h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sketching a winter sunset.

It was an evening in January. The weatherman predicted snowfall to visit our region. Little flakes already were coming down. The Sun was about to set, but it was still time to fill the birdfeeders. When snow is coming the birds are very anxious to eat. They know about the possible difficulties to find food for days to come.
I went out to fill the two feeders I had. Lately my place was taken over by mourning doves, ( have a dark ring around their neck). Some times I counted 30 of them to eat all the food I would put out and no other bird could eat there. The doves are early birds, sit on the nearby tree branches and wait for the seeds to be put on the feeders. But they go early to sleep.
No doves were around at this evening anymore. Only two little Snow Birds were eating vigorously. One of them on one feeder, the other on the feeder. No disturbance in the air no other birds to chase them away, they were happily stuffing the food before the night.
All of a sudden like a flame in a fire shutting up a male Cardinal flu there to sit on the edge of one of the feeder. He was a mighty good looking male, and started to look for sunflower seeds, the best for his taste. It did not take a minute, he attacked the little Snow Bird, like a rooster in a barnyard. But the much smaller Snow Bird fought back and would not fly away.
Than suddenly an other red flame Cardinal came to the feeder,. The” first come, first served” big male chased him to the other feeder. Than came a timid little female Cardinal, but very rudely was chased away by the big male. This means there is no Spring time yet, when a male would feed her and than she will built a nest. The female sadly flu to hide in the bush, picking on the ground if there was something to find in the gravel.
The snow was falling heavier, covering in beautiful white blanket the entire landscape. The Sun was getting lower on the horizon yet the show was not over. There were already 5 male Cardinals at the feeders vigorously fighting with each other. In the white background it was some sparkling fireworks to see the deep red colored birds swiftly flying here and there. Yes, there were also the two modestly colored females trying to come to the feeder, but not a chance. That was really not nice. But don’t forget about the Snow Bird fighter. He could not be chased away and at a point they flu up in the air to try to hurt each other.
The darkness of the evening was getting close. The Cardinals as they came so they went. What kept me wondering: how did the 5 male suddenly coming to the feeders as they don’t live in this nearby neighborhood? How do they get the message about the food? Not from friendship for sure, as they were quite hostile to each other.
I am feeding the birds for many years, though they would survive without our support. We need them more than they need us. For humans is fun, also one can learn a lot about their behavior. There is no harm to feed them, only when suddenly one would discontinue to put the food for them. They are habit forming, and will come to the feeders and demand the seeds. If by any reason you would want to give up on feeding: withdraw the food slowly, little by little. Start at the end of the summer and they will go to find food somewhere else..
When people ask me: “ Don’t you have some pets?” I would answer: “ I have many, many pets, but they are all free out in the open, in the wild where they belong”. I believe it is cruel to keep a bird in a cage!

Written by: Jung Wing Researcher # 211101
This is my first entry.
I am wondering what those numbers are in the text as I am looking my preview 8220, 8221, 8217???? I did not put them there. I hope they don't mean something wrong????
Plse somebody can explain?!

Dear Whoami? This note I am wring in Note Pad.
I will transfer to the page where the Birds are.
This suggestion came from Woodpigeon a very kind
member of h2g2.
let see what can I do with this note. Jung Wing
Sunday noon, march 2, 03

I got here with no problem. It seems
that I can use this for the future writings
in Plain Text for h2g2.J.W.