A Plea for the Birds 315 



biers in the South and induce them to remain until 

 late in the spring. 



A bird house in a bald, glaring location will not 

 prove attractive to many varieties of birds. They 

 much prefer dense shrubbery, or at least vines and 

 branches. Suit the bird house to the bird. A 

 wren requires a very tiny entrance and a house built 

 for a wren should not have a doorway that will 

 permit larger birds to enter, or the wren may be 

 driven from her home. 



A unique bird house may be constructed out of a 

 number of cigar boxes. The strips taken from the 

 boxes should be nicked and the other pieces slid 

 into them, and few tacks will be necessary. 



All bird houses should be so constructed that the 

 interior may be examined and cleaned. This is 

 important in order that the rubbish of the previous 

 year may be cleaned out, but in some sections of 

 the country it will be found necessary to disinfect 

 to get rid of the gypsy-moth eggs and cocoons. 



The martin is the only bird which prefers a house 

 standing out in the open, away from trees. The 

 entrance should be in the opposite direction of the 

 prevailing wind and should be sheltered by an 

 overhanging roof or hood over it. 



