i8o 



ANIMALS THAT DESTROY INSECTS 



Every means should be taken to attract the above men- 

 tioned birds to our homes. They should be encouraged 

 to nest in our trees and in our barns. We should plant 

 trees that bear berries in the fall, so that the birds may 

 have food for the winter months, when they can find no 

 insects. Bird houses should be built, and, when the sea- 

 son is dry, gourds or small pails containing water should 

 be hung near their nesting places, and food furnished if 



FIG. 106. Simple bird houses. 



necessary. Very comfortable nesting places may be made 

 out of old tin cans that are thrown away. The top of the 

 can may be bent back and nailed to a board or any flat 

 surface (Figure 106, a). Then cut a small hole in the 

 bottom of the can, allowing the tin partly cut out to pro- 

 ject for a resting place. The cans may be grouped, as 

 suggested in Figure 106, b, and held together with a hoop. 

 Two boards may be nailed together for a roof. 



