MAKING BIRD SANCTUARIES 



to dig a nesting hole in a living tree, such work of the 

 axeman means that when the season comes for the 

 rearing of young, all mated Woodpeckers must move 

 on to where more natural conditions await them. 

 This results in an abnormal reduction of the number 

 of holes for the use of the weaker-billed hole-nesting 

 species, and they must seek the few available hollows 

 or knot-holes. Even these places are often taken 

 away from them, for along comes the tree doctor, 

 who, in his purpose of aiding to preserve the trees, 

 fills up the natural openings with cement and the 

 birds are literally left out in the cold. It is plainly to 

 be seen, therefore, that one reason why more birds do 

 not remain in our towns through the spring months 

 is the absence of places where they can lay their 

 eggs and rear their young. 



Nesting Boxes for Birds. — To overcome this diffi- 

 culty the Audubon Society several years ago began to 

 advocate the erection of suitable nesting boxes, and 

 to-day the practice is gaining wide usage. More 

 persons every year are putting such boxes upon poles 

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