Evening star., 1945-11-23
This and That
By Charles E. TrdceUeH.

Dear Sir:
AN unusual caper of the birds this
fall, which have not experienced
before, has been the flocks of them
that have used the bath-even oftener
than in the summer. At least twice
a day and sometimes an extra one,
the bath is filled with clean, fresh
water, and at this time, 2:3O in the
afternoon, there are eight small birds
in and on the edge of the bath
I'm the morning, between $50 and
O'Clock the starlings come, even when
the temperature has been "a degrees
out here, and when they have finished,
the bath has to be refilled
Although the starlings have fed all
summer in our yard, have never seen
them use the bath before. They just
stay and splash, in the morning early
and between and 4:30 in the afternoon.
The flock of small birds 1 thought
were chipping sparrows, but I am not
sure. They are lovely-have a beautiful
slender head, striped dark brown and
tan back, a tan spot where upper wing
joins body. When facing me on the
edge OF the bath, they seem fluffy gray
like junco, and then when they fly
away in the sunlight the colors look
tannish yellow. There are great many
in the flock. They feed on seed pods
OF altheas in the garden and are quick
in every movement.
Mine is the only bath and feeding
station in this long stretch of lovely
yards and the birds are numerous and
so much company.
Cordially, E. E. H."
+ X X
This letter shows wonderfully well
what an interesting and helpful thing
a bird bath can be.
Such watering place is a great
help to the songsters at all times of
year.
When thinking of the bird bath one
is likely to think of it solely as a sum-
mer adjunct of the garden, but there
is no time of the year when it is not
appreciated
Feeding the birds costs money, but
giving them water is practically with
out expense once the bath is in.
Even the initial expense may be cut
to little or nothing by utilizing a dis
carded garbage or ash can lid. If this
is sunk in the ground and surrounded
by rim Of ornamental stones it may
fit into its site better than a pedestal
bath.
Old pans and dishes may be used in
similar way. The birds are not par
ticular. What they want is some shall
low bit OF water which is not too deep
for them. In dry periods at any time
Of year they may have to fly many
mNes to find it.
RirdS hove e,,ch mn xr,,1o,,. .x.r;~Lt
that they are able to spot a gleam of
water that comes from pan no larger
in diameter than few inches.
While it is best to put out both food
and water, the latter is great deal
better than nothing.
There is no accounting for the va
carries of birds any more than for those
of people. Birds will come at times
to one yard and not to another.
Water is not the only sort of bath
some species like. The dust bath is
a great favorite. If sunny spot in
q flower border is kept mulched for
them, they will find it and put on many
amusing exhibitions. Such f1uttering
and Tapping of wings as goes on there!
Sometimes dust place may be made
under an open porch A little sand
should be placed there, too, in order
that the birds may secure grit when
the snow is on the ground.
In the winter birds sometimes eat
snow, but they like best little puddle,
as do most small creatures.
Autumn and winter, winds dry out
shallow baths quickly, so it may be
necessary to refill them several times
daily. In freezing weather it is best
to put off the refilling until the after
noon, except that sometimes slightly
warm water poured on cake of ice
in bath is good thing. Expensive
baths which cannot stand freezing up
are best taken in before cold weather
begins.