28 OUR NATIVE BIRDS 



ous on the farms, in the towns and parks of southeast- 

 ern Minnesota, and I also found them in the wild 

 northeast corner of the state, where they flitted about 

 among fireweeds and raspberries of the North Shore. 

 While they are specially attracted by long-tubed flow- 

 ers, they seem to visit nearly all flowers. The gladiolus 

 is one of their favorite flowers; a bed of them was 

 almost the home of several that I observed last summer. 

 I would therefore suggest that these beautiful, showy 

 flowers be not omitted from gardens where humming- 

 birds are wanted. The little creatures, as far as I 

 know, do not suffer from cats and are not encroached 

 upon by the English sparrow, although I have seen a 

 sparrow shoot at one in midair, probably mistaking it 

 for a large insect. 



General Suggestions on Tree Planting for Birds. In 

 the numberless groves which now adorn our prairie 

 states, birds are generally numerous and conspicuous 

 during spring and early summer, May and June in this re- 

 gion, but in July, when the dry season begins and when 

 berries begin to ripen in the woods and copses, they dis- 

 appear, as if suddenly spirited away. Plant some of the 

 species referred to under and around your groves of box- 

 elder, cottonwood, soft maple, and willows, and provide 

 the birds with one or more bathing and drinking foun- 

 tains and many will stay in your groves all summer. 



On city lots, shrubs and vines should be placed along 

 fences, and in unsightly corners ; they will beautify 

 your property and attract the birds. 



Managers of parks and of large private properties 



