89 



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

 which fulfil the requirements mentioned on page 73. 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 veranda. 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. It is, however, advisable to 

 set automatic traps for rats and mice, as otherwise they eat up the 

 food during the night. 



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. 



FIG. 14. THE SCHWARZ FEEDING-BOX. 



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

 (a mixture of seeds of all 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,. 



