Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-11-15
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Trace1UeH.

What birds will one see here in winter?
Theoretically there are some IS species here,
but the following are the ones most likely to
be seen:
Bluebird, chickadee, titmouse, white breasted
nuthatch Carolina wren, mockingbrd, cardl-
nal, towhee, song sparrow goldflnch English
sparrow startling meadow lark, crow buzzard,
blue jay, flicker red-headed woodpecker, red
bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, hairy
woodpecker, screech owl, barred owl and bob
white.
With these must be included birds that come
here for the winter, that is, find this their
farthest South:
Yellow-be llied sapsucker, purple finch, white
throated sparrow, tree sparrow, slate-colored
junco, fox sparrow, winter wren, brown creeper,
red-breasted nuthatch, golden crowned kinglet,
ruby-crowned kinglet and occasionally the
hermit thrush.
1t will be realized that here we have the best
birds in the world
Some readers may wonder about those blue
birds.
You will have to be in certain sections of
the city and suburbs to see many of these.
Over Wesley Heights way, and in a wide
swath to the east, bluebirds may be seen all
winter.
But there are whole sections of the suburban
areas that never see a one until March, and
even then they seldom appear
Their habits make them spotty in location
For instance, bluebirds appear in some num-
bers-six to a dozen-in some of the blocks
near the East-West highway, in Chevy Chase,
Md, but seldom If ever appear mile to the
south.
In our own yard, two blocks east of the
Chevy Chase Club. we have had but one pair
in 10 years
Since this yard has been Inspected pretty
closely every day, we think we may be safe in
saying that no other bluebirds have flown in.
This pair made pretty sight at the fancy
white, green rooted, bluebird house.
The pair spent the entire day looking the
place over and going in and out the house.
That was the last we ever saw Of them.
They did not show up again. Perhaps they
decided there were too many cats in the block,
and unfortunately we had no way of telling
them about the cats, that they were more in
terested in squirrels than birds.
Bluebirds are pretty touchy. They resent
the presence Of other birds although their
manners are so perfect that ordinarily they
give no signs of it. That is why they are
popularity held to be chased away by the other
species especially sparrows and starlings.
We believe that bluebirds are not such sissies;
they are perfectly capable of taking care of
themselves and If they refuse to nest in yard,
part Of 1t may be due to them, not entirely to
The OLLeT species.
A bluebird is no fool. 1t realizes, when it sees
starlings, for instance the handicap of bring
ing up family under such conditions, so it
flies away to the woods, where watchers may
not see it, but where it makes its nest just the
same.
Some of the above birds will not be seen much
from dining room window. The buzzards
for instance. These big fellows, wonderful
flyers congregate mostly over the Zoo area
They are easily and pleasantly watched from
the Calvert Street Bridge. They seldom II
ever drop down in back yard.
The yellow-bellied sapsucker will not show
up, in most cases, until next February, or
thereabout.
He is seen on the side of tree, maple, by
preference: he causes much injury, and should
be chased away after one has watched him for
a time.
The two kinglets, gold-and-ruby-cro
are among the most beautiful of our winter
visitors. They seem to be made of porcelain
and show and disappear in a most amazing
way in shrubbery.
Those who have rhododendrons by the north
windows should be on the watch for these
beautiful creatures. Neither the ruby nor gold
crests ordinarily show, so the birds must be
recognized by their wonderful greenish feathers
Of ceramic loneliness. and their habit Of sud
denly disappearing underneath o leaf.