Evening star., 1949-04-07
This and That
BIZ Charles Z. TrdcetDeH

How long does it take q birds injured leg
to heal?
About four weeks. according to r. II. c.
Of Falls Church. Va, who writes:
IT thought you would like to know that our
cardinal friend Is almost completely re-
covered. His left leg was broken on February
20 during some very rough. windy weather.
and dangled completely useless for week
or 50.
IT thought It would never be any good to
him again. Now, less than four weeks since
his accident, he is almost as good as new.
IT have to look closely when he comes to
our window feeding station TO be sure 1t
Is he. He doesn't yet put full weight on that
foot, but the claws are working nicely and
his spirit has never wavered nor has that Of
his faithful mate who has stuck close by him
through the ordeal
"The cardinals feathers near his hip lost
their red color and are quite gray.
"Our simple homemade window feeder,
about IL by 80 inches. kept well stocked with
q jar lid Of peanut butter, small grain and
sunflower seeds, raisins. and occasionally
apples or other fruit, repays us hundred
fold In entertainment and education.
I'VE keep q chunk Of suet tied to branch
Of q small oak tree for the downy wood
hanging feeder further out In the yard for
the chickadees and titmice.
"A large weigela bush beside our window
feeder makes q welcome harbor for the birds
as they fly in to look over the situation before
their meal and convenient refuge in case
Of alarm.
Sometimes, after eating, they Just perch
there in the bush and relax-maybe they are
giving thanks for well-fllled stomach.
I'VE want you to know how much we enjoy
your column and your philosophy. You have
helped us to see the good in all Of natures
creatures and to accept them as they come.
I've even stopped knocking on the window
at the chipmunks tthey pay no attention
anyway.
After all. guess they would be stupid not
to take advantage Of such a layout.
"Our regular visitors recently have In
cluded cardinals. mockingbirds. song spar
rows, tree sparrows. titmice and chickadees,
starlings. blue jays and focks Of English
sparrows and juncos
THE chipping sparrows, field sparrows
white -throats and white-crowned sparrows
all stop by to see us q while in the spring and
sample our food. as do the grackles, cowbirds.
towhees and others.
s&s
"We have robins, bluebirds, wrens. orioles,
hummingbirds, brown thrashers. catbirds.
goldfinches and some others which do not
come to our feeders. Occasionally the
thrasher does0
1--WE seem to have no creepers or nut
matches. perhaps because our trees are quite
small and the yard Is rather open.
I'VE are building up what we proudly refer
to as our bird refuge at the back of our
half acre. It is eventually to be . sort Of
tangle Of evergreens and other shrubs and
native trees, with honeysuckle covering q
wire fence.
I'VE have learned q lot In three years time,
but have 30 much more to learn. 30 please
keep sharing your wisdom with us. You keep
your stories In simple terms which we like" !"
We hope that somewhere in the back OF
our correspondents wilderness" win be
planted . couple Of Kentucky coffee trees.
These belong to the Gymnocladus group.
and are tall, beautiful trees. throwing down
at this time Of year pods filled with green
fragrant gum and four TO six hard beans.
These beans were roasted and ground and
used as a coffee substitute during the Civil
War.
The trees are magnificent. The wood has
been called Kentucky mahogany. The pods
are dark, and quite hard. 80 that trompling
feet of cattle will not break them open until
spring comes and the seeds have matured.
We can imagine the coffee" made from
these beans would be pretty tough going. but
the tree itself is one Of our best. picturesque.
strong and tall. and should be planted more
than It y.