PRACTICAL BOOK OF GARDEN ARCHITECTURE 



a more secluded feeding table. Because of their 

 sliy nature, they prefer a spot near the ground. 



Probably the most important provision that we 

 can make for the comfort of birds is to supply them 

 with water for drinking and bathing. Quaint and 

 artistic bird basins should occupy a prominent place 

 in our scheme of garden decoration, yet they are 

 more frequently overlooked than any other decora- 

 tive plan. They need not appear in expensive foun- 

 tain form. It is true that many birds delight in the 

 rush and sparkle of falling water, as supplied by 

 fountain or hose spray, but the majority will find 

 greater pleasure in a quiet basin with sloping sides, 

 in some sheltered spot in the garden. 



Some attractive forms of garden pottery have 

 been constructed especially for birds. Nesting and 

 feeding places will not be sufficient, especially in 

 making provision for winter birds. In times of ice 

 and snow, the birds that stay with us during the 

 winter months may find comfortable shelter and 

 food. Yet they will certainly suffer for want of 

 water if we fail to provide this important need. 

 When our potteries began to turn out unique designs 

 in bird basins, and odd specimens were imported 

 from Florentine villas, where birds are encouraged 

 to gather in great numbers to brighten famous gar- 

 den terraces with their songs and gay plumage, we 



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