Evening star., 1948-10-21
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Traceuell

Here's letter from fellow up in Falmouth,
Mass. who incloses some photographs Of NAL
lardS and others.
We are sorry the photos cannot be shared
with readers, and the writer insists that 1T is
agreed that the following scribbleS are not in
tended or fit for publication"
Maybe there Is q way to get around that.
Just paraphrase, no direct quotes
He says, very nicely, that since 1912 he has
enjoyed this column; If all the people in the
world he goes on, could be made to read and
understand the thought expressed here, the U.
N. would have little to do in establishing peace
for all nations.
Thanks
Photos No. and No. show bird feeding
station about feet from a south window-a
view over Falmouth Harbor across Vineyard
Sound. On clear days he can see Martha s
Vineyard.
A problem is sea gulls.
Food is put into the left-hand side, which is
rooted in to prevent the gulls from taking
unfair advantage of the smaller birds. Fresh
water is on the right side.
The post Is drilled with 34-inch holes into
which peanut butter and bacon fat are pushed.
There is a queer looking object atop small
tree back of the feeder.
It Is a chunk of Suet.
To fool the ever-hungry gulls, the suet is
placed in a mesh bag, originally containing
oranges.
Chickadees put on most interesting exhibi-
ton of trick flying. The little fellows have be-
come SO tame they will eat peanut butter right
off the knife held at arms length.
Many kinds of sparrows visit this seaside
feeding place, along with thrushes, starlings,
bluebirds, etc.
Another photograph shows pet sea gull
which has taken possession of the writer's
private dock.
The white spots on the right side of the dock
are clam shells that the gull gets out of the
sand at low tide, and, flying high, drops onto
the dock so as to break the hard shells.
This is an intelligent gull evidently. Last
winter 1t brought clans from Vineyard Sound
and dropped them close by, and waited for
them to be cracked open with hammer.
Another photo shows mother mallard with
family.
These birds are full grown now Two Of
them will eat from the hand.
resident of Jacmel, Haiti, doesn't mind be-
ing quoted.
The sad state of the cat family is her theme.
She writes, In part:
For two months didn't see The Star and
do not expect to ever see 1t again. The only
thing miss is your column and the, letters to
the editor, which were good sometimes. On
the other hand, it Is a relief not to see the
arrogant faces of the columnists
ITO me, Haiti swould be paradise if just
one tnlng were not mlSSlng-the Wuoll1e.
Hardly any birds, none OF the little furry fel-
lows whose names do not know and who were
so many around my house in Virginia.
There is some kind of night bird, black and
ugly. No sparrows no starlings, few swal-
lows. There are many dogs, most are just
skeletons, hardly able to walk. Few cats.
Il went on what thought would be pleas
art visit to take some good food to some very
nice dogs. Instead got into trouble. Some
children were giving hanging and beating
treatment to young mother cat. Adults were
standing around looking very pleased.
The cat is now under my bed. I am sure. it
will recover. She gave me tiny purr for just
a moment last night She cannot walk nor
| even stand up.
"Haitians themselves say that Haiti would
be nice place if it were not for the Haitians.
| 1t seems to me the same could be said of all
| countries. have lived in several.
"A bit of folklore: They cut cats ears to
keep the cats in the house; if they go out, the
rain will get into their ears"
So there, in two letters, We have samples of
the good and the bad in the world; but we
| can't be SNUG about it, because there is some
good far off, and some bad close at hand.