Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-03
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TrdceUeU.
NEWTON STREET NE.

Il L.
Dear Sir:
1T is difficult to find the exact words
to express my appreciation OF your fine
column. 1t is entirely enjoyable, as we'll
as wholly constructive, and that, in
itself, is a rare combination.
Il am afraid that my knowledge con-
corning our furred and feathered friends
is woefully lacking. but my enthusiasm
regarding their Well-being is boundless.
squirrels are abundant in this neigh
borhood but l have never been fortu-
nate enough to coax any to come to
dine with me. I have placed peanuts,
Walnuts. pecans and almonds (Shelled
and unshelled) in my front yard, where
am sure the squirrels, which are numer-
Gus in a wooded lot across the street,
would see them, but to no avail. How
ever. the jays and cardinals enjoyed
the shelled nuts, so / am not too I'M
happy. but l would like to coax the
squirrels, as they are such clever actors.
Il use my entire back yard as a feed
ing station, and in that way have in
Vulnerable feathered diners. In times
past. I used a feeding box. but a mocker
created such Juror l devised the
method Of scattering the food over a
large area, hoping he would be a bit
discouraged.
He was after a few days of flying
about, SO 1 am inclined to think he is a
fellow capable of realizing his limita-
tions, and so, extremely clever.
Il mix whole wheat crumbs. bits of
ale oicj,, III,
(either wild or canary and SO far have
not had complaint from my boarders.
MY small friends are quite tame, and
always flock to the yard as soon as I
appear with the container from which
I strew the food. Many of the sparrows
and starlings start feeding while I am
standing in the yard.
las regards these latter, I feel about
them as the great Lincoln did about the
common man: God must love them, He
created so many.
Il wish more people would realize
the necessity for providing water at all
times. Many of my neighbors will
gladly feed the birds in sleety snowy
weather, but never seem to think the
little creatures need to quench their
thirst
TN fact, couple of neighbors seemed
to think me mentally unsound when I
suggested that they supply water during
cold weather.
Best wishes for your continued sue
cess and many, many thanks for your
column. Very truly, E. MacR."
4 x x
Birds need water even more in winter
than in summer, because practically all
the food they get now is very dry.
They are practically on dry-food diet.
It is not as easy as it seems for a
bird to get drink from snow, although
at times they will eat it.
The best way to be sure that they
have water is to put it out for them.
In this way on mild afternoons, in
the sun, they also can get their baths
Birds are among the cleanest natural
creatures, being among the few that
take baths for the sheer pleasure of it.
They will do this if water about 2
inches deep is provided in bird bath.
This can be poured in in the middle of
the afternoon, preferably if the sun is
shining on the bowl.
Within a few minutes every bird
within eye-shot will be at the bath,
taking his turn, and in short time
most of the water will have been Topped
out by beating wings
Old, discarded pie pans or other shall
low containers may be filled and placed
on the grass about 10 feet from the
feeding place.
The trail of happy birds going back
and forward will be pleasure to every
understanding eye and heart.
In summertime water often attracts
the songsters more than food, because
during the warm months they can get
all the food they want. In the cold,
dry air Of winter, water is often hard to
find, SO that those who put it out for
the birds will be doing double good
deed. as 1t were.