Evening star., 1948-10-27
This and That
By Charles z. TraceUell
"OAKTON, Va.

Dear Sir:
I'VE have a robin, which the children
brought In, suffering from broken wing
1T has been subsisting on q diet of angle
worms and dogwood berries which we gather
for it. What are its chances for recovery? And
how soon?
What other foods can we offer It? May 7
say that your column long has been favorite
Of this family. We have enjoyed reading 1t
and have gained much of value from it. More
power to you. Regards, l.. G."
If bird can be kept from injuring itself or
being injured by cats dogs or children, the
chances are good for its pulling through.
A wing injury always is serious. much more
SO than broken leg. The leg may be put in a
splint, but an attempt to do the same with a
wing is fraught with danger.
Perhaps the best procedure is to confine the
bird as much as possible, so that 1t cannot
make much attempt to fly.
This will allow the injured wing to set itself,
In a sense. This is what nature does, in the
wild, and 1t often works out well
Robins are comparatively easy to handle.
A cardinal Is bird of another color. No
matter how much injured, a redbird win fight
back. being true wild creature.
Often 1t is impossible for human to hold
an injured or Ill cardinal.
Often people take them away from cats to
discover that, no matter the extent of the in
jury. the bird futters its wings, struggles and
pecks, so that 1t must be released.
The robin Is more sedate in action. One
would not say 1t seems to know that one is
trying to help it, but the result is much the
same. The bird allows much familiarity, and
is glad to get food
Robins in captivity do nicely on earthworms,
insects OF all kinds bits of beef and liver, the
yolk OF hard-boiled egg, small pieces of bread
and milk, pablum and milk, raisins, pieces of
cut apple, even slices of coconut cake
RalSlns may be considered standard robin
rare lney are good to put out in February
when the birds first arrive here, and when
there still may be snow on the ground
often 1t will be necessary to scoop q level
place in the snow.
1t is hard for District residents to realize
that rs years ago there were few robins here
about.
Since then it has become one of four favorite
olrds, almost as plentiful during spring and
summer as the English sparrow
Perhaps as many as dozen robins stav here
all winter, most of them to be found in shell
tered areas of Rock Greek Park
When sick robin is taken in sometimes it
Is good to give 1t a little warm milk in which
one drop Of whisky has been put No more
than one drop should be used in teaspoonful
OF milk, and OF this not more than few drops
given.
large dose is of no avail.
Usually an injured bird needs rest, warmth
and freedom from outside interference
An attempt may be made to give 1t water
with medicine dropper
Food may be given in the same way, but
usually bird that has enough reserve power
to get well will show it by picking up food for
itself.
1t Is best to put some Of the foods on a paper
on which some loose earth has been sprinkled
No attempt should be made to give a sick
bird grit. Plain garden earth will do. 1t will
contain all the small particles birds need for
digestion Too much attention to wild things
In captivity is worse than too little
robin with broken wing will need from
four to eight weeks for mending, provided the
break is of the sort that can repair itself with
natures expert aid. Mature cure" is the only
kind the wild things have in nature. In civil
Eation, as we like to call 1t, they do best when
nature Is initiated.
Often the best we can do for them is to let
them alone, keep them warm and protected
and supply them with foods as far as feasible
bird with q broken wing has q chance, and
should be siveuktt.