ATTRACTING SONG BIRDS 29 



can attract hosts of birds if they have the matter 

 brought to their attention. They generally employ 

 skilled horticulturists, and they can have no difficulty 

 in deciding what to plant. An interesting incident is 

 told by Dr. W. Robert, of the Botanical Garden at 

 Giessen, Germany : " Two ponds were separated by a 

 dam, which served as a walk. This dam was cut out 

 at both ends, thus making an island, which, during the 

 summer time, was inaccessible to cats and bad boys. A 

 few trees were already growing on the dam and all 

 kinds of shrubs and vines, and a few conifers were 

 planted in addition. A few large rocks and a pile of 

 brush for wrens were also added and the bird island 

 was left to itself and to the birds. It was not found 

 necessary to advertise the island in the papers or to put 

 up signs with "Nesting Places for Rent." The very 

 first spring the islet was crowded with nests, and from 

 the island the birds populated the neighboring gar- 

 dens. Every kind of bird that nests at all in the 

 vicinity of Giessen and in such places was found on 

 this island." 



This incident shows how quickly the birds will make 

 use of suitable nesting places. As most of our larger 

 cities have parks with lakes and ponds in them, many 

 of them could maintain such islands without any extra 

 expense. The main point for consideration is that such 

 islands furnish absolute protection against cats. The 

 nests cannot be molested, nor can the young birds be 

 destroyed while they hop about on the ground or sit on 

 low bushes, unable to rise to higher and safer perches. 



