Baron Hans von Berlepsch, whose lifetime has been spent in 

 the study of the nesting-habits of European birds, evolved this 

 type of nesting-box, copying as closely as possible the works of 

 the woodpecker architects. These boxes are made from sections 

 of bark-covered logs, the interiors of which have been cut out 

 with a special tool, to a form and size corresponding with the 

 original, pear-shaped nesting-hole of the woodpecker artisans. 

 Entrances are then cut at the proper angle, and of sizes suitable 

 to admit whatever particular species of bird is desired as an occu- 

 pant. This type of nesting-box has been used with phenomenal 

 success in Europe, where many hundred pairs of birds of various 

 species nested in them upon the estate of Baron von Berlepsch, in 

 Germany. These boxes are now manufactured in this country, 

 and we hope that our own native birds will take as kindly to them 

 as have their European cousins. Nesting-boxes of the von Ber- 

 lepsch type require the use of special tools and power machines 

 for their manufacture, and it would be useless for the amateur to 

 attempt to make these by hand. With the possible exception of 

 the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, all our hole-nesting species 

 will use the rectangular box of boards. Ernest Harold Baynes, 

 Meriden, New Hampshire, manufactures the von Berlepsch boxes 

 in quantities, and those who may wish this type of nesting-box 

 may obtain them of him in various sizes. With the exception of 

 the Flicker and the Red-headed Woodpecker, our native species 

 of Woodpeckers still persist in excavating their own dwellings, and 

 have not as yet been induced to occupy these ready-made apart- 

 ments. Dead timber and decayed branches are the building sites 

 of the Woodpeckers. Unfortunately they also harbor both insects 

 and fungus, each a menace to the health of the forest, and the 

 forester is forced to remove these plague spots. Woodpeckers are 

 valuable guardians of the forest, and efforts must be made to re- 

 place the homes thus taken from them, by the offering of a nest- 

 ing-box that they will accept. 



It is not the intention of the author to discourage the manufact- 

 ure and sale of nesting-boxes, but to aid those of moderate means 

 who wish to attract birds, and cannot afford to pay the prices 

 charged by the manufacturer, even though the price be but one 



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