Evening star., 1948-02-20
This and That
By Charles +. TrdceUell


One is fine, but tive are better, and three
better still
A Silver Spring correspondent has nine feed
ing stations in operation.
And they are all well patronized
Naturally!
"One of our favorite BIRDS" this friend OF
feathered folk writes, "is male red-bellied
woodpecker
Last winter, and the winter before, we had
female of this species that came regularly to
the yard at o'clock in the afternoon, so that
we could almost set the clock by her arrival.
"She liked suet. The male seems to prefer
sunf1ower seeds. He comes to the window
feeder where we put only sunhcwer seeds.
"The birds that eat these seeds are our ia
vorites.
Yesterday We had visitor that looked very
much like the winter wren, but he was very
dark It seems amazing that such a tiny
thing could stand so much cold. He didn't go
in the feeder, at least NOT while watched.
Earlier in the winter we had flock of what
caught one the others left. Now we only let
the cat outdoors after dark or after the birds
have eaten and left.
Since the last snowfall we have had pair
of tree sparrows. The white markings and
the little round dot on his breast seem un-
mistakable
81 think our favorite is the song sparrow.
He is such a courageous little fellow.
Sincerely, G. g."
Y ~#
It maybe that nine feeders are too many for
most persons.
It is dificult to keep that many filled.
But three or four make q nice number for
the average suburban yard.
One of the best features Of a number Is
that they induce the birds to fly from one
: to- another.
Bird flight has been initiated over the cen
turies, at least in song and story, and actually
brought to some success in this century.
Still, bird fight is uneQualed.
Yet most of us, even friends OF the birds,
tend to take it, like the telephone, for granted.
We look into the sky idly see the flight OF a
hundred starlings-and then look away, think
ing about something else.
Actually the starlings' fight is well worth
thought and wonder
No matter how clumsy on the ground, or
how ill-thought of by some, the starllnss are
birds practically unequalled in flying.
Their mass flights are performances Of SUI
preme beauty.
Swiftly, probably at a speed of so miles an
hour, they daily fly north and south OF the
city, to seek food on the nearby farming lands.
Every evening they return.
Both these flights, in bands are worth look
ing for. Starlings possess an instinct Tor max
ing turns together. Just how they do 1t Is un-
known, but 1t is worth watching by any one
who has not lost the sense of wonder.
In the home yard such flights may be seen
in little as small groups of birds fly from one
feeding station to another.
This effect is best achieved by placing feeders
as far apart as possible.
One good grouping is feeding Station at
the window, another out near the left corner
of the yard, and third far over to the right.
Placement will depend, of course, upon the
natural features, such as trees and shrubs, also
fences, garages, etc.
If possible, at least one feeder should be
attached to the trunk Of tree, about feet UP.
Birds love trees The squirrel is the only
other creature that likes them better.
The antics of the white-breasted nuthatch
on tree trunk are interesting, as he placidly
spirals down and up from the station.