While feeding does provide us with pleasure from watching the birds, I think
there is another reason. I don't know if planting birches and alders in my
yard will make up for all the habitat loss around, though I plan to plant
anyway. To make up for the loss of food sources in all those barren suburban
yards, feeding seems to make sense. If I could be convinced that it does
little or no good, I would stop. Who needs the mess!

I am a cat owner and keep my cat inside. I used to let him out (years ago)
but I realize it's better for him inside- on all accounts. He is not digging
in the neighbors' flower beds, stinking them up, as the rest of the
neighborhood cats do in my yard (chicken wire laid over the flower beds
prevents this). He is not the target of predators and cars. He is not
exposed to disease. I also know nobody can shoot at him. I wouldn't blame
someone for firing away if my cat was in their yard.

I think I'll look into Allyn's sprinkler solution.



Michael B. Brown "You don't have to apologise for
13406 125th Av. Ct. E. not knowing the names of the birds
Puyallup, WA 98374 and the stones." -Frank Moorhouse
H-206-841-4281 _ _
W-206-841-8733 (o!o)
C-206-208-9588 ((___))
borealis at borealis.seanet.com " "