1906.] BIRDS ABOUT OUR FARM HOMES. I97 



be used only where sheltered from the weather, for sun and 

 rain will soon warp and crack them, thus rendering them leaky 

 and unfit for use. Other small boxes may be utilized. Very 

 acceptable bird boxes may be made of hollow limbs. 



For practical utility a nesting box should not only provide 

 the birds with an acceptable nesting site, but it should also 

 furnish them perfect protection from the elements, and should 

 be so made that the interior can be quickly examined and the 

 contents removed, if necessary. The entrance must not face 

 prevailing storms. The box must be so strong that woodpeck- 

 ers cannot easily enlarge the entrance sufficently to allow 

 enemies of the occupants to get in. It must be placed beyond 

 the reach of cats or other night prowlers. All these essentials 

 may be secured without expense by using worn-out or discarded 

 utensils or receptacles. In a few minutes an empty tomato can 

 may be made into a bird box by slitting the tin of the opened 

 end twice and turning down the piece between the slits, thereby 

 making a hole not over an inch wide and high. It can be put 

 up very quickly by placing the bottom of the can against a 

 tree trunk and nailing it there with two ware nails driven 

 diagonally through the edge, or by fastening it to a board or 

 pole, which can be attached to a tree or building. The cover 

 may be kept in place by pinching the mouth of the can a little. 

 This is a practical box for wrens, and it may be used by blue- 

 birds, if the entrance is made larger. When holes are cut 

 through tin, the sharp, edges around the opening should be 

 turned over with a pair of pliers, that the birds may not injure 

 themselves while passing in or out. Rusty or painted tin is the 

 best, for birds seem suspicious of bright surfaces. There should 

 be a few nail holes in the lower side, to allow any water that 

 drives in \o escape. Milk cans, oil cans, tin tea kettles, large 

 tin funnels, flower pots, sections of stovepipe, drain pipe, and 

 various other objects may be utilized, but those are best which, 

 like pails, milk cans, or tea kettles, have removable covers. The 

 cover should also be made to fit rather tightly, that it may not 

 be too easily removed. 



My experience indicates that chickadees prefer a wooden 

 doorway to their tin castle. 



Ornamental bird houses add to the attractiveness of a 

 countr}- home, and may be displayed where old tin cans and 

 cheap bird boxes would be out of place. In building such bird 



