Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	January 25, 2003 - Issue 79
	Bird Feeders

Now that winter is here, it's time for us to remember our winged friends. These feeders will not only help them, they will also give you hours of enjoyment ... watching the birds of winter. As always, be sure and get an adult to supervise.
Birdseed Pine Cones
	Materials 1 cup suet (animal fat) 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup oats 1 cup cornmeal pine cones string bird seed
Directions:
Cut suet into small pieces and melt in a double boiler or slow cooker. Stir as it melts until it is mostly liquid. Transfer to a large bowl. (Suet is hard beef or mutton fat that can be melted down, then returned to a solid when it cools. It makes a great base for homemade bird food. If you can't find it in the grocery store, just ask the butcher). Stir in the peanut butter, oats and cornmeal. Continue stirring until the mixture reaches an even consistency Tie a piece of string to the pine cone and dip in mixture . Use a piece of string that is long enough to hang the pine cone with when finished. Make sure to thoroughly coat the pine cone. Use a knife or craft stick to press the mixture into the creases of the cone. Roll the pine cone in a tray of birdseed. Use a spoon to toss birdseed onto the cone and cover evenly with seed. Place pine cone on a piece of wax paper to set up, then hang outside as a bird buffet. Hints: Another way to use the suet mix is to make an all-natural birdfeeder out of the skin of an orange . Just cut the top off an orange and hollow it out. Punch a couple of holes in the sides of the orange and run some twine through the holes. Fill the orange skin with the melted suet mix and hang in the yard. Instead of suet, fill an orange skin with grape jelly.
Oat-Ball Birdfeeders
Materials 3-1/2 cups oatmeal 1 lb. melted suet 1 small jar peanut butter 3-1/2 cups cornmeal 3-1/2 cups cream of wheat
Directions:
Cook oatmeal according to package directions. Combine cooked oatmeal with melted suet and peanut butter. Mix well. Stir in cornmeal and cream of wheat. When the mixture has cooled enough, shape into balls. Hang balls in an onion bag for the birds to enjoy. Instead of shaping the mixture into balls, use cookie cutters as molds. Line a baking sheet with a piece of wax paper and place several cookie cutters on the paper. Fill the cutters with the oatmeal ball mixture, insert a string into the mixture, then place in the refrigerator overnight to set up. Remove from the cookie cutters the next day and hang the solidified treats out for the birds.
Birdseed Muffins
	Materials 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup flour 1 cup bread crumbs 1/2 Tbs. baking soda 3/4 cup raisins 1/2 cup bacon drippings 1/4 tsp. sand 1 cup water
Directions:
Combine cornmeal, flour, bread crumbs and baking soda in a large bowl. Stir in raisins, bacon drippings, sand and water. Mix well, then spoon into muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. After they've cooled, place muffins on the birdfeeder tray, or attach twine and hang from tree branches.

	Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.
	Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.
	The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the
	Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001 of Paul C. Barry.
	All Rights Reserved.