Evening star., 1947-02-10
This and That
BIZ Charles =. Trnce,Dell.
TWENTIETH STREET.

TWENTIETH STREET.
Dear Sir:
Every spring I see r1ockingbirds in
pairs do . little dance that must be
courtstip.
"The birds face each other with
about a foot and o half between thems
and, each keeping his eye firmly on
the other, they move backward and
forward, to the side, in opposite direc-
tions, and then together again, in
graceful short hops.
This goes on for several minutes in
the most intent fashion, and then they
get distracted by food, or fly away. But
the little nninuet is beautiful to behold.
do many birds dance in the spring,
or is this peculiar to the raocker?
VERY sincerely, A. H. E."
n X
A number of species of birds indulge
in actions which might be called
dancing" but few do it so well as our
mockingbirds.
Sometimes they do this dancing
in the dead of winter, so it may be
q matter of wonder whether it is
real sense
Many instances Of this mocker
popularity have been reported here, and
many persons have seen 1t, but there
still remain many bird watchers to
which it is unknown.
1t may be regarded, then, as charac-
teristic, but not common.
For instance, we have had mocking-
birds in our yard every year. especially
in winter, but have never seen any Of
them dancing.
The mocker is a, great favorite of
most persons.
He is bird of character, so that it
is impossible to ignore him.
At first, the observer may like him,
or not like him, according to what the
creature does, but there is no way Of
ignoring him.
This column receives scores Of letters
each year about Knockers, perhaps as
many as about any other species, and
not all Of them are favorable.
The trait which irks many watchers
is the birds propensity to chase other
species away from bird feeding stations.
This is not motivated, In many cases,
by desire for food, for the bird does
not seem to want to eat, or cannot eat
the hard seeds and grains put out for
other species.
He simply does not want the others
to eat, and so chases them away
The remedy for this is to put out
such foods as Knockers really like in
another part Of the yard, preferably
on the other side Of the house.
Raisins, doughnuts and apples sup
ply the bill.
But in case this fare does not appeal.
there Is not much to do except to wait
until the rnockingbird gets tired OF his
sport, which he usually does In few
days or q few weeks, depending upon
his persistence.
After all, he has something else to
do In life, and especially he must eat,
and in between his raids the other birds
can come In and feed.
While these bellieerent specimens
manage to get the greatest share OF
attention, they are by no means the
only sort Of mockingbirds we have
in winter.
Mainly these birds are pleasant, well
behaved, and great favorites. It is
especially interesting to lure them to
q porch rail, along which raisins have
been sprinkled
Then the true beauty of these gray
fellows may be studied at close range.
This is marvellous bird, from any
artistic viewpoint. He is a symphony
in grays, with some white showing
when he fys. His face has sweet
character, easily seen close up. The eyes
are mild, even, and the cheeks somehow
manage to augment the general
character of the bird With his streak
Of belligerency, especially at nesting
time, when he will not hesitate to
attack dog or cat, or even human being,
and his trait of singing all night when
the moon shines, he is one Of Americas
favorite birds. washington and vicinity
are fortunate 10 have him the year