22 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



Gourds, — It is worth while to buy a package 

 of gourd-vine seeds and plant them where they 

 may be utilized to screen some unsightly objects ; 

 and when the gourds are matured they may be 

 hollowed out and put out for nesting-houses, 

 which may often attract the wren and perhaps 

 some others. 



Clay Houses, — In the School of Education 

 of Chicago University the children modeled bird- 

 houses from clay. These were baked a brownish 

 color, and made with concave backs to fit the trees, 

 to which they were fastened by means of wire. 

 One house was provided with a movable concave 

 cover to catch the rain. The overflow from this 

 led to a little cup on the outside, and this in turn 

 connected with a cup on the inside which kept 

 the birds provided with drinking-water. 



There should be only one compartment and 

 one entrance hole for all birds, except the mar- 

 tins, which are the only ones to nest in colonies. 

 If two compartments are made, they will seldom, 

 if ever, both be occupied ; and they lead to fights, 

 and furnish an additional opportunity for the 

 sparrow to become troublesome. 



Ventilation, — In addition to the entrance 

 hole, there should also be some openings to allow 



