Evening star., 1945-09-14
This and That
BY Charles Z. TrnceDell
ARLINGTON, Va

Dear Sir:
II like all the birds.
TT is not often that get enthused
over any individual bird, but the other
night was sitting on a bench under the
apple tree and about so feet away from
the lower fence line.
There was a bird there which sure
did give me an exhibition OF high and
lofty tumbling.
Such gyrations-twisting, diving and
turning-I have never witnessed.
And always he would land right back
on top of the same fence postl
Il tried to make out his kind, but those
lightning moves kept me from guessing.
think he was one of the flicker family
II usually sit in that spot these fine
evenings and witness a regular bird car
nival just before they retire for the
night.
This fellow stole the whole show.
"At another spot saw q catbird try
ing to swallow one Of those miller moths.
That's the first time in years. Many
years ago some of these moths made
their appearance and they would be
attacked by the bluebirds and driven
away or destroyed.
They look quite innocent, but they
lay an egg that develops very destruc-
tive worm. Now since many of our in
sect eaters are gone, the vines suffer
from these late beetles, etc.
1T shows what would happen to our
gardens If those birds would stay away
all summer. Their value to us is enor-
NOUS. Sincerely, E. L. W."
4 Il
M &c Liz
the kingbird, sometimes called the bee
bird or bee martin.
Belonging to the 1ycatcher family,
the kingbird often perches on dead
limbs In tree tops and on fence posts.
They are likely to return to their post
after dashing flight to capture insects.
There are many kingbirds in Arlington
County.
Other species which also have this
habit are the phoebe, the wood peewee
and fycatchers in general.
The kingbird is about inches long,
his upper parts black and gray and his
underparts white.
He is one of our most courageous
species. often attacking hawks and
crows.
In the pursuit of hawks he will even
alight on their backs and there strike at
his enemy
His scientific name of Tyrannus tyran-
nus. however, Is almost as much in error
as the common name of beebird, for the
kingbird Is not tyrant in any sense
being kindly disposed to all small birds.
The idea that this fine bird, whose diet
is made up mostly of insects, eats large
quantities of honey bees has been dis
proved by many investigations.
OF 634 stomachs examined by scien-
lists, only "a showed bees, 81 bees in all,
and of these 81 we're drones.
4 n
ARLINGTON, Va.
Dear Sir:
Here's one I would like to have you
explain:
For six or seven days now a large
forsythia bush in my yard has been
blooming.
Why? But just minute little
Towering peach tree which did its share
of beautifying the scenery early in the
spring also has popped into bloom. Why?
And since all things come in threes
my dogwoods have buds on them bigger
than they were two weeks before they
bloomed last spring. Why?
Sincerely, p. j. Y"
The long hot season Is responsible.
I Many persons forget that we have had
such weather since March, seven months
OF 1t already.
We recall that our front yard was
moved on March IL last, for the first
| time in lo45.
Heat and moisture are what plant
| life loves. and AftAr 4 resting snail IL
begins III ovor again.