Evening star., 1947-01-21
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDeU.
LAUREL, Md.

Dear Sir:
Il thought you might be interested
to know that we had a pair of evening
grosbeaks in our swinging feeder three
to four times day on January 10, II
and H.
80 far today we have not seen them
and presume they are gone. They were
verv lovely. Mr.. Grosbeak was very
on the ground in some green grass
Then they flew to a group of trees a
little distance from the house.
From there the male bird came to a
tree nearer the house. In a few min
utes he was on a perch of the swinging
feeder that contains sunflower seed.
HE sampled seed, flew away. only
to return with his mate. She selected
a. perch and he another and there they
stayed, eating numerous sunt1ower
seeds for about three and half min
utes. I timed them by clock.
This feeder hangs about feet from
the dining room windows, so you see
we were really thrilled to be able to
watch our visitors so near.
Each day they returned, and always
seemed to eat about three minutes.
They came when the yard was filled
with birds At the am. feeding the
blue jays flew noisily back and forth
gathering up their peanuts.
"Titmice and chickadees came into
the feeder for sunfower seed, but the
grosbeaks ate serenely unless bird tried
to light in their section. Then that
bird was driven off.
I'VE came to the conclusion that the
grosbeaks tthis pair, anyway have a
steady nervous system.
I'VE were hoping we would have them
all winter, but are thankful they spent
a week end with us.
Last January Is year ago, four
evening grosbeaks appeared suddenly in
the feeder near this window and stayed
around all day, eating many, many
times.
Cardinals this year are not plentiful.
Usually we have had these beautiful
birds by the dozen, an equal number OF
each sex
This year they feed only on the
ground, whereas other winters the
swinging feeder and window sill were
seldom without a cardinal.
For awhile, in the late fall and
early winter there was not a cardinal
in sight at any time.
I'VE wish to express our appreciation
of your column and to tell you OF the
great pleasure we have had feeding and
watching the wildbirds. You once sug-
gested to start the feeding in the spring
so that by winter one would reap full
reward This advice was excellent. Our
yard is usually full of birds.
Sincerely, E. c. H.
A correspondent over in Arlington
County, Va, reported a pair of gros-
beaks on the same day.
These were the first of the local sea-
son, as far as we know. and may be
simply the advance guard, or all that
are to appear.
Our Arlington friends had so on jan
uary 20. 1916.
Last year was the first appearance of
evening grcsbeaks here in numbers for
over 20 years.
The eastward movement was believed
due to the cutting down of pines in the
West, depriving the birds of some of
their favorite winter food
The birds may or may not stage
second appearance here in numbers.
Last winter they remained, in some
instances until well in April.
They are beautiful and fearless birds,
and easily attracted by sunf1ower seed.
Since sunflower Is the favorite of all
! seed eaters. it Is a good buy no matter
the price.
1t is best mixed with other and less
costly seeds.
A small quantity Of sunflower seed is
better for attracting the wildbirds than
large mass OF grains and seeds tfeys
fail to eat