Evening star., 1946-07-06
This and That
By Charles Z. TrdceDell.

Dear Sir:
I'VE are puzzled about two birds that
almost have the same colorlng and one
of which is very numerous in this
locality
The more numerous fellow is about
the size of the bob-white, has a vel
low underside, a black patch on his
chest or throat; his upper side is a tan
or light brown, apd when he takes to
the air there is white fringe on his
tail.
He seems to like the ground, and
makes his daily living in and around
the weeds and open fields.
Besides this stranger, We have seen
this other fellow, with about the same
coloring, but seemingly a bit larger.
1hls stranger has striking bit of red
on the top or near the top of his head
in the shape of diamond.
He also, is brown on top, and yellow
beneath. At the time observed, he was
on the ground busy pecking away at
what later proved to be nest of yellow
ants. He let us slip up to him very
close before flying away
We wonder if through this very Door
description you could identify these
birds.
Your very interesting articles are
must in our small household, and this
is letter we have been meaning to
send for some time.
Sincerely yours, M. ]. B."
X y
The first of these birds Is the meadow
lark, and the second the flicker.
The flicker is great ant eater. He
has long tongue exactly suited to
the fare and with 1t he can clean up
a nest in no time at all.
Flickers are handsome birds always
exciting the interest of nature lovers.
They do great service for trees. eating
all the ants away from the bark.
AS ants appear IN cracks in the side
walks, the f1ickers attack them, and
clean them all up along the crevice.
EIGHTEENTH STREET Sc,
Dear Sir
Il have been a reader of your column
for about 20 years, and I want to thank
you for the enjoyment it has brought
me.
Although I have never been fond
of cats, through the reading of many
OF your columns about them l have
learned to look upon them sympatheti-
cally, and just recently to observe them
with satisfaction
The early morning stroll of a big
tomcat has brought me much amuse-
ment. I know he is coming when I
hear the excited cries of the birds.
AS he slowly comes up the alley the
birds maneuver, and whoop and holIer,
like a tribe of Indians surrounding a
covered wagon train.
When the old fellow reaches the
center of the street, some brave winged
creature, cheered on by the grandstand.
makes dive and swoops within inches
of his head.
This continues for several minutes.
But is he ruff1ed? Not at all. He Just
glances out of the corner of one eve as
II to say they are bunch of gnats try
ing to lrritate a mountain, and with a
most superior air calmly goes his way
with the birds in hot pursuit.
Sincerely. H. N. E."
We have heard of many persons who,
dlsliking them, or thinking they dis
liked them, in time came to admire
them.
This sympathy is easily attained, If
one can divest ones self of the slanders
of the ages.
Cats have had enemies, but they also
have had friends, down through the
centuries. They have come out of it
marvelously well, everything considered
and at no time in history has their
standing been better. 1t is true that
they are worshiped as gods in ancient
Egypt, but that was a one-sided affair.
Today they are pals, friends, associ.
ates, which Is much better.