Evening star., 1948-06-24
This and That
By Charles E. TrdceDell

"KENSINGTON, Md.
Dear Sir:
Il thought you might be interested in the
fact that in the Shoreham Building one of
the rooms has installed separate air-condi-
tioning unit which has outside outlets.
Recently observed pair of starlings max
ing repeated trips into the air-conditioning
unit with food in their mouths, so I assume
they are raising a family.
THAT is one family in Washington which
knows how to beat the heat problem.
Very truly yours, R. J. c."
What wiser bird than the old startling!
Here is just another instance, although in
this case the wisdom probably consisted of
good shelter rather than seeking relief from
the heat.
But if any species would select cool place
just to get out of the heat and humidity no
doubt it would be this selfsame startling
Few birds have more sheer intelligence, as
measured from the human standpoint.
This one likes shelter at all times. That is
why he seeks a warm place to roost, because
despite his size and general vigor he suffers,
as did Achilles before him, with tender feet.
He will seek feeding station in the rain
not for the food, of which he eats very little
but simply for the shelter.
This is one bird that has enough sense to
come in out Of the rain.
The old saying is, of course, that some one
hasn't enough sense to come in out of the
rain"
What an oddity it would make in nature, if
birds suddenly decided to act upon it?
In that new world of bird common sense
from the human standpoint the kitchen
door would be opened on a rainy day, and
the birds in the garden would all troop in.
They would settle on the range, the freezing
unit. the shelves, the sink, along the rows
of cabinets.
There would be cardinal perched on the
ceiling light and jay on the kitchen clock.
Mockngbrds would vie with sparrows for
Close look at the bread tray, but probably
all the birds would be on their good behavior
SO there would be no crumb picking
Silently, they would all sit tight, waiting
for the rain to cease, in the day when the
birds had enough sense to come in out of
the rain.
And the Old saw, about putting salt on a
birds tail.
Countless innocent little children have been
sent on that wild goose chase, for no other
reasons, perhaps, than to get the kids out
from under foot and to give their elders a
good laugh.
What a wonderful time the kiddies would
have, if the salt really did the trick!
Then Johnny would come in with bright
cardinal clutched in his grimy little fist, and
Susan would squall for help as she tried to
hold a struggling jay.
It would be fine party.
"a bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush"
Nonsense!
1t should be just the other way around.
bird in the bush is worth any number,
positively any number. in the hand.
In the hand, bird is worthless at least
to itself.
It's marvellous ability to fly Is nullifed
It's keen Joy in doing what comes naturally
is at an end, at the caprice of some other two
legged creature, larger and meaner.
A bird in the bush, on the other hand, Is
its own bird. 1t is able to live, to eat insects,
and to help in mankinds economy.
It may take small tribute of fruit now
and then, or grain, or even bee, but by and
large its activities In the bush are good not
only for itself and family. but for ali mankind.