28 OUR NATIVE BIRDS 
ous on the farms, in the towns and parks of southeast- 
ern Minnesota, and I also found them in the wild 
northeast corner of the state, where they flitted about 
among fireweeds and raspberries of the North Shore. 
While they are specially attracted by long-tubed flow- 
ers, they seem to visit nearly all flowers. The gladiolus 
is one of their favorite flowers; a bed of them was 
almost the home of several that I observed last summer. 
I would therefore suggest that these beautiful, showy 
flowers be not omitted from gardens where humming- 
birds are wanted. The little creatures, as far as I 
know, do not suffer from cats and are not encroached 
upon by the English sparrow, although I have seen a 
sparrow shoot at one in midair, probably mistaking it 
for a large insect. 
General Suggestions on Tree Planting for Birds. — In 
the numberless groves which now adorn our prairie 
states, birds are generally numerous and conspicuous 
during spring and early summer, May and June in this re- 
gion, but in July, when the dry season begins and when 
berries begin to ripen in the woods and copses, they dis- 
appear, as if suddenly spirited away. Plant some of the 
species referred to under and around your groves of box- 
elder, cottonwood, soft maple, and willows, and provide 
the birds with one or more bathing and drinking foun- 
tains and many will stay in your groves all summer. 
On city lots, shrubs and vines should be placed along 
fences, and in unsightly corners; they will beautify 
your property and attract the birds. 
Managers of parks and of large private properties 
