Evening star., 1948-05-17
This and That
By Charles Z. Trace,pell
UPTON STREET,

Dear Sir.
.,s This is the Home for Incurables.
This afternoon another patient called me
to look at some unusual birds that had been
nuttering about In our garden, they were very
clear yellow. and as large aA stArlings.
asereriwSre two ofssthe dargerssStrds and
four Or hve yiualler oises, evidentlyta family
teaching the young ones b by.
They hadssbeen quite near among some
bushes under my friends window and she could
see they had brown about beak and ends Of
tail and wings and the wings united in sharp
point over back.
When got there, they were perched in \
crepe myrtle, too far for me to see anything
but balls Of yellow among the bare branches
They sang sweetly in a gentle twitter. Can
you tell us what they might be?
When I lived on Adams Mill road I wrote
you about the scarlet tanager and q flock
of cedar wax wings that liked the mulberry
tree. You finished up one of the replies
with section about turkey buzzards. won-
dered If you could have known was from
Charleston, s. c.. where in my youth these
birds were sacred and valuable assistants to
the scavenger department-but they never
came to town on Sunday
I'VE will watch The Star for your reply.
with many thanks for your column,
Sincerely M. L. and M. J.
"P.S.-Mrs. j. doesn't agree that they were
singing-when she first saw them the older
birds were giving the younger birds excited
orders She said their wings and tails were
brown. We will watch together to see II they
appear again. We can each have our opinion
about the singing"
We, too are at loss to know what the
birds might have been. If any reader has
an idea, we will be glad to send 1t along.
There is some possibility they might have
L11ak
young, for the nesting is done far, far North
of here.
No two persons ever see a bird exactly the
same.
There is also the possibility of color blind
ness to be taken into account. For instance,
the grosbeak's bill is pale, not brown, ETC.
We recall one correspondent who described
bird as orange" when the color he meant
was cardinal!
AS to whether bills Of birds are brown or
part brown or yellow, or white, or bun-these
are Just some of the disputed questions In bird
watching.
It will be noted in the above letter that one
correspondent did not see the birds closely.
AS to whether they sing or "give orders
that, too, is a moot question. Sometimes one
observer will think one thing. another some
thing else, and the resulting argument is likely
to be hot or tepid, according to the dispositions
Of the disputants.
But all such issues are taken in good nature
we have never heard Of any serious trouble
over such matters.
1t is all part of fine game, one especially
wholesome for invalids.
Bird watching is a speciality for them. 1t may
me undertaken by any one who can see. The
beauty of the bird on q branch is helpful to
the person who may be laid up" as the ex-
preston has it.
The boon Of bird watching may be had any
where. Even in the closely packed city there
are birds Old starlings have brought peace
and comfort to those in hospitals
Just one starting we knew OF entertained
one patient for several days. The bird came
to a window box every day. and proceeded to
preen its feathers, and twist and cavort for
the benefit of the sick one-at least 80 he
thought
Nothing written here should be construed as
against two persons looking at birds at the
same time That is indeed, one of the very
best WAYS, because what one misses, the other
may see.
Points ut issue may be debated hotly but in
the end better idea Of the bird is secured.
The interest created by trying to identify .
species may be really helpful to the shut-in.
Above that however comes the simple joy Of
watching such beautiful creatures, divine signs
to us that all life was made for freedom and
happiness. and that somehow, In someway
and somewhere, the heavenly goal will be at
tanned, let atom bombs fall where they will.