BIRD BASINS AND FEEDING TABLES 



began to realize that an ornamental lawn feature 

 might be made extremely useful. 



A deep stone crock, or an agate pan, like a deep 

 milk pan, will .not prove a wise choice, although these 

 are sometimes noticed mounted on poles beneath the 

 shade of a tree, with bark-covered exterior or other 

 rustic decoration for the metal vessel. The deep 

 pan may serve its purpose in providing a drinking 

 place if it is kept filled to the brim with water, and 

 the birds stand on the brim to enjoy it. But the 

 majority of the small birds dread the deep water; 

 they prefer a shallow basin where they can wade in 

 and bathe after drinking. A basin with a flaring 

 edge, of about an inch in depth near the rim and 

 several inches deep in the centre, will give pleasure 

 and comfort to birds of various sizes. 



Smooth tin, agateware, and similar vessels with 

 slippery surfaces do not give a satisfactory foot- 

 hold for the bathers and waders. A coat of rough 

 paint will partly overcome the difficulty, and at the 

 same time preserve the metal. But for real use and 

 enjoyment, as well as for decorative value, rough 

 crockery and concrete will furnish the most accept- 

 able basins. 



The old-world type of bird basins, now found on 

 many American country seats, show elaborately 

 carved and ornamented bowls standing on high 



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