146 



Bird - Lore 



catcher, Screech Owl, Yellow-breasted Chat, 

 Maryland Yellow-throat, Brown Thrasher, 

 Tufted Titmouse, Flicker, Carolina Wren. — 

 M. A. Boggs, Waynesville, N. C. 



Birds and Salt 



In reference to letters about 'Birds and 

 Salt' in previous issues, I should say that in 

 moderate quantity salt would be good for any 

 bird, but too much would kill it. I have not 

 a doubt that the Pine Siskins which Mr. 

 Kelso speaks of died from eating too much of 







for birds in the open; every new bird coming 

 up would help itself too freely, but it may 

 be safe to supply rock salt. The dampness 

 collected by the salt settles in the depressions 

 of the lump, drawing the salt. I should 

 think for birds it should be kept under cover 

 to keep rain and dew from freeing any ex- 

 cessive portion. The article by Esther Reeks 

 shows that this experiment seems safe. But 

 if for any reason most of the birds using the 

 salt should cease doing so for a time would 

 the supply be too much for the remaining 

 few? There was never any trouble with the 



AMERICAN BITTERN 



the spilled salt before the strychnine was 

 dropped. 



I have raised Pigeons in captivity. Salt 

 was kept before them continuously. If the 

 box should be found empty and was filled at 

 once, dead birds would result; but throw a 

 little on the floor where all can get at it, and 

 they crowd around it, pushing each other 

 away in their hurry to eat it, and no one 

 got an overdose. It is necessary to repeat 

 this several days, or until they do not rush 

 for it, before it is safe to fill the box. 



Of course, this method could not be used 



Pigeons in this respect, but might there be 

 with smaller birds? I should think there 

 would be little danger, as when birds once 

 have a feeding-spot (weeds or whatever) 

 they visit it regularly. Nature supplies salt 

 in limited quantity. — Elizabeth P. Styer, 

 Concordville, Pa. 



An Experience with an American Bittern 



While following a small creek near Ypsi- 

 lanti, Mich., on October 6, 1921, an American 

 Bittern stepped from the stream-bed before 



