GARDEX STRUCTURES. 



243 



are somewhat low, bat it gives a commanding appearance 

 to the structure, and affords a good out-look over tlie 

 grounds. The elevated portion may be furnished with 

 seats, and even converted into an arbor by roofing it, as 

 can easily be done by carrying the posts of the upper 

 level to about eight feet high, to support the roof. 



BIRD HOUSES AND OTHER SHELTERS. 



The three bird houses represented in figure 89, are of 

 rustic material, and suitable for placing on poles or in 

 trees. The left hand one consists of a section of a tree 

 trunk, dug or burned out, and capped with a roof turned 

 in a lathe and painted. The centre one is made of bark- 



Fig. 89.— RUSTIC BIRD HOUSES. 



covered slabs. Houses after either of these two patterns, 

 maybe large enough to accommodate two or more families, 

 by partitioning them off into apartments, with an en- 

 trance to each. The right hand cut shows a cluster of 

 four houses, made of sections of branches. These are 

 fitted up to accommodate occupants, by making a cavity 

 in the side large enough for the nest, and to get in and 

 out; afterwards replacing a shell of bark over the cavity 

 to close it, and boring a hole from the end of the block 

 for a door. In mounting these, the sides that are cut 

 into should be placed downwards, to prevent water from 

 entering. Nothing will better encourage the fejlthery 

 songsters to be at home in the garden, than good houses 

 like these and others they may suggest. 



