Evening star., 1949-09-24
This and That
By Charles E. TraceweH

THIS column got one the other day which
ran: mo BIRDS drink water which is full
OF rust. ~ %reSt7 te.ys ~ ,s4 ~ - - s.1e
That was all. except the sisnat,ire, M. NJ,
Of Thirty-second street.
Let us take it as warning to all and
sundy not ID use tastAl bird baths. !
The earthen ones are 80 much better.
All forms OF pottery, even glass dishes, make
better bird baths than metal. -
There not only is the danger Of rust, but
also OF the bird toes sticking to them In
freezing weather.
Metal is best left out Of the devices Of
fered the wintering birds.
This applies particularly to metal baskets
full Of suet.
Often woven metal is offered, and some
times even metal soap dishes, the latter
filled not with SOAP of course, but with suet.
Wicker baskets are best.
1t Is claimed that the eager bird, pressing
his face against the metal wires, is likely
to get his warm eye against the cold metal.
Then, just as in the cruel joke played on
small boys in the yesteryear-only he was
asked to put his tongue to the cold pump
handle-the bird freezes its eye to the metal
wire.
Autumn is the best time Of all to begin
feeding the birds in the home yard.
This not only insures plenty Of flyers
all winter, but draws down for brief visits all
the scores Of migrating birds. including the
little warblers.
Water is the best lure for them.
The birds see the CLINT Of light on the
water. and come down to investigate.
That is why it is best, at least in the fall.
to have the bird bath out in the open, where
the bird eyes above can spot it.
Often this will mean no more than moving
the bath from corner.
After the migrating waves are over, the
bath may be returned to its former SITE
Close to shrubbery, even beneath it, is al
ways good, since it permits the birds a
truly natural setting for their baths. They
love to perch in the bushes before dipping in.
While there may be some Justification
Tor the iron bath in summer, there is really
little place for 1t in the cold.
1t should be retired to the garage for the
winter, and in its place the pottery or con-
crete bath installed.
Crockery ware, glass and even wood might
be used
For brief use in the afternoon, metal pans
might be tried, but at no other time of day.
Kitchen utensils can double as bird baths
In the warm SUN of the afternoons, but are
not recommended for morning or evening
use.
Quart cardboard milk containers may be
cut off about 2 inches from the bottom.
These make excellent, though small, drink
ing fountains.
Even the cardboard protective covers on
glass milk bottles may be used as drinking
places. These are small, indeed, but useful,
especially number of them.
The temptation to use metal gadgets for
bird feeding stations is large, but it should
be resisted. Atwood is better, except for
possible metal hangers or sometimes iron
or steel posts. In the main, the wooden
feeding station is best all around, easiest
to take care of and best liked by the feath-
cred folk. The wood tray or box will last
several years, even when kept. outdoors the
year around. Some persons retire the feed
ing stations to the garage in sprfngtime and
summer. They fear that birds may pc made
lazy" as they say, or even induced to forget
how to find food for themselves These
fears scarcely hold water when we think OF
the millions of years behind our birds. 1t
stands to reason that they cannot be
spoiled" in just few weeks or months,
or even years. by anything we may do
Those who wish to feed the birds the year
around may do so without, feeling they are
running" them. Seed and grain are best
put out in the early morning and afternoon.
Perfection in feeding is to have 1t all eaten
up by dark 50 that there will be none for
| wandering rats.