BIRDS IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURE 189 



4. The Provision of Other Forms of Food and 

 OF Water 



In some parts of Canada, such as Nova Scotia, the south- 

 ern portions of Ontario and British Columbia, certain species 

 of birds remain throughout the entire winter. In such re- 

 gions it is especially desirable that steps should be taken and 

 provision made for feeding the birds during the winter 

 months, particularly during inclement weather, when they 

 would experience difficulties in obtaining their natural food. 

 Winter feeding is an important part of bird protection and 

 encouragement in such regions, and there are many ways of 

 providing such food. 



The winter food usually comprises animal food, such as 

 suet and other forms of fat, meaty bones and cooked meat, 

 and meal worms. Fat- or oil-containing seeds such as sun- 

 flower-seeds and nuts, and various grains and seeds such 

 as buckwheat, pumpkin and squash seeds, bird-seed, hemp- 

 seed, wheat, millet, cracked corn or oats may be used. 

 Cracked dog-biscuits, crackers, crumbs and bread and 

 chopped apple are all useful. 



These winter foods are usually placed in some form of 

 feeding-device. The feeding-shelter may be small or large, 

 but it should be so constructed as to enable birds to reach 

 the food easily and to feed comfortably during stormy 

 weather; at the same time they should be protected against 

 such enemies as cats. Food-trays partially enclosed by 

 glass sides may be attached to windows, or stand near a 

 window. One of the most useful types of feeding-shelters is 

 the Hessian food-shelter, which contains two trays — a lower 

 unprotected tray and a tray placed under the roof and 

 sheltered by glass sides. Such feeding-devices are easily 

 made, or they can be purchased from dealers in such sup- 

 plies. A simple feeding-device can be made by suspending 

 a cocoanut which has a hole cut in one end; this is very 

 attractive to such birds as tits. 



