22 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



Gourds. It is worth while to buy a package 

 of gourd- vine seeds and plant them where they 

 may be utilized to screen some unsightly objects ; 

 and when the gourds are matured they may be 

 hollowed out and put out for nesting-houses, 

 which may often attract the wren and perhaps 

 some others. 



Clay Houses. In the School of Education 

 of Chicago University the children modeled bird- 

 houses from clay. These were baked a brownish 

 color, and made with concave backs to fit the trees, 

 to which they were fastened by means of wire. 

 One house was provided with a movable concave 

 cover to catch the rain. The overflow from this 

 led to a little cup on the outside, and this in turn 

 connected with a cup on the inside which kept 

 the birds provided with drinking-water. 



There should be only one compartment and 

 one entrance hole for all birds, except the mar- 

 tins, which are the only ones to nest in colonies. 

 If two compartments are made, they will seldom, 

 if ever, both be occupied ; and they lead to fights, 

 and furnish an additional opportunity for the 

 sparrow to become troublesome. 



Ventilation. In addition to the entrance 

 hole, there should also be some openings to allow 



