Evening star., 1945-10-02
This and That
By Charles E. TraceWeH.
FOURTEENTH STREET.

l.,
Dear Sir:
Early in the spring a robin appeared
on my kitchen windowsill, where I had
been feeding raisins all winter to
mocker.
HE seemed very tame and friendly
and especially fond of raisins, but one
day the mockingbird saw him stufing
raisins and attacked him.
''The robin was more surprised than
frightened at first, but after few days
was very careful about colni-g when
the mocker was around.
"One day the latter appeared with a
companion and the two ganged up and
dive-bombed the robin. feared for his
life. So did he, evidently, for he didn't
reappear for week, and after that only
in great fear.
II used to be very fond of mocking-
birds, because of their lovely song and
power of mimicry, but they are such
bulhes-I have seen a mocker tantalize
crow by repeatedly flying down at the
crows head as he sedately walked
across a big open space seeking food.
CAS- the end of the season approached,
the Knockers went away, but the robin
remained, to my sorrow. for I fear he
will sacrifice his life in the cold winter
OF ice and snow, staying for raisins.
He flies up to my window to attract
attention and then waits on low wire
fence below till I put out raisins for
him.
Another odd thing was that some
times he exasperated me by a great
display of timidity in getting the raisins
and again was bold and fearless In
flying up for them.
Yesterday there were two robins to-
gether below the window. I am glad
they are together, if they insist on stay
ing over the winter
Can you explain what will become
of them in winter?
Shall I make a box for them?
Sincerely, r. G. p"
1t is estimated that perhaps as many
as dozen robins remain in the Wash
ington area every winter.
Most of them lodge in Rock Greek
| Park and pass through the winter
| comfortably enough.
These are not what are sometimes
| purest Southern variety.
A few of them seek shelter in some
of the old sheds which are found here
and there in the park.
Food Is the most difficult problem
but such birds eat very well most OF
the time from berries which abound ir
great numbers of bushes throughout
the wilder portions of the area.
While robins, as rule do not visit
feeding stations, they may be induced
to come to raisins. This is especially
true of birds which have previously
eaten them, or which may have beer
raised by hand"
just why these few robins lose theil
sense of migration, SO compelling with
most of their tribe, is unknown, just a.
the complete why of migration itself Il
still mystery.
There is little the householder car
do for such wintering robins, except pu
out raisins, which must be shared, o
course, with other birds, especially witt
those mockingbirds which also choos,
to stay here.
/ Mockers often show this "dog-in-the
manger" attitude.
There Is no use making box TO
robins, for they will not Use it. TIL
robin shelf. open in front and on botl
sides, with bottom, roof and back
may attract them for nesting, bu
scarcely as winter shelter.
Our correspondent should not fee
too sure that the robins are going t
stay ali winter. This is rather to-
early to tell.
Most of our robins do not leave TO
good until late in October or earl
November.
Then they may be seen in smal
groups, dropping down and spreadin
out over lawns. These groupings evi
IDENTIFY are for each Others protection
especially as to food supplies, for wha
one bird happens to see. the rest ca
share.