76 



Bird - Lore 



The Hessian food-house has done good work. The birds fed there regularly 

 and used the place in severe weather. They still, however, used the food-bells. 



Beginning March i, the forceps were used to clean out the nesting-boxes. 

 In a considerable number, white-footed mice (Peromyscus) were found living 

 in great comfort and security, e\'en as high as thirty-five feet above ground. 

 Their nests were found in many more. The mice and red squirrels have done 

 a good deal of damage about the box openings. Where the gnawing was exten- 

 sive, it was repaired with tin. A number of new boxes were placed in position 



THE BERLEPSCH EOOU-BELL 



at this time, the inside of the apertures on all of them being carefully fitted 

 with tin. 



It must be confessed that gypsy-moth egg-clusters were found in a number 

 of the boxes, and were probably present in many of the small ones, where they 

 could not be seen. They afford shelter for these pests. I have had corks pre- 

 pared to fit the different boxes, and intend to try stopping the apertures before 

 the moths begin to fly. This will also, I hope, discourage the squirrels and 

 mice. 



Three of the large boxes (size D) had been occupied by Owls, and in one 



