Of wild animals, Red Squirrels are far the most destructive to young birds and 

 eggs; Chipmunks and Grays are also destructive but not nearly as active or impu- 

 dent as the Reds. Skunks, Foxes and Weasels are smaller factors in the decrease of 

 bird life. 



Birds of prey have but little to do with the question of bird protection for, with 

 a few exceptions, they rarely feed upon other birds, and nearly all of them are of 

 considerable economic value themselves. Jays, Crows and Grackles, by devouring the 

 eggs and young of our smaller birds, are a far greater menace than are the birds of 

 prey, but even these have their work and should be left in the place that Nature in- 

 tended for them; they should, however, be taught to keep away from the neighbor- 

 hood of houses. 



How Can We Attract Birds About Our Homes? Many birds prefer to live in the 

 vicinity of houses, and they soon learn where they are welcome. Keep your premises 

 as free as possible from cats, dogs, and especially English Sparrows, and other birds 

 will come. Robins, Orioles, Kingbirds, Waxwings and a few others will nest in 

 orchard trees, while in dead limbs or bird boxes will be found Bluebirds, Wrens, 

 Swallows, Woodpeckers, Chickadees, etc. 



A house for Purple Martins may contain many apartments; it should be erected 

 in an open space, on a ten or twelve foot pole. Boxes for other birds should have 

 but one compartment, and should be about six by six by eight inches, with a hole 

 at least one and one half inches in diameter in one side; these can be fastened 



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