Evening star., 1947-04-09
This and That
By Charles E. Tr1ceUell.
SILVER SPRING. Md.

"Dear Sir:
'"The red-breasted nuthatches were in
our neighboring pine woods. While not
part Of Rock Creek Park, these woods
are adjacent to it, and are visited by
many interesting species.
"As Is so often the case with first
sights OF new bird, the red-breasted
flock presented us with q real picture.
It was the sunset hour when we came
upon them, flock Of dozen or more,
unafraid Of our close approach.
"The color Of the upper breast seemed
one OF the most beautiful shades of
salmon rose, and was living reflection
OF the color in the western sky. How
ever, when retraced our steps q few
days later, and saw single bird in
full daylight, his breast was the same
clear rosy hue.
"The pine woods referred to are part
Of large tract Of virgin forest inter-
spersed with patches Of cutover, partially
regrown areas and small meadows.
There Is q stream, with smaller tribu-
tartes. 1t Is paradise for birds and
bird watchers. However, fear that in
time 1t, too, will be sacrificed to the
encroaching building projects now ap-
preaching from two sides.
Recently have read some articles
on city planning in which architects
express the belief that areas such as
these should be preserved within metro
politan districts for the enjoyment Of
the city dwellers all of whom have q
deep seated yearning for the country,
at least to some small degree. Many
such areas, relatively small, but at
regularly spaced intervals, would be q
boon to many.
Some time back, reader asked about
food to attract bluebirds. We have had
them come to our second story window
sill feeder when raisins (unsoaked) are
supplied.
Sincerely, G. B. F."
\ X X X
"CHEvERLY, Md.
"Dear Sir:
"You asked whether any Of us in
Maryland had seen the rose breasted
nuthatch. There are dozen or so Of
this kind Of bird feeding at our station
all the time. They, as well as the
larger, white-breasted ones, have been
our steady customers ever since we
established our station some years ago.
I'm addition to many other birds,
there are robins around now, and I
wonder If you could tell me II there
Is something special that they prefer
In the way Of food.
'We have starlings whistling around
again, too-they seem to leave in the
winter-and I must tell you Of our
experience with one Of them last
summer.
"They had been getting into our attic
In some way or other and because the
trap door screen had been let aside
one night, one of the starlings came on
down into our second noor.
"The bird fiew around, lighting on
the pictures, curtain rods, ETC., but
when my husband got up and went to
fix the window for the birds exit, 1t
sat quietly on the headboard Of the bed,
waiting without q move.
1T took little time as the full-length
screen had to be removed, and the
window lowered from the top after the
shade had been put all the way up.
Then my husband stepped aside,
and said. iOkay, bird. there 1t ISL and
never have seen anything 60 90 fast.
The starting took OF and sailed across
the room and out that window, Just
black lash. In split second, without
even the dutter Of wing.
Sincerely, r. q. r."
Il 4 = =
Starlings are among the most IN
telligent birds we have. When people
talk about shooting them, they really
mean that they are proposing to kill
intelligence.
Robins seem to prefer raisins to any
other food. with the possible exception
Of worms, and we have seen them pass
up the latter for the former.
Rohins, st&rlings, rose-breasted nut
1atches-these get along together very
SelL. Even their names are be41iful.