Evening star., 1948-05-11
This and That:
By Charles z. TraceWell

"HAY-ADAMs HOUSE.
"Dear Sir: -
"A redbird has taken quarters in the center
of Lafayette Park and entered into native
competition with the pigeons, sparrows and
starlings for the bounty of the bird feeders.
MY occupation is that Of squirrel feeder.
as do not give primary attention to the birds.
But if any wildbird has done this previously,
I feel sure that I would have observed it IN
the 10 years in which have practiced my pro-
fesson in this park.
VERY truly, G. E. H."
Maybe this good correspondent has been
overlooking not only the fourleaf clovers, as
the popular song has it, but also some OF the
birds.
There is no reason why the redbird, or
cardinal should not come to this park, along
with blue jays, wrens and many others.
In fact as many as 80 different species
have been checked in this park, to say nothing
of the sparrows, starlings and squirrels and
even a mother cat and kittens in a hollow
tree!
It is easy to overlook some one species OF
bird, even a very bright one, In view OF the
other distractions, including the pretty girls
1t may be that professional squirrel feeder
is not the best hand in the world for observing
birds, because his primary interest is so lively.
To keep an eye upon these active rodents
would not make, indeed, for the best bird
watching!
The small and large parks of the National
Capital are always full of members Of the
interesting profession named.
There no doubt are more squirrel feeders
than bird feeders In these parks, since the gray
squirrel native to these parts Is a born come
dian.
The activity of this animal always can be
counted on to attract more casual interest
hon, ho birds After all admiration of birds.
with many city persons, is growth.
Unlike country boys, who are born with the
sounds of birdlfe in their ears countless city
people only acquire an interest in the birds
when they move at last to the suburban sec
tionS.
It is possible, of course, to love the birds in
the city, but there one must look for them,
hunt them, as 1t were.
In the suburbs the birds greet you with song
every morning. They build their nests at one S
front door step, and seem to be in danger
of getting run over by the lawn mower.
The professional squirrel feeder Is often q
lonely man or woman.
The bright eyes of the squirrels, their active
grace and 1.-the agility, their comical ways and
their mannerisms, are very human, to say
the least.
The bird is not human and never will be.
The bird belongs to another sort of life than
ours.
The squirrel is very much as we are. He
appeals to something in US. He makes himself
at home too wherever there are trees and
people
He finds the trees in our parks quite as
much home" to him as the best trees in coun-
try and suburban sections. -
The happy individual with bag of peanuts
can spend many interesting moments with our
SQUIRRELS in the parks.
Watch out, though for quick movements
This must apply equally to the watcher and
the squirrel.
Each may make a quick movement mis-
understood by the other.
Especially the beginner in the profession
of squirrel feeding must be careful to make no
sudden movements of the hands.
The squirrel even the tamest one, Is trained
by nature to move quickly at any sudden
movement near him.
If he is close enough, he will add neat bite
before his getaway.
Nature has taught him the value Of that
TOO.