BIRD HOUSES AND NATATORIUMS 229 



the male bird only appeared, and for days haunted 

 the shed and porches, even trying persistently to enter 

 the windows of the home, apparently in search of 

 his lost mate. The little wrens, which for years 

 have nested in the many houses provided for them 

 about the premises, will always come into the house 

 if an opening is found. An aperture in the wall for 

 the admission of the hose that feeds a large aquarium, 

 always is under observation and if found open insures 

 a visit from the wren who will sometimes perch on 

 the side of my work basket when I am at work and 

 has even been known to perch on an extended finger. 

 These domiciliary visits are not encouraged, however, 

 for fear he may fall a victim to one of the many 

 Persian kittens that claim special residence here. 



The wren is, of all our birds, the most easily pro- 

 vided for, as it is not at all fastidious as to the 

 quarters provided, and will nest in single or apart- 

 ment houses with equal content. A favorite box with 

 one pair was a codfish box with the lid shoved on 

 and an inch-wide hole cut through near the lower 

 corner. Almost any box that is available can be 

 fashioned into homes for birds by the use of hammer 

 and saw. Take a starch or soap box, for instance. Re- 

 move the lid, saving the pieces in as perfect condition 

 as possible. Put two partitions through the box, the 

 first being a straight piece the length of the box and 

 as wide as the inside depth. Then another piece the 



