The Bulletin. 27 



People living in towns, unfortunately, do not have the pleasure 

 of the Bluebird's company as much as in former years. This is due 

 to the inroads of the English Sparrow. My observation has been that 

 in a fair fight the Bluebird can hold its own with the doughty little 

 Britishers, but nevertheless, sooner or later, the latter usually be- 

 come masters of the situation, and the Bluebird retires to the more 

 peaceful environment of the open country. 



So far as is generally known, the Bluebird does not steal fruit 

 or eat the crops of the farmer. Its vegetable food consists of the 

 berries of the poison ivy, cedar, and such other vines and trees as 

 provide food for birds during the winter. I have seen it eat mistletoe 

 berries. In the Bureau of Biological Survey at Washington the con- 

 tents of 300 Bluebirds' stomachs showed that 76 per cent of their food 

 for the entire year consisted of insects and their allies; 28 per cent of 

 their food was beetles of various kinds. The bird is a great destroyer 

 of grasshoppers, and during August and September 60 per cent of its 

 diet is of this character. The Bluebird appears to be popular and 

 beneficial wherever found, and should be encouraged at all times to 

 dwell on the farm. 



HOW TO ATTRACT BIRDS. 



Much may be done with a very little trouble to induce many 

 species of wild birds to come about the house. A short observation is 

 sufficient to demonstrate the facts relative to what birds really re- 

 quire if they are to stay about you. The conditions plainly necessary 

 are: First, food; second, reasonable security from enemies; third, 

 suitable nesting places. Much food may be provided about a farm by 

 simply letting Nature have her own way to a degree. Do not cut 

 down all the wild cherry trees ; leave a few for the birds. Let some 

 blackberries grow here and there. If a haw or sumac is growing 

 near the house do not remove it. Plant a few sunflowers in the corner 

 of the garden or along the edge of the field ; they will take up little 

 space and yield abundant food for the chickadee, goldfinch, titmouse, 

 nuthatch, and cardinal. In winter a little beef or sheep fat tied to 

 the limb of a tree will be deeply appreciated by the Downy Wood- 

 pecker and Titmouse. A little broken refuse grain and chaff in 

 winter will likewise furnish comfort to the snowbirds and various 

 native sparrows, if it is thrown out where they can get it. 



Birds do not care to remain long about- a house if there is grave 

 danger from enemies. The most terrible of all destructive agencies 

 to the average farmland bird is the domestic cat. This creature 

 pounces with great frequency on the birds while they are feeding 

 or hopping along the ground ; it catches innumerable young shortly 

 after they have left 'the nest and are as yet unable to fly ; it eats the 

 little ones in the nest or catches the old one as she broods by night. 



