PRACTICAL BOOK OF GARDEN ARCHITECTURE 



fidence when the birds are contemplating building 

 in the homes provided for them. When a stout nail 

 keg, or a similar receptacle, is chosen because of its 

 durability, the thatched roof is easily applied in 

 conical fashion, being brought to a sharp apex, which 

 is securely wrapped with rope to make it rain-proof. 

 The keg may be divided into two or four distinct 

 rooms before arranging the roof and platform. The 

 end of the keg from which the head has been re- 

 moved is turned downward on the platform, which 

 mounts the top of the post supporting the house. 

 The other end, with the original "head" still fas- 

 tened securely in place, will receive the upright stakes 

 that hold the thatch in place. The head which was re- 

 moved when the nail keg was opened can be enlarged 

 slightly to make this circular partition fit into the 

 centre of the keg, where it is nailed to form the 

 floor of the upper apartment, and the ceiling of the 

 one below. When the keg is sufficiently large to form 

 four apartments, both the upper and the lower rooms 

 are divided in the centre by upright boards. The 

 entrances to these different apartments should be 

 on opposite sides of the keg and should be large to 

 admit plenty of light and air, as the overhanging 

 eaves of thatch will keep the house dry. 



For the two-story homes, the roof thatching 

 should be kept up near the top of the keg, with the 



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