Evening star., 1947-01-03
This and That
By Charles q. Trucespeu
"BETHEsDA, Md.

Dear Sir:
Can you tell me if it is necessary to
have some sort of box to feed the birds?
"I have been told that they will not
come for food just put on the ground.
IT would like to feed the birds, but I
do not have any feeding box, and no
way at this time to make one.
"I would appreciate knowing If can
just put food out on the ground.
yours truly, j. NJ"
X X X
Whoever told this reader that birds
will not come for food on the ground
must have been joking.
Birds prefer food on the ground.
That is their natural dinner table.
If thousands of persons use boxes,
trays and fancy feeding stations" 1t Is
because they want to, and because such
articles help them feed the birds.
The birds themselves do not much
care-the important thing in their lives
in the winter is the food itself.
Give them steady supply of carbona-
ceous foods, such as seeds and grains,
supplemented with bread and other
foods from time to time, and they can
stand the coldest weather.
It is a miracle, one of natures mil
lions of standing miracles, that tiny
creatures, weighing only a few ounces,
and clad only in feathers, light as the
wind, can take" the coolest weather,
provided only that they can find food.
Where they find it makes little differ
ence.
Feeding stations which resemble little
houses, and which look nice in the yard,
are acceptable to many people, and to
the birds, too, but no one who wishes to
do good in this way should make the
mistake of believing that such devices
are essential.
Birds love to eat from the ground.
No equipment whatever is essential,
although it may be very pleasing to the
human eye, and help keep the birds sup
piled.
After one has worked up good Glen
tele at feeding place, the number OF
patrons from day to day may amaze the
observer.
But he will have just the same clients
If he simply throws the food on the
ground, preferably at the same place.
The birds are not flnicky In the least.
They are used to taking their food
wherever they find it. The good earth
is the good table to them.
So let this correspondent, and others,
understand that putting out the food is
the important thing, not what it is put
out in.
OF course, there are scores of different
sorts and types of feeding stations, as
they are widely called. And each one
of them has some sort of advantage in
practical every day use. Some are called
automatic" that is, food is put in a
hopper and it feeds through into the
tray by gravity. The owner likes it, and
the birds like it.
But throw out the food "automati-
cally" by hand, if you please, and watch
the birds come Just the same.
They want something to eat.
Bird feeding is as easy as that. At the
same time food is supplied, put out a
shallow dish of water, and also see to
it that dust bath place is made avail
able.
These are simple measures for our own
good as well as the welfare of our feath-
cred friends. Birds are still the best
garden protectors. Without them, there
would be few if any gardens, either veg
etable or flower. In addition to this
service. birds furnish us with pleasure
and interest, and these alike to the out
door or indoor person, the hiker or the
invalid. The romance and beauty OF
bird life are not theories, but actualities
freely offered by the Creator to any one
who is willing to accept them.