15 



Phoebe. — Any little open box or shelf, put up under the 

 eaves of a building or under the roof of any open shed or porch, 

 may be used by phcebes (Fig, 

 21). This makes a safe sup- 

 port for their nests which often 

 is appreciated by the bird. 

 Phcebes rarely nest far from 

 water. 



Barn Swallow. — Boxes or 

 shelves similar to those used 

 by phcebes may be placed in 

 barns for the barn swallows, 

 but a little block nailed on a rafter is all they need, or a lath 

 nailed across two rafters so that the ends project. (See Plate 

 VI.) Even two nails driven into a beam or rafter about 2 inches 

 apart, the heads projecting about 2 inches, may be utilized, 

 and will be support enough to keep the nests from falling. 

 When rafters were made of knotty logs or mere poles with the 



Fig. 21. — Phcebea' nest in box. 



Fig. 22. — Devices to keep cats, squirrels, etc., from climbing to bird houses. 



bark removed no such supports were needed, but sawed timbers 

 do not present safe points of attachment for mud-built nests. 

 There should be an opening in every barn for swallows to enter. 

 Cliff or Eaves Swallows. — These require wide eaves and a 

 strip of board or small timber nailed a foot below the junction 

 of the side and roof of the building. Mud does not stick well 

 to paint, hence the need of a supporting ledge. 



