ENCOURAGING THE PRESENCE OF BIRDS. 



307 



are many native shrubs and trees that are decorative and at 

 the same time attractive to birds. More important than sum- 

 mer food is a good site for a nest, and by providing nesting- 

 places birds that care little or nothing for fruit will be 

 attracted. 



It is well known that certain birds usually select a particu- 

 lar kind of tree for their nests. For instance, goldfinches 

 breed in maples oftener than in all other trees put together ; 

 so does the warbling vireo. Baltimore orioles prefer elms. 



A RETREAT FOR WINTER BIRDS, 



Brown thrashers select thorny shrubs. Many birds are not 

 particular so long as they have a good cover. 



Between food and nest habits, he who would plant trees 

 can select such varieties as to fill his grounds with beauty and 

 song. Let him set a few maples. Vireos will peer and sing 

 in them all summer long, and very often leave their pendent 

 nests as a reminder of summer days, when the branches are 

 bare and cold winds go moaning through them. Goldfinches 

 are sure to come in August. Robins and cedar-birds fre- 

 quently reside there, and when the pine-finch comes down 



