THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 



383 



few feet away. Quick motions on the part of the observer 

 should be avoided. If the birds are shy, a lace sash curtain 

 may be put up. They cannot see through this, and may be 

 watched at leisure. 



We have fed the birds in this way for years. A flock of 

 Juncos and Tree Sparrows and two Fox Sparrows remained 

 about our house through the hard winter of 190304. Many 

 Jays came to the trees near by, and some to the windows. 

 Crows came within twenty yards of the house. Myrtle 

 Warblers occasionally came to the windows. Downy Wood- 

 peckers, two species of Nuthatches, Flickers, Creepers, 

 Kinglets, Crossbills, 

 Robins, Grouse, Quail, 

 and Pheasants were seen 

 about the house from time 

 to time. A large dry 

 goods box in which grain 

 and chaff were scattered 

 was set out on the north 

 side of the house. This 

 box was open only on the 

 south side. The Quail 

 and Pheasants soon found 

 it. Then it was moved 

 daily a little nearer the 

 house, until the birds had 

 learned to feed about the 



Winder/ 



Fig. 162. Design fora Sparrow-proof shelf. 

 (From Bird-Lore.) 



door-yard. 1 The presence of so many birds gave a healthy 

 stimulus to observation, and served to break the monotony 

 of winter isolation on the farm. While in the bleaker por- 

 tions of the State it may not be possible to assemble so 

 many, some may be attracted any w here. 



Even our city friends who try this plan need not despair 

 of seeing, now and then, besides the ubiquitous Sparrow, 

 some of the wild birds of field and woodland. In many lo- 



1 It is of the utmost importance to provide food and shelter for Quail in winter. 

 An old box or barrel, a shelter of rails in a fence corner, or a " birds' tepee " of 

 bean poles, any one of which is kept supplied with a little grain, may carry 

 through a severe winter Quail enough to stock a whole township by their increase. 



