500 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



north-east rains may not drive in. A few gimlet lioles in 

 the bottom will allow any water that may come in to escape. 

 Small nests built on the ground may be protected from the 

 north-east storms by nailing a broad shingle to a small stake, 

 and driving the stake into the ground at an angl<> at the 

 north-east side. A little ingenuity willenalile one to devise 

 a shelter for a nest built in a tree. Nests with voung may 

 be rescued from Hoods by fastening them securely in sheltered 

 bushes or trees above the reach of the waters. 



Reports that have come in from all sections of the State 

 lead to the conclusion that large numbers of birds haxc lieen 

 saved from starv^ation during the winter by people ^\ ho have 

 fed them. 



The mortality seems to have been least amongthose familiar 

 species that seek the haliitations of man, thus finding the 

 food exposed for them, and greatest among those like the 

 quail and meadow lark, that have most reason to fear man, 

 and therefore usually keep at a safe distance from human 

 habitations. 



If we can provide birds sufficient food and shelter in winter, 

 there will be comparatively little mortality among them. 

 For chickadees, Avoodpeckers, nuthatches and Jays, suet is 

 commonly put out. This is probably sufficient in ordinar>^ 

 Avinter Aveather, for it supplies heating food, and they can 

 usually secure enough muscle-forming food in their daily 

 search for hibernating insects and insects' eggs. It is prob- 

 able, however, that such food has not been so plentiful as 

 usual during the past winter, and there are some days in 

 every Avinter Avhen snoAv or ice so coA^er the trees that the 

 natural food of these birds can only be obtained Avith great 

 difficulty. If such days happen to be severely cold, there 

 Avill be much suffering among the birds ; therefore, an extra 

 supply of food should be put out at such times. It may be 

 well to have some sheltered under a veranda, or in a box or 

 shed Avhich Avill keep off the Avind. Meat of any kind, either 

 chopped or in shreds, should be provid(Ml where dogs and 

 cats cannot get to it. A little "froUey" by which a box 

 may be run out between a window and a tree is useful for 

 this purpose. 



