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corner for a place in which to build, and the robins and chipping- 

 sparrows explore every tree in the old orchard. 



If the birds want to live with us, we should encourage them. The 

 first thing to do is to let them alone. Let them be as free from 

 danger and fear as you or I. Take the hammer off the old gun, give 

 pussy so much to eat that she will not care to hunt for birds, and keep 

 away the boys who steal eggs and who carry sling-shots and throw 

 stones. Plant trees and bushes about the borders of the place, and 

 let some of them, at least, grow into tangles; then, even in the back 

 yard, the wary cat-bird may make its home. We once told you how 

 to make a garden (" The Children's Garden," Leaflet No. 4) ; in this 

 garden we will now put the birds ! 



P'or some kinds of birds we can build houses. Some of the many 

 forms which can be used are shown in the pictures. Any ingenious 

 boy can suggest a dozen other patterns. Although birds may not 

 appreciate architecture, it is well to make the houses neat and tasty 

 by taking pains to have the proportions right. The floor space in 

 each compartment should be not less than five by six inches, and six 

 by six or six by eight may be better. By cutting the boards in 

 multiples of these numbers, one can easily make a house with several 

 compartments ; for there are some birds, as martins, tree swallows and 

 pigeons that like to live in families or colonies. The size of the door- 

 way is important. It should be just large enough to admit the bird. 

 A larger opening not only looks bad, but it exposes the inhabitants to 

 danger of cats and other enemies. Birds which build in houses, aside 

 from doves and pigeons, are bluebirds, wrens, tree swallows, martins, 

 and sometimes the chickadee. For the wren and chickadee the 

 opening should be an inch-and-a-half auger hole, and for the others 

 it should be two inches. Only one opening should be provided for 

 each house or compartment. A perch or doorstep should be provided 

 just below each door. It is here that the birds often stop to arrange 

 their toilets ; and when the mistress is busy with domestic affairs 

 indoors the male-bird often sits outside and entertains her with the 

 latest neighborhood gossip. These houses should be placed on poles or 

 on buildings in somewhat secluded places. Martins and tree-swallows 

 like to build their nest 25 feet or more above the ground, but the other 

 birds usually prefer an elevation less than 1 2 feet. Newly made houses, 

 and particularly newly painted ones, do not often attract the birds. 



