xvi. Introductory Notk. 



as this prevents small dogs and passing cats from alarming the 

 birds ; it also affords shelter to birds when on the gronnd. The 

 house part is of creosoted or " saligniimed " board, with an 

 entrance door at the end. The roof is 3 feet vertically from eaves 

 to pitch ; it is thatched with heather or straw. Nothing makes 

 so good a roofing as these — for they are cool in summer, warm 

 in winter, and offer convenient nesting-places. The outer part 

 has a grass lawn in the middle and a gravel path round ; the 

 flooring of the inner part may be of earth or sand. The open- 

 ing of the front of the house is partly closed by a screen. As 

 many of these as is desired can be built side by side. It is a 

 good thing to have the entrance door where shown, because 

 when anyone enters the birds will not get cornered, but will fly 

 out into the outside. 



