Evening star., 1945-07-24
This and That
By Charles E. TrdcetDell.
ARLINGTON, Va

4OINs va,
Dear Sir:
II wish you would tell me and others
the best way to induce a mockingbird
to feed out of the hand. I have been
trying to lure mocker for years, but
have never managed it,
Anything you can contribute along
these lines will be appreciated by me
and your thousands Of other readers,
because we feel you know what you are
talking about. Sincerely, M. K. D.
1t Is not easy to get wild bird to eat
out of the hand,
Some persons seem To have sort of
knack at 1t.
The rest of us will have to Use a mix
ture Of one part persistence and one
part patience, with still another part
made up of raisins.
The mockingbird loves raisins, any
sort, especially at nesting time. For
every one he eats, he takes another back
to the nest.
There is no finer sight in the summer
garden than mockingbird calling for
his raisins.
Seedless or seeded varieties do very
nicely. although the birds seem to
like the small seedless ones the best.
Fortunately, there are no ration
points on these prime bird tidbits
Seeded raisins, which are larger, may
be cut up with scissors to make them
better size for most of the raisin
eaters. These, by the way, include
Knockers, catbirds wood thrushes, cardi-
mails, starlings, sparrows and others.
Squirrels-and some cats-also find
them delectable
Raisins sell In the neighborhood of IS
cents a box, so they make a reasonably
priced food for the birds.
The best way to serve them is to
sprinkle them in the grass, always in
given place.
This is the best way, however, only
when general feeding Is in view.
When 1t is desired to induce a mock
ingbiru to come to hand, it is best to
select a porch railing.
Such an attempt should be made
only With bird which previously has
shown disposition to call for raisins
when he finds the supply has run out.
This is a very interesting trait of this
bird, one which other birds at times
emulate, but at which he is the master.
IT the raisins are put on the railing
regularly. when he comes and finds none
he will set up great cry, a sharp call
which seems rather on the angry side.
Back and forth he will hop, calling
clamorously. Is he really angry? ANY
one who has watched him attack cats,
and even humans, when he thinks his
nest is threatened, will feel that he
really Is angry because there are no
raisins.
The persons who desires to tame him
Gas much as he can be tamed) will do
well to put dozen or more raisins In
the hand ard walk out on the porch,
with the hand extended
Then take seat and hold the hand
out, palm up, with the raisins in it.
The mocker will fly back to the rail,
which he has momentarily deserted,
still calling loudly
Perhaps 1t is good plan to put a
few raisins on the rail-, SO that he will
be tempted to come and get them
while you are seated on the porch.
After he has got used to the idea
OF you being there, still with handful
of food In plain sight, he may work up
his courage In time to descend to your
hands
The raisin eaters, as a group, are
much more inclined to be friendly
than the birds which are here the year
around.
Even If one does not succeed in lur-
ing them to hand, they still make a
magnificent sight on the porch, and this
close observation will add to ones
treasures Of memory.