HOW TO ENCOURAGE BIRDS TO BREED 



Some forethought is necessary in choosing suitable 

 places for the nesting boxes. A situation must be 

 chosen which provides security against sun, wind, rain, 

 and bird enemies. No exact dimensions are necessary 

 for bird boxes. Anyone of average intelligence will 

 know fairly well, from a study of the birds for which 

 the boxes are intended, what size the nesting boxes 

 ought to be. The most important requirements are 

 the size of the entrance hole, the situation, and the 

 environment. The hole must be sufficiently large to 

 admit the birds comfortably. 



The following directions by Edward Howe Forbush, 

 of the State Department of Agriculture of Massa- 

 chusetts, are clear and concise, and we cannot do 

 better than reproduce them verbatim : — 



i. Let the roof be made tight, and overhang 

 the entrance far enough to carry rain clear and keep 

 the sun from shining in on the young. 



" 2. Do not make the bottom of the box too 

 tight. If any rain drives in, it should run out. 



"3. If the box tips forward a little on the side 

 of the entrance hole when set in place, it will shed 

 rain well. It should never lean backward. 



" 4. Provide a way of opening the box quickly, 

 even if you intend to burn it, and replace it after the 

 first season, as is done sometimes with gourds and 

 shingle or bark boxes. It will be necessary from time 

 to time to open the box for cleaning or for evicting 

 gipsy moths and other pests or vermin. 



5. Make the entrance hole and the box itself 

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