82 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct. 



of bird reserves, realizing that such reserves would have meant 

 money in pocket if the^' had been established years ago. 



The area selected for the jimgle should be well fenced, 

 preferably with heavy netting at the bottom. Dogs, and if 

 possible, cats should be excluded, as well as rabbits. The 

 experience of the western sheepmen who fenced a large section 

 of land to exclude coyotes, should be remembered; after the 

 fence was completed they found they had fenced some covotes 

 in. 



A few clear spaces among the f)lanting are desirable, 

 but the bulk of the ground might be thoroughb.' covered to 

 good advantage. Shrubs arid vines of rapid growth should 

 be introduced even if they are not so desirable for permanent 

 use ■ most essential, however, is the planting of fruit-bearing 

 trees and shrubs, which will be used as food by such species as 

 desire it. 



Almost every kind of tree has some features that are de- 

 sirable from the standpoint of the birds ; for instance, the foliage 

 of basswood is subject to aphis, which makes it very attractive 

 to warblers and other small insect eaters. As supply of insect 

 food of some sort, however, is found on every tree and shrub, 

 in these trees onl)" those that are especially adapted in some 

 wa\- to the purpose of bird encotiragement, arehererecommended. 



^' In the list should be a couple of hemlocks at good distances 

 apart. These trees are the most attractive of all to the cross- 

 bills in winter, hemlock seeds being their favorite food. Six 

 Manitoba maples are recommended because the fruit hangs 

 all winter, and when the rare Evening Grosbeak visits us it 

 is verv fond of it. This tree varies a great deal in its seed pro- 

 ducing qualities, and for that reason six are recommended, 

 but onlv two ought to be left and those two should be selected 

 for their seed bearing qualities. A few mountain ash trees 

 will provide berries for the late fall and winter birds, while 

 mulberries and the native shadbush are needed for summer 

 fruits. 



In an investigation by the U. S. Biological vSurvey, Washing- 

 ton, a verv few years ago, it was found that the berry which 

 was most widely esteemed by the birds was the elder; there- 

 fore it would be well to plant a number of these. Thorn bushes 

 make excellent bird covers and the fruits are used by some 

 birds in the autumn. The native Viburnums, with berries 

 varving from white to black, are also used by the thrushes 

 and other birds. The wild blackberry should be planted 

 for the purpose of making a tangle, which the birds delight 



