392 



USEFUL BIRDS. 



and less likely to be caught by cats, Crows, or snakes than 

 they would be if reared in a box from which they could get 

 out before they were fully fledged. 



For practical utility a nesting box should not only provide 

 the birds with an acceptable nesting site, but it should also 

 furnish them perfect protection from the elements and their 

 larger enemies, and should be so made 

 that the interior can be quickly examined 

 and the contents removed, if necessary. 

 The roof or cover should be hinged or 

 made to take off, so that if any young 

 bird fails to get out it may be liber- 

 ated ; while if undesirable tenants, such 

 as mice, Sparrows, or squirrels, get in, 

 they may be ousted. The box is much 

 more satisfactory as a protective device 

 if made so strong that neither Wood- 

 peckers nor squirrels can easily enlarge 

 the entrance sufficiently to allow ene- 

 mies of the occupants to get in. All 

 these essentials may be secured without 

 expense by using worn-out or discarded 

 utensils or receptacles. 



An empty tomato can may in a few 

 minutes be made into a nesting box by 

 slitting the tin of the opened end twice 

 and turning down the piece between the slits, thereby mak- 

 ing a hole not over an inch wide and high. It can be put up 

 very quickly by placing the bottom of the can against a tree 

 trunk and nailing it there with two wire nails driven diago- 

 nally through the edge, or by fastening it to a piece of board 

 or a pole, which can be attached to a tree or building. The 

 cover may be kept in place by pinching the mouth of the can 

 a little. The tomato can box is shown in Plate XLVIII. 

 This is a practical box for Wrens, and it may be used by 

 Bluebirds if the entrance is made larger. 



When holes are cut through tin, the sharp edges round the 

 opening should be turned over with a pair of pliers, that the 

 birds may not injure themselves in going in or out. Rusty 



Fig. 167. -Shingle box, 

 lor Bluebirds. 



