Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-22
This and That
Ri Charles E. TraceUeH.
FALLS CHURCH, va

Dear Sir: -,,,
"Our last robin was observed early
Ia December. Is it possible that ne
was stranded en- route to the South or
do they ever remain hereabouts IN
winter? s
"To YOUR readers who are concerned
over the absence Of their carolnaS l
would suggest they be patient, for mine
have returned, along with the titmice,
chickadees. doves and nuthatcnes, put
T am worried about female toWhee
who was slightly crippled.
"She came to the feeding board daily
until a week ago, and was tame enough
for me to approach within a couple
of feet without leaving.
IT could have picked her up many
times. She regained her health ana
her crippled feet became Strengthened
out.
q miss her and would like Tor her
to come back.
sincerely yours, o. E. c."
Let us hope this female towhee can
read and will heed the call OF her
good friend.
There are few nicer birds to have
around a place in winter.
Towhees are good friends because
of their patient ways in the cold ana
their celebrations.
The male, in particular, Is a beauty,
with his black and white and some
gold or red-gold.
His mate is plain colored and scarce
would be taken to belong to him.
In our own experience we have never
l,,y 40
q male.
He was shy at first, but soon learned
to come to the feeding station, which
was on a stake about feet high out
side the dining room windows ms
was one of the best feeding arrange
ments we have ever had, since II
brought the birds close for easy and
complete observations.
This feeder was among rhododen-
drons, those interesting plants whose
leathery leaves drop down the moment
the temperature reaches rs degrees.
In our family they replace the out
door thermometer, but only for this
one reading, of course.
Before 26 degrees they may look a
bit cold, but they do not drop their
leaves down. Just the moment a real
thermometer reaches 26 degrees the
rhody leaves begin to curl inward, then
drop until they are pointing straight
down.
ANY one unacquainted with them
would think the plants ruined. The
leaves in bitter cold look as II scalded
But Just let the temperature go up and
gradually the rhody leaves unfold and
come upright again.
Towhees love such setting. 1t makes
them think of the big woods. They
are shy at first, but soon get onto the
| fact that food is there waiting for them
At first they tend to fight of chicka-
dees and others, including the various
sparrows, but after while they learn
| to accept them, eating amicably enough
for the remainder of the winter.
In place of "they" we should substi-
tute 'he," for as stated it is almost
always one towhee and practically al
| ways a male Whether his mate has
more brains and goes South we do not
| know.
At any rate the male towhee stays
| finding the weather not too bad fol
| him. His feathers keep bright, clean
| look, In this respect equaling the cardi-
mails.
Robins seldom remain here for the
winter. 1t is estimated that not more
than dozen stay in the Washington
vicinity. Probably most OF these are
in Rock Creek Park, usually living in
old sheds or sheltered hooks in the
woods.
The robin which insists on living
here the year around must expect te
have tough going. It cannot eat the
hard seeds and grains used in bire
feeding stations. If any householder
suspects there is robin in the neigh
borhood he should put out raisins or
the lawn, at some place away from
the main feeding place. In snow,
weather this food is best; placed or
the porch or porch railing.