THE FROTECTWN OF BIRDS. 373 



better than this. Prof. C. F. Hodge has in three years been 

 able to show an increase of tiiree hundred per cent, in the 

 native bird population of a city block. AVhenever the best 

 methods of attracting and protecting Ijirds become gener- 

 ally known and practised, a general increase of birds, and 

 a consequent great benefit to the farmer, must result. 



METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS. 



He who is about to purchase a farm or a country place 

 may, by keeping in mind the natural features which attract 

 birds, secure a location perfectly adapted to their wants. 

 Such a place should be so situated as to provide shelter 

 from cold, northerly winds and storms. It must be well 

 watered, and shoukl be provided with small patches of 

 coniferous trees, and windbreaks of trees, shrubs, and vines. 

 Large groves of pines or other conifers are not particularly 

 desirable, as they provide nesting places for Crows, Jays, 

 Hawks, and other enemies of small birds. It should have 

 a great diversity of vegetation, including a variety of fruit- 

 bearing plants. A portion of the land should l)e wooded. 

 If there are too many trees, they may be cut in much less 

 time than it takes to grow them ; and those trees, shrubs, 

 and vines that are especially attractive to birds may be left. 

 It is well to leave some dead trees or dead limbs in which 

 the Woodpeckers can breed, for, unless these birds can be 

 induced to nest about the farm, the trees will suffer from 

 many insidious insect foes. 



He who already owns a farm will usually have little diffi- 

 culty in making it a paradise for birds, but he may find 

 it more troubleson)e to protect them from their enemies. 

 Those who have groves of large white oaks are fortunate in- 

 deed, for it takes many years to grow these fine trees. The 

 acorns are sought by birds and squirrels, and the trees sup- 

 port thousands of insects which are eaten by such useful 

 birds as the Blue Jay, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Gros- 

 beak, and Baltimore Oriole. The white or gray birch is 

 another important tree, for many birds feed on insects which 

 infest it in spring, summer, or autumn, and others feed on 

 its seeds in winter. The common gray alder has seeds 



