FEEDING BIRDS IN THE WINTER.

Forest and Bird, Issue 16, 1 November 1928, Page 8

FEEDING BIRDS IN THE WINTER.

The feeding of native birds in the winter when food is scarce is being much experimented upon, and without a doubt many birds are thus saved to breed in the spring which would otherwise perish from starvation. One friend of the birds at Waimate for instance has set up quite a hostelry, and the principal guests are bell-birds, but tuis and white eyes also tender their patronage. Perches are made and tin cups attached containing syrup, composed of four parts of water to one of sugar. The cups are painted a bright red. The cups are filled twice a day, early morning and sunset. As many as twenty bell-birds will be singing and feeding at once. In the winter when they are hungry the birds drink out of the cups while their host is filling them, and it is frequently possible for him to stroke the birds. When the nesting season is on they do not appear so often, but as soon as the young birds can fly they are brought along to be introduced to the feeding cups. Most of the perches are placed near windows so that people inside may watch them. One perch is situated outside the host’s bedroom window, and in the morning the birds come inside and make a great fuss until their appetites are satisfied. Surely many of us must envy the pleasure this gentleman must get in befriending the birds.