BIRDS THAT NATURALLY NEST IN 



CAVITIES IN TREES FOR THESE WE SHOULD 



PROVIDE NESTING-BOXES 



NEARLY all of the various species of birds that have recip- 

 rocated the kindness of their human friends by accepting 

 the nesting-boxes prepared for them, originally nested either in 

 the abandoned homes of the woodpecker architects, or in cavities 

 in trees formed from the combined effects of decay and the action 

 of the elements. 



In either instance, the bottom of these cavities is always padded 

 with a soft layer of particles of wood, chips of the woodpecker 

 artisan, or a deposit of decayed wood. All members of the wood- 

 pecker family lay their eggs upon this layer of chips, which slightly 

 hollowed forms a nest, no other material being used. In all 

 nesting-boxes this natural lining of the bottom should be sup- 

 plied, using for the purpose coarse sawdust, or ground cork, to 

 the depth of two inches. This detail is most essential, and 

 should not be overlooked. Woodpeckers will not occupy a 

 nesting-box that lacks this floor covering, the eggs would roll 

 about on the bare floor, and prevent the parent bird from prop- 

 erly covering them during the period of incubation. It is also 

 the opinion of the author, that birds other than woodpeckers, 

 species that use various materials for the construction of a nest, 

 are more readily induced to occupy a nesting-box having this 

 layer of sawdust or cork, than one in which it is lacking. 



A nesting-box, with the correct inside dimensions, and proper 

 size of entrance for each species is given in the appended list. 

 The mechanical construction and the placing of these nesting- 

 boxes in position will be fully described in the chapter entitled, 

 "Nesting-boxes." 



BLUEBIRD: Nesting-box should have the following inside dimensions, 

 floor, 5 by 5 inches; depth, 10 inches; entrance, 1^ inches in diam- 

 eter, with its lower edge 7 inches above the floor. It may be mounted 

 upon a pole; fastened to the side of a barn or other farm building; or 

 to the trunk of a tree standing in the open, and at a height of from 8 to 

 15 feet above the ground, wherever placed. 



[14] 



