Evening star., 1948-04-01
This and That.
By Charles E. TraceDeu

= y
Here are items about robin in garbage
can and another with lacquer on its toes.
From Hyattsville, Md, e. s. writes:
"A year ago this spring you gave directions
for making bluebird house
My husband made one, and put 1t up and
within two days pair had claimed the house
When they had the nest built and the
This happened twice.
Can you give me any reason for this?
st Patrick's Day my boy and I saw a
bluebird on the edge of small wood Is this
early, and is 1t time to put the house up again?
Last summer a robin Matched some little
ones close by, and one morning saw our cat
ready to eat one.
In the garbage can, thinking 1t dead.
That evening went out to empty some
garbage and there 1t was still alive and some
what revived Was surprised?
This Is my first year for my feeding station
but I sure have enjoyed watching the birds"
March is is the traditional date for the
arrival OF bluebirds In many yard.
Even those that remain here all winter seem
to want to move around with the brighter
days of March.
1t is best to put up bluebird boxes in Feb
ruary or March / at the latest, but if for
any OF variety of reasons this is not done
not take them
There Is no guarantee, of course that Just
because one puts up small house designed
for certain species, that very species, and
none other, will come.
1t is fun, however, no matter what bird takes
fancy to the house, and even If none does
well, the house makes nice yard adornment
From M. M. OF Second street NE comes the
following about the robin wearing lacquer:
Some years ago had a pet robin that when
free continued to fly down to me for raisins
put lacquer on his toes
Each year he returned to< the window box
and balcony in spring.
He did not return this year untN last Sat-
urday, all alone. so far. and unusually large
Hes peculiarly noisy robin with a varied
register, and perches on the balcony or oak
tree just sounding forth.
I talk to him, he f1utters his wings, as
oaby olrds do and puts his head on one side
he used to have lacquer on his toes, but
now 1t has worn off, but even without the
lacquer there is no doubt it is nv pet.
l write to tell You of my robins return for
the sake OF all the children who inquire about
him each spring. I have taught so many
children, they will want to know"
~
Dear Sir: -
That person who wanted to kill bird
killing cat sure burned me up. I would say
II he's stray and public nuisance all well
ana good, but good many cats are members
OF the family, and loved by human beings.
I Tor one don't allow my cat to run at
large. He's on leash or in the house My
cat is member of the family.
My only wish is that all cat haters would
get their ears eaten of by rats and mice.
Sincerely, NJ L."
y
Many cats. and even large dogs, are afraid
of rats.
We recall with amusement fine police dog
that pretended not to see big rat when it
was released from trap
There can be little doubt though that our
land would be overrun by both mice and rats
If it were not for the cats
real rat-killer of cat will bring In speci-
mems weighing as much as he does
One OF our encyclopedias Is on record with
the statement that If it were not for cats there
would be no agriculture worthy Of the name
In this age OF food shortages and increasins
population, thet y sounsthing 70 kssp in mind.