Evening star., 1948-04-26
This and That
By Charles E. TraceweH
BETHESDA, Md.

BETHESDA, Md.
Dear Sir:
I'm one downtown park 70 past every day
there is black squirrel.
1T comes out to the sidewalk, but so far I
have never seen it come past the low hedge
DO you think it is in danger there with all
the traffic. or has it learned enough to keep
out of the street?
This has worried me. suppose it is foolish,
but sometimes even at night I wake up and
think about that squirrel, and what he is facing.
Then next day, see him again, and he is
as bright and frisky as can be- and I lecture
myself for being foolish.
Sincerely, A. L. c.
Squirrels have a wisdom of their own.
Those which live In the downtown areas
soon learn to keep out of the streets
This Is elemental wisdom.
1t keeps the creatures safe and sound over
the years. 1t is seldom that a kind d-hearted
person will have his feelings harassed in the
busy streets by seeing such a squirrel in traf-
fc.
Where these active animals run their worst
danger is in our suburban areas. There the
distinction between grassy plots and streets
is not so evident, at least to the animals.
Old tortoises often stop in the middle Of
the lanes" that are so popular all through
the suburbs. They have no way OF knowing
the difference
>'dohiSiS. IdOplIS, even TdGS, are OIJen 1OunQ
dead in the streets cut down by an unsee-
Ing motorist. The birds, too, sometimes suffer
NOW 1t Will be robin, now q cardinal, and
once it was a wood thrush.
Birds often drop down on parking spaces,
and from these hop into the suburban streets.
often to ny up just before a motor car arrives
1t is incumbent on every one who drives to
watch out, not only for children and their pets,
but also for the birds.
American birds play a large part not only
in helping agriculture, but also in the lives Of
millions of people.
When city folk move to the suburbs. as they
40 IN increasing numbers every year, the first
bird.
1t may be a cardinal or q woodpecker. or
some other, but the fact that some bird
catches the eye suddenly becomes a large
fact to them. The interest grows. Soon they
are watching for birds. reading about them,
discussing them. Soon they may be feeding
them even inviting them to their breakfast
tables
Such persons develop a new interest in life
AND 1t Is up to them, in particular, to watch
out for the Birds and to give even a bird a
chance
1t is mystery that more birds are not
killed by cars. Thousands Of them fly across
busy thoroughfares often seeming to miss 4
car by few inches, yet very few instances are
known OF songbirds smashing into passing cars
Often numbering pigeons numbering only in
the takeoff-pass so close to bus windows that
It would seem they would hit.
Yet many birds each season are killed on
the road. All of these deaths might be
avoided, without doubt, If more people were
Just bit more careful, and realized that a
bird, despite its marvellous ability to fly, needs
helping hand, now and then.
The rodent family to which the SQUIRRELS
belong, is a remarkably intelligent one. as
well as being the most numerous among the
mammals.
Downtown squirrels manage to keep out of
the streets, except for now and then. They
live In the large and small parks quite hap
PLY. and seldom wander out, due to the fact
that people bring them food.
In feeding park SQUIRRELS caution should be
used. Make no quick movements, and If you
are of q jttery nature, do not permit one of
the animals to perch on knee or shoulder
squirrel bite Is no fun. 1t is deep and
may be poisonous Quick cleansing with hot
water and plenty Of soap is in order, followed
by careful drying. and the application Of
iodine.