NESTING-HOUSES 



23 



ventilation. During the heat of the day, espe- 

 cially if the boxes are not in the shade, the air 

 inside becomes very hot and impure, and doubt- 

 less the young must suffer considerably unless 

 arrangements are made for a change of air. 



In constructing the houses of boards, a narrow 

 slit may be left on each side under the roof. A 

 series of small holes may be bored in the upper 

 part of the hollow limbs or bark houses; nail- 

 holes may be made in the tin receptacles. 



Drainage Holes. It is also well to bore a 

 few small holes somewhere in the bottom of the 

 boxes to allow any water to drain out that may 

 beat into the boxes during storms ; and, of course, 

 there should be no openings left on top by which 

 the water can enter. 



Movable Covers. It is 

 very convenient to have some 

 arrangement by which the 

 houses can be opened for ex- 

 amination if desired. This will 

 allow opportunity for removing 

 the eggs of the English spar- 

 row, and for cleaning out the 

 box at the end of the season. 

 This may be arranged in sev- 

 eral ways. The author has 



BOX WITH SLIDING 

 COVER 



