246 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



established in the Park by erection of the proper kind of bird 

 houses in the more favorable localities. It would seem as though 

 other species of swallows could be attracted by the erection of spe- 

 cial structures similar to those they commonly use for nesting, but 

 I have never heard of this being tried. It might also be possible to 

 attract such a species as the Wood Duck. 



The setting up of bird boxes should be undertaken by someone 

 well acquainted with the subject and with the preferences of the 

 species to be attracted. Artistic looking but wrongly constructed 

 boxes will not meet with success. The placing of a box for a cer- 

 tain species in the wrong locality will be equally bad. Chickadees 

 and Nuthatches prefer the forest. Bluebirds, Robins, Wrens and 

 Crested Flycatchers like the more open orchards. Martin boxes 

 should be placed only in the open and not under trees. The size 

 of the box and its opening will depend upon the species to be at- 

 tracted. The Robin will not occupy the ordinary box with a small 

 hole for entrance, but wants simply a floor and a roof, with one 

 or more sides entirely open. 



There are many cases of city parks or private estates where bird 

 boxes have been set up without any special study of the subject, 

 with the result that very few are occupied, or are mainly tenanted 

 by squirrels, English Sparrows or Starlings. It may be desirable to 

 furnish houses for squirrels also, but the matter should be handled 

 with such care that those meant for birds should not be occupied 

 by the squirrels. 



Drinking and bathing dishes are a great attraction to birds on 

 hot summer days ; and they are a successful means of bringing 

 many species to the vicinity of camps or homes where they may 

 be easily observed. Almost all song birds bathe or drink at times. 

 Even near streams and lakes birds like small drinking and bathing 

 places and are attracted by them. 



A few points should be observed concerning the drinking and 

 bathing dish. Different depths seem to attract different species; 

 and a bath with a gently sloping bottom, providing different depths 

 at different points along its length, would probably be most suc- 

 cessful for the greatest number of species. The height of the rim 

 above the water, where birds may perch to drink, is also important. 

 Placing large flat stones in the water, so that they come just above 

 its surface, will be found an attraction. The water should be fresh, 

 and not allowed to evaporate wholly. Probably interested children 

 or other campers could be prevailed upon to keep the dish well sup- 

 plied through the camping season. Provision for a constant supply 

 of running water is desirable where such a thing is easily possible. 



Feeding of birds is best accomplished in winter when food is 

 scarce and birds are at times in danger of starvation. In summer, 

 when food is abundant, it is better to leave the birds to gather their 

 own natural foods, that thev may be of greatest benefit to forests or 

 farms. Since the Park will be visited mainly in summer, and the 

 winter birds will be largely different species or individuals than the 

 summer ones, it mav not be convenient or desirable to conduct win- 



