Evening star., 1948-03-31
This and That.
BY Charles r. Trdce1reN

Should one interested in birds keep q feeding
station running in summer
This Is the question asked by L. M, who
writes:
AT an improvised feeding station on a win
dow sill OF our apartment in Sixteenth street
We have been feeding, at breakfast time, q
small group OF sparrows, with an occasional
starting or pigeon.
But in the last few days they seem to have
lost interest, because my guess would be- Of
worms and newly sown grass seeds available.
Have you not written in your column advice
suggesting the dropping of such feeding stations
until the cold weather comes again and If 50
would you repeat those parasraphs?"
To the contrary, this column has always
advocated the retention OF summer feeding.
with notifications
It is. after ALL matter OF personal prefer
snce.
The songbirds certainly do not need extra
food In spring and summer % much as they
do in fall and winter
But it may be that the person involved needs
the hobby
He may fnd that the interest he has put
into supplying his birds with food all winter
will not cease.
He finds 1t Is pleasant to keep On feeding.
4
Some persons believe that summer feeding
may harm the songsterk.
4<otAILi6 COulu NC 4dI tilcI lIULu bHe tTubU.
The birds have thousands, millions OF years.
behind their habits.
When spring comes, with its bamy air, rains
soft earth, worms. grubs, ETC., no amount OF
dry seed and grain could prevent the birds
from returning to natures own fresh foods,
in the main.
few species, notably sparrows and starlings,
will stick close to the feeding station. They,
too will eat worms and bugs, but they will not
desert the old food either
Sparrows sometimes will use such foods as
bread to the exclusion OF proper foods for their
young. This may mean that at least half Of
their babies will be culls, too fat, lacking
muscle. Some of these too fat babies will die.
-
Most of the species, such 40 catbirds, wrens.
cardinals, jays and scores OF others, refuse 70
be ION the dole" In this way
No matter how much food you put out in
spring and summer, they stick closer to
Mother Natures own larder. But they will
come for = few bites.
One way they can all be helped 1T nesting
time Is to put out freshly ground beef at about
3 O'Clock In the evening.
platter Of this will be taken in short order.
The mother and father birds will eat little,
and then take the rest OF 1t to their babies
Since protein Is protein, no matter whether
In the form OF hamburger or worms such food
Is good for raising the young.
All Dd0y D}rQS, WneGner SEED eaters or insect
consumers, are brought up on such food.
Gathering it requires miles Of flying on the
part Of the parents, and they find the help
given them by man @ real aid
Such food not only provides good fare for
the young but saves the parents energy, and
also provides something for the mother and
father.
Modern bird feeding is partnership. If the
human element in this comradeship desires to
help the others In the summer he can 10
them no harm, and by offering the fresh meat,
Is suggested, may be a very real help.
In addition, by keeping on feeding, If he
chooses, he manages TO keep himself in touch
with his own birds. and also becomes acquai1t-
Cd with many newcomers.
When autumn returns, those birds that re-
main here all winter will know just where to
70 to get something to eat.
The home gardener will and 1t helpful to
feed all summer, because by SO doing he keeps
many more birds around his yard, birds who
win eat moro insects and weed seeds.