Evening star., 1946-06-21
This and That
By Charles Z. Trdceuel.
IS STREET.

Dear Sir:
Though I live in the city, have
many birds in my garden, chief among
which list the hummingbird.
When I moved to Washington, I
wondered If I would have birds so close
IN, but I am delighted to say that we
have at least 16 species
The hummingbird, at least to me,
is the best Of the lot, I have some
pink petuniaS In window box, and
these little fellows come regularly to
sip the nectar.
They stand still in the air before
the flowers, so that I have got many
a good look at them, their green feath-
ers. the ruby throat patch, the long
bill, the intelligent expression.
There must be dozen or more of
these little birds. I don't mean all
OF them at the same time, but darting
in and out. In the yard they come to
other flowers, and when the members
OF the family remain still the birds will
come to flowers just a few feet from
them.
Il would like to know II there Is any
other species of hummingbird to come
here. II there Is, have not seen 1t,
although neighbor spoke OF one which
seemed somewhat different to him.
Your truly, r. G. M"
The hummingbird Is a favorite Of all
bird lovers.
In summer there are thousands Of
them in and around Washington.
We can recall several years ago, when
at least 100 hummers were in one tree
In nearby Maryland.
They made pretty sight. But like
most birds, the hummingbird is lust
as good individually.
Unless one has an oriental cast OF
mind, the flower lover will prefer his
blossoms IN masses. rather than as
single blossoms. Efforts to educate"
the American people to just one bloom
In vase mostly have gone for naught.
With birds, 1t is different
One flaming scarlet tanager in q tree
Is as good as so would be-
One mockingbird at a window, and
the friend Of birds will ask for nothing
more, at least for the time being.
1t Is fortunate for city dwellers that
hummingbirds come to the city even
more than the suburbs.
The smallest garden knows them,
provided bell-shaped flowers are grown.
The two greatest favorites, perhaps, are
the petunias and gladioluses These
attract them as much as glass tubes
filled with honey water.
These tubes will do for places where
such flowers are not easily grown. The
tubes come in colors with flared
mouths. A mixture of half sugar and
water. or water with some honey in it,
is used, the tubes hung in convenient
shrubs. These tubes will be filled with
ants, in time, but can be cleaned out,
although 1t Is sticky business.
One of the best points of the natural
blossoms the hummingbirds like is that
the birds do the cleaning out.
They eat not only the nectar but
the tiny insects which also consume
It, Hummingbirds feed their babies on
insects, as all birds do They must
be small ones, however. Crawlers which
get into the hearts Of blossoms are
just the right size.
Protein material Is needed for growth,
OF course, and no sort of nectar or
sweetness furnishes this nitrogenous
matter.
Only meat of some Sort will do 1t.
at least for the birds. since they ordi-
narily do not eat eggs. cottage cheese
or milk.
The ruby -throated hummingbird is
the only one which comes here, but
often q phase of the sphinx moth is
mistaken for hummer.
This moth Is sometimes called the
"phlox bug" since he will hover over
this flower FOR minutes at . time, allow
ing the observer to cup a hand over
him. Though he is green, and has a
long beak, he is not a bird, but q
totally different form Of life, a. u
easily seen On close inepoc$adn.