6 BVLLETIN 715, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



for other birds, they may be so inconspicuousl}^ placed that the 

 chief evidence of their presence would be the increased number of 

 birds, and decreased injmy to vegetation by insect pests. The 

 perfection of specimen trees in parks and the work of the tree surgeon 

 on imperfect trees make it necessary to supply nest boxes if the 

 hole-nesting birds are to have any chance of inhabiting parks. 



Feeding stations for birds are made in a nmnber of sightly designs, 

 and the principles upon which they are built allow of their being 

 extensively varied or incorporated into other park structures. The 

 greatest usefulness of feeding stations in parks, aside from the preser- 

 vation of birds, is in rendering the parks more attractive to the public 

 in winter. The feeding of birds is carried on with most obvious results 



Fig. 3.— Flicker at a bird fountain. 



during the colder months, and adding this feature to parks appeals 

 strongly to thousands of lovers of nature. 



By means of feeding stations it is possible to attract to convenient 

 observation points several species of the most interesting and valu- 

 able birds. Such stations are particularly pleasing to children. As 

 evidence of the value of the method, the following statement of 

 experience by Theodore Wirth, Superintendent of Parks, Mmneapolis, 

 Minn., is presented: 



For the past five or six years we have maintained a number of feeding stations in 

 various parts of our park system, with very satisfactory results. I give you a list of 

 the birds which stay with us over winter. The permanent winter-birds found in 

 the vicinity of our parks are the chickadee, blue jay, white-breasted nuthatch, 

 downy and hairy wootl peckers, and screech owl; winter visitors, the redpoll, tree 

 sparrow, and junco; irregular winter visitors, the evening grosbeak, Bohemian wax- 

 vnng, and snow bunting. It is safe to say that a large number of these species are 

 staj-ing in the parks on account of the food supplied them. The feeding of the wild 

 birds in the parks is a great success and will be continued. 



