ATTRACTING BIRDS AROUND THE HOME 239 



waxwing, robin, catbird, fox sparrow, flicker, grosbeak, 

 and bluebird ; and there are a number of others which feed 

 to a lesser extent on wild fruit. The fruits most commonly 

 eaten are those of the elder, mulberry, dogwood, wild cherries, 

 bayberry, and Juneberry. The mulberry is one of the best 

 plants to set out and this serves as a protection to cultivated 

 fruit, as some birds eat the mulberry in preference to culti- 

 vated fruit that may be growing near. 



Domestication of wild birds. Considerable progress has 

 been made in recent years in the domestication of wild birds. 

 The greatest success has been achieved in rearing the mallard 

 duck, bob white, and pheasant. Some strains of the mallard 

 duck have been thoroughly domesticated and the rearing 

 and selling of these birds is coming to be an industry some- 

 what similar to poultry raising. In many states there are 

 game farms on which wild birds are reared. 



SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION 



1. What things must one take into account in building a 

 bird house ? 



2. Which is the best type of house? 



3. How should a house be put out? 



4. How may birds be protected from the cat and from the 

 English sparrow? 



5. Which method of attracting birds will give the greatest 

 pleasure ? 



6. Which is the best way of putting out food for the winter 

 birds ? 



7. What should one consider in making a bird fountain? 



8. What benefit will the birds derive from the things we can 

 do to attract them around our homes ? 



REFERENCES 



Baynes, Wild Bird Guests, E. P. Button Co., New York City. 

 Trafton, Bird Friends, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. Chaps. 

 19-22. 



