FEED US, PLEASE!

Forest and Bird, Issue 37, 1 August 1935, Page 7

FEED US, PLEASE!

Members of the Forest and Bird Protection Society will hardly need a reminder that August is “Bird Month,” when natural supplies of food for feathered creatures are comparatively scarce and the weather in most districts is very cold and wet. However, it is well for them to urge friends, who are not yet members, to assist in the kind feeding. Thus friends of man will be helped to survive the winter and to be ready in spring for a strong attack on insects and grubs.

It is necessary to have a receptacle well clear of the ground beyond the reach of

cunning cats, which have long been one of the worst enemies of birds, particularly the “natives.” which are not so wary as the

descendants of species imported from catinfested countries.

Every home has all manner of waste, which makes a feast for birds. They like scraps of fat from roasts of beef or mutto n , remnants o f stews and minces, porridge (well sweetened), rinds of pineapple and odds and

ends of other fruit. Tuis and bell-birds like sweet fare.

Feeding wild birds —which are quickly tamed by kindness — is a heart-warming pleasure. Like the quality of mercy, “it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”