BIRD PROTECTION 



393 



Bird Houses. -- Many birds make their homes in hollows in 

 trees, fence posts, and similar places. Where no nesting sites 

 of this kind occur, houses should be made and put up to attract 

 those birds that otherwise would seek homes elsewhere. 



Bird houses should be made of rough, weathered lumber and 

 should not be painted. They may be covered with bark, but 

 care must be taken to have the bark tightly fastened to the 

 boards, or it will furnish excellent homes for insect pests. Lum- 



FIG. 266. Clay bird houses. (Photo, by Hegner.) 



ber with the bark left on is extremely useful and makes houses 

 of the best type. 



A section of the hollow limb of a tree makes a home most 

 nearly like that which the bird naturally uses. This section 

 should be plugged at both ends and an entrance made in the side. 

 When a hollow limb is not obtainable, a limb may be bored out. 

 Where pottery is taught, excellent houses of clay may be made 

 which will serve admirably for wrens (Fig. 266). 



The position of the house is important and should be con- 

 sidered for each bird. The boxes must be well fastened in a 

 sheltered position, shielded both from the sun and from too close 

 observation. The natural enemies must also be considered, 



