238 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



the linnet is rather shabby in his old summer suit 

 and is more intent in filling his little crop with the 

 fattening seeds than in his personal appearance, but 

 he is a very attractive and engaging little acquaint- 

 ance at any time. A clover field is a joy indeed when 

 it brings, in early May, the gay little bobolink, and 

 if there is a brush heap or low tree close by where 

 he may light and pour out his soul in song one may 

 well begrudge any duty that calls one away from his 

 immediate vicinity. 



But to return to the question of water. Water for 

 drinking must be available, of course, but water for 

 bathing is just as necessary and bird baths should 

 be scattered about the lawns and gardens, wherever 

 they will be convenient and safe for use. They should 

 always be placed near a tree or other resting place 

 easily reached, for the bird cannot fly far when wet 

 and in such condition is an easy prey for cats. A 

 bath placed on a pedestal with a wire stretched above 

 it a few feet from the ground is excellent. A tall 

 stump with hollow top fitted with a large hanging 

 basket of earthen ware, the drainage holes plugged 

 and a perch fixed half way down the basin for the 

 accommodation of small birds that could not bathe in 

 the deep water, had a wire stretched from a corner 

 of a porch to a fence some distance away and was 

 so popular with the birds that there was never an 

 hour of the day that did not see the wire covered with 



