Evening star., 1946-09-09
This and That
By Charles q. Trdcetosll. +.

1otn STREET.
Dear Sir:
Il have developed way to fool the
common pigeons that come to my bird
feeding station, and since e, you from
time to time have carried articles on
this subject, I thought you and your
thousands of readers would be interested
in my discovery.
1T is nothing more than a wire trash
burner, but it works. That is the main
thing. place a small feeding station
inside the burner, after stocking the
station with the usual seed.
Then I close the top Of the burner,
and there you are. The small birds can
fly In between the wires, but the pigeons
find 1t impossible, as they are too fat to
get in.
Usually half q dozen Of them come
every morning, and circle the burner
trying their best to get something to
eat. would feel rather mean, if these
pigeons were not such nuisance.
L believe that If they do not eat
here, they will be able to find some
other place where there is food. I am
sure OF this, since they are as fat as
ever, after several weeks of no grub at
my house
They are, as you have stated, very
persistent. Although they manage to get
a few seeds, tossed out Of the burner
by the sparrows, they usually leave in
side half an hour, which pleases me no
end, as do not want them around.
THE only drawback is that the
squirrels are able to get in as usual
Evidently the wires are just far enough
apart to permit their entry. II the. wires
were half an inch closer, they could
not manage it.
Still, do not mind, because within
few weeks they will be so fat, that
they will not be able to squeeze in.
ut is comical to watch them now
when they are suddenly frightened.
They become stampeded, and bounce
around inside the cage, at first being
unable to get out, and striking the
wires wherever they turn, but at last
they solve the problem and slide be-
tween two wires and away
This is akin to panic, about as close
to 1t as I have ever seen q squirrel. It
does them no harm, and am hoping
that they will take the hint and stay
away.
Very truly, H. NJ"
F**
We would advise our correspondent
not to attempt to change the wires,
either by bending, or by placing new
wires between the old ones.
This might keep the squirrels out, but
it also could injure the smaller birds.
1t must be kept in mind that when
winter comes, the wires become very
cold, and that any contact between the
warm bird tissues and the ice-cold wire
might prove harmful.
1t is for this reason that wire baskets
are not advocated for such in winter
time.
Some observers claim that if birds
eye contacts the cold wire it instantly
freezes to the metal, just as the small
boy OF the gay COS, so-called froze his
tongue to the pump on the solicitation
Of some bad older boy.
However this may be, 1t is evident
that a good passage should be allowed
for when the smaller birds become
alarmed, they, too, tend to stampede
and may injure their wings
Wires may be placed so that even
such songsters as the cardinals cannot
get in.
This, most bird lovers would think
would be sin and a shame
So 1t is best not to attempt to narrow
the space between wires. even If it can
be done, and even If squirrels, OF
pigeons, get in.
The trouble caused the large birds
and also the squirrels, In time will make
them stay away.
Another solution is to place q little
food for them at another point In the
yard. This Is best done when the
grounds are extensive, and the allot-
ment may be put at considerable
distance from the main feeding point.