Evening star., 1947-03-01
This and That
By Charles E. TrdceUeH.
-. DARLINGTON. Va,

OCdT OF.
For years cardinals have nested on
my grounds, and they are here in
fiocks during the winter. But only once
have I ever heard the female sing.
Outside my study window Mr.. and
Mrs. Cardinal nested. kept hearing a
murmuring song, which sounded as
though the singer were just rehearsing
in low voice. I finally located the
source. It was Mrs. Cardinal singing on
her nest. For over week would visit
her every day, and my standing just
three steps away was no bar to her
pouring out this delightful, rippling
music. I have visited cardinal nests
many times since, but no singing.
II once tricked song sparrow into
singing on order near midnight during
mild winter weather. My front gate
posts had dome lights, and these lights
were overgrown by a deep layer of
honeysuckle. There Mr.. Song Sparrow
roasted in snug fashion. Once, the
lights, not having been used for several
weeks, were turned on near midnight
for the benefit of departing guest. A
burst Of song came from the roosting
place. For the rest Of the winter the
lights were turned on only when late
guest was departing. And If this did
not happen oftener than three times
week, the sparrow would always sing
when the light button was pushed.
'Mockingbirds are plentiful here dur
ing the spring and summer. But have
never had more than one mocker during
the winter. 1t is very tame, stays close
around and always looking for a hand
out. My neighbors also report just one
yyIy1 rl A frin aIAsy
goes South for the winter, while the
other stays here. Is this true?
Sincerely, j. S. c."
It is more or less generally accepted
belief that the female mockingbirds 60
South In the winter. This is based most
ly on the fact that the ones which re-
main here are sometimes very bellig-
erent, and almost always have the
more vivid coloration Of the male birds.
Not that there is great deal Of differ
ence. But as with SO many Of the gen.
eralizations, 1t is often difficult to feel
quite sure. Those who admire the fe-
males the most will like to believe that
these have enough intelligence to avoid
staying here in the cold.
Female cardinals often sing and do
have no song, but only variety of calls
and warning notes. ,..
+ 4
THIRTY SECOND PLACE.
Dear Sir:
"We are sitting at the window this
snowy, blustery day watching the many
birds coming to the feeding tray just
outside Of our dining room window
The tray has been literally covered with
birds the entire day and what happy
time they have had. It has been neces-
sary to replenish the food many times
and the minute the window is closed
the birds lose no time in getting back
for the renewed feast consisting of sun
flower seeds, wild bird seed, raisins,
peanuts and suet. They are so interest,"
ing to watch that we have hardly been
able to tear ourselves away from the
window and SO no work has been done
around the house all day.
There have been IA varieties of birds
the cardinal, junco, Carolina wren,
chickadee. titmouse, nuthatch, blue
jay, red-bellied woodpecker, hairy wood
pecker, English sparrow, song sparrow,
white-throated sparrow, startling and
mockingbird
"The snow is falling so fast that the
birds often have to forage for their
food and 1t is interesting to see how
they do it. The song sparrow and
white-throated sparrow scratch vigor-
ously for 1t but the English sparrow
tosses the snow away with his BILL The
blue jay, cardinal, nuthatch and tit
mouse ny away with the peanuts and
sit in . tree to crack them and then
hasten back for more. The sunfiower
seeds are the favorite food Of the cardi-
mails, titmice and nuthatches.
There is another bird which has
come to our window, and we would like
to have you identity it for us. 1t is
olive green in color with a tinge of
yellow. marked with black and white
bars on its wings, is a little over
inches long, has sleek, well-tailored
look, and Is very active.
I'VE have enjoyed your articles every
night for years and have clipped most
Of them and have them In scrap book
used only for this purpose. hope that
you win continue your articles indefi-
nitely for they are 80 interesting and
your descriptions 90 accurate.
very truly yours, q. L. G."
This bird probably IL ruby y-crowned
kinglet.