Evening star., 1947-01-04
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Trace1pelI

IS. CAPITOL ST. Sc.
Dear Sir: ~,
II have been reading your column
ever since I first came to Washington
several years ago and I have enjoyed
it immensely. -
VI thought you would be interested to
know that my sister and saw five
bluehirds the day before Christmas. We
saw them in Cedar Hill cemetery on
the south side where the Suitland bus
passes Ohe second stop and we were
wondering what they were doing here
in the District of Columbia at this time
of year.
"Do they stay all year round?
They were definitely -bluebirds, and
beauties. They weren't afraid but stayed
in the tree looking right at us until we
left.
II would appreciate it if you would
let us know If this is the usual thing
Incidentally, they were the first blue
birds 7 remember seeeing, and 1t was q
thrill to see that beautiful blue back
and orange-red breast.
Sincerely, T. B."
Il
Hundreds of bluebirds live in and
around Washington the year around;
as many as 100 have been counted by
few persons in one day.
Scores Of these beautiful birds fire.
quent the Wesley Heights section, and
in wide band to the east. This whole
area has been dubbed the bluebird belt.
Many are seen In Arlington, but not
so many in Chevy Chase, although
here and there half dozen or more will
be seen all winter. ~
Bluebirds like young forest growth
and thickets, and stay commonly in and
near such places. That means that where
there are tracts of land yet unbuilt
there are likely to be bluebirds.
In addition to these permanent resi-
dent birds, hundreds more fly in from
points south in the spring. Usually they
show up in early March. The 18th is
the Official" date hereabouts.
It Is impossible, of course, for any
one in the spring to tell whether the
bluebirds which visit him are perma-
nent or migratory.
It makes no difference.
A bluebird is such wonder that 1t
is to be greeted with open arms of well
come by all persons with gardens.
Not only is it peculiarly a welcome
bird, but its numbers are so much less
these days, in comparison with so years
ago, that 1t is more or less a rarity.
Scores Of persons now living have
never seen a single bluebird. This COL
umn has printed letters from elderly
people stating just that. In some in
stances, other readers invited them
over to see the genuine thing.
The best time to put out a bluebird
house, in anticipation Of spring, is now.
Get the house up in plenty of time for
1t to weather. The real outdoor smell
means lot to these birds.
Bluebird houses have slightly larger
openings than commonly used for wrens
Such houses may be placed quite low
as low as 4 feet from the ground
preferably on post of tree, with
the house opening to the south.
Sparrows may contest the nesting
site, but bluebirds are not as incapable
as many persons have pictured them.
Their lack of numbers is not due to
sparrows driving them away, as has
been stated, and as many still believe
but is due partly to a great ice storm
back in the early DAYS of the century
This storm killed hundreds Of thousand,
Of these birds, and even to this day
they have not recovered their numerical
strength.
No one should be disappointed Il
bluebirds do not come to the yard, or Il
they do not stay. One sight Of this
beautiful creature, 30 interviewer with
American tradition, Is worth more thar
rubies and fine gold.