78 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



it has ever been attempted, but he believes it is 

 worthy of a trial. The plan is to make the nest- 

 ing-houses bird-traps. Arrangements may be made 

 whereby the weight of the bird as it entered 

 would release a catch which would trap the 

 sparrow inside. This could be arranged by having 

 a false bottom suspended about an inch above the 

 true bottom, in such a way that the weight of the 

 bird on this would cause a cover to fall, closing 

 the entrance. 



Another arrangement, which may be more 

 easily made, is to attach a swinging cover to the 

 outside of the house beside the hole, with a long 

 string fastened to the cover by means of which it 

 may be pulled down to close the hole and trap 

 the sparrow. This may be done either at night or 

 at any other time whenever the sparrow is found 

 inside. At first the birds may be cautious of this 

 addition to the box, but they will soon become 

 accustomed to it and enter the box as usual. 



The house should be so arranged that it can 

 easily be taken down and immersed in water, to 

 drown the sparrows. And, indeed, it is well to put 

 up all bird-houses so that they may be easily re- 

 moved. For this purpose the following method is 

 satisfactory : A strip of wood a little longer than 

 the house is attached to its back. At each ex- 

 tremity of this strip is made a narrow slit about 



