202 Wild Bird Guests 



Condition of Nest Boxes 



The statement often repeated, that birds 

 prefer boxes whose appearance of newness has 

 disappeared, may be true of the shyer species. 

 From my own experience I am inclined to think 

 that if bluebirds and tree swallows have any 

 preference in this matter, it is for a clean new- 

 looking box. I have repeatedly seen these birds 

 enter and examine new boxes within ten min- 

 utes after they were put up, and then nest in 

 them afterwards. I very much doubt, however, 

 whether the age of the house has much to do with 

 its chances of being occupied by such tenants, 

 for I have known the same box to be used many 

 years in succession when newer boxes were within 

 sight. 



General Situation 



It should be continually borne in mind that 

 nest boxes are for the accommodation of birds 

 that naturally nest in holes in trees. Now, the 

 trunks or branches in which such holes are 

 situated, are usually dead or decayed and not, as 

 a rule, heavily shaded. Therefore, to place a 

 box in a perpetually shaded place like the heart 

 of a leafy tree, would be to place it where birds 

 would be unlikely to use it. As a rule it should 



