Greetings from Birds & Blooms magazine! We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, which includes some poinsettia pointers, timely bird feeding tips, an unusual Christmas story and more. Read on and you'll discover...

> Poinsettia Blooms On
> Wanted for Entering and Breaking
> Timely Tips on Bird Feeding
> Wings of an Angel
> Want Answers Fast

Wanted for Entering and Breaking
By Helen Y. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania

READING the police report in our local newspaper, I was shocked to learn that a squirrel is on the most-wanted list.

The report went like this: A local woman leaving on vacation went to put her suitcase in the trunk of her car. Since the suitcase was heavy, she didn't close and lock the kitchen door until she got the suitcase in the trunk.

A few days later when she returned from her trip, she phoned the police reporting damage to the inside of her house. The cabinets and other woodwork were ruined.

After an investigation, the local police concluded that a squirrel entered the open kitchen door and chewed the cabinets. The motive--food.

Damage to the woodwork inside her home was more than $1,000! So far, no suspects have been apprehended.

Timely Tips on Bird Feeding
By Connie M. of Medway, Ohio

KEEPING TRACK of who's likely to come to dinner is important in making sure the right food is there at the right time.

For instance, around here, cardinals seem to feed just before sunrise and again late in the evening. On the other hand, grackles and starlings have late breakfasts.

The amount of time it takes birds to eat also varies, so it's important to have more than one feeding station--including a flat feeder away from the hanging ones.

Cardinals and juncos, for example, eat casually for 30 minutes or more, while the purple finches and chickadees waste little time.

We've found a mixture of black-oil sunflower seeds, one or more grains like stone-ground corn or wheat and chopped peanuts appeals most to the biggest variety of birds.

During 22 years of feeding, I've found that birds are attracted to many foods besides birdseed or mixtures. Robins enjoy raisins, whole wheat bread, meal-worms and apples.

Orioles and tanagers are very fond of oranges and bananas. Starlings, doves, sparrows and other birds love baked goods such as stale bread, doughnuts, cookies and cereal.

Wings of an Angel
By Arlene S. of Salida, Colorado

A CHRISTMAS butterfly?

That's what staff members at KVRH radio called it.

The frail butterfly was spotted making its way across the floor of the radio station in Salida, Colorado shortly after a fresh Christmas tree was brought in.

Some staff speculated it came from the tree. Then someone spotted the remains of a chrysalis in a dark corner of the room. The tiger swallowtail had just emerged and was ready to spread its wings.

The staff decided to let it remain inside the station since it would be doomed in the frigid Rocky Mountain air.

The butterfly soon earned the name "Mad Max", navigating its way around microphones, furniture and electronic equipment. Its favorite perch became the Christmas tree, next to the red ornaments and tinsel.

"People thought it was an ornament, until it flew off," relates a staffer.

A butterfly feeder was set up, and Mad Max survived through the holidays.

"We'll never have a Christmas miracle like this again," adds the staff member. "He made the holiday special."

To view a photo, click here.

Want Answers Fast?

THEN TRY the Birds & Blooms on-line Bulletin Board!

This easy-to-use service allows readers with access to the Web to post questions and share information and ideas on-line anytime.

Feel free to ask your question or respond to other readers searching for help on various subjects, such as bird feeding, flower gardening and butterflies. The Bulletin Board gives you a chance to quickly find solutions to your backyard dilemmas. And you'll see for yourself just how friendly our readers are.

To access the Birds & Blooms Bulletin Board, click here.

Here's a recent conversation from our Bulletin Board:

Subject: planting four o'clock seeds
Posted by: Bonitading

I hope someone can advise me on how to plant four o'clock seeds. I notice they are hard--do you need to nick them open to germinate? Thanks for any advice you have.

RE: planting four o'clock seeds
Posted by: smason_Ar

Hey Bonnie, I am in Arkansas, and last year I planted a whole row of four o'clocks in early spring. I just dropped one seed every 6-8 inches apart and about 1/2 inch deep, and they came up wonderful. I didn't know anything about nicking them or soaking them...I just put them in the ground and they came up.

RE: planting four o'clock seeds
Posted by: antiquesngardens

Bonitading, I am in Minnesota and planted four o'clock seeds this past summer for the first time. I did not soak or nick them and they came up beautifully. I harvested quite a few seeds to sow in other places, and I know that a lot of them dropped as the flowers shriveled and dried. When I planted, I planted about 6 inches apart because I knew how big the bushes can get. I love them because the smell so great when the flowers open!

RE: planting four o'clock seeds
Posted by: spanglish

I'm across the river in Pennsylvania and all I did was drop the seeds in the soil and water. They sprouted with no problems. I also read somewhere that you could lift the roots before winter and store them in a frost-free place to replant next spring. I'm trying that too.

To access the Birds & Blooms Bulletin Board, click here.