My Experience with Von Berlepsch Nesting- boxes 



for such birds as Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers and Pied- wagtails," and 

 which, in this country, might, if properly placed, be used by Robins and Phcebes 

 (and English Sparrows). 



These boxes are bolted to an oaken batten, by which they are in turn 

 fastened to the trees. They have oak covers, which are screwed on, but which 

 should be fastened with hinges and hooks, so as to allow, when necessary, a 

 more easy examination of their contents. 



Explicit directions are given as to the season, position, and method of 

 hanging these boxes, as applied to European birds. 



After reading the book and digesting its contents, I immediately ordered 

 from Germany twenty of the Berlepsch nesting-boxes for trial, five each A, 

 A^, B, and C. I ordered none of type D, for I 

 knew of no birds in my immediate vicinity that 

 would use them that could not get into type C. I 

 was afraid of type E as being too attractive to 

 English Sparrows, and type F seamed to me un- 

 necessary on this place, where the Robins that 

 might use it have so many natural sites for their 

 nests among the apple trees and cedars. The boxes 

 arrived late in March, during my absence on a 

 business trip; but I returned in time to get them 

 into position on April lo, 1909, and they seemed to 

 prove an instant success, for a pair of Bluebirds 

 were flying in and out of one of them on my lawn 

 within half an hour. 



As the directions regarding position are all for 

 European birds, and as a great deal, of course, depends upon the choice, 

 the simplest directions I can give, from my experience, to those putting up 

 the boxes in this country, is to use their knowledge of the birds' habits as 

 fully as possible in the choice of locality and position. In other words, if 

 you were a Bluebird or a Chickadee or a Flicker, where would you most often 

 be found, and where would you like your nest? If you have not this knowledge, 

 I would suggest that you commandeer into service some one who has. 



I did not expect anything like the percentage of occupancy shown at 

 Seebach. The nests were put up late, and we have here nothing like the num- 

 ber of birds, twenty-seven or more, as shown on Mr. Hiesemann's list, that 

 build in deep holes. The following list of ten birds includes most of the 

 species hereabouts that would, under ordinary circumstances, utilize such 

 boxes: Screech Owls, Golden- winged, Hairy, and Downy Woodpeckers, 

 Great-crested Flycatchers, Tree Swallows, White-bellied Nuthatches, Chick- 

 adees. House Wrens, and Bluebirds; and I had to content myself, the first 

 year, with the fact that five out of the twenty were surely occupied, and I 

 have reason to believe two others. 



NESTING-BOX, STYLE 



