Evening star., 1948-07-26
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Tracewell

oy CFtuLC e. 17uCCUcH
Here's hot-weather story about Tweeky, a
curious startling.
1t comes from r. M. T. of Seventeenth
street, who writes:
Il wish had been smart enough to enamel
the toes of smart little starting that used
my garden for a nursery, so that I could be
sure of his identity when I see him around
the neighborhood.
He comes back to the garden occasionally,
but perches high above on the coping of the
house. To my repeated invitations, 'Tweeky,
come down. he replies with some squeaks,
chirps and bit of song. Maybe that is his
way of telling me he has outgrown my vailed
in garden.
May IL, cool and clear, was the day Of his
arrival There had been two days of very
high winds preceding, which may have caused
him to fall from his nest. He seemed pretty
much of baby, almost entirely covered with
down, except for a few short feathers in his
wings. There were horn-like plumes over each
eye, which gave him clownish appearance.
But, wind or no wind, doubt if this restless,
energetic and curious minded little fellow
could have stayed put in the cramped confines
of nest
THE north end of the garden where he
liked to strut up and down has several rock
beds, borders of ivy, clumps of lilies, ferns,
etc, and the bird bath.
He was a cautious birdie, rarely venturng
more than four feet from these havens of
safety.
while was standing by talking to him,
and wondering what kind of a container to
put out for him to use until he could fly well
enough to reach the regular bath, 1 was
amazed to see him come over the rim, help
himself to drink and take bath.
Our bird bath is partly home made, and
tireloe which had been stored behind it,
out Of sight, had served as ramp for him.
This resourceful little creature had solved
the problem for me-
THE, mother bird came in quite often,
bringing food; and thinking to make the task
easier for her, 1 put down some bread.
Later, upon hearing quite a commotion,
and going out to investigate, I found Sthe
mother bird eating it, while Tweeky stood
about two feet away, scolding at being neg
lected.
Finally, after having her fill, she walked
over to her squawking youngster and gave him
two peckS on the side Of his bill. That filled
him with fury, and he put on real tantrum.
He f1uffed out his down until he resembled
a miniature vulture He ran after his mother
and pecked her on the wings. She seemed not
to know what to do at this turn of affairs. just
walked off and paid him no mind Maybe
this was her first born!
Was the mother sampling the food before
giving it to the baby or was she trying to
teach him to pick it up from the ground? She
very evidently did not think too we'll of it, as
only once day or two later, thought saw
her give him few crumbs
Later on, sparrow came to help himself
to the bread, but Tweeky would have none Of
it. He knew that 1t belonged to him. and so
he went into another rage and drove the
sparrow away.
Suddenly the weather changed and there
were frequent showers. He was a pretty moist
little bird, with his down plastered tight to
his body. Once I found him standing under
a clump Of lilies, drinking rain drops as they
accumulated.
The evening of Tweekys fourth day with
us he decided to get himself good perch for
the night by starting to bed early.
He now was able to lift himself about 10
inches from the ground and he was aiming at
the ivy on the wall back of the rock beds. Time
after time he few at it and failed longed to
lift him to perch but he would not have liked
that. ABOUT dark we went back to see how he
had made out, and there in circle Of leafy
vine about six feet from the ground was dark
gray little ball. close against the brick wall.
Il called softly, 'Tweeky.' Quick as flash, a
head popped out and from little yellow bill
came in reply 'T-w-e-e-k!
So there's a hot weather story, not Of gayly
colored bird such as the cardinal, but just of a
startling
Unhappy persons who despise starlings will
have to think twice, now, at this plain evidence
that most of their disliking is in the mind.
If you like q starting, you find much TO in
tereSt YOU It Il as easy at that.