246 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



pensed with in the nesting season. Pruning and cutting of 

 shrubbery must not be done in the breeding season, but 

 early in spring and autumn. 



b. Water Supply 



Birds Crave Water. Under average trimmed-up urban 

 or suburban conditions, or even in the typical neat village, 

 land is all carefully drained, and there is apt to be no pool or 

 stream where the birds can drink and bathe. A good water 

 supply in summer is one of the conditions most attractive 

 to birds. The providing of water will often cause numbers 

 of them to locate on the estate to breed, and also attract as 

 visitors many from the general surroundings. 



The Main Requisites. The main requisites in providing 

 water for birds are as follows : The water should be shallow, 

 so that small birds can wade out in it and take their bath 

 in bird fashion. The edges should not be steep, and there 

 should be a gradual slope. It is well if the water is in a 

 retired spot, somewhat sheltered by shrubbery, the sort of 

 place naturally attractive to birds. At the same time shrub- 

 bery or herbage should not be so near the water that con- 

 cealed cats can spring upon the birds. If it is near, keep 

 the cats off. 



Making a Bird Bath. The simplest devices will answer 

 the purpose. Even a shallow dish of water out on the lawn, 

 replenished regularly, is better than nothing, though birds 

 prefer something which appears more natural. A wide 

 flower-pot saucer, or something similar, will answer the 

 purpose. If the affair is quite large, fill in with pebbles 

 and small stones, having some of them project from the 

 water for birds to stand upon. Another method, a step 

 more elaborate, is to dig a slight hollow and make a small 

 shallow cement basin, which can be filled by hand, by hose, 



