Evening star., 1947-09-22
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDeH

w Elm -TOON1ffa S1HEEl.
Dear Sir:
Are chickadees in Washington this summer
for the first season?
II saw some as late as July 1, and believe
I heard them in August but could not tell for
they were up in the tree so high that color
did not show.
"Is there another small bird that makes a
noise like the chickadee?
II saw them around Twenty-fourth and
California street Rock Greek Park Is only a
few blocks away
Sincerely, Z. B."
Chickadees, ttmice and white breasted nut
matches remain here the year around.
Chickadees tend to take their babies to the
deep woods in the summer months.
That Is why those who feed the birds may
not see them until fall
When the cooler days arrive, the chickadees
find their way back to the ready food.
1t is for this reason, among others, that
continuous feeding is good, If you are really
interested in bird life.
Keeping food out even during the summer
makes sure that plenty of birds are around,
and that the steady customers will remain in
the fall
Their presence in October lures many mi
grating birds to descend, and though these
will not stay, their presence for few days
is always highlight in the life Of the person
interested in bird life.
The chickadee has good memory.
Though he goes to the woods during the
heat, he remembers the good food he found
last fall and winter, and not only comes back,
himself, but brings his little ones with him.
1t is q fortunate thing that We have such
good birds as these along with the titmice
and nuthatches to keep us company.
They are not rare, as our correspondent
thinks, but as common as sparrows, though
not 50 numerous.
Indeed, If one had to select three good
species out of the TO which remain here the
year around, one could do no better than
choose the chickadee, titmouse and white
breasted nuthatch
They are particularly birds Of the suburban
area.
In our outlying communities they spend
much of their time.
They like each other, and are to be seen
on the same trees.
The chickadee is the little fellow with the
black cap the titmouse wears a saucy crest,
and the nuthatch walks on trees head down.
These are the characteristics by which they
are easily identified.
Titmice can make noises much resembling
those Of their friend, the chickadee.
The trio is not what might be called vocal
But they make enough noise to let one know
they are around, and at times the titmouse
will whistle as II calling dog.
These three are good friends, and between
them manage to eat the eggs Of numerous in
imical insects.
The nuthatch, in particular, Is useful. He
spends a great deal of time going up and
down selected trees. He Is not just taking
exercise, but going over the crevices in bark
for minute insects and their eggs.
In this way he does q high class sanitary
job. If 1t were not for him and the other
birds, We would have far less trees, in numbers,
and far less health among the trees we do
have.
A small feeding station affixed to the trunk
Of tree about six feet up will draw the nut
hatch His method Of approach is winding,
head down, around the trunk; he reaches in
for seed, then goes back up again and to
the other side of the tree, where he eats.
The brown creeper might be added to the
trio of chickadee titmouse and nuthatch, but
If we put him in, then we must add also the
downy woodpecker. The five Of them make
up q group Of tree santitasians uneQualed