Evening star., 1945-09-19
This and That
By Charles E. Trace,ceu

Seeding and feeding 60 together.
They better had, if you want the birds
to leave your grass seed alone!
NOW Is the time for both seeding the
lawn and feeding the birds you hope
to stay with you all winter.
Put in the grass seed, and at the same
time set up feeding station, and you
Will have achieved something solid and
satisfying
There are few things in strict civilian
life which are more pleasing to certain
temperaments than a good piece of
greensward, lush and colorful all dur
ing the cold season.
Kentucky bluegrass grows we'll here.
after it gets start, and with the aid
OF the various fescues and some Dutch
white clover will give a good effect.
Various mixtures Of these NAV be
purchased, If they are planted care
fully in September and kept watered
until really cold weather sets in. there
will be enough growth for green grass
all during the winter unless the season
keeps below freezing for too long at a
time
Some of the grass seed put in will be
taken out promptly by the birds, but If
take of most Of the feasters.
Even people who are enthusiastic
about birds dispute the advisability of
feeding in the summer. There is no
question. however, of the good done by
feeding in the fall and winter.
There Is no particular good in wait
ing until really cold weather sets in
Thousands of migrating birds are
hyy
bulk OF them in late September and in
October. with few still passing through
in early November.
Ii they see our wintering birds feeding
they will drop down, not so much to join
them as to rest and get water.
Few OF the warblers, for instance,
come to feeding stations but there can
be no question Of their being lured by
the sight Of others feeding
The yard where feeding is being car
ried on will seem a perfect resting place
in their long flights. Down they will
come, especially If their sharp eyes spot
small pool Of water, such as that pro-
vided by formal bird bath or even by a
shallow pan placed on the ground.
Close by the water place should be a
small patch Of dirt and sand mixed.
These, too. appeal to the migrators.
Many of the warblers will drop down
simply to see what is going on
Birds are curious, they have to be to
keep alive.
The long flights of the migrating
birds, together with the effects of sudden
cold nights, take something out of the
small fellows, some of which weigh less
than an ounce.
Water and sand, two necessities in
their lives, will appeal to them as they
60 by.
The warblers will repay your kindness
in two ways.
First, the very sight of them Is re-
warding as they dart through shrubbery.
Keep sharp watch on your bushes,
because they love their shelter.
Second, they will eat many inimical
insects which they still find pestering
your shrubbery and trees.
Do not expect many of the migrating
birds to visit the feeding place or
places. They appeal mainly to such
birds as stay with us the year around.
The migrators are attracted by the
| sight of them, however and like to come
| down to see what Is going on.
| Here Is word of warning: Do not be
too upset II you cannot identify the
various warblers.
They are difficult even for an expert
who more often than not cannot do 60
| although he may not admit It.