Making Grounds Attractive to Birds 391 





R. E. Horsey 

 FIG. 243. A robin in a bird bath. 



occupy, sheltered feed- 

 ing places can be pro- 

 vided and stocked with 

 food in winter, and 

 water supplied in dry 

 seasons. A fountain 

 with a shallow bowl 

 where birds may drink 

 and bathe will attract 

 a great many, which 

 may then be watched 

 while they are having a good time. However, none of 

 these things will be of much use if the birds are allowed 

 to be killed by cats or driven off by English sparrows. 

 Families that are unwilling to dispense with cats some- 

 times provide them with collar and bell to give the birds 

 warning of the enemy's approach. 



Planting trees and shrubs for birds. Where room 

 permits, grounds may be beautified and at the same 

 time made more attractive to birds by planting a variety 

 of trees, shrubs, and vines. Smoothly trimmed hedges 

 and stiff trees of a formal garden are not so attractive 

 to them as untrained bushes and tangled thickets. 

 Seclusion from real or imaginary foes, protection from 

 wind and storm, as well as a supply of food and water, 

 are advantages the birds derive from trees and shrubbery 

 of the right sort. 



The choice of the trees and shrubs to be planted 

 must be determined partly by the climate. There are 

 wild plants in every part of America whose fruit is relished 

 by birds as much as is the fruit of cultivated varieties. 



