Evening star., 1947-10-18
This and That
By Charles Z. Trace,0eH
"RETHESDA Nd
B1 Charles

Dear Sir
Early in the summer we noticed a pair OF
bluebirds vainly trying to enter nearby wren
house.
within an hour or so, bluebird house had
been purchased and erected on a pole feet
from the ground and facing south with the
hope that the pair might still be about the
neighborhood.
But we never saw them again.
However, we hoped If they did return next
spring. they might find and like our little
house and be most welcome
Yesterday, 1 noticed the opening Of the
house had semblance of having been gnawed
Today we discovered a male downy woodpecker
busily enlarging the bluebird house opening,
and after several attempts succeeding in en-
tering.
Then he enlarged it from the inside
after number of trials of entering and
then popping out and seeming very pleased,
away he flew.
1--WE are now wondering if he is interested in
winter occupancy, or is he just readying the
little house for spring?
your articles have been a constant source
Of interest their reading must nightly.
Since living here we have found much en-
joyment in the birds, feeding them, keeping a
small bath, and watching the arrivals and de-
partures throughout the various seasons.
yours very truly, B. c. r."
*
Our correspondents bluebird house must have
had very small entrance, for the hole for the
doWny woodpecker box is smaller being ~
inches to 1h inches for the bluebird house.
That is, downy could enter the average
bluebird house without need to bore his way in.
The best downy woodpecker house Is made
Of wood with the bark on, according to the
following plan Floor, by inches; depth OF
box 8 to 10 inches; diameter OF entrance,
" inches; height of entrance above floor, 6
to inches. The box is best placed from to
Is feet above the ground. The sides Of the
house are notched, so that the bird can get
q good toehold.
The bluebird house is best made according
TO the following dimensions: Floor by 5
inches: depth, inches; diameter of entrance,
III inches; hole above floor, inches; height Of
box above ground, to 10 feet.
Bluebird houses are best put on fence posts,
not trees, and very low placement is said to be
best, although there is always some danger. BY
placing the box low, common sparrows are kept
out, since they do not like to nest on low,
steady sites.
The starting also is able to enlarge bluebird
box, and sometimes squirrels do the same, so
it is not worth while fuming over which species
of creature takes over a house.
The names given them-bluebird house. flicker
house, etc-mean little except to the person
who builds them.
The creatures come as they please, where
food and shelter are offered, and although
the human element in the scene may at
times be disappointed, he or she should not
worry too much If an unlimited guest comes
Not many birds have enough sense to use q
birdhouse for shelter in the winter. The most
persistent in this usage is the starting, wise
creature. If birds could suddenly be given
human minds, the starlings would have =
head start on most birds, since they already
are wise beyond their kind.
Birdhouse construction Is fun for the per-
son handy with tools, since soft wood may be
used, and they are easy to make and. put
together. The average suburban yard should
not have too many. A robin shelf, q bluebird
house, and maybe couple of wrenhouses-
these are enough. The question of how many
bird families will set UP housekeeping In .
given space is always a matter for dispute.
But most of them will build simple nests In
shrubs and trees; after ALL only dozen or so
species use birdhouses, and some of the pre-
fer to drill their own houses" in old branches
and tree trunks.