Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-02-28
This and That

his Is the toughest time OF the year
for the mockingbirds.
The other day we saw two of them
seated in q dogwood tree from which
all the berries were gone
The birds had a detected look, as If
they didn't know where to turn for q
meal.
Snow lay on the ground everywhere,
and a cold wind was blowing. Hard
seeds and grains to be found in feeding
stations offered no attraction to them.
Something a mockingbird could eat
ought to be put out for these fine fell
lows, many of which have been with
us all winter. ss.s,..ga szss
Every suburban neighborhood knows
them. ~.
Bread, doughnuts, raisins, apples cut
in quarters-these are some OF the foods
which may be put out for the mocking-
birds now.
They also will appeal to the robins,
which are now coming in.
Every year many letters arrive asking
what to put out for the first robins.
These FIRST" robins are dear to the
hearts Of Washingtonians. They are a
tradition. Yet many persons do not
know how to feed traditions. It is
easy enough when the traditions name
is Robin.
No bird looks more detected in the
snow than this favorite
When he arrives, usually sometime in
finds snow and Ice.
Just how he manages to live Is some
thing of q mystery.
Yet 1t is easy enough to feed him.
Ordinarily the robin will not come to
bird feeding station. He likes best to
feed on the lawn, and anything put out
for him, either on the grass or on a
smoothed place in the snow, will be
accepted. All sorts of breadstuffs will
serve, including pancakes, old pieces of
cornbread, waffles, ETC. They should be
moistened slightly with water or milk.
Starlings, too, will eat them, and will
come, often as If by magic, but they
will not chase the robins away, in most
cases. A hungry robin can stand up
for himself. The same applies to the
mockingbird with even more force. The
mocker is a fighter of fighters, often
driving other and smaller birds away
just for the fun of it.
Macaroni and spaghetti are liked by
most of the soft-billed birds. Cooked
and cooled, of course. Cheese or other
sauce is not needed.
In the old days some bird lovers were
not above putting out coconut cake for
the robins. Perhaps that is still as good
q thing to do with coconut cake as there
is, but where will you find the cake?
Pound cake, still to be purchased in
stores, will do just as well. No robin
would turn up its bill at such fare. Who
on two legs would? Pound cake is q
world favorite. We like 1t best when it
Is not too sweet. Cloggy, yes; pound
cake eaten too fast will clog the wind
pipe, and no wonder.
Those putting out particular foods
for both robins and mockingbirds at
this season should not worry about the
birds coming down Ut once.
Often robins, in particular, will seem
to refuse the food. The more one
watches, the longer the bird stays away.
It Is something as with the watched
Poe. II you WdtCA ~, Al SCCIIlS W lake
forever to boil.
4
just put the food out, and forget
about it. Do not rush out every few
minutes, chasing away starlings and
squirrels. These will come, and maybe
they will eat it all. but let them. That
IS the only way to enjoy bird feeding.
The idea, often held by beginners, that
foods are for only q few hungry crea-
lures. is an idea which does harm to
those who hold it. The world is too
full OF such ideas now. Conquering the
world Is one such idea. Making slaves
Of conquered peoples is another such
terrible idea. So far, thank God, they
have dashed back at their holders.
These and many other terrible ideas,
originated by common men who lacked
real culture, have no place in American
backyards and gardens. II We put out
food for hungry creatures. let us not
spoil good idea by growing red in the
face because certain guests arrive that
We had not Axaetlv invitAA