U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



609 



Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, Henry W. Henshaw, Chief. 

 September II, 1914. 



D HOW TO BUILD THEM. 



.By JNED DEARBORN. 

 Assistant Bwlogut. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Birds may be gathered about us in all seasons of the year with 

 ease and certainty merely fey offering what they desire. In winter 

 they are often pushed for food, and if we supply this need they will 

 report daily at the lunch counter and help to relieve the tedium 

 of our indoor life. In summer they care less for food provided by 

 their human friends, and other means must be sought to attract them 

 about the home. They appreciate fresh water for bathing and 

 drinking. A shallow pool of varying depth, if only a foot across, 

 becomes on hot days a center of attraction for all the birds in the 

 vicinity, and it may be made with little effort and material; only a 

 small amount of cement is required, or, if that be lacking, a pan with 

 stones in it set in the ground will be equally serviceable. Trees, 

 shrubs, and vines bearing fruit relished by birds are great attractions 

 in their season. 1 



Birds are desirable about premises not only on account of their 

 beauty and song, but because of their economic worth. They are 

 especially useful as insect destroyers during the breeding period, 

 when they .have to work early and late to obtain sufficient food 

 for their nestlings, and their movements at this time are more in- 

 teresting than during any other season. There is, therefore, a double 

 purpose in offering them special nesting facilities. If mud is available, 

 swallows, robins, and phoebes will found and wall their nests with it. 

 If we put out feathers, bits of wool, or twine, a dozen different kinds 

 of birds will make use of them. If we furnish safe retreats in 

 which they can rear their young comfortably, most of them will be 

 occupied. In fact no attraction for summer birds is more effectual 



' See U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1909, pp. 185-196, "Plants Useful to Attract Birds and Protect Fruit," 

 by W. I,. McAtee (Yearbook Separate 504.) 



NOTE. This bulletin is intended to encourage the protection and study of birds; it is suitable for distri- 

 bution in all sections of the United States. 



51982 Bull. 60914 1 



