Evening star., 1946-01-03
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Tr1ceDeH.
"THIRTY-sECoND STREET.


Dear Sir:
are SO different from those usually
described in your column that I am
inpelled to call 1t to your attention.
During the cold weather months
the Knockers are fed raisins on the
front porch, while feeding boxes and
trees with pieces of suet for the other
birds and squirrels are in the back.
1.-The starlings are rare visitants, as
they have found it entirely too haz-
ardous to health and contentment to
invade my premises, although during
cold and snowy weather they may make
an occasional dash for the feeding
box, promptly leaving at the slightest
sound
Recently one of the Knockers has
been spending considerable part of
the day perched on top of a forsythia
bush near the feeding boxes, not
molesting the other winter birds, but
instead acting as a sentinel to warn
them of approaching danger.
"On Wednesday, Immediately follow
ing the heavy snowstorm, several times
I saw a startling alight on the edge of
the feeding box, and each time the
mocker dove at him, precipitately driv-
ing him away in confusion, but not
molesting the other winter birds.
How does it happen that the moeker
shares my dislike of the starting? I
prefer squirrels to the startling, as it's
difficult to keep a sufficient supply Of
food available to our native birds and
to large flocks of starlings, especially
these snowy days.
Very truly yours, L. R."
The mockingbird Is an individualist.
He is his own bird, at all times, and
does as he pleases.
Often enough he chases all birds
away from feeding station, regardless
It is interesting and heartening to
hear of one specimen with discrimina-
ton.
This bird is to be congratulated on
the selection of his foes.
The startling is not desirable at home
feeding boxes
Who, however, in all fairness, can
blame him for coming on a bad day?
Bread in all forms is great startling
food
should refrain from putting out bread
stuffs.
Usually only a few will come, If
put out, either in the slice or in bits,
the starlings will arrive in flocks.
1t Is not cruel to them to withhold
the food they like the best, because
they are so powerful, and such marvel
Gus flyers, that they have no difficulty
in finding something to eat, even in
the worst weather.
These great aviators-and they are
among the best in the worldly daily
between here and Rockville, Md.
They even go to Baltimore, and
other cities every day in the search
for food, flying back at nightfall to
their warm roosts on Government
structures here.
The slightest degree of warmth on
the windowsills will keep their feet
from freezing. -
The startling is particularly susceptible
to frozen feet.
His temperature is high, even for
bird, about los degrees.
His feet often freeze to metal roof
His wisdom in everyday affairs
usually saves his feet as well as his
life, because he knows where to find
food, and also how to protect his feet.
Keep bread out of the bird feeding
stations, and away from the lawn, and
you will not have much trouble with
the startling.
This big sagacious bird seems to be
here to stay. 1t may help some of those
who do not like it to realize that in
Europe, and especially in England, it is
very highly regarded, being spoken of
with real regard. It is often used as a
character in childrens books. Perhaps
If we try to understand why, we may
be fair both to the Startling and to
ourselves.