MAKING FRIENDS WITH BIRDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 23 (Supplement)

MAKING FRIENDS WITH BIRDS

There is an old man who lives in London called “The Friend of the Birds.” Every mornifig he goes to Hyde Park and the sparrows circle about him in hundreds knowing that they are soon to be fed. They have no fear of him whatever, and know' every pocket where he carries his offerings of bread. Sometimes they crow'd upon his shoulders and even balance on the crown of his hat, so that he walks along carrying with him a feathery burden of birds. In New r Zealand many of the native birds are almost as tame. The fantails and -wax-eyes have little sense of fear and with patience can be lured down from the trees to within a few inches of visitors to their haunts. They even invade the gardens, balance on flower stems and sip the honey from overhanging blooms. Even the sea-birds can be tamed and fed. I have seen a flock of little grey and white martins running at my feet, crying, and calling and demanding their supper. Making friends with birds is an interesting business, for they never forget when people have been kind to them. I know a little lady who has the sweetest singers in her garden trees and a fluffy army of friendly sparrows that fly into the kitchen when she opens the door. One bold speckled thrush waits on the doorstep with his mouth open and if his hunger is not immediately appeased he will fly to a table or chair and commence his pleadings again. She gives the birds their meals as naturally as she takes her own and puts fresh water daily in a shallow bath for them under the trees. Perhaps she can even tell one sparrow from another. Who knows?

FAIRY IMPULSE Fairy Impulse lias much to answer for. He was cast out of Fairyland for saying “I won’t!” to the queen, and ever since has wandered the world, leaving trouble in his train. When we do things “on the spur of the moment,” the Fairy Impulse is usually to blame for them. Sometimes he may be in a good mood, and let us do the right thing at the right moment, but when a child stamps and says “I won’t!” it is just because the Fairy Impulse once said exactly the same thing to the queen. RULES FOR DOGS 1. —Be kindly toward all, giving love to but few, and full love to only one. Do not love often, for much loving changes the meaning of love, and puts treachery into your heart. 2. —Greet all friends with gentleness and the smiles of a “greeting wag.” Smiles and wags make the days sunnywarm, and open all hearts to the goodness of life. 3. —Do not bear about -with you the stiff tail of suspicion, nor go with back bristles upward, thereby inviting dislike in many hearts, and needless misunderstanding. 4. —When in a strange country, be ever alert, using every bit of your wisdom in all discovering and pleasant snooping; but do not go into dark holes without caution, for often in such places lurk green-eyed cat« or other things to hurt or humble you. 5. —Keep your nose out of the track of trouble. Never sniff to find a fight, but pass around the place. Nothing is ever gained in a looked-for row. Scratch dust if you must, but don’t waste energy or dignity. 6. —Eat enough to keep you well, and get some extra good things if you can, but carefully avoid gorging. 7. —Seize all the joy you can, that robs no other, for happiness is sunshine, health, and riches in the limited kingdom of a canine world.