Evening star., 1948-11-13
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TrdceUell
DARLINGTON. Va.

114s1A4>NAS SAN, va.
Dear Sir:
For the past two or three weeks my place
has been completely deserted by all kinds of
birds until this morning when pair OF red
birds returned.
Where have these birds gone?
''This is the first time such thing has hap
pened in 20 years. always keep a supply of
food in three feeding places summer and winter.
II certainly have missed them and wonder
If they will return.
Cordially, G. T. NJ"
This Is the thing that happens in every yard
devoted to bird feeding.
Sometimes there IS a ready answer, some
times there is none.
So many factors are involved, both human
and animal that it is always difficult, and
sometimes impossible, to put ones finger on
the trouble.
that have clustered around the ever-normal
granary go away to the woods for several
weeks.
Then they return, in most cases.
It may be that the extended warm weather
of the recent election times kept our corre-
spondenJ's birds away.
They took advantage of the weather, as it
were, to take some side trips into the country.
Maybe they flew over to Baltimore, or to
some of the Chesapeake Bay places
Birds live in the upper elements. They take
q birds-eye view of the world!
To them, trip of 20 miles is no trip at all.
Not earthbound, as most human beings are,
they see no reason for sticking too closely to
one place. The amazing thing is that group
of them living in a certain block, show up
every day. Replacements are few, evidently.
watcher is able to feel sure that "his" birds
are always "his' birds. A few key specimens.
such as sparrow with white on the wings,
will prove this to him. at least to his own
satisfaction.
At times hawk will frighten them all
away.
Birds vanish with celerity, the moment they
spot those lazy wings in the sky.
The hawk Is one of the oldest fears in bird
life.
Firearms come poor second. The hawk is
as old as the hills. His role in lfe's drama
was set by nature millions of years ago.
The eyes Of small birds on the ground show
them the hawk shadow as well as the grain
in the feeding station.
They Immediately seek shelter. so that the
descending hawk will not find them.
Hawk tactics, too, are as old as the hills
The bird flies in at slant, and settles
down in tree or tall shrub some so feet
from the prey.
1t is from this position that he makes his
dive, as fast as any arrow, at some one bird.
The victim is one which has failed to conceal
himself enough.
Other factors which may frighten birds
away from well-stocked feeding stations are
stray gun shots, the sound of BIB guns, un-
usual noises, owls, too many marauding ami
mails, including both dogs and cats.
Sometimes building operations, even at
distance, may cause a decline Of the bird
population in a given area.
Too liberal Use of DOT and other insect
sprays, particularly those which contain drastic
poisons may reduce for a time the bird popu-
iation in a given area. The birds do not eat
the poison directly but take insects which are
poisoned but still moving. This is factor
which deserves intense study, since 1t is difficult
to check on 1t.
The best thing any home bird lover can do.
when suddenly the birds desert q station, Is
to attempt survey, and then wait patiently
for return of the wanderers. Water bowls
must be kept filled. and feeding stations well
stocked with their favorite seeds, especially
gundower.