846 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



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demonstration was it that the imperial government fol- 

 lowed his example for the protection of the national 

 forests. 



But it is not from insects alone that our forest trees 

 suffer. In some parts of the country rabbits and other 

 small rodents have increased so alarmingly at times that 

 during the winter months when other food was scarce 

 they have done thousands of dollars damage by eating 

 the bark and girdling the young trees. The field mouse 

 (Microtus pennsykvuicus), which is perhaps the most 

 destructive of the smaller rodents, has from six to eight 

 young in a litter and from four to si.x litters a year. If 

 left uncontrolled, the offspring of a single pair at the end 

 cf five years would number nearly a million individuals. 

 Occasionally this does happen and we have the so-called 

 "plagues of voles" or mice which overrun everything, 

 and when they have consumed all the available food in 

 one region they migrate to another. These plagues do 

 not usually endure long, one of the chief reasons being 

 that they are always followed by flights of owls or hawks 

 which prey upon them. 



It is true that one species of owl, the great-homed owl, 

 and three species of hawks, the sharp-shinned. Cooper's 

 and goshawk, do sometimes menace our feathered game 

 and occasionally make a raid upon the poultry yard. 

 These species have been passed upon as more harmful 

 than beneficial, but all the rest of the hawks and owls 

 which are shot indiscriminately are not only important 

 but necessary aids to the Forester, particularly whert 

 efforts are being made to reclaim waste lands. 



We now have adequate laws for the protection of our 

 insectivorous birds and those for the protection of 

 rodent-eating birds are beginning to follow. Owing to 

 these measures, our avian population in the course of 

 time will show a large increase, but, in the meantime, bird 

 lovers and those who have interests at stake either in 

 gardens, shade trees or forests, will be willing to expend 

 a little effort toward encouraging our birds toward im- 

 mediate increase. Usually with ' but small effort the 

 number of birds about one's grounds can be increased 

 manyfold. In succeeding numbers of this magazine 

 articles will appear showing what may be done during 

 the different seasons of the year toward attracting, in- 

 creasing and taming the wild birds about one's home. 



one's garden or one's forest. The first of these on "Bird 

 Fountains" appears in this number. 



BIRD FOUNTAINS 



NOTHING exerts a stronger attraction upon birds 

 in hot weather than an abundant supply of fresh 

 water. Durirg the dry months of August and 

 September the birds practically desert the dry uplands 

 for the borders of streams or springs, where they can be 

 sure of finding water for drinking and bathing. For this 

 reason the home that has no natural pool or spring nearby 

 must expect to have but few birds during this dry sea- 

 son unless some effort is made to supply the necessity. 



Perhaps the most attractive bird pool, or fountain, is 

 that constructed in the form of a rockery in the garden 

 with ferns and wild flowers planted about it. The con- 

 crete basin can either be sunk in the ground or raised 

 on a pedestal. If the former, one should make sure 

 that there are no lurking places in the proximity where 

 cats or other enemies can lie in wait to spring upon the 

 birds while they are helpless with soaking feathers. 



Other kinds of bird fountains are those made in the 

 form of large pottery saucers raised above the reach of 

 marauding cats, or a still simpler arrangement, which, 

 although less attractive, serves the purpose just as well, 

 is a shallow pan or tray sunk in the ground or placed in 

 any convenient place frequented by the birds. 



Whatever type of fountain is selected, a few points 

 should be adhered to. The bottom and sides should be 

 rough so that the birds will not slip upon entering the 

 water, for if they slip once they will never return. Sec- 

 ondly, the water should not be more than a half-inch 

 in depth where the birds are expected to enter. They will 

 often wade in deeper, but the bottom should slope or 

 fiat stones should be so arranged that the birds can enter 

 at this depth. And thirdly, the water should be re- 

 freshed as often as it evaporates or becomes stale. If 

 feasible, the pool should be connected with the water 

 supply or the drain from the ice-box, a labor-saving 

 device which at the same time makes the pool more at- 

 tractive to the birds. 



These simple arrangements and sure protection from 

 skulking enemies will serve to attract many birds about 

 the garden where they will more than repay for the effort 

 expended by the insects they will destroy, not to men- 

 tion their cheery calls and interesting ways. 



