NESTING-BOXES FOR 
BIRDS. 
Written and Illustrated with 
Photographs 
by Hermann LnEa. 
NE of my first labours after 
taking possession of my 
present house and garden was to 
fasten up suitable boxes for birds 
to build in, each box being adapted 
for a particular kind of bird. The 
idea I had in mind was to entice 
birds to build where they would 
be comparatively safe from their 
natural enemies, and also that I 
might have the pleasure of watching 
them more intimately. By en- 
couraging birds to build their nests 
in iny garden I get the added 
advantage of their usefulness in 
ridding the ground of surplus 
insects—for Nature has so arranged 
her scheme of lfe that birds form one of the most effective checks to the over- 
multiplication of insect life. My efforts were quickly rewarded, for some three days 
after the boxes were put up a pat of robins selected one and hastily constructed 
their nest. Later a pair of starlmgs took a second box; two pairs of greater tits 
built in two others, and a pair of blue tits reared an extensive family. 
All those species of birds that naturally select a hole in a tree, wall, or bank 
may be induced to take to a box provided it is of suitable size, is placed in 
a proper position, and has an entrance suitable to the size of the bird. In winter 
they frequently use the boxes as roosting places. 
SSN SSS 
YOUNG BLUE TIT. BLUE TITS. 
BLUE TITS. 
271 
