76 



leads to the avoidance of spending a considerable lump sum on the 

 " food-house " and " food-bell," although two or three times as much 

 money will be spent on food given without method, and without 

 serving much purpose. 



In conclusion, we may say that, in addition to the feeding appliances 

 described here, very useful feeding-places can be made on balconies 

 and verandahs, in sheds, summer-houses, and refuge huts in woods, 

 which fulfil the requirements mentioned on page 64. It is essential 

 that, in accordance with condition 2, the food should in no way be 

 affected by the weather. A feeding-place of this kind has been 

 arranged in a stable in the wood near the ranger's hut at Seebach, 

 where a long flat manger has been put under a projecting building 

 like a verandah. The popular method of feeding birds at the window 

 is also very useful, if the food is put out quite early before dawn in wet 

 weather, and is frequently inspected during the day, so that the spoiled 

 food can be replaced by a fresh supply. 



Appropriate food-stuffs for winter feeding have already been fre- 

 quently mentioned. I will recapitulate the most important : With 

 the exception of rape seed, hated by all birds living in the open, all 

 seeds can be used. The seeds that contain oil are most to be recom- 

 mended, especially hemp, whole or broken ; it should form at least 

 half of all the foods. 



Great care must be taken with regard to the mixture sold in shops 

 (a mixture of seeds of ah 1 sorts) ; at least half must consist of unbroken 

 hemp seed, and there must be no rape seed. 



The berries of mountain ash and elder make a very good food ; if they 

 are picked at the right time they will keep almost the whole winter. 

 Of other foods, those containing fat should be used in the first place, 

 fat, suet, bacon, scraps of roast meat, etc. During cold weather fat is 

 specially suitable for birds, .as it produces warmth. 



Great care must be exercised in the use of bread and similar foods, 

 which easily decay, turn sour in damp places, and do harm to birds. 



For all birds, insectivorous or graminivorous, " food-stones " or 

 " food-cakes " (see pp. 65, 66, and 72) are the best. They can be given 

 entire or broken up, and the colder the weather the smaller should be 

 the pieces into which they are broken ; they contain all the necessary 

 material, and are very economical and lasting. The wisest plan is 

 to give broken " food-stones," or " food-cakes " mixed with hemp seed- 



