Evening star., 1948-06-01
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Trdce1UeH

oliver SpTlng, Mo.
Dear Sir
II was impressed by the letter recently from,
one who had tanned a gray squirrel. as I, too
have enjoyed the company of one Of these, and
1t has been a great deal of fun to have her
come up and take small squares of bread
spread with peanut butter. She usually does
not eat the bread, but the birds get it almost
as soon as she drops it.
so many people dislike the squirrels that I
feel just as that writer Gid, when this little pet
does not show up. begin to wonder If some
ono has harmed it. Sometimes she shows up
every day, then again not for week or more.
I am always glad to see her, and believe she
knows me, for she often comes and looks in
the window.
Every year we get red squirrel and having
watched his actions, prefer not to have him
around, for he goes into every bird house on
the premises and have also seen him tear
up nests. Last season, one made his home in
our woodpile, and he was interesting to watch.
In the fall he carried everything imaginable
into his hiding place-leaves, paper, string,
acorns walnuts and even old turkey bones.
When spring came, and saw him going
into two bird boxes, decided he had better
be moved away. So purchased a wire trap,
and very soon captured the villain, then took
him far out into the deep woods and released
him.
But today, saw another one of these red
IdoCdIS, 81 pCfHdpS dHOtHcI Oilc wall nave 70 DC
deported.
Last week stepped into the yard and heard
wings Tapping and upon close observation saw
= robin hanging head down from the low branch
Of dogWood tree
"One foot had become so tangled and tied
with piece Of thread that 1t was woven so
tightly it had to be cut away with . pair Of
scissors
THE foot had been scraped and was bleeding
badly, but after immersing it in strong salt
water l found the bird ready and able to
fly away
Il was glad that could reach the bird for
had it been in high tree, I could not have
reached it, and the bird could never have freed
itself without breaking off its foot, it was SO
firmly woven around the branch.
I'm my bird watching. I have seen many
entertaining things, also beautiful ones, such
"An indigo bunting that came to the feeder
today.
Blue jays being chased by the robins.
"A sparrow hawk who sat on the feeder for
a while, with nary a small bird in sight
"A song sparrow, who raised a cowbird as
one OF her own.
'Mockingbirds who would fly down and pick
up raisins AS they were thrown.
"Bluebirds, that nested in a nearby box and
raised five little ones.
Three wren families, all at one time, in the
same yard.
"catbirds. so friendly, as they perch on the
fence and sing.
Yes, it's been pleasure this bird watching
and feeding. Very truly yours, C. A. b.
Here again we have an account of the danger
OF long lengths of wool, twine, string or thread
to birds.
Many have heard that it is a good thing to
put cut string for the nesting birds, but not
all of these kind hearted persons realize the
danger in long pieces OF twine.
1t Is very easy for bird to fly away with
them, and also very easy for 1t to become
entangled.
The only bird that actually needs long
lengths is the mother oriole. builder extra
ordinary and she manages to find them some
where
There is no need for any one to put out
wool for the oriole. for she will find what she
needs and Is such q wonderful nest builder
that she knows how to handle cord twine
wool, etc
Unfortunately, many other species do not
seem to be so capable. Scarcely spring goes
by, but one or more robins get themselves hung
for their pains.
If one wants to put out container of wool.
very little pieces should be used, not more
than inches long.
Once bird becomes entangled. neither its
own efforts nor those of its friends and COM
pantons seem to do any good II human rescue
Is not possible, the bird dies. usually. For this
reason, many real friends of birds make it
habit to pick up all long lengths Of string they
zee, 70 that no bird will find them