NESTING BOXES, ETC. 51 



Lapland have laths placed about 6 inches below the 

 eaves for House Martins to rest the foundation of 

 their mud nests upon. This is an excellent idea, and 

 one which might be copied on many of our out- 

 buildings, as an attraction to these birds to nest 

 with us. 



For Swifts small holes under high projecting 

 eaves or under the Barge board of a gable end of a 

 building appear to be generally utilized, and they 

 often appropriate the holes used by Bats, for breeding 

 purposes. 



The Barn Owl, the greatest friend the farmer has, 

 should especially be provided with entrance holes 

 to roofs of houses and outbuildings, where it will 

 soon repay this attention by clearing off the rats, 

 mice, and voles in the immediate neighbourhood. 

 Barrels or boxes may also be affixed in trees, an 

 ivied tree of course being preferred, or on rafters 

 or beams of open roofs of buildings, for this bird. 

 An outside perch should be affixed to the barrel or 

 box, on which the bird can alight, and a perch 

 should also be affixed inside the barrel or box, rather 

 below the entrance hole, leaving head-room above, 

 and space for the nest below. 



Similar boxes will also find occupants in Jackdaws, 

 but one of my correspondents states that Jackdaws 



