FARMERS BULLETIN G21. 



;. 



ground if on an open space where skulking enemies can not approach 

 too near. 



A water supply is appreciated in winter as well as in summer. 

 If running water can not be provided, that supplied should be 

 warmed to delay freezing. 



FOOD SUPPLY. 



Food supply is the vital .factor in bird life and the most important 

 single offering that can be made in efforts to attract birds. It is im- 

 portant to note that an ample supply of food prior to and during the 



nesting season tends to increase the 

 number of eggs laid and also the 

 number of broods in a season. 

 Bird food may be supplied in two 

 ways by planting trees, shrubs, 

 and herbs which produce seeds or 

 fruits relished by birds, and by ex- 

 posing food in artificial devices. 

 The most familiar phase of the lat- 

 ter method is winter feeding. 



ARTIFICIAL FOOD. 



During the season when the 

 natural food supply is at its lowest 

 ebb birds respond most readily to 

 our hospitality. Winter feeding 

 has become very popular, and the 

 result has been to bring about bet- 

 ter understanding between birds 

 and human kind. 



The winter foods commonly 

 used include suet or other fat, pork 



FIG. 4. Bird baths : a, Pottery ; b, metal rinds, bones with shreds of meat, 

 or concrete. , -, ^ 



cooked meats, meal worms, cut-up 



apples, birdseed, buckwheat, crackers, crumbs, coconut meat, cracked 

 corn, broken dog biscuits or other bread, hemp seed, millet, nut meats 

 of all kinds (especially peanuts), whole or rolled oats, peppers, pop- 

 corn, pumpkin or squash seeds, raw or boiled rice, sunflower seeds, 

 and wheat. 



The methods of making these supplies available to birds are as 

 varied as the dietary itself. A device very commonly used is the 

 food tray or shelf (figs. 5 and 6). This may be put on a tree or pole, 

 by a window or at some other point about a building, or strung 

 upon a w r ire or other support on which it may be run back and forth. 

 The last device is useful in accustoming birds to feed nearer and 



