cd (eee SUE PLT

IT SEEMS as though we
are all going to the birds.

1 saw it on the news, Whether
‘participating in the annual North
American bird count, counting
eagles in the Squamish Valley, or
simply: staring at the finch on the
windowsill feeder, more of us are
tuning ‘in to the | pleasures . of
watching birds.

I began {o suspect something
was aflight’ when 1 caught my
friend Luther excitedly babbling

about some wax-winged creature”

lurking in the neighbor’s cedar
tree,

{ told. him 1 thought he had bet-
(er ease up.on his consumption of
those strange Chinese herbs.

‘He was quick to point out that
this excitement was not due to a
sudden onslaught of. oriental hal-
lucinations but rather ‘the
unseasonable appearance of bom-
‘bycilla cedorum, the common
Cedar Waxwing.

-. The clincher came when I
discovered bird feeders at CostCe .

If this. behemoth is marketiz..

feeders then it is safe to say that
the average .Vancouverite is now
in the market for paraphernalia
: geared towards our’ feathered
‘friends.

There may be .a few “cure
“mudgeons out. there who insist on
seeing birds only as flying manure

factories: or cherry — thieves, . but
‘fortunately ‘they are now. in the
Minority.

Most of us now. actively try’ to
entice birds into the garden rather
than trying to scare or poison
them out.

_ Why, you ask? It may be the

M8 ig TINS

:. OVER THE GARDEN GATE

pleasure they bring to our senses:
the vivid beauty of their plumage,
the melodious timbre of their
songs, the thrill of catching a
glimpse of some scidom-seen
traveller, or the simple enjoyment
of watching a swallow in flight.

1 like to think that we have fi-
nally evolved: into a species that
recognizes .the need for a well-
balanced ecosystem. .

While the decline of the
songbird did not get the same at-
tention as that of our hawks and

‘eagles, | am sure that most of us.

are well aware of the increasing
populations of both.

_ After all, what better way to get
a handle on that perpetual insect
problem in the garden than to put
the avian air force to work? Here
area few numbers that may sur-
prise you.

@ ALL SIZES AVAILABLE
ALL MATTRESSES ON SALE
INCLUDING POSTUREPEDIC

FREE DELIVERY, i :
“FREE PICK-UP OF OLD MATTRESS

OPEN SUNDAY 1- 5 PM

111 East 3rd St, NVancouver |

a ee er

986-1361

PE Eiaon kad

The average wren feeds its
nestlings 500 insects and caterpil-
lars a day and aces such as the
swallow rack up numbers well into
the thousands.

So here are a few tips on things
that you can do to attract larger
numbers into your garden.

To start with, put up bird feed-
ers — lots and lots of bird feed-
ers.: Whether you buy them or
build them'as a home project, get
them out there.

Remember there are several dif-
ferent species out there all with
differing diets and preferences;
make sure you offer a wide
assortment of feeder styles filled
with a variety of menu items.

The Stellar Jays like large seeds.
The open tray offering sunflower
seeds, peanuts and the like is best.

If you fill it at the same time
every day, you will quickly find
that the hungry hoard will gather
at the same time in anticipation of
your ringing the dinner bell.

The smaller birds such as
chickadees, sparrows, and juncos
prefer smaller seed such as millet.

The preferred feeder is the hopper

or tube style with |a protective
roof and smaller perches,
Avoid those with larger landing

‘zones, as: this encourages invasions

by larger birds that scare away the
little guys.

Next week 1° will ‘offer. more
ideas and hopefully include a few
feeder designs. See you then.

“ONE LOCATION ONLY
‘Ast come - Best Choice

AE RA OE TR EER ee ee oe SO a cS ne te or ee be a a

Brvtytin ttre

oto submitted |

FLORAL BOUQUETS look tovely in unusual containers. Try a
' soup tureen, milk jug or mason jar for a whimsical touch to
-brighten up the winter. scene. Here, hyacinths in a brandy
snifter create a visual and fragrant tocai point in any roor,

Here's your chance for a °
~- real bargain on floor:
* models, overstocked ~
and discontinued
~. . appliances. — -
_Many at well below. cost,
full warranty, of course.

Kitchen Ald Whisper Quiet
DiSNWASHET...........ctseeesecseeee 9899
Roper Downdraft Cook Top"
(AITIONG).c..csesisersceseessesssseese 9499

| panasonic Color TV 14 score S249
Toshiba Color TV 20°.

Baht is acura i
ae 247 cu Ft Frid

a eesigidalre’ self Clean Ovens:

ISAS Nisa acelin eee hace

saree Solid Element
COOKEOD....ssnceesecee

@ Westinghouse Micro..:

Plus many other items teo
numerous to mention:

shop early for best selection.
iL] COLONY |

HOME FURNISHINGS

1075 Roosevelt Crescent
North Vancouver

«(2 blocks behind the Avalon Hote “4

OPEN DAILY; Fri. 9-9; Sun, 12-4