26 



THE BIRDS 



FIG. 19. 



FIG. 20. 



FIG. 19. Flicker's nest and eggs. This is one of the most common of the 

 Woodpecker family, the carpenters of the bird world, excavating their nesting holes 

 in the dead branches and trunks of the trees and ridding the trees of wood borers 

 and other injurious insects. Over 100 local names have been given to this species, of 

 which High-hole, High-holder and Golden- winged Woodpecker are the most common. 



FIG. 20. Bluebird's nest and eggs. Before the advent of man, the Bluebirds 

 and some others were forced to find nesting sites in deserted woodpecker nest holes 

 and natural cavities in the trees and stumps. Now many occupy the boxes put 

 up for them and pay a high rate of rent in insects killed and fed to their families. 

 (Photos by B. S. Bowdish, Secretary, New Jersey Audubon Society.) 



FIG. 21 



FIG. 22. 



FIG. 21. Barn Swallows' nests. The Barn Swallow is a mason, building its 

 home principally of mud, with straws to strengthen it. In the North the swallows 

 live largely on flies, gnats, mosquitoes and other annoying winged insects; in the 

 South they help to keep down the scourge of the cotton boll weevil. 



FIG. 22. Tree Swallow at nesting hole in stump. (Photos by B. S. Bowdish, 

 Secretary, New Jersey Audubon Society.) 



