24 



Kingbird. 



This bird is desirable, as it drives hawks and crows awav in 

 the nesting season. It often nests in apple orchards, and is 

 sometimes attracted by putting out nesting material, such as 

 cotton batting, cotton waste, and cotton strings and yarn about 

 a foot long hung on the branches. Kingbirds eat bees, but 

 catch principally drones, also robber flies which are detrimental 

 to bees. Mrs. Olivia G. Carroll found a kingbird's nest almost 

 completely made of yarn, which she had put out for the accom- 

 modation of the birds. 



Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 



The hummingbirds come readily to deep flowers, columbine, 

 bee balm, gladioli, nasturtiums, etc. They delight in the blooms 

 of the apple and cherry trees. Miss Grace C. White asserts 

 that these birds are extremely fond of tiger lilies. They appear 

 to be fond of red or orange blossoms. Mrs. Doubleday recom- 

 mends painted cup or Indian paintbrush, jewelweed, Oswego 

 tea, scarlet salvia, trumpet creeper, cardinal flower, cannas, 

 scarlet runner, fuchsias and pelargoniums; others recommend 

 the ragged sailor, catnip and caragana. A judicious selection 

 of the plants named above is quite sure to attract hummers. 

 Hummingbirds have fed often from large artificial flowers with 

 small vials of sugar and w^ater concealed in the base of each 

 flower. 



Horned Lark. 

 An interesting handsome winter species, sometimes attracted 

 by millet seed, oats or cracked corn thrown on the ground or 

 snow. 



Blue Jay. 

 The blue jay is quite omnivorous, and will eat meat and 

 suet. Possibly such food provided during the spring would 

 supply the place of the eggs and young of other birds that it is 

 known to take. Acorns, chestnuts and corn are all acceptable, 

 and will attract it, particularly in autumn and winter. Frozen 

 milk is preferred to snow. 



