COOL FUN

from page S12

Over the days, children should
write in their journal how tall the plant
is (they may want to measure every
morning — and let them if they want
— but once a week is best). They also
should describe what the plant looks
like: What shade of green are the
leaves, are pesky bugs snacking on
them, how often do buds form? They

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Here's what to do:
a) Begin by regularly filling a
bird feeder in your yard with shelle d
sunflower seeds, which chickadees
love. Make certain food is always
available.
b) When you see the birds begin
coming, slowly approach the feeder.
Get a little closer every day, but
always approach gently. Begin singin g
and speaking so the birds will becom
familiar with your voice. Rest assured
the same birds will return day after
day once they know they have a regu
lar source of food.
c) Soon, you will be able to stand
right beside the feeder. Continue
singing to the birds.
d) Now, hold a plate or cup with
the seeds in your hand. Stand in the
same spot where the feeder used to
hang. You will have to be patient,
because this is new for the birds. But
eventually they will come.
can make illustrations of the plant cov-
e) Once the birds are comfortable
ered by dew first thing in the morning,
eating out of the plate, hold the food
and when its tired head bends in the
directly in your hand. Hold palm flat
evening for sleep. When does the
so it's easy for the bird to eat.
plant's first fruits appear, and what do
THE KEY WORD IS PATIENCE
they look like? Photographs are great
It will take time for the birds to
to include, too, and if you're doing
come, then to eat from the dish in
vegetables or fruits, ask your child to
your hand, and especially to eat
look through cookbooks that provide
directly out of your hand. But once
appropriate recipes when the tomatoes
you have made the birds your friends,
or blueberries are ready to be eaten.
they will come back again and again
Along the way, older children
and it will be a remarkable experience
(starting at about age 8) should be
for your children.
encouraged to care For the plant. They
If you prefer simply to watch the
can look through books to learn what
birds from your home, you can try
kind of soil it likes, how much water
these sure-fire snacks for your winge
it needs and appropriate fertilizers.
friends.
Later, as the cold weather
According to the National Bird-
approaches, you may be able to place
Feeding Society, the following are a
a plant cutting in a vase, or transplant
few favorites for beautiful birds you'll
into a container to bring indoors.
see in Michigan:
Complete your project by allowing
Cardinals — Sunflower seeds
your child to decorate the pot in
(Note: Most birds do not have beaks
which the plant will reside during the
strong enough to crack the shell on
winter.
the outside of sunflower seeds; cardi-
This Is For The Birds
nals are the exception.) Finches —
With a little patience, and
Thistle seed. And you're sure to please
a lot of crumbs, you can
a crowd, no matter what species it
learn to feed birds directly
includes, if you serve up raw or pack-
from your hand.
aged suet, which is popular with vir-
You may want to spend a day or two
tually every bird.
observing exactly which birds like to
Nature, A-Z For adults, noth-
visit your area. A good candidate is the
ing may be quite so pleasant
chickadee, which does make frequent
‘1..Z, '"' as an evening walk in the
appearances throughout Michigan and
summer. The sun has set and
is fairly easy to get to know.
oolness comes; neighbors are out

