BIRDS 139 



A large number of these birds are bred at certain swanneries, such as that of 

 Abbotsbury, where in some years the stock consists of more than a thousand. 

 The eggs are a greeny white. 



How to attract the Birds. 



I trust that every reader of these chapters upon Birds will not forget that 

 the nearest place in which to study many of them is his own garden. Here 

 a great deal may be done to attract and tame (i) by putting up suitable nesting 

 places for them ; and (2) by feeding them during the winter months. The 

 never-ending interest and pleasure derived from watching them will more 

 than repay the cost and the trouble. I venture to refer readers to the detailed 

 description of " nest boxes " and " foods " in The Holiday Nature Book. 



As a matter of fact, any sort of a box placed in a bush or against a tree, 

 or even on the wall of a house will serve for many of the common birds of 

 the garden. An old tin kettle, a sack, a worn-out boot these and many 

 other curious shelters have been chosen again and again by robins, tits, wrens, 

 and other birds. The starlings will fight for the possession of any box which 

 is dark within and has for entrance a small hole. 



Very delightful natural wood boxes are made by the Selborne Society, 

 and may be purchased from them ; but there is no need to use natural wood 

 any sort of box will answer the purpose, provided it is toned down in colour, 

 to harmonize more or less with its surroundings. Boxes for the tits should 

 have a small hole, and no perch outside, otherwise the sparrows will take 

 possession of them. As it is, they wrangle daily with the starlings for the 

 ownership of their boxes. 



I think that, as a general rule, it may be said that birds prefer a box hung 

 on the outer edge of a wood or copse, and the southern side should be avoided, 

 unless the nest is sheltered from the direct rays of the sun. 



For thrushes a light tray of twigs nailed to a tree provides an excellent 

 foundation. In other cases, the branches of a bush may be tied together to 

 form a natural cup or cylinder. 



I need scarcely add that all such artificial arrangements should be placed 

 high enough to escape the cats, and such boys as would be tempted to disturb 

 the birds perpetually by too many inquisitive visits. 



With regard to the feeding of the birds, some people use a bird table 

 a small platform four or five feet above the ground, placed on legs, or even 

 attached to the house close to a window. On this there should always be 

 kept fresh water, and in the winter, when the frost is keen, this will be greatly 

 appreciated by all sorts of birds, both for drinking and bathing purposes. 



Whatever food is placed there should be put out regularly every day at 

 the same hour ; and the birds will speedily grow accustomed to the hour, 

 and will be found often waiting round in the trees for their breakfast. 



The sparrows are the greatest nuisance to the bird lover, as they are ex- 



