A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE 

 DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS 



Official Organ of the Aud 



Vol. XII September— October, 1910 No. 5 



Notes on Attracting Birds 



By JOHN C. PHILLIPS. Wenham, Mass. 



With photographs by the author 



I'^HK winter of iqoq-io was rather remarkable for scarcity of winter 

 birds, at least in eastern Massachusetts. During the last of October, 

 igoQ, one of the Berlepsch food-bells was placed in position in a low 

 growth of pitch-pine, about five feet above ground, filled with hemp-seed and 

 hung with strips of beef suet. Three weeks later, Chickadees began to feed 

 from the automatically regulated food-trough, and continued to do so in in- 

 creasing numbers till early spring. No suet was used on the bell after the birds 

 learned the trick of finding the seed. Before any other feeding-place was 

 started, the reservoir was emptied by the birds about every five or six days. 

 It is difficult to estimate the numbers which fed there, but, roughly, it might 

 have been between fifty and seventy. Suet was hung near by and kept fresh. 

 The spot also attracted Kinglets, Juncos, and Downy Woodpeckers; and, as 

 a certain amount of seed was continually thrown out onto the ground (in 

 process of the birds' feeding). Ring-necked Pheasants found it a profitable 

 place to visit. 



In a high pine grove about a third of a mile away, another food-bell was 

 hung at a later date. This has been systematically 'worked' by a pair of gray 

 squirrels, apparently mostly in mischief, as the seed lies on the ground. They 

 have sometimes emptied the reservoir in a day and a half. This experience 

 presents an unlooked-for drawback in the ap|)lication (^f the bell. How serious 

 this would be, only time can show. 



One of the Hessian food-houses, pictured and described on page 71 of the 

 manual "How to Attract and Protect Wild Birds" (National Association of 

 Audubon Societies), was put in operation early in January. Built by the local 

 carpenter, painted, and fitted complete, with glass, it cost twelve dollars. 

 Several might be built for slightly less. This house will last a long time. It 

 combines accessible food with shelter; and also provides possible nesting-sites. 

 If properly "brushed" up, it keeps the ground under it free from snow, forming 

 a protected spot for the ground feeders. This seems to be avoided by the Crows, 

 which are the bane of all those who attempt to feed the game birds. 



