Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-01-16
This and That
By Charles E. TraceUeH.
SILVER SPRING. Md

J, u.
Dear Sir:
For over two years I have plaved
the game of 'Outwitting the SQUIRREL
The first year and a halt I lost, nv
squirrels outwitted me. They Jumped.
they few through the air with the
greatest OF ease, and climbing a fine
wire was pure child's play.
However, for the past eight months
not squirrel has been seen on either
OF my bird feeders Here is my method:
I have two discarded canary bird
stands from which hang the bird feeders.
OF course, even that small a pole the
squirrels could climb: oiling meant
nothing to them.
so pu.chased several sheets of tin
dor Is cents each) at the hardware
store. I made two half-moon pieces of
tin, and fitted them around the pole,
making an inverted cone about Al feet
on the ground. The first two sets of
guards were too small in diameter. The
squirrels jumped right past them and
onto the feeders.
But for eight months now nv 10h-
inch guards have done the trick. The
squirrels now eat at their own feeding
sight to see them climb those poles
and try to figure how to get past the
guard. So far so good. Do you think
need to uncross my fingers?
Sincerely, c. j. Mem"
"Outwitting the Squirrel" is good
game, one of good clean fun for all
concerned.
1t Is much better in every way than
growing red in the face over a poor.
small beastie trying to get something
to eat.
We believe that most persons who feed
the birds have their squirrel troubles,
but that in time they get over them
through using their heads. This think
ing is very simple one, being merely
the realization that squirrels must eat,
too, and that if they find food out in
the yard they have as much right to
it as the birds.
1t is impossible, in nature, to segregate
one sort of life from another. The first
pig lesson one learns-and bird feeding
Is as good as any methods that in
nature there is real democracy.
One creature, literally, is as good"
as another. Each eats what it can find,
and, in nature, there is no one to grow
red in the face because another finds
ones food.
One may feel sure that the bird which
hides seed in the bark of a tree has
no qualms at all when he sees another
species eating it,
He just accepts it-and looks up an
other seed for himself.
1t is impossible, when one establishes
free lunch stand, to haggle with the
customers. The only sensible thing is
to accept them as they come, and make
the best of them.
This making the best of things really
works out wonderfully we'll, because it
Is real educator. 1t teaches liberation,
and establishes in the soul of the be-
holder something which many less
sensible persons would give all they own
to have.
This fine liberation is something worth
more than gold. 1t means that in little
one Is able to be as god, to see and for
get, to accept and not be intolerant, nor
assume that bad pride of intellectually
which has spoiled so many fine men.
The squirrel can show us how to do all
this, if we will let him. We must watch
him, and try to see his good points as
well as his bad ones. We must realize
something of the chain of nature, and
see our own place in it, and realize how
easily we can upset the apple cart for no
good reason.
Good watching of birds and small
animals Is especially worth while in this
age, when the nerves need soothing be-
yond anything known to past gener-
ations. Today we have in our hands
the veritable fruit of good will and evil,
the good heart and the atom bomb, one
put up against the other. Which will win
out? In this drama of the ages, at which
we are privileged to sit, the common
gray squirrel has role. Let us not
miss him, as he scampers across the
stage for his little part. Out of all the
tears he will bring US laughter.