parks and on some large private estates, and should be systemati- 

 cally "thinned out." On many occasions I have seen a gray 

 squirrel racing at top speed along a wall or fence, pursued by sev- 

 eral irate robins, furiously pecking at him, until the chase ended 

 by the squirrel taking refuge in the stone wall or a hole in a tree. 

 Squirrels will also enlarge the entrances to bird houses by gnaw- 

 ing, and render them unfit for use. 



A wide flange of tin or galvanized iron placed around the tree or 

 post on which the nesting-box is fastened, will prevent cats from 

 climbing, and this arrangement will also keep squirrels from 

 ascending to the nest, when the tree stands at a distance from 

 others. On a tree whose branches mingle with its neighbor's, this 

 would not avail, for squirrels travel with ease among the tree- 

 tops, and would leap from an adjoining tree to the one containing 

 the nesting-box, descend and devour its contents at their leisure. 



A galvanized iron plate, threaded for an inch pipe, may be fas- 

 tened to the bottom of the nesting-box. A pipe, twelve or fifteen 

 feet in length, may then be substituted for the light wooden pole ; 

 have its top threaded and the nesting-box firmly screwed on. 

 Two one-quarter inch holes, drilled in the lower end of the pipe 

 about six inches apart, will allow of its being bolted to the fence 

 post, and I guarantee that no feline claws will obtain a foothold 

 upon this iron post of small diameter. Suitable lengths of discarded 

 iron pipe in good condition, may frequently be obtained at a low 

 figure. These will answer the purpose fully as well as new pipe, 

 and any plumber will cut a thread on each to fit the bottom-plate. 

 Another method of fastening is to flatten the end of the pipe on 

 an anvil and drill two holes through it, six inches apart, and fasten 

 the pipe securely to the back of the nesting-box with screws or 

 light bolts. In this manner the box is rigidly secured. 



In order to be successful in securing as tenants our native spe- 

 cies of birds, one must keep a watchful eye upon the nesting- 

 boxes, otherwise they will be pre-empted by English sparrows, 

 starlings and squirrels. Nesting-boxes that are put up and left 

 unwatched during the nesting season, will be as unproductive of 

 results as a farmer' s garden in which the weeds have been allowed 

 to run riot. 

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