Evening star., 1948-12-09
This and That
BIZ Charles z. Trace1peu

oy IHuIe e. 4TuCSWcI
Here is a bird enthusiast over on Reservoir
road who has something eating sunf1ower seed
at night
He wants to know what it is. L. d. G. writes:
"At about $3.50 or 10 pm, when l retire,
have noticed these past three or four days that
the seeds have been disturbed. Some bird,
evidently, has pecked few of them.
Then on the sill or edge of the window, at
the side of the wooden box, see few (about
grouped and arranged in q neat pile.
Last night for example, the bird must have
been there before $50 pm, because I placed
the seed at $50 o'clock, arranged it very neatly
and later (about $3.50 p.m) I noticed 1t was
disarranged, some one had been pecking at it in
one single place, and there at the side few
opened empty seeds.
The empty shells are neatly opened in halt
Evidently this nocturnal bird must be very
dainty and elegant in his eating habits
do you have any idea as to what sort of
bird We are dealing with? I am sure I welcome
him, and wish he could help himself all he
cares to.
of your constant readers please add the under
signed"
This probably isn't bird at all, but maybe
rat, field mouse or perhaps flying squirrel,
or at long last an opossum.
CdTQlnalS tle laIcSC OF du DlTQS 10 cav,
usually leave feeding station at dark.
They love the dusk, but not the real dark
ness.
Rats have no difficulty at all in climbing to
a window sill, even on brick house.
Many an ardent bird feeder has found these
rodents at his seeds.
The flying squirrel is another nocturnal
visitor.
In the 1000 block of Reservoir road we would
say, almost any of the smaller wild animals
might visit, at times
These visitors must include the nocturnal
rodents, the rats mice and flying squirrels.
The opossum usually will not eat Seeds but
our correspondent is careful, he indicates, to
use only the largest and fattest.
The wild creatures know large sunfower
seeds to be full of good food, containing plenty
of protein and carbohydrates. with wild
sweet taste.
The meat is much used by humans in some
of the European and Asiatic countries.
1t is said that the Russians eat them by the
handful much as we would candy.
We would suggest that our correspondent
keep vigil some night at the unlighted VIM
COW. 1t should begin with dusk so that his
eyes may become used to complete darkness
Let there be no light behind him.
After awhile, he can see easily, and will be
able to catch the visitor when 1t least suspects
1t is being watched.
A f1ashlight, turned on suddenly, will reveal
the eater at his best.
1t probably is not bird at ALL at least not
one in feathers.
It probably will have four legs and fur. Let
the watcher not be upset If it is q rat. Rats
are clever animals, well able to take care Of
themselves in a hostile world.
Many q person is upset at rat visitor, but,
after all, rats are hungry. No one really can
blame them for taking advantage of food left
out.
The opossum is better visitor, of course.
He is cleaner, not the bearer of any diseases,
and is practically fearless.
He is so tame, as a matter OF fact that ne
may be offered suet, which he loves, from the
hand.
The long pointed nose the paws like hands,
and the long naked tail distinguish him, from
other animals The opossum is card" in
popular slang. But he also is beautiful crea-
ture, rightly looked at, one with the flavor OF
the outdoors In his fur, and the starlight on
his brow. He is a good visitor. Not even the
tiuidest householder need have fear Of him.