went out to measure the entrance
after he left. 1t was just according to
your measurements published this
winter, IL inches.
Next day he brought his girl around,
she hung at the entrance, too, but
looked as if she could get in If she
wanted to, so we stopped worrying
To-day he was there early, later she
went in; yes, there was no doubt about
1t; my boy and I watched breathlessly;
later we watched her come out while he
perched on the little roof We think he
went in once while she was away
I'VE are SO grateful to you, we had
our bluebird house made this winter
exactly according to your instructions,
have it on 4foot post put up near our
picket fence, facing south and near our
kitchen window. 1t really worked. Many,
many thanks.
Most sincerely, E. A. Mel"
Here we have letters from the two
sections where bluebirds are commonly
found in this vicinity.
The rest of us will have to get along
without these beauties, perhaps; blue
birds have mostly selected their nesting
sites by late March.
1t is really too bad that this famous
bird, renowned for both beauty and
song and gentle ways and a great insect
consumer should be so few in numbers.
Arlington County and the Wesley
Heights and Spring Valley sections are
the two main districts hereabouts where
blueblrds still come in numbers and
especially remain in winter.
1t is difficult for us to realize that at
one time, about 40 to SO years ago, the
blue bird was more plentiful in and
around Washington than the robin.
Every suburban family should put out
bluebird house just on the chance of
Turing bluebird family Even If not
occupied, it may attract some other
species, and at the worst makes a nice
yard decoration
All soft-billed birds will eat the same
things, bread and milk, moistened
ralsins and currents and scrambled eggs
This last novel addition to the bird
food list was suggested by Washington
woman whose small child refused to
eat the egg prepared for it. Thinking
that lonely robin in the yard might
like it, she put it out for it, and sure
enough, the bird flew down and began
to eat. Certainly no one who knows
the tremendous help which robins give
our gardens could think that food used
in this manner was wasted; to the con-
trary, such food is doing an essential
service for victory.