Evening star., 1947-01-13
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Tracet1eH.

"Since the screens have been taken
down on the porch" writes q corre-
spondent, "the birds have returned to
this feeding place, which ] think Is
better than a station, because on one
side there Is a lattice, and the roof pro-
tects them from the snow and sleet."
The porch as feeding station is an old
idea, and always a good one, although
it means a clean up job every now and
then.
The birds love it all winter long. Porch
rails make fine places for them to perch,
and raisins may be placed upon tnem'
especially early in the morning.
The shelter Is very real, especially on
rainy, snowy and sleety days, when
often the wintering songsters DO not
have many places to go out OF the
weather. p
If they have been accustomed to porch
places, they are perfectly at home on
them when the time of need arises.
If a porch is used as a bird feeding
station, it should be supplied not only
with seed, grains, pieces OF soaked bread
and shallow bowls Of water, but box
of sand or earth should be included In
the layout.
Sometimes this latter item, necessary
for bird life, is contained In the flower
boxes which may be part Of the porch.
Some food may be put in such boxes,
and will always make hit with the
birds, especially If small evergreens or
leftover petunia stalks and the like are
present.
Some open spaces should be left, how
ever, so that the songsters may take
dust baths, and be able to eat bits Of
earth and sand at will.
Such a set-up as this is heaven to
winter bird life.
Concrete floors make cleaning easy,
since a plain broom is all that is re-
uuired most of the time.
It is usually best to remove all furni-
ture from such bird feeding porch.
One advantage Of such place Is that
it is easy for the persons interested in
birds to watch them.
It also means less exposure to the
elements in providing for their wants.
Many an enthusiast has shrunk from
going out in the garden on snowy,
sleety morning, but the feeders are
empty, and it must be done.
The porch feeding places make II no
task at all. All one has to do is step
out the door, and there, fully protected
from snow and rain, one sprinkles the
wildbird food on the floor.
There is one danger in such place,
and that lies in the ease with which
some maurauding animal may sneak up
the steps, and snag bird with an out
reached paw.
Hence some watching should be put
In, on the part Of the human element
in the scene, to see that there is no
danger on this score. This does not mean
that cruelty should be used. In most
cases a simple opening Of the door VIII
scare the maurauder away.
The porch approaches the good earth
as place liked by the birds.
It demonstrates again that no elabor-
ate feeder need be installed. but that
| the plainest and easiest way Is often
| the best.
Certainly the birds ask nothing else
| from us in winter except some food and
| water.
We must suit ourselves as to how best
| to aid them. If our idea involves fancy
| stations, that is all right with the birds.
| They like them, too. But If we prefer
to throw food on the ground. or sprinkle
| 1t on the porch, let us be assured that
| the birds won't mind in the least, but
may even love that way better than any
| 7ner. a