^^^ NATURE NEAR LONDON SH-3K 



away the fallen branches and brown leaves, sweep- 

 ing the plantation as if it were the floor of a ball- 

 room, for it is just the tangle and the wilderness 

 that brings the birds, and they like the disarray. 



If evergreens are wanted, there are the yew, the 

 box, and holly all three well sanctioned by old 

 custom. Thrushes will come for the yew berries, 

 and birds are fond of building in the thick cover 

 of high box hedges. Notwithstanding the prickly 

 leaves, they slip in and out of the holly easily. A 

 few bunches of rushes and sedges, with some 

 weeds and aquatic grasses, allowed to grow about 

 a pond, will presently bring moorhens. Bare 

 stones perhaps concrete will bring nothing. 



If a bough falls into the water; let it stay ; 

 sparrows will perch on it to drink. If a sandy 

 drinking-place can be made for them the number 

 of birds that will come in the course of the day 

 will be surprising. 



Kind-hearted people, when winter is approaching, 

 should have two posts sunk in their grounds, with 

 planks across at the top ; a raised platform with the 

 edges projecting beyond the posts, so that cats can- 

 not climb up, and of course higher than a cat can 

 spring. The crumbs cast out upon this platform 

 would gather crowds of birds ; they will come to 

 feel at home, and in spring time will return to 

 build and sing. 



