Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-01-22
This and That
By Charles E. Trdce1CeH.
ARLINGTON, Y

ARLINGTON, Va.
Dear Sir:
IF any one wants to bring out real
bird nature, just set out a plate of
table meat scraps.
"At my place the birds usually arrive
about II am.
II wasn't so sure they would relish
1t. Well, sir, they went at that fare
bill and claw. The starlings, big fell
lows almost the size Of young crows in
their purple coats Respondent in the
sunlight, took the lead, and here and
there two males would wrestle to get
the food.
This seems to be the food they need
these cold winter days. They even
picked of the small bones, and after
cleaning up the bits that fell on the
grass, they worked on the lawn, and
stayed around for almost an hour, and
gave me real exhibition.
yours very truly, E. L. W."
Friendship for the starting pays di-
vidends. And is on the increase
For long time little good was to be
heard about this bird, but under the
ameloriating influence of this column
people have come to realize that the
species has good features, too.
Indeed, no more interesting bird is to
be seen at bird feeding station, pro-
vided not too many Of them come at
time.
In this respect the starting occupies
a similar place to that Of the pigeon.
A few pigeons at station are not bad,
but just let that nuInber-three or
Ino
sance.
The number of good starlings is more
elastic.
the best startling effect they must come
in focks. Even a hundred or more is
not bad-provided they do not stay too
long.
This is usually taken care of by food
as long as there is something to eat,
they will remain. Perhaps this is not
unknown in other walks of life and
among other tWo-legged animals!
The starting bands may be played
upon, as one does upon an organ, by
putting out the foods they like. Usually
they will attend to the ending of the
performance themselves.
Foods relished by these large and to
meat.
Fish falls into the latter category.
We will never forget the scene presented
by dozen starlings one cold winter
morning, when they spotted a dish of
salmon placed on the back porch for a
wandering cat.
That was in the days, of course, when
salmon came three large cans for a
quarter.
The starlings flew down as one bird,
and ringed the white plate, their black
bodies-really blues Of varying tones
making excellent contrast.
| just as they were rapping the plate
eagerly with their stout bills, the head
of the proper guest showed over the
floor.
The starlings squawked, outraged, but
did not stand on ceremony in leaving
for the trees. Whereupon the aston
ished and shrinking cat ate his meal
in peace.
Table scraps, so long as they are clean
are good bird food, but run the risk Of
attracting the larger meat-eating birds
species which are able to get most Of
the food away from the usually re.
garded as more desirable smaller species
such as chickadees nuthatches, titmice
cardinal, brown creepers and so on.
Another drawback of the table SCRAP
method of feeding is that seed-eater
are likely to pick and choose, scattering
the bits over the landscape. This, il
its turn, may draw the fire of neighbor!
who are not much interested in mature
except their own.
For this reason, If scraps are used, ant
there are no starlings present to clear
them up, 1t will be necessary to max,
an inspection later, and to see that nom
Of the food q scattered around too far