I've been an irrigation service technician for 15 years, and have worked on all brands of irrigation systems extensively. As far as the PVC vs Poly debate, I'd expect the Rain Bird guy will use PVC for the main line, which is the line under constant pressure supplying the 7 valves, and Poly line for the zone lines from the valves to the heads. Poly is much easier to plumb and to repair, any leakage is going to be inconsequential. If he does use Poly for the mainline he'll have to install a master valve at the point of connection, which will only pressurize the mainline when the controller calls for a station to run The one thing to look out for when it comes to poly pipe is that it has a NSF rating. NSF.org. Almost all of it does. An NSF rated poly pipe has a warranty of at least 25 yrs. Non NSF poly is a catastrophe in 5-7 years as it becomes brittle and will render your new irrigation system a leaky unusable mess. As far as the difference in materials, they are too close to call quality wise. I like the coverage of the nozzles in the 5004's compared to the Hunter pgp. The spray is more even from the head to the end of the stream. Why is the hunter guy using 7 less heads? The other thing with PVC it will definitely fracture catastrophically under freezing conditions, where the poly will stretch enough to not break. With this being said, comparing apples to apples, and assuming both contractors have good intentions, the RB guy seems the bargain. Again, in my years seeing thousands of systems, 75% of which I did not install, the durability, ease of use, and serviceability of the system are almost entirely dependent on the quality of the install, not on the manufacturer or type of product. Make sure things are done right. Don't be hesitant to walk around and watch. I certainly don't mind answering questions when I'm working and no one should have anything to hide. Remember they are burying something in the ground, and you can't see it, like you can a painter or plumber or carpenter.

Readers Digest Book of North American Birds; ISBN 0895773511; 1990. A Fufous-sided Towhee: Pipilo erythrophthalmus: "Scratching about with one foot at a time, like barnyard poultry, rufous-sided towhees gather their food from the very bosom of the earth. It is little wonder, then, that these active birds used to be called ground robins, especially since their well-hidden nests of stems and leaves are nestled so close to the ground. Today they are named towhees because that is the sound most people hear in their song. But they were once known as chewinks, from the call they make when alarmed. In some parts of the West that call is phonetically transcribed as shrenk, while in others it sounds more like the meowing of catbirds. In sections of the Southeast they unquestionably call Louise! And although their song is translated into English in most parts of the country as "chip towhee" or "drink your tea," the birds seem to drawl it in the South, and are apt to sing chip chup chup zeeeeeee, or just a buzzy zeeeeee, in the West. Their visual field marks too are almost as varied as their vocal ones. Rusous-sided towhees in Florida have white eyes instead of red ones, and those in the West have two white wing bars plus numerous white spots on their wings and backs. But no matter where they live, all rufous-sided towhees come flying in low to the ground with the side patches in their tails looking like white chiffon streamers trailing dramatically behind them."

What's eating the cracked corn? it depends on particle size. Whole grains of corn (shelled) will be eaten by horses, rabbits, squirrels, deer, pigs, goats, and chickens. Cracked corn wll also be eaten all of the above plus animals with smaller gullets such as members of the dove family. sparrows, and cardinal sized birds. Racoons and opposums prefer cracked corn to whole grain. Many birds are attracted to hulled sunflower (sunflower hearts).

I started reading this thread just out of curiosity, and to see if I might learn something new. Susan, please don't misunderstand, but your post made bird feeding sound like rocket science! ;-) I kept reading and saw Stargazzer's comments and that is my philosophy exactly: One thing you need to know is we feed birds for our pleasure. I feed the birds for my pleasure. I hang two feeders, one a large heavy wire cylinder type and the other is a Finch feeder. I buy BOSS for the wire type and Niger (thistle) for the other one. The large one hangs from a tree which is mulched all around, so not killing any grass. If you have Goldfinches in your area be sure you get a feeder that is for Goldfinches. It usually has a yellow top, and the package will show the GFs hanging upside down to feed. (The perch is above the hole.) Again, that is for my pleasure, but also keeps other birds from devouring the expensive Niger. House finches, etc. can't do that little acrobatic stunt. I don't put out any bread or scraps of any kind; that would only attract more grackles and other "bottom feeders.") I don't feed in the Winter, because of my wobbly knees and legs, which could cause a fall in the snow and ice. I attract several kinds of birds including those pesky grackles, which I despise the way most folks despise squirrels. This year I am seeing Red Wing Blackbirds, which I haven't seen before. Very amusing though to see a grackle trying to hang on to the side of the big feeder, with wings flapping. Because I'm in a newly developed area, we don't have squirrels because the trees aren't big enough to attract them I guess. Doesn't stop the birds though. Don't take bird feeding too seriously! Just enjoy! Hang some feeders and see what you get. Fine tune as you go, Sue