Evening star., 1948-01-15
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TraceweH ...s
"RfVERDALE, Md.

Dear Sir: s.4...sT
Like many other readers Of your column. I
am writing to ask for solution of a rare and
puzzing problem.
Late last spring my wife and I noticed
young summer sparrows feeding with q flock
OF young guineas which we had in a small lot.
These birds were unusually tame and our puppy
caught one and Immediately took it from him.
I'VE found, on examination, its left leg stuck
straight back and it was blinded in its right eye.
"This made us curious about the Others and
we found five, seemingly of the same litter,
all afflicted in identical way.
What, in your opinion, would cause such
condition? yours truly, L. c."
Symptoms outlined seem to show some nutri-
tional deficiency, affecting all alike.
Consultation with the county agent is in
order.
Popping I'D the feed of the guineas with
be done.
Eyes of birds and small animals are the first
organs to be afflicted In deficient diets. As a
matter of fact, some of the now popular vita
minis were postulated by observation OF eye
defects. Forms Of paralysis, as shown by leg
Affections. may be due to mineral shortages.
Feed houses usually offer mineral mixes for
such conditions Too much cold and damp
are not good
SILVER SPRING, Md.
Dear Sir:
1--WE believe ours must be the bird sanctuary
of this whole area, and no words can express
the pleasure which 1t brings to us. Much OF
the credit for 1t must be given to you, for we
have read your articles in The Evening Star
avidly for many years and have tried to follow
your advice We have definitely identified over
10 species, but there are many others, partic-
ularly Of the warbler group, which remain
anonymous
AT the present time, our principal enthusi-
asm Is the bluebird family, which visits our
blackberry tree every day, and, most thrilllngly
of all, comes right to our kitchen window sill
to eat raisins There are about six Of these
exquisite creatures, and we suspect they include
the parents which nested in our bluebird house
last spring.
There lies baff1ing problem. Several weeks
after the bluebird nest was made and four eggs
laid, we discovered another nest built on top
Of the original one The second nest was that
of house wren, the wren family remaining
for few weeks, until the babies matureo
sufficiently.
What do you think? The bluebird eggs were
broken. Now for a second problem. Both nests
are still in the house. Should they be taken
out and the house cleaned before spring?
Perhaps you would be interested to know
that all last summer gray fox visited oul
fox rarity in this vicinity?
Sincerely B. J. p"
r
Sometimes birds, especially warblers, buile
nests over previous nests of their own in which
cowbirds have laid eggs
But in this case, we suspect that Jenny Wren
who often is a vixen, simply punctured the
bluebird eggs and calmly made nest over
them We are glad this correspondent did not
nut the blame on SparroWS.
Birdhouses should be cleaned out in early
February, so that the human smell will blow
of them by March.
Gray foxes are not too rare hereabout
Foxes, raccoons, opossums are seen In oul
suburban areas, sometimes inside the Dis.
trict line
Also rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks
Here we have six interesting small animals
each to be admired and respected for what it is
The city. often castigated, is responsible fo
this better attitude toward the wild creatures
including birds. The country attitude Is to kill
The city attitude at least at Its best, Is to sub
stitute admiration for killing.
Now, all we have to do Is spread this attitude
to the whole world, and . new age wouls
be bornl