234 SCIENCE OF HOME AND COMMUNITY 



case of houses for the bluebird, which have a hole large 

 enough for the sparrow, the best thing to do is to make the 

 house with a movable cover and remove the sparrow's eggs 

 about once a week. Oftentimes this will drive sparrows 

 away. 



Open houses. Other birds which do not nest in cavities 

 will sometimes build their nests in a box, open on three sides 

 like a porch. (See figure 87.) These houses consist of a floor 

 from 6 to 8 inches square with a roof held up by posts at the 

 corners, or the back may be a solid board, leaving three 

 sides open. Birds which have been known to occupy these 

 houses are the .robin, phoebe, song sparrow, and catbird. 

 These houses should be put up in locations where these 

 birds usually nest. 



All types of houses referred to can be easily made with 

 the simplest tools ; but if one wishes to buy these houses they 

 can be procured from various dealers at prices ranging from 

 50 cents to 2 dollars apiece. 



LABORATORY EXERCISE 25 



Purpose. To study some types of bird houses. 



Apparatus. Collection of types of bird houses showing 

 adaptations to different birds. 



Directions, i. For each house studied notice (a) size, 

 (b) shape, (c) size and location of entrance hole, (d) means of 

 fastening. Make a drawing of each box. 



2. Taking the boxes together as a group, notice the chief 

 differences. Are there any respects in which all agree ? Which 

 do you consider the best house ? Why ? 



HOME PROJECT 26 



Purpose. To make a nesting house to put in your home yard. 



Directions. I . Find out which birds that use nesting boxes 

 are most common around your home, and make a nesting box for 

 them. Look up some bird books so as to find the kind of 



