Reports of Field Agents 



425 



ments will be continued to see if they cannot be utilized for ornamental and 

 other purposes on farms and estates in the East. 



Extensive experiments were also begun with nesting-box work to attract 

 small birds. Bird life is abundant at Amston, and the boxes were well used 

 by Bluebirds, Wrens and Tree Swallows on the farming land, but in the 

 immediate village all too much by English Sparrows. For the useful species, 

 boxes nailed at the top of 2 x 4-inch timbers 6 feet long, these spiked or screwed 

 to fence-posts bordering fields, entirely in the open, were decidedly the favorite 

 locations. Moreover, all these species seemed to prefer boxes with larger 

 entrance-holes than they are supposed to need. Bluebirds chose FUcker-size 

 boxes in preference to those with the 'proper' apertures nearby. This winter 

 certain changes will be made to suit the birds, and many more boxes will be 

 placed on fences, as above, in an effort to see if considerable numbers cannot 

 be attracted, especially the Swallows. 



Experiments are also being started in attracting birds by the planting of 

 natural foods. For land-birds, various trees and shrubs have been set out. In 

 our large lake on the tract, plantings have been made of various Duck-food 

 plants, such as wild celery, wapato, blue duck millet, potamogetons, and other 

 kinds. 



AUDUBON HOUSE, ON THE ASSOCIATION'S BIRD SANCTUARY AT AMSTON, 



CONNECTICUT. 



