A New Year Suggestion 3 



much disturbed and. instead of four score or so nests, each season the num- 

 ber was dwindhng. Three years ago, therefore, 1 tried the experiment of 

 having some flat, shallow trays about six inches square, bracketed in suitable 

 locations so as to form attractive nesting-places for nest-building Robins, 

 who, as we all know, are fond of straddling a tree-crotch with their com- 

 pound of clay and grass or utilizing any flat beam or odd nook that will 

 give them a resting-place. 



These boxes had a few holes in the bottom, so that they should not 



TRAYS FOR ROBINS' NESTS IN AN ARBOR 



hold water, and were placed so that a branch or other projection afiforded 

 at least partial top shelter. 



The first season the Robins examined but distrusted the contrivance ; 

 the second, two were used, while last year five were occupied by Robins 

 and the sixth was appropriated by a Phoebe, who has thus kindly given me 

 a hint for more trays to be placed in locations likely to suit this lovable 

 worker for garden good. Until two years ago, by dint of gun and vigilance 

 I kept that cheerful nuisance, the English Sparrow, at bay; but somehow 

 or other he has arrived, probably because I was alert only eight hours out 

 of the twenty-four while he was scheming for at least sixteen. 



