  Slices of Life - Life and death in the backyard  July 5, 2013
Jill Pertler - Columnist , Dysart Reporter   My son found the
first fatality in the grass near the trunk of a spruce tree,
where robins inhabit a nest above. Baby bird lay orange belly up
- dead on impact. We buried him in the garden so he can
fertilize the soil. Rest in peace baby bird.  We found bird
number two in a similar fashion: lying on his back at the base
of a tree. This bird was a starling with feathers not yet
formed. He, too, is resting in peace in the garden.  Happily,
the third baby bird we spotted on the ground this year was not
dead. He was alive and sitting in the middle of the road, which
was not the safest place (ask any dead skunk). When we returned
to check on him minutes later, he'd bird-hopped to the relative
shelter of the grassy lawn. At least in this location a car
wouldn't run him over. Although I realize now cars were probably
the least of the little guy's worries.  Bird four was in the
driveway, looking like a lost bi