Evening star., 1949-09-06
This and That
By Charles E. TraceweH
"MOHICAN HILLS, MD.

"MOHICAN HILLS, MD.
Dear Sir:
"One question has always intrigued me,
and am finally getting around to writing
you for an answer.
so far as I can judge, there are no mon
grei wild birds. 1t would seem that it is
only domesticated animals that produce
mixed breeds
rs it that the birds and the beasts Of the
forests have an antagonism toward every
other species which results in only pure
bred offspring?
"Are there any .mongrel' wild birds?
*%xfxr
I'VE have rat which occasionally feeds
in our yard along with the birds, squirrels
and chipmunks.
Il recall reading in your column, believe,
that 1t is not q disgrace to have rats but
that it is a disgrace to keep them.
From past experience I know they are
as hard to get rid of as The Man Who
Came to Dinner We are facing the prob
lem at this time Of disposing Of this rat
without killing our chipmunks and squirrels.
We have dry stone walls which. together
with the bird feed always at hand. attract
many chipmunks-and the rat:
I'VE have about decided to try to get a
shot at the rat, If possible. as poison and
traps are too dangerous to our other small
1our-legged guests. Have you any helpful
suggestions?
For many years I have thoroughly en-
joyed your column, and it has enabled me
to get much more pleasure from the many
beautiful birds which come to our yard.
Sincerely, WIN O."
II X
The word hybrid" is commonly used too
loosely.
So let's forget it!
Different varieties of the song sparrow
might mate, but not . song sparrow and 4
common sparrow, for instance.
Scientists tell US that nature tends to keep
species separate in the higher animals, as
well as among the insects, and 80 on:
structural differences are responsible, as well
as what is called the principle Of preferen-
tial mating. Also, experts believe there
really may exist an aversion which prevents
union.
When we come to rats, we feel on surer
ground
Rats may be exterminated with red squill.
This should be placed as far down the rat
burrow as possible. Use a long handled
spoon, and thus take no chances The
toward dusk.
There is not much chance that the chip
munks would venture into rat burrow.
Dry walls and wood piles attract rats. As
long as these are present one may expect
to have rats.
@ STREET Sc.
Dear Sir:
Gould you please tell US if there are any
albino birds?
I'm our back yard yesterday there came,
with flock of sparrows, q beige -colored
bird.
1T looked to be the size Of sparrow or
little larger The bill looked the same as
the sparrow's bill. It new around with the
sparrows and ate the food we had put out.
"Over a year ago I saw q small white
bird on the roof of the house across the
street. thought 1t was some ones canary.
But now, after seeing this beige -colored bird
in our yard, think 1t might be the same
bird. But what it is. haven't any idea. It
didn't have q trace Of yellow on 1t.
Sincerely. r. c. w.
'P. S.-Just after writing this, the flock
Of sparrows, including the stranger, came
to our back yard again."
\ \
There are many albino birds. not enough
to make them common, but just enough Of
them to make them interesting.
Often few spots OF the right color re-
main. There are albino robins, cardinals
and sparrows, and occasionally q white"
or near-white form of some other species.
Mostly there seems no resentment among
the other birds. either Of their own kind or
other species.
Part-white common sparrows are often
seen. Our own prize specimen was Whitley.
with white wings. She lived In the yard for
several winters, but had her nest across the
street. Her babies were always normal
sparrow color.
6