FOUNTAINS AND SHRUBS 269 



purpose of ornamentation. Among our vines the 

 Virginia creeper, which is a favorite among the birds, 

 is very attractive because of its decorative effect. 

 Shrubs may be chosen which hold their berries dur- 

 ing the winter, thus furnishing the birds with food 

 when it is especially welcome, and also adding greatly 

 to the winter landscape by their bright and attrac- 

 tive colors. Some of the shrubs which carry their 

 fruit through a part or the whole of the winter are 

 holly, bayberry, mountain-ash, black alder, green- 

 brier, red cedar, sumac, hackberry, bittersweet, 

 and burning bush. 



Reference has already been made in Chapter X 

 to the planting of shrubs and trees to protect cul- 

 tivated fruit. 



Calendar for attracting birds 

 March- April. 



Continue to keep out food as suggested for October-Feb- 

 ruary. 

 Put out nesting-houses. 

 Clean out the old nesting-houses. 



Put a little sawdust in boxes intended for woodpeckers. 

 Set out shrubs to attract birds. 

 May. 



Plant seeds of sunflower and gourds. 



Below the nesting-houses that are occupied fasten around 

 the tree or post a sheet of tin or zinc about eighteen inches 

 wide, to protect the houses from cats. 

 Put out yarn, string, cotton batting, and other nesting- 

 material. 

 June. 



Put out fountains for drinking and bathing. 

 Keep cats shut up. 



