Texas Game and Fish, Volume 13, Number 4, April 1955 Page: 17
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EAST
TEXAS
FLESHY FRUITS
prove attractive toBIRDS
Hawthorn
Although Trinity County's 204
square miles lie in one of the main
flyways of migrating birds, it is
known to have about 90 permanent
species of birds which nest within
the county.
With such a large number of na-
tive birds, it would appear plausible
that its rich farm lands could fall
heir to a number of migratory song
and game birds if 37 fruits, available
in small quantities for part of a
year, could be increased to take care
of year-around needs.
These fleshy fruits are important
to the birds because of their fleshy
pulp, which is easily digested, while
the seeds furnish roughage needed
in their everyday diet.
A study of the 37 fruits, recently
made in an attempt to assist the pub-
lic in planning the attraction of
birds, includes a description of the
fruit and its habitat; its availability;
a list of birds attracted to the fruit;
and other important information.
The hawthorn, a shrub widely dis-
tributed over the entire county, will
thrive on almost any type of soil,
but grows best in thickets along
creek and river banks. It was found
attractive to at least 39 species of
native birds.
Growing in sandy loam areas andBy WILLIAM H. DAVIS
important to birds for food, shelter,
and nesting purposes, the black haw
is also found throughout the county.
Thirty-five birds are known to eat
this luscious fruit.
A very popular shrub because of
its thicket-forming habit, the huckle-
berry constitutes a haven for birds
and other wildlife. Its fast growth in
sandy soil along stream and river
banks is especially ideal for at least
46 birds which feed on its valuable
fruit.
The blackberry and dewberry are
two species of thorny vines so much
alike they are described as one
species. Very popular for birds be-
cause of its fruits, protective cover
and nesting habitat, the vine will
form impenetrable thickets in a
year's time, growing in any type of
soil. Feeding on its fruits are 146
species of birds.
Taking to the open sandy hills,
the sumac provides excellent food
for birds throughout the winter
months. Some 97 species of birds are
fond of the fruit of this non-poison-
ous species.
A very beautiful shrub because of
its flower, the dogwood bears fruit
as valuable to birds as the flower is
to man. It will grow in all types of
soil, but predominates in creek andIllustrated by the Author
stream areas. The array of desirable
birds attracted to this fruit includes
at least 93 species.
Prominent for its red berries
around Christmas time, the holly is
generally found in sheltered situa-
tions in sandy or moist soil. Its spiny
evergreen leaves furnish food and
nesting habitat to 48 species.
Also known as the smooth-leaved
holly, the yaupon is found through-
out the county in the sandy soil of
sheltered creeks and ravines. Its
berries, not quite as big as the true
holly, are glassy instead of bright
red. About 96 species known to eat
this fruit in the United States are
among the more important birds of
Trinity County.
The elder or elderberry is found
along streams and river bottoms
where the soil is rich and loamy.
Its fast-growing shrub usually grows
in the thickets of other species, such
as wild plum or hawthorn, and its
fruit is attractive to 118 birds
throughout the United States, as well
as those in Trinity County.
Tree-forming habits of the mul-
berry, found throughout the county
in more or less open spaces in al-
most any type of soil, are important
to farmer and sportsman alike. It,
Continued on page 28APRIL, 1955
17
Black Haw
For those interested in attracting birds, here
are tips from a study made of East Texas plants.
This is a condensation of the original paper.
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Texas. Game and Fish Commission. Texas Game and Fish, Volume 13, Number 4, April 1955, periodical, April 1955; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1588361/m1/19/?rotate=180: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.