8 



8. Fix nesting boxes on buildings or on poles rather than on 

 trees, and make them inaccessible to cats, squirrels, mice, rats 

 and snakes. 



9. Where it seems best to put them in trees, choose isolated 

 trees which can be protected against cats, squirrels, weasels, etc. 



10. Ordinarily ventilation is unnecessary if the entrance is 

 near the top of the box as it should be, but in very hot sum- 

 mers young birds are believed to have died of heat in unshaded 

 boxes mounted on poles. Ventilation may be provided by bor- 

 ing 4 half-inch holes in the sides of the box near the top and 

 filling them with corks which may be removed in extremely hot 

 weather. 



11. It is best to clean out the boxes each autumn, burning 

 the old nesting material to destroy dirt and vermin, and putting 

 in a little chaff, dry grass or coarse sawdust as a foundation for 

 a new nest. 



A few practical details in regard to carrying out some of the 

 above rules should be noted. 



If the roof of a nesting box, made of wood, is horizontal, the 

 water will stand on it, and even if painted it will warp some- 

 what in drying unless heavily coated with good roof paint, or 

 covered with zinc, some good roofing felt or other waterproof 

 material. It is well to have a crosspiece nailed (with clinch 

 nails) across the grain on the under side to prevent warping and 

 splitting. If the top slopes downward at an angle of 45° or less 

 and is well painted, the water will run off so fast that the roof 

 will not warp much. 



Top, side or front of the box may be hinged to open as a 

 door, or fixed to fasten by means of nails, easily removed, slid 

 loosely into sockets bored for them. White pine from | to | of 

 an inch thick is the best lumber. Cedar and cypress are dur- 

 able. Grocery or drygoods boxes may be used. 



Hollow Limb Nesting Box. 

 As the hollow trunk or limb, or the abandoned woodpecker's 

 nest, is the usual domicile chosen by the hole-nesting birds, it 

 is natural to conclude that they will prefer something closely 

 resembling nature's accommodations. For this purpose a sec- 

 tion of a tree, containing an old nest of a woodpecker may be 



