Evening star., 1947-01-11
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TrdceUeH.


Dear Sir:
your daily column in The Star is
an enjoyment to me and my family.
We moved to our present home this
summer and promptly put up a bird
feeding station. For several weeks the
birds paid no attention to 1t or the suet,
apple seeds or crumbs placed upon it.
However, when the cold weather arrived,
several came. and now there are 10 to Is
iuncos who feed on the crumbs on the
ground, never lighting upon the station.
about six titmice come with degree
of regularity, and two redbirds and a
jay frequent the station. A downy
woodpecker. and believe it is yellow
throated vireo, have been seen several
times.
THE birds do not seem to eat the
suet Could this be due to the fact
that it is old and possibly rancid?
Since this is good time to start
thinking about bird houses for the
spring. I wonder if you would include
in one of your articles some instructions
and dimensions for houses for the
following: Wren, bluebird, nuthatch,
and any other common bird that one
might expect, to attract to his yard.
X
eve have a coon cat that was OBJ
tanned as small kitten seven years
ago in Maine.
This cat has been on many long auto
trips, including one in Florida, which
she used to enjoy, but now it does not
agree with her.
I'VE have never let her roam loose
outdoors, but keep her on leash She
is so accustomed to the leash that she
will sit where We keep it when she
wants to go outside.
"She has been fed almost entirely on
prepared food. She rarely will toucn
other food put down for her, including
fish.
While she sleeps much of the time,
her favorite place these cold days being
on the bed under the covers, she spends
some time each day in very active play
for cat her age.
"It has been amusing to observe the
apparent jealousy on the part of the
cat, whose name is Boots, since the ar
. rival of our daughter some two years
after we acquired Boots. She never
showed the slightest intention of harm
ing the child but would try to attract
our attention in various ways and in
jumping upon our laps to- sleep, which
she would seldom do before.
Very truly yours, r. S. p"
* 4
Old suet, especially If put out in
summer, will become too bad for the
birds to eat
A fresh supply, preferably of beef
suet, should be given them at this time,
and it will remain good in the cold.
AS for bird houses, they are always
interesting to make, as garden orna-
ments, even if they fail to attract birds.
They should be put into production
soon, as bluebirds and others fly early.
For a house wren, as follows: Floor
of box, AKA inches; depth of box, 6x8
inches; hole above floor, to inches;
diameter of hole, inch; height of box
above ground, to 10 feet.
For the Carolina wren the house Is
made as follows: Floor. AKA inches;
depth, 6 to 8 inches; hole above floor.
inches; diameter of hole, II. inches;
height above ground, to 10 feet.
Experts declare that the lower posi-
tions are best, with the box firmly affixed
to post with entrance side TO the South.
A house may be made as follows for
the white breasted nuthatch: Floor of
house, AKA inches; depth of box, to 10
inches; hole above floor, 6 to inches;
diameter of hole, ~ inches, and height
of house above ground, II to 20 feet.
Names coon cats are interesting
creatures, of beautiful coat and good
disposition. They are not as we'll known
as they might be, or deserve to be.