BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



tion were ideal. But that hair! It was ex- 

 amined by no less than three pairs of Wrens. 

 They seemed to consult among themselves 

 about it and then they went away. Evidently 

 the birds took these houses that contained the 

 hair to be the haunt of some little animal of 

 uncertain character and were afraid to occupy 

 them. So we learned that if birds wish to use 

 hair off any animal they prefer to carry it in 

 themselves. They know then that the owner 

 of the hair is not coming back to claim the 

 house and perhaps devour their offspring. 



If the property where the birds are being 

 provided for has not an abundance of trees and 

 bushes of all sorts, where the Robins would be 

 sure to find proper branch formations for their 

 nests, shelves could be put up for them. Our 

 experience has been that they prefer proper 

 branch formations, of which there are an 

 abundance here. If shelves are made they 

 should be at least six inches wide, and if placed 

 under the edge of a roof they should not be too 

 close to it. If they have roofs of their own it 

 is important to make these high enough, for 

 when feeding the nestlings the birds stand on 

 the edge of the nest and sometimes have the 

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