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well and erect it 12 to 15 feet above the ground, on a stout 

 pole or iron pipe, in a position twenty or more feet from 

 your buildings and where the tree branches do not reach. 

 To make such a box, take a board 13 inches wide and 20 

 inches long ;this is for the bottom or first floor, and should be 

 at least I inch thick. For sides and ends use a poplar board 

 16 inches wide and I inch thick. Cut off two 13-inch 

 sections for the ends, and two pieces 21i inches long for 

 the sides. With a rule and pencil, divide these two side 

 pieces off in three equal sections each; then draw a line full 

 length the board, through the middle; make an opening 2J 

 inches square, centrally in each of the six sections, 2 inches 

 from the bottom edge, for the first story, and li inches 

 above the middle line for the second story. This gives 

 openings for six nesting rooms in each of the two sides. 

 Now nail the end pieces to the bottom board, and then add 

 the side pieces, and the box is ready to receive the partitions, 

 second floor and top ceiling— all of which can be made of 

 pine box-stuff | inch thick. This completes the inside up 

 to the 'square. ' Now cut four triangular pieces for gables 

 and roof supports, nailing two of them on top of the end 

 pieces and two directly over the partitions. This leaves a 

 space in each gable end which can be utilized by the birds if 

 a round hole 2\ inches in diameter is cut for an entrance. 

 Nail the roof boards on, leaving the eaves and ends to pro- 

 ject about an inch, put a perch beneath each opening, or a 

 strip lh inches wide full length of the box beneath each row 

 of doors. Add ornaments on each end of roof, and a little 

 piece of wood representing a chimney in the middle. 

 Paint the body of the box white and the roof a slate color. 

 Four short angle-irons, with holes for screws or nails, and 

 made of old buggy tire at the blacksmith shop will serve as 

 the safest means of fastening the box to the pole. Wooden 

 braces or supports of any kind reaching from the pole to the 

 edge of the box should be avoided, if you wish to deprive 

 your neighbors' cats of an occasional feast on Martin flesh. 

 The tools necessary for constructing this box are ordinary 

 carpenters' saw and hammer, a brace and | inch bit for 



