314 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



in making the construction of attractive bird-houses a regular 

 part of the course in Avoodwork. Pictures of these houses 

 are shown in the suggestive bulletin by Professor C. F. Hodge, 

 entitled ''Our Birds." 



There is no easier way of enticing birds in sunniier than by 

 putting up boxes or similar arliticial retreats for nests. Blue- 

 birds, wrens, tree-swallows, and martins have come to be so 

 largely dependent upon human thoughtfulness that there need 

 be no apprehension of failure on this score. Almost anything 

 that is hollow and has a hole for an entrance will do. A 

 gourd or a small box made from weather-worn boards hung 

 in a tree or put upon a pole, will satisfy the birds quite as well 

 as more expensive domiciles. A narrow strip of board nailed 

 along the eaves of the stable will offer a desirable nesting-site 

 for cliff-swallows. A shelf beneath an overhanging part of a 

 building is likely to be occupied by a phoebe's nest. Barn- 

 swallows will locate on the rafters of out-buildings if given 

 access. 



Birds may be further favored in the way of procuring 

 material for their nests. In dry seasons such birds as robins, 

 phoebes, and swallows often have to go a long way for mud 

 which forms the framework of their nests. A peck of clay 

 put in an old pan or box, or even spread out in the road, and 

 kept moist by the application of a little water two or three 

 times a day, is of great assistance to them. 



Orioles, kingbirds, and cedar-birds are always glad to come 

 into the yard for yarn put out on the trees or fence for their 

 use. Vireos will come for strips of birch-bark and sometimes 

 for bits of newspaper ; even feathers left on the ground where 

 they may be readily seen are picked up by swallows and used 

 for lining their nests. After one knows what birds' nests are 

 made of, he has only to supply suitable material, — the birds 

 will come. Birds that employ woolly material may be in- 

 duced to construct very gay homes by supplying them with 

 colored worsteds. It would probably be well to cut all strings 



