8 



Bird - Lore 



few cases in southern Maine where this was done Martins bred during the 

 past season. Elsewhere in the same towns there were no Martins. 



One of the most important questions asked by those who are putting up 

 bird-houses is, "How shall we get rid of the English Sparrow?" The Spar- 

 rows are kept away from my bird -boxes by the use of a gun loaded with small 

 charges of powder and dust shot. They have so well learned their lesson 

 that there has been no necessity for shooting any for two years. Where 

 these birds are plenty, however, continuous shooting may be necessary. I 

 have never had any success in putting up boxes hung so as to swing by a 

 wire. The Sparrows do not nest in them, but neither do other birds; never- 

 theless, some of my correspondents have known both Bluebirds and Tree 

 Swallows to nest in these boxes. This is only one of the numerous instances 

 that teach one that his own experience alone is never an infallible guide. 

 Those who are much troubled by the Sparrow may 

 find the swinging boxes worth trying. 



Little reliance can be placed on boxes without a 

 perch, for a Sparrow is likely to get into any hole that 

 any other bird of its size can enter. Mrs. Mary R. 

 Stanley suggests the use of Martin boxes without a 

 perch and with the entrance underneath. I have had 

 no experience with such houses. 



Every small nesting- box should be provided with a 

 cover or door, by which it can be opened and the con- 

 tents removed. This is alwaj's practicable, except perhaps 

 with large Martin boxes, which should have entrance 

 holes large enough so that the rooms can be cleaned out through them. A 

 box which can be opened provides a way to get rid of the Sparrows. Their 

 eggs can be removed every week until they tire of laying and leave the 

 locality, or their nests can be destroyed with little trouble. There need be 

 no sentiment about destroying these unfortunate little pests. Squirrels and 

 mice often occupy these boxes, and their nests must be removed unless we 

 prefer them to the birds. All the boxes mentioned above provide for this, 

 except the shingle and bark boxes, which, however, can easily be made to 

 open. The box shown in the cut above is the most convenient of all, 

 where English Sparrows are plenty. The door extends half-way down the 

 front and is attached to a narrow cover which overlaps a part of the top of 

 the box. This arrangement needs no locking so long as it is not meddled 

 with by children, and can be taken out in an instant without disturbing the 

 nest, leaving an opening large enough to put in the hand and remove the 

 contents of the box at once. 



For those who wish to study the habits of such birds as can be induced 

 to nest in boxes, the observation box shown in the cut is very nearly perfect. 

 More than thirty years ago I made the first one for the purpose of studying 



BOX WITH SLIDING 

 COVER 



