Evening star., 1945-05-29
This and That
Bu Charles E. TrdceDeu.
FOURTEENTH STREET,


Dear Sir:
Add my name to the list of those
who enjoy your column.
"You are quite correct In your aSser-
ton that not out of 10 cats kill birds.
THE shouting and stone-throwing OF
children, the roaring Of auto motors
with the resulting obnoxious fumes and
the activity of lively dogs equally con-
tribute to frightening birds away.
when certain neighborhood lost all
its feathered friends, it was five months
before slight leak in a gas main was
repaired-after that the birds gradually
returned.
Have had cats of all kinds for 30
years. Now have a black Manx with
three snow white and two jet black kit
tens
IF any one needs information as to
diet, breeding, training, ETC., I'll be glad
to offer what knowledge possess.
Sincerely, A. L. B."
X Il X
ARLINGTON, VA.
Dear Sir:
Being greatly interested in Mother
Nature and all her wonders, naturally
turn to your article before laying down
my paper. It is very instructive and
beautifully written, and take this op-
portunity to thank you for all I have
learned from you and to wish you many
long years of success and happiness.
However, I take some of the letter
writer's with very large grain OF salt.
Especially the ones pertaining to cats.
We have cat-we've always had cat
and we always expect to have cat.
I'VE have Just as many birds as our
friends who do not have one.
Last winter kept 'suet tree for our
birds outside our kitchen window. I
tied or 10 small cheesecloth bags (per-
forated) of suet to the limbs Of our null
berry tree, and each morning the tree
was thing of beauty. The birds all
came to the feast, regardless Of size,
prestige or color. I also tied bags of
raisin bread and other dainties. It was
interesting to see at what different
angles they stood to get their treat.
"But let's get back to the cat. I feel
sorry for poor little Tip. The birds
really lead him a dogs life. He can't
step foot out Of the house before the
blue jay and the mockingbird are after
him. He comes to the door and cries
from them.
Yesterday he was lying in the kitchen
minding his own business when a mocker
came and hung on the screen and cussed
him out. The jays are just as bad. They
swoop down and peck his head and
back and give out their shrill cry until
go bring him in, in self-defense.
"The poor cat looks positively cowed.
$50, say 'phooey-and double phoo-
ey.' Maybe cat will catch bird once
In while, but as general rule Mr..
Bird can take care Of himself.
Sincerely yours, M. M. T."
The voice of the true friend of cats
shouts the battle cry Of freedom in: I'VE
have cat-we've always had cat-and
we always expect to have a cat"
This sturdy declaration reminds us Of
little girl across the street who, when
told by her older sister to do something
she didn't want to do, replied: II don't
want to do 1t and don't have to do 1t
and amt a-going to do it."
The friends of cats are legion, but
sometimes they let the cat haters talk
them down. The house cat is one Of
the two four-legged animals which has
left its wild state to live with man and
share his fortunes.
Cats help save our agriculture, and
yet as q nation we have been SO un-
grateful as to issue them no ration
points. Perhaps no more foresighted-
ness could be expected of nation which
does not seem to have the gumption, even
when victorious, to be sure 1t has enough
food for itself. It is dubious distinc-
ton to be the only nation in the world
which does not know how to profit from
victory.
Cats and dogs, too, growl when people
try to take their food away from them.
Maybe We ought to emulate these good
friends and do . little more growing.
Being kind and gentle to such people as
We have conquered merely makes them
think We are suckers.