Evening star., 1946-03-11
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDeH.
"FARRAGUT STREET.

Since the reporting of the first robin
has been sort of annual custom in
your column, have been expecting such
an announcement this past week, mas
much as /, much to my amaZement. dis
covered one sitting quietly under a pine
tree on February 90
He was plump, and I surmised he
had just flown in because he appeared
tlred-not like the chipper robins we
have on our lawn as rule. Instead of
darting here and there he seemed con-
tent to sit almost motionless for at least
nall hour. We wondered what became
OF him because later the day became
bitterly cold.
The following day walked through
Fort Totten Park and discovered flock
OF about dozen robins, but have seen
none since. The birds on this occasion
were as lively as usual but appeared
abnormally shy end timid when ap-
preached. I have been observing birds
Ior many years but this is the earliest
I have ever seen robin.
II find your column consistently in
teresting and helpful.
Sincerely yours, p. G. M"
y X Il
rOO1E 0IhEEI, NE.
Dear Sir:
"The latter portion of a recent COL
umn stated quite clearly and concisely
that the blue jay did not attack people.
In the Burrville section of Northeast
washington large locust tree centers
the dividing line of my yard and my
nelghbor's. In portion of my yard
near this tree I have yearly attempted
bit OF gardening. / do not know the
LIE OF Jay or mocker, but for the past
seven or eight years these two have held
lorth In this tree. How they managed
to do it with their temperaments I
VIII never know: on the nonattacking
angle, however, I'm forced to take issue
with you. When the attack was first
made, was unaware OF my being the
victim, as I know birds at war often
make miscalculated sweeping feints
toward moving objects.
But when the sound of swishinp
wings was accompanied by a sharp
on-tackle nip just above my right ear,
brother, realized then and for
some time to come, that my working
IN the garden would henceforth be lin
tied.
Il managed to do fairly well until
one day last summer, when these bel
ligerent bluecoats let me know. they
were definitely monarchs of all they
surveyed. This particular day assume
they had stood enough of my presence
for they set up an intermittent cross
fire and dive-bombing about the eyes
and ears to the tune Of one cracked
lens.
Since then and from now on INV
respect, for these feathered policemen
shall always be high. In saying what
l have, I do not wish in any way to
have other bird lovers consider INV
statements as yardstick to measure
Mr.. Jay by. I dearly love this fellow
and all his ilk.
These closing lines express my an
probation for your daily contribution
to The Evening Star.
Respectfully submitted, H. I. W."
u ~ 4
"HYATTSvILLE, Md.
Dear Sir:
This morning and also Tuesday and
Wednesday morning we found
brown thrasher on our feeding shelf
when we got up. They come in early
spring and nest nearby but never
saw them SO early before. This one is
very quiet and looks as If it might not
be in good health. When I 60 out after
sunrise he drops down and disappears.
Have not seen it any other time Of day
yet, but have not watched or hunted
for 1t.
Sincerely, j. B. s. N"
4
One is always out on limb when
stating fiatly that q bird--any bird
does or does not do thing.
A positive statement always brings up
exceptions, and one might know It and
reject using the positive. but it will
creep In, now and then.
What we should have said, in regard
to the jay, is that we, as one observer,
have never seen one attack human
being
Mockingbirds often do It, but blue
jays. seldom, we believe, although, as
our correspondent points out, they
sometimes do.
There is usually = sometimes.