Evening star., 1946-05-13
This and That
By Charles E. TruceueU

Sl15V1 CdASE, Md
Dear Sir:
Il have not at all times been a great
aomlrer OF the mockingbird, but must
say tnat my heart melted toward one
particular specimen the other day.
was at my kitchen window. wash
ing the dishes. From time to time T
mad put raisins out on our back porch
and this particular mockingbird had
found them there.
AS l was looking out the window, I
notlced him in the bushes about Is
feet away.
He was looking directly at me. Not
Just IN my direction. but directly at me-
Ihere was no doubt about it. Little I
was the object of his glance.
nodded to him, and no sooner had 7
done SO. than he flew directly to the
easement windows, and perched on the
little ledge.
1T is not much of a ledge, and he
mad all he could do to hold on. but
tnere ne clung, his bill not more than
three inches from my nose.
We'll, was never so surprised in nv
life. I must have looked funny there
staring back at him. He was beautiful
fellow. with more white showing than
is usual.
lhls gesture on his part ensured him
and at once, fresh supply of raisins
which he came down to get immediatelv
Il do not doubt for an instant that
this particular specimen could be
trained to come to hand, and even TO
come indoors. w
nave read in your column in the
past of mockingbirds that were lured
lnooors, and I must confess that I
oouoted such tales, because the Knockers
mad met then were none too friendly.
IN TACT I did not like them at all.
This particular bird changes my whole
idea of the species. He is really a won-
derful fellow, quite unlike those of the
past.
Il wonder how many persons there
are who do not like mockingbirds be-
cause they have never met an exceptional
one.
Since that day this one almost sat
on the end of my nose. I have watched
MIN come to get raisins and currants,
ana seen him chase starlings and others
away, as one of his babies fed on the
rail.
Il am enthusiastic about this one
Maybe If had looked better in the past
I would have found all of them as good.
What do you think?
Sincerely B. Nc D."
When it comes to real friendliness for
human beings, all mockingbirds are not
the same, nor are all the individuals of
any given species.
There can be little question that char
acter plays part in all lines of life.
Cats, for instance, are as individual
as dogs, in their way, although many
persons do not understand this.
Perhaps turtles and snakes and even
the insects have their characters" their
strong men, their weak men, their fine
females and their bad ones.
Certainly not every mockingbird is a
character to be admired.
Some of them spend an entire winter
playing dog-in-the-manger, chasing
away from feeding stations hungry small
birds, although they themselves do not
wish to eat, or cannot eat the sort of
food they are standing guard over.
The friendly mockingbird, which acts
as this one of our correspondent, is a
blessed creature, bringing joy and happi-
ness to all who know him. No doubt he
is similarly blessed in the bird world,
where he charms all.
Even the bold starting, hungry for
raisins, must respect the diligence with
which he is driven away.
Few bird parents do better Job of it
than the mockingbirds. They guard the
nest at all times, and are tireless in seek
ing food for the family.
We believe that these friendly Knockers
can ALWAYS he told nv the c1,t of their
face. that is, they possess kindly some
thing which stands out In every feather.
Not every bird has this look. Perhaps
the wood thrushes, as a class, have 1t
more universally than other species.