none other is available. A suggestion to help prevent birds 
     
     from colliding with glass windOws is to attach an image of some 
     
     kind (e.g. decorative stars stenciled on with 'snow in a can') 
     
     on the outside of the glass. Silhouettes of natural predators 
     
     (i.e. hawks) are sometimes used but may be too effeCtive and 
     
     frighten the birds off. 
     
    

    
     Birds will respond to a wide variety of food offered, and 
     
     the greater th variety, the more species that will appear. 
     
     Mixed seed is a standard fare although, unfortunately, commercial 
     
     mixtures often contain ingredients such as flax, canary and rape 
     
     seeds seldom eaten by wintering birds. Sunflower seeds are a 
     
     favourite of many species such as Evening Crosbeaks, American [J 
     
     Goldfinches, Black-capped Chickadees and Blue Jays. Whole suet, 
     
     hung in an onion bag, will attract Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers 
     
     and be a treat for others as well. Cracked corn is relished by 
     
     Blue Jays, Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. Left-overs 
     
     from the kitchen, both meat and vegetable, may be tried but 
     
     beware of attracting unwanted visitors such as dogs and cats. 
     
     Snowbound robins will feed on old apples or other types of fruit. 
     
     In addition, many birds appreciate water (in a dish with sloping 
     
     sides) as much in winter as in summer. Be experimental and try 
     
     various food ideas for attracting birds. Caution however: coconut is one food 
     
     not to be offered as it cannot be digested by some birds and may cause them harm. 
     
    

    
     For further information consult your local library for additional ideas on 
     
     bird feeding stations, as there are many excellent books available. 
     
    

    
     Finally, the Natural History Society welcomes bird sightings from winter bird 
     
     feeding stations across the island, so please share your sightings with others. 
     
     Good birding! 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     FEEDER RECIPE 
     
    
   
   
    
     l c bacon grease (can be mixed with meat drippings) 
     
     © 1 c molasses or corn syrup (or use *2 c sorghum and 
     
     h c corn syrup) 
     
     1 c peanut butter 
     
     cornmeal (enough to make a solid mixture) 
     
    
   
   
    
     Mix all ingredients together, using sufficient corn- 
     
     meal to stiffen the mixture so that it can be handled. 
     
     In cold weather this can be rolled into a large ball 
     
     and tied to a tree branch. Or, if weather is too 
     
     warm, it can be formed into a cake and put into a 
     
     feeder. Small tin cans can be attached to trees and 
     
    
   
   
    
     filled with the mixture. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     - from "Wild Bird Guide" Winter 1981 
     
     (Bird Friends Society, Essex, Conn.)