Hungry Birds ?
The secretary of the Selfsame Society has been urging the public to feed its birds, on the ground that many are suffering from starvation. By all means let us feed the birds. It is a Work that is always twice blessed host and guest both Profit ; but I have difficulty in believing that food is short among wild birds in general, or that starvation is a real threat at this season. Young birds, especially wild duck, will die of starvation in the very early spring, before insects have begun to hatch. Very young birds may suffer in the nesting time from a deficiency of the animal food that they must have. Came birds, especially perhaps young partridge coveys, often heed More animal food than they can get, especially where the ant is not a common insect ; but in our gardens (or such is MY experience) extra food is less popular now than at any •
date. Among the small animals that are peculiarly plentiful at the moment are spiders, especially wolf-spiders, and a great Many more of these are eaten by birds than is generally thought. Even martins and swallows will pick them off the Walls and eaves.
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