85 



elder berries, mountain-ash berries, sunflower seeds, and other seeds. 

 Feeding apparatus should be inspected, " food-bells," " food-houses," 

 " food-stones " should be ordered, so that everything is ready and in 

 order at the right time. The " food-house " and "food-stones" and cakes 

 can be made at home by the help of the instructions on pp. 65 and 69. 



NOVEMBER is the most suitable time for hanging up the nesting- 

 boxes. As all birds which nest in holes spend the night in holes, not 

 only during their breeding time but during the whole year, the boxes 

 hung up now are of use in winter. The birds which winter here become 

 accustomed to the place they are to occupy in spring. (See p. 42 for 

 further details.) 



Winter feeding should now be begun, gradually, so that if the cold 

 comes suddenly the birds will find food ready for them. The birds 

 are not to have enough to satisfy them ; they are only to get accustomed 

 to the feeding-places, so that in case of sudden need they know where 

 to find them. 



The best way is to give them the economical " food-stones " or cakes 

 at first. During normal weather these should be given alone, and other 

 food, especially hemp-seed (p. 76), should not be given till it turns cold. 



DECEMBER. Nesting-boxes may be hung up in December, in fact, 

 during the whole winter. The directions for October and November 

 hold good for this month. 



JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. See October and November for hanging 

 up nesting-boxes, and for winter feeding. 



MARCH. The planting of shelter- woods can be begun in March. 

 When the land intended for this purpose has been properly prepared, 

 it is levelled and planted in accordance with Chapter II. Nesting- 

 boxes may still be hung up in March and April. Winter feeding must 

 not be given up yet. It may be particularly needed if there is a sudden 

 return of winter, after the birds of passage have begun to come back. 

 Almost every year chiff-chaffs and willow-wrens get into difficulties 

 on this account, but only the " food- tree " is of use in this case. They 

 have not been noticed at any other feeding-place. (See October and 

 November.) 



APRIL. The directions given for March hold good for this month. 



MAY. The chief breeding time of our birds is in May and June. 

 All preparations for nesting arrangements must be completed by now. 

 Now, all that can be done for the protection of birds is to keep these 



