CHAPTER V 



PLANTING TREES, SHRUBS, AND VINES 



FOR one who owns a farm, or a place with fair- 

 sized grounds, on which he expects to live for a 

 number of years, perhaps no greater returns in 

 bird-life will be given than from a proper plant- 

 ing of trees, shrubs, and vines. A treeless and 

 shrubless locality means a more or less birdless 

 locality. These are essential to furnish nesting- 

 sites and shelter for most of our common birds. 

 These plantings may serve a threefold purpose 

 to furnish shelter, nesting-sites, and food for the 

 birds in addition to serving their purpose of 

 ornamentation. 



Plants for Shelter. While all trees furnish 

 some shelter for birds, the coniferous trees are 

 specially valuable for this purpose on account of 

 the retention of their foliage during the cold 

 months, which furnishes some protection against 

 the winter storms, and serves as a favorite roost- 

 ing-place during the long cold nights. Wind- 

 breaks of any kind of trees may also serve as 

 shelter. And the smaller plants, too, such as 



