758 



Popular Science Monthly 



AIR COOLED CHAMBEP 

 SURROUNDING NESTING CHAMBER 



fifteen feet high, and as much as fifty feet 

 away from a tree or building. To comply 

 with every whim, the house should also be 

 located near some telegraph wires on which 

 the birds can perch and 

 gossip. 



To outwit the martins' 

 great enemy, the Eng- 

 lish sparrow, build the 

 house with two gable 

 rooms which connect in- 

 side in such a way that 

 it is noticeable from the 

 outside. Martins have 

 a custom of sending a 

 scout ahead. He always 

 enters the topmost room 

 first. If spar- 

 rows see him, 

 they will make 

 things so un- 

 pleasant for him 

 that he will not 

 care to return, 

 and the whole 

 martin tribe will 

 travel elsewhere. 

 But if the scout is able to escape through 

 the opposite opening, he will 

 hasten to call together all his 

 followers, and, making a 

 veritable "war drive," they 

 will rout out the sparrows 

 and take possession. 



Fruit growers and 



WALLOP NESTING CHAMBER 

 PREPARED FOR ABSORBING 

 MOISTURE FROM AIR COOLEO 

 CHAMBER 



OPENING DOOR TO 

 NESTING CHAMBER 

 FOR CLEANSING 



poultry men can do no better than to 

 attract martins. They are relentless in 

 their pursuit of hawks, and tireless in 

 cleaning fruit trees. Three-fourths of a 

 martin's diet consists of 

 wasps, bugs and beetles. 

 It will be impossible 

 to discuss all the birds 

 ready to accept invita- 

 tions to make their 

 homes near you, but we 

 cannot pass by that 

 little announcer of 

 spring, the bluebird. 

 Like the robin, phoebe 

 and house wren, Mr. 

 Bluebird is very domes- 

 tic in his habits. He 

 belongs to no clubs and 

 always stays at home 

 evenings. 



Bluebirds usually seek 

 out natural cavities in 

 old apple trees or cran- 

 nies in farm buildings. 

 It is well to bear this in 

 mind when fashioning a 

 Remember the bluebird's 



SCREWS FOR REMOVING 

 OPENING DOOR 



A sanitary bird-house in- 

 vented by Edwin H. Reiber. 

 The nest cannot get over- 

 heated and yet admits no 

 drafts. Note that the perch 

 is on the right of the entrance, 

 since birds are right-handed 



bluebird house. 



love for old weathered wood and do 

 not offend him by offering him 

 a gaudy, freshly-painted, 

 stiff little house which has 

 no history or traditions. 

 Instead, use some old 

 boards that have felt the 

 sun's expansive heat in 

 summer, and the icy sleet 



This lunch counter is always 

 protected from the wind, be- 

 ing pivoted on its support 



Sunflower seeds are the chief attraction at this window 

 cafe. A house finch, gold finch and Oregon junco are the 

 three very hungry and very appreciative patrons shown 



