Evening star., 1947-06-26
This and That
By Charles E. TraceDeH.
"THIRTY-sECOND STREET

Dear Sir: e@tst.e rs
During the spring and early summer mock
ers were regular feeders at my feeding box
and when the young we're off the nest I found
it difficult to keep the box stocked with raisins
Then suddenly all disappeared, as understand,
for the dispersal of the young birds.
When may expect the adults to return to
my feeding box?
During the winter I maintain q covered
feeding box for birds and squirrels replacing
it in spring with shell about 18 inches long
which serves as fountain and bath for the
birds
THE squirrels were accustomed to run out
on an overhanging branch and drop onto the top
of the box. After replacing the box with the
shell this spring, one of the squirrels followed
custom, dropping squarely into the bath. have
yet to see more bedraggled, discounted squir-
rel as he waddled away.
Among the seed eaters are cardinals, titnice
and chickadees, which continue feeding until 1t
is almost dark. I have been feeding them sun
flower seeds and salted peanuts. Is there an
element OF danger in feeding salted peanuts?
yours very truly, L. r."
Il n
SANDY SPRING, Md.
Dear Sir,
I'VE have been much interested in nest OF
brown thrashers built In the barberry hedge
just outside Of our living room windows. well
protected by the thorny branches. We dared
not investigate too closely for fear of frighten-
ing them away.
Our granddaughter discovered that the nest
had only one egg in it. Why not more, for 1t
was well-built nest about five inches across2
I'm day or two more we found baby bird
there, which we watched for Is days. when 1t
went away and we saw nothing more of them
for,more than week, when we found them all
in an evergreen tree in the yard.
THE father bird scolded lis sharply for COM
ing near. occasionally interjecting the sweetest
note to the baby bird, who by this time differed
little from the parent except in the length of
the tail.
When we examined the nest we found one
unusual thing about it. 1t had a platform
about five inches across leading to it. 1t was
built of sticks and looks as If 1t might have
been built to protect the tail of the parent bird
as he or she sat on the nest, for think they
did take turns.
Just now we have a catbird and song
sparrow not far apart, each with two baby birds.
Sincerely, L. D. c."
4,
CABIN JOHN.
Dear Sir:
Note your letters about birds with interest
ana pleasure. My fancy of the feathered lot Is
the purple martin. We moved to this area
five years ago as temporary residents, but i'm
mediately set up a two-apartment martin box.
flrSb year only CASUAL VlSltOrS. SecOnd year
added four box post. Still only casual visitors
Third year added a five-section post and middle
of May had five pairs OF martins. Last year
had about 10 pairs. This year have space for
about SO pairs and have at least 40 pairs.
Have an electric power line along street in
front of our place and it is not unusual
thing to see Is or 20 pairs of birds on the wires
Needless to say, 1t is a neighborhood comment,
There don't seem to be as many mosquitoes
as we used to have Do you know of larger
colony in the District area?
Sincerely yours, z. P"
- \
One or more of the mockingbirds will return
in the fall, or maybe late summer.
Salt will do no birds any good, with the ex-
ception of the evening grosbeak, which likes
salt and thrives on it.
Thrashers usually lay from three to five eggs.
To leave a fiat extension for the accommoda-
tion of the long tail would be clever on the part
of this bird.
This column would be interested in receiving
other reports on purple martin colonies in and
around the District of Columbia Fifty years
ago they were very numerous bands OF
thousands living On New Jersey avenue.