To summarize the half-dozen responses I got to my questions:

1) Some people buy bird seed at Costco.

2) It is as good as any other bird seed (one person only spreads it on the ground, but it works well there.)

We often shop there because Costco is a good company, as well as a less expensive place to stock up on food and other household goods. You have to be a member.

Dennis Paulson
Seattle