By M. Poppins Mary's heart was in the right place but her advice (feeding breadcrumbs) was not. People have fed bread for centuries, and back when bread contained whole grains, it could provide a litile nutrition. Today, it merely fiils them up and provides little fat for warmth and energy. Here on the North Shcre our winter flocks consist of 40% ground foraging birds such as POO ood c cree ee mE OO UTES O OEE EEO ESO EEE DOCH EEEO EEO EOS EOE E SEDO US Fine Finned Friends Feed Fasination When I was eleven years old, I asked my parents for a real fishtank. I was tired of goldfish in bowls but fascinated by the colours and shapes of tropical fish. My parents agreed and bought me my first real "aquarium. A 15 gallon deluxe starter kit stocked with neon tetras was just the beginning. I worked hard, saved my money and soon expanded. By the time I was in my mid teens, my ‘|| parents’ basement was decorated with wall-to-wall aquariums. Understanding that my teenage hobby was a healthy one, my parents always ., encouraged me and for that I can never thank them enough. I'm not saying that owning an aquarium is for everyone nor is it a magical solution for kids with nothing to do — but en- joying and maintaining an aquarium is a lot of fun. With all the new products and knowledge available now, it's much easier than ever before to own an aquarium .. some aquarium stores will even main- tain your tanks for you. Your undersea community offers fresh entertainment dai- ly, stress release and an oppor- tunity to get involved with_ nature .. all this without leaving the comforts of home. COCO M eee O NEC CaCO OE HODES DESH DEO ae EOE D ESCHER SOR DONEC EE ET EO TEES —Tfeex NORTH VAN 1G) PETcENTRE | 5D ON LONSDALE “ * MANY VARIETIES OF EXOTIC TROPICAL g FISH AND GOLDFISH “@) © SMALL ANIMALS, REPTILES & BIRDS ~~ [-* PET FOODS & SUPPLIES B * AQUARIUM CLEANING & MAINTENANCE * [980-5314 hed “1927 LONSDALE, N.VAN. T.L.C. PET GROOMING -~LaPooche Hut CS Sea 2951 Lonsdale, North Van All Breerls of Dogs & Cats © Bathing © Clipping Service * Grooming Open Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to §:00 p.m. . 985-3232 Edgemeat Village 3071 Woodbine Ave. North Vancouver dark-eyed juncos, fox sparrows, song sparrows, rufous-sided towhees and varied thrushes. These birds prefer millet, the small white seeds found in abundance in many mixes. The other 60% is made up of house finches, chickadees, red-breasted nuthat- ches, American geldfinches, stellar’s jays, bushtits and winter wrens. These birds prefer the high fat content of the black oily sunflower seeds, or in the case of insect eaters such as the bushtit and wrens, suet and suet/seed mixtures. Suet feeders wilt also at- tract down woodpeckers arid the huge pileated woodpeckers. A seed blend containing 40% millet and 60% oily sunflower, such as Wild Birds Nature Shop's © personalized, friendly service «low prices ~ * complete selections «5% discount on case lots 984-7855 Sunday, November 17, 1991 --North Shore News - 24 Help feed local birds this winter deluxe blend, will provide for the majority of your winter friends. A suet feeder will attract the rest. Suet can be purchased in ready- made cakes or can be prepared at home. The secret to making it firm is to render it twice. First melt it over low heat and then let it cool completely. After re-heating it, you may add seed, nuts, raisins or peanut butter. Pour the mixture in- to a small milk carton and cut an opening in the bottom. The insect eaters are used to eating upside down, and they will cling to the suet with no problem. Larger birds such as starlings, will be out of luck. A commen year-round resident is the robin, who is not attracted to seed or suet. They prefer worms and insects or when the ground is covered in snow, berries such as pyracantha, mountain ash and cotoneaster. Chopping up apples and raisins and placing them on bare ground under a tree will help them out. Birds in winter bring colour, sound and mvoement to our garden and increase our awareness of the . Natural world we share with them. 4a YOUR PET iS SPECIAL at BOSLEY'S ... . and so are our sales SCIENCE DIET FELINE MAINTENANCE & LITE 10 Ibs. - $16.68 SCIENCE DIET CANINE MAINTENANCE & LITE 20 Ibs-S1688 3 Ib,-5.88 6 Ib.-10.88 20 Ib. - 26.88 NUTRO MAX CAT FOOD REG. OR LITE -| NUTOMAX KITTEN 3 Ib. -6.88 6 Ib.- 1188 TECHNICAL CAT FOOD 1 kg.- 3.48 4 kg. -12.88° - 8 kg-2288 85 gr. - 2/98¢ Technical xitten 1 kg- 3.98 4 kg.-12.98 396 9-108 396 gr. - 1.08 * 433 East 44th, Nan. This space has been sponsored by STONG’S to assist the SPCA in finding homes for these animals available for adoption. For more information, please call SPCA 922-4622, MALE SAMOYED 5 years, lovable, well- trained, neutered FEMALE POODLE 3 years, affectionate, portable, spayed FEMALE SHEPHERD 1.5 years, good family dog, spayed MALE BOXER 10 years, a good friend, neutered, needs a name, A full selection of Pet Foods including NO-NAME & PRESIDENT’S CHOICE 15% OFF REGULAR PRICE CASE LOT WEST VANCOUVER 2491 MARINE DRIVE LYNN VALLEY 1199 LYNN VALLEY RAD. DEEP COVE 415 NORTH DOLLARTON HIGHWAY