Evening star., 1945-07-02
This and That
Bp Charles Z. Trdce1Dell.
"CHEvERLY, Md.


Dear sir:
well, the worst has happenedl
To-day I saw two huge grackles come
down in our yard.
please, sir, do you know OF any
way to be rid of the hateful things and
still keep our other birds?
I'VE have SO many beauties, blue jays,
cardinals, scarlet tanagerS, woodpeckers,
nuthatches, wrens, starlings and SPAR
rows, and an occasional golden finch.
And, of course, the squirrels, bless 'em.
I have finally got some of the squirrels
to take food from my hand.
But back to the grackleS. I won't
let them feed If I see them, but in
chasing them, of course, the other birds
go, too. But as long as there are no
grackles around I never disturb the
others.
do you suppose that the other birds
might get onto the procedure in due
time? am very much concerned for
them.
Last year I only saw one grackle
attack another small sparrow. There
was plenty of food for all, but he
wanted it all, I guess. I went out and
got the sparrow, but he died before
morning.
What on earth can do?
Your column is must every evening.
1t has been a real benefit as well as
pleasure. Sincerely, M. H. S."
X X X X
Persistency of attack is the answer to
the grackle problem as it Is to many
other problems.
Usually it requires but few days to
make these large birds understand that
they are not wanted.
In achieving this, the desired species
will be chased away, too, but the good
thing is that their powerful eyes will
keep track of the feeding place and
they will fly back as soon as the excite
ment dies down.
No one who feeds the birds should
fear that hawks or grackles will keep the
songbirds away permanently.
They will come back, although they
may remain away for many hours,
even days. The friend of birds may be
sure that they are watching from some
hidden place, waiting until they feel it
is safe to come down.
The grackle is death to small birds.
1t strikes just for the pleasure of Grip
pling and killing. We have seen
gracles tear off the legs and heads of
four baby cardinals before aid could
be brought to them.
This fiendish temper seems to have
nothing to do with the search for food,
but is INDUCED in solely out of malice.
A look at the cruel yellow eyes OF
the grackles shows that this killing in
stinct is part of their nature.
They should not be permitted to
linger long at a feeding place. Uusally
the simple appearance of the owner
in the yard will frighten them away.
1t is true that the small birds will fly
away, too, but they are only too eager
to come back.
If the grackles are scared away re-
peatedly in time they will give up
coming and go elsewhere. This is what
the friend of bird hopes, so the thing to
do is to keep after them until they
decide to stay away.
Yet the grackle is a beautiful bird, in
his way. He is large, sleek, glistening
with plenty Of power in his wings and
legs. His bill is sharp and he knows
how to use it.
If it were not for his killing instincts
he might be welcomed, since he eats
some insects. About third of his food
consists of insects harmful to man.
He is great grain eater and for this
reason is not liked in farming areas.
At nesting time, however, he feeds his
babies on insects, and especially likes
grub-wor1ns for them.
If steps are taken Immediately TO
oust him when he shows up at feeding
station he will be driven away, and the
fright to the desired songbirds win not
be too much for them TO opeFcoms.