376 NESTING BOXES 



For Green Woodpeckers : 



height, 19! inches; 



depth back to front, 9 inches; 



diameter of opening, 2 inches. 



The measurements for the Wild Pigeon are the same 

 as these last, except for the opening, which should be 

 about 4^ inches wide. 



Flycatchers and Wagtails require a box as shown in 

 Fig. 4. This is 9 inches high, and has an opening 

 about 4 inches square. 



The edge of the entrance to a nesting-box should be 

 rounded off, as in the hole of a tree, to make it more 

 natural to the bird's feet. 



The nesting-boxes should be fixed in orchards, 

 gardens, and houses on the edge of a forest, on the 

 trunks of trees and branches, also on poles, and fastened 

 by means of strong flexible wire, or, still better, by 

 screw-nails. They should be placed perpendicularly, 

 slightly inclined or crooked, but never inclined back- 

 wards as the rain gets in and the Titmouse has sense 

 enough to avoid such a nesting-box. They should be 

 fixed a little lower than the average height of a man, and 

 so arranged that the morning sun strikes the entrance 

 hole if possible. The box is an exact copy of the nest- 

 hole of the small spotted Woodpecker, and experience 

 teaches us that the unoccupied nest-holes are frequently 

 used by the Titmouse. In spring the Titmice not only 

 fight among themselves for the possession of these nest- 

 holes, but also with the hosts of House Sparrows which 

 strive to rob them of the holes. These Sparrows come in 

 crowds and make a great noise in the place. Being of a 

 powerful build, and provided with sharp beaks, the birds 



