BIRD NOTES *nd MEWS. 



Cirrular ^fetter issued Qtuarterlrj brr trjc ttotral ^orietjT for tlje 

 protection of §iros. 



Vol. II.— No. 3.] London : 3, Hanover Square, W. [SEPTEMBER 29, 1906. 



NESTING-BOXES FOR BIRDS. 



HE popularity of Nesting-Boxes 

 for Wild Birds — long in favour 

 in Germany and Switzerland — 

 has so greatly increased in our 

 own country within the last year or two, 

 and the difficulty in obtaining suitable 

 boxes appears to be felt by so many 

 persons who would like to encourage 

 birds to nest in their woods and gardens, 

 that the Royal Society for the Protection 

 of Birds has established a central depot 

 in London, near the Tower Bridge, where 

 boxes of various patterns will be stocked. 

 These will include both English and 

 Continental patterns, suitable for various 

 species of birds, such as the Berlepsch 

 pattern, used in the large bird-colonies 

 on the Baron von Berlepsch's estate, and 

 those made by Mr. Alcock, of Cheadle, 

 Staffs., and advocated by Mr. Masefield.* 

 Between October and February is an 

 excellent period to put up Nesting-Boxes, 

 in order that the birds may become 

 accustomed to the sight of them before 

 pairing-time arrives. A plain pattern 

 will generally be found more successful 

 than a fanciful structure ; and in fixing them 

 the main thing is that they should be fastened, 

 on the trunk or branch of a tree, or on a wall, 

 firmly and securely, so as not to shake with the 

 bird's movements or in a high wind. Birds will 

 have nothing to do with an unstable abode. 

 They should be well out of reach of cats, and 

 Mr. Joseph King recommends a bit of thorny 

 branch tied near the entrance to keep off 

 intruders. Boxes for small birds should not be 

 too high up— from five feet to eight feet above 

 the ground is a good height — and the entrance 

 should not be exposed to the south sun ; an 

 eastern aspect is best. Mr. Meade Waldo 



* For particulars and prices sec pase 4 of cover. 



suggests that an admirable way to attract Tits, 

 Nuthatches, and Wrynecks is to nail a piece of 

 stout bark across the hole, making the opening 

 too small for any bird ; the desirable tenant will 

 chip this away to the size required, but the 

 House-Sparrow will leave it alone. Nuthatches 

 and Wrynecks, however, like a fairly large box, 

 and the former will plaster the hole up until it 

 is exactly the right size. It is very little use to put 

 in any kind of building material ; birds have 

 their own views on such matters, and will pro- 

 bably turn out any " furniture " provided, 

 though Owls and Woodpeckers may not object 

 to a little dry rotten wood. 



The owners of the garden or grounds will of 



