Bird Lovers as Landlords 215 



it and found, in addition to the old nest, an 

 addled egg left from the year before, which 

 he decided was the cause of the trouble. He 

 cleaned out the box and the bluebirds began 

 building at once. On the other hand another 

 pair of bluebirds in the same village built their 

 nest in a Berlepsch box over the nest and eggs of 

 a pair of tree swallows who, it would seem, had 

 a better right to it. Ernest Thompson Seton 

 adds the remark: "As a practical detail I have 

 found it worth while to have each nest with a 

 hinge door which would admit of easy inspection 

 without disturbing the inside arrangements." 

 The author's experience coincides with this, and 

 all nest boxes made under his direction are fitted 

 with hinged lids and simple fastenings to facili- 

 tate inspection, and cleaning when necessary. 



Shelves for Phcebes and Robins 



The author has had success in attracting 

 phcebes to the house by putting up shelves for 

 them under the piazza about four to six inches 

 from the roof. At his own home a little shelf 

 made of a bit of board four inches square, sup- 

 ported by a brace, has been occupied by a pair 

 of phcebes for three successive years, two broods 

 being reared each year. 



