Evening star., 1946-01-25
This and That
Bu Charles E. Tracetpell.

Dear Sir:
II have noticed how the out-of- doors
creatures, such as birds and squirrels,
and even certain kinds of insects, in
dulge in some form of relaxation. 1t
seems to be part of Mother Natures plan
for their lives.
ing room window, I saw a cardinal
perched on a branch OF 4 tree nearby
He wac quietly summing himself. Occa-
sionally he would stretch one wing and
then the other.
FINALLY, as the sun warmed his back,
he whispered his song 1t wasn't the
clear ringing call he usually gives. He
was enjoying his rest.
'Sparrows will flock together and
perch on a bush or tree and have an
afternoon sing or sometimes just rest
and preen their feathers.
"On 4 hot summer day / have seen
squirrel stretched out fiat on his
stomach on cold stone under the grape
arbor. 1t seemed glad to find a place
to rest away from the heat of the sun
PLAY also forms an important part
in the life Of the wild creatures. How
often we may notice a flock of small
insects seemingly dancing up and down
in the sunlight and chasing each other
A. II in play.
One day I saw robin pecking away
at \ large leaf on the walk, and tossing
it around several times as If it were
playing with it.
Il have seen squirrels chasing each
other as II playing tag
II rest and play are necessary for
these out-of-doors creatures, they are
also very important part of our lives.
Proper relaxation and recreation will
help us to lead happier and more eff
cient lives.
Very sincerely yours, E. D. B."
~ **
That robin probably was looking for
insects, rather than playing with the
leaf, but his action was certainly no
argument against our correspondents
good thesis.
Rest and play are essential for living
creatures. If one journeys to the Zoo,
and carefully watches the animals and
birds. he will be sure to see many of
them summing themselves, and others
resting quietly.
starlings are great hands. and so are
grackles, for tossing leaves about, to
see what is under them. Sometimes
this Is done to get at aphids on the
leaves. and at other times 1t is neces-
Sary for the bird to nnd what is hiding
on the good earth beneath the leaf.
Many species OF birds sing softly to
themselves while at rest. As our cor
respondent points out, mostly this sing
ing Is done very softly. as II to them
selves Who can say that the birds do
not enjoy-and appreciate-their own
music? It would be odd, If they didn't,
since all other music makers know
what they are doing.
The very fact that birds have an ade-
quate hearing apparatus makes certain
that they both understand and enjoy
their own singing. rs well as that OF
their friends and rivals.
The fact that some scientists hold
that the main purpose Of the singing
is to stake out . claim to a certain
amount Of territory for gathering food
Tor the young need not in any way cause
us to give up our pleasant theory that
love Is the motive at the bottom OF
1t. and that they do understand and
enjoy the notes and combinations they
make.
They were the hrst musicians, and
It would be strange II after ali this
time they had not In some at least ele-
mentary way built up an idea of what
they are doing and why they are
doing 1t.
The rest period for birds includes the
dust bath, favorite recreation of the
English sparrows II one appreciates
these, 1t Is good idea to level of some
spot beneath shrub, and to mulch,
1t, in order that the birds may find this
natural taicum powder ready for their
whirn. 1t is whimsical to think that
both elephants and English sparrows
enjoy their dust bath. These birds are
not afraid Of their large friends, but
may be seen hopping around in the ele-
phant Enclosures at the Zoo. They are
never stepped on. although they seem
to be ignored by the elephants Look
for the sparrows in the straw the next
time you are out there.
-