13 



out in the open and away from cover as a protection from cats. In cities 

 where the trees are well cared for and dead wood is promptly removed, 

 certain species of birds are always hard pressed to find suitable nesting 

 sites. There are at least half a dozen species naturally nesting in hollow 

 limbs, that readily come to bird boxes of various kinds and a number of 

 other birds can be occasionally induced to do so. Suitable boxes are 

 described in some of the books listed on page 16. In many schools where 

 manual training is taught the boys are encouraged to build bird houses. 

 Scope is thus given to their natural inventive genius, and at the same time 

 they become interested in the birds that occupy the houses. 



ORNITHOLOGICAL LITERATURE 



North American ornithological literature is rich and varied, and per- 

 haps no natural science can be studied with such efficient written aids 

 either to beginner or advanced student as that relating to birds. A publi- 

 cation can be found to suit all stages of knowledge and almost any purse. 

 The following list of books on the subject is recommended, the first named 

 being specially suited to the requirements of the beginner. 



Bird Guides, by Chester K. Reed: Part I, Water and Game Birds East of the Rockies 

 (Including the Hawks and Owls) ; Part II, Land Birds East of the Rockies. Doubleday, 

 Page and Co., Garden City, N.Y., price each, $1 in cloth, $1.25 in leather, 



These are small, almost vest-pocket editions in limp bindings, 3i by 5? inches, 

 very convenient for carrying in the pocket in the field. They contain small, easily 

 recognized, coloured illustrations of all the birds in both sexes, and brief descriptions. 



Colour Key, North American Birds, by Frank M. Chapman and Chester K. Reed: 8vo., 

 Doubleday, Page, N.Y., price $2.50. 



Similar in plan to above but more detailed and instructive. 



A Guide to the Birds of New England and Eastern New York, by Ralph Hoffman: 8vo., 

 Houghton, Mifflin and Co., price $1.50. 



A most desirable book: though dealing with an extralimital area it includes most 

 of the birds of eastern Canada. It contains keys for the birds of each season based 

 upon colour, detailed descriptions, also many illustrations in black and white showing 

 specific details, and gives much information of various kinds. 



Birds of Ontario, by Thomas Mcllwraith: 2nd edition, 1894, 8vo., Wm. Briggs, Toronto. 



An annotated list of all the birds known to the writer to occur in Ontario at that 



date, with descriptions and much information regarding habits, etc. Unfortunately 



it is now out of print and can be obtained only through second-hand book dealers 



who make a specialty of ornithological literature. 



Handbook of the Birds of Eastern North America, by Frank M. Chapman: 12mo., D. 

 Appleton & Co., price $3.50. 



This is an almost complete text book on the birds of eastern North America and 

 is invaluable for the advanced student as well as for the beginner. It contains detailed 

 accurate descriptions of all plumages, measurements, and migration dates, and an 

 immense amount of interesting and valuable detail with a most valuable introduction 

 on birds and bird study. As soon as a student is familiar with the rudiments of orni- 

 thology, he should supply himself with this handbook. 



Key to the Birds of North America, by Elliot Coues: 5th edition, 1903, vols. 2, large 8vo., 

 Dana Estes & Co., price $12.50. 



This is perhaps the most generally accepted authority upon American birds. 

 It is primarily intended for the advanced student but it contains a mass of information 

 that can be found nowhere else and is a final court of appeal to the majority of ormi- 

 thologists. 

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