10 



FARMERS BULLETIN 621. 



kind of food. Larches, pines, and other conifers are attractive to 

 crossbills as well as to some of the species just mentioned. 



FEEDING FEUIT-EATING BIRDS. 



Feeding fruit-eating birds is best accomplished by planting selected 

 species of fruit-bearing shrubs and trees. Through late spring and 

 summer there is usually an abundance of insect food in addition to 

 fruit enough for all the birds. So far as fruit alone is concerned, 

 fall is the season of overflowing abundance; in winter the supply 

 gradually decreases, and late winter and early spring are the seasons 



of actual scarcity. This is the critical 

 time of year for many birds, and a 

 plentiful supply of wild fruit will 

 tide them over. Fortunately, every- 

 where in the United States there are 

 some fruits that persist until there is 

 no longer any need of them. If 

 enough are planted, no birds able to 

 live on this class of food should starve. 

 The best of these long persisting fruits 

 are juniper, bayberry, thorn apples 

 and related fruits, holly, and snow- 

 berry. 



The species listed in Table 1 are 

 selected from a much larger number 

 which are known to be favorites with 

 fruit-eating birds. Various considera- 

 tions have influenced choice, as orna- 

 mental value, earliness, lateness, or 

 length of fruiting season, and espe- 

 cially availability of the plants through ordinary channels of trade. 

 The data on fruiting seasons have been compiled from the principal 

 herbaria of the Northeastern States, with a few additions from other 

 sources. 



The fruiting seasons indicated include the earliest and latest dates 

 recorded for the Northeastern States. Hence it can not be expected 

 that fruit will be available in any one locality throughout the entire 

 bearing season of a plant unless a large number of plants are set out 

 and in a variety of situations. Purchasers may obtain information 

 from nursery catalogues as to where, when, and how to plant. Notes 

 on species which may be substituted for some of those in the main 

 list, and other comments, follow the table. 



FIG. 11. Food house on pivot. 



