144 



NATURE-STUDY 



bowl, filled with water. The water should be renewed daily 

 and the dish frequently cleaned. In the hot, dry weather 

 of summer many birds will come to drink and bathe. It is 

 pleasant to see the birds taking their baths. I have had such 



a drinking and bath- 

 ing basin for several 

 summers, and con- 

 sider it one of the 

 greatest satisfactions 

 I get from my gar- 

 den. Right in the 

 heart of the town 

 the basin is visited 

 by robins, bluejays, 

 grosbeaks, catbirds, 

 orioles, and, of 

 course, numberless 

 sparrows. At one 

 time I counted as 

 many as eighteen 

 house sparrows at 

 the basin at one time. 

 The robins are es- 

 pecially regular visi- 

 tors to it. No other 

 bird seems to bathe as regularly as this one and to enjoy its 

 bath so thoroughly. The basin-stand may be made more 

 attractive by growing plants in a box around the basin, and 

 vines at the foot of the post. Some branches nailed to the 

 post furnish convenient perches and add to the rustic effect. 

 Such a drinking basin should be set up on the school ground, 



FIG. 27. Drinking Trough. 



