Evening star., 1945-01-03
This and That
BY Charles E. Trdce1UeH.

DAVENPORT STREET.
Dear Sir:
I'VE have what might seem to be an
1llegitimate, an anachronism, in an
apparently very lovely, though lonely,
mockingbird.
Gould it be that a mockingbird egg
was laid in sparrow's nest and Matched
along with the sparrows?
They are his only associates. He
seems quite young and his being here
at this time of the year seems strange.
Il might add he has usurped Swick's
place-Swick is our blue jay-on the
bush outside our window where we place
suet in the forks of the limbs for them
to enjoy.
"And to you, Mr. -philoso-
pher-on behalf of my family, my friends
and myself, please accept our thanks
for the interesting, instructive and
nerve-calming enjoyment derived from
your rich contributions appearing in
our favorite newspaper.
Sincerely, L. E."
*%
There is nothing strange about
mockingbird being here and teaming up
with sparrows
Many Knockers remain here every
winter, not in pairs but one by one,
usually the males, which are Joined in
the spring by their wives, who had
enough sense to go South for the season.
The cowbird is our only species which
lays its eggs in other birds nests.
No respectable mocker would ever do
such thing.
Most of the mockingbirds which stay
here get along very well with the English
Sparrows and also with the song SPAR
rows and juncos, or snowbirds.
This is probably due to the fact that
many people put out breadcrumbs and
these are particularly enjoyed by Eng
lish sparrowS, sta! 1ngs and mocking-
birds.
Doughnuts are surefire mocker bait.
All one has to do to get this bird, if he
is in the neighborhood, is to place bits
Of doughnut around on window sills.
Some of the Knockers which stay here
are very mean to birds of other species.
often driving them away when they do
not want the food themselves. For this
reason they are held in disrepute by
some bird lovers
One way of solving this problem is to
place a tray of bread on the opposite
side of the house to that used for feeding
seed and grain to the smaller species.
An apple cut in half is a favorite
mockingbird tid-bit.
Raisins tossed into the grass or on
the driveway are liked by them and they
go for suet ground up and for any left
over pancakes.
Usually mockers and jays do not get
along very well.
Both are bossy birds and do not find
each others company any too diverting,
just as "bossy" people usually strike
sparks when they meet.
We have found that the dispositions
OF mockingbirds vary exceedingly, one
specimen being mild and engaging, while
another is something of pest, flying at
everything else in feathers.
AS 1T often happens, if one has been
acquainted only with good Knockers, he
is likely to think there are no bad ones.
whereas if he has been SO unfortunate
as to meet only pestiferous specimens
he may be inclined to suspect that all
mockingbirds are the same.
This bird arouses the admiration of
all In spring and summer, when his
defense of his nest becomes the talk of
the neighborhood
Warm weather is the time, too, when
his famous song Is heard in all its glory.
especially on moonlight nights. Then
the cascades Of sound ripple In the soft
light, causing delight to most listeners.
but curses from few persons who have
not yet found the charm Of bird life.
u