Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-01-02
This and That
By Charles E. Tracepell.
BETHESDA, Md.

BETHESDA, Md.
Dear Sir:
Last spring I started a small feeding
station just outside my window to see
II could attract few of our feathered
friends.
1ne t1rst visitor was q chipmunk.
the second squirrel, but gradually the
birds appeared, headed by the curious
chickadee.
Il soon moved it to the oak tree
Wnlch stands near my room, and there
succeeded in attracting over 20 different
species
This fall and winter so far have
added three more names to the list: the
red-breasted nuthatch, the yellow-bel-
lied sapSucker, and today I saw a gold
finch fly in amongst some tuncos and
cardinals.
The most amusing of all my many
pro friends is single red-bellied wood
pecker. He is continually trying out
new ideas and today kept the sparrows
and cardinals from feeding by squatting
peacefully in their seed.
AT this time I am particularly con-
cerned with the -bellied SAN
sucker, for he flew in with bunch of
ooWnles one day, ate biscuit set out
for my red-bellied friend, and never
returned.
Gould you tell me whether he could
be permanent resident of the Wash
1ngton area or just passing through on
his way South?
1 would also appreciate any sueges-
lions concerning bird food. I am now
using Wlldbird feed, sunf1ower seed. suet,
oatmeal, raisins and bread,
Yours very truly, j. L. E."
~
Inc yellow-bellied sapsucker is toll
erapiy common here in winter. and
even more so as migrating bird be-
tween october 2 to April %.
This member of the great woodpecker
family is one of the most migratory Of
them all. VI
He is not particularly desirable where
one values good trees, especially ma
pies, because he can kill them and often
does.
we had one visit a fine maple in
February. The first thing we noticed
were wet streaks on the tree. The en-
PERTAINING bird had dug his holes and
mad drunk some Of the sap, leaving the
rest to trickle away.
Sometimes this kills tree, but not
LOT several years, and again it will not.
All the owner can do is wait and see.
In the meantime, his sentiments to-
ward yellow-bellied sapsuckers will not
be OF the best. He will find some opin-
ion to support him; some equally con-
WINGED that these birds seldom harm
trees. -'''- AAi
Perhaps most persons who note the
damage done to priced tree will be
willing to accept the opinion of the
former, and regard the bird as no de-
sirable guest.
Oiten the holes are just holes, but the
trouble comes when they are so close
together that they make small squares
ana THESE squares themselves are SO
close together in ring that they are
greater in area than the bark which Is
left. In such cases the trees often die
or are severely injured. and REQUIRE a
long time to get going again.
we believe it best, after a careful
survey OF the bird, and making notes
on his coloration, to chase him awav
at once. "a'
The end of this birds tongue lacks
the points of the average woodpecker,s
tongue, but instead has sort of brush
at the tip. -'
Thus nature provides him a way of
sweeping up the sap. -
The yellow-bellied sapsucker is one
OF the greatest of all drummers. He
can make his head and bill fly SO fast
that they are invisible.
1t is said that in the spring when
the sun ferments the sap this wood
pecker will become intoxicated with his
find.