101 



All preparations for nesting arrangements must be completed by now. 

 Now, all that can be done for the protection of birds is to keep these 

 places where birds can and may breed free from disturbance. 



June. — What was said of May holds good for June. Young shelter- 

 woods for birds should be frequently hoed. [See p. .57.) 



July and August. — The rules given for June must also be attended 

 to in these months. Hedges should not be cut till the end of August 

 because of the broods. 



September. — At the end of the month begin collecting elder and 

 mountain-ash berrie.s. When dried they form very good winter food 

 for birds living in the open as well as for cage birds. The end of 

 August and beginning of September is a very favourable time for 

 catching vermin. 



Whoever intends to hang up nesting-boxes should seek suitable 

 places while the ti'ees are in leaf. This will prevent the occurrence of 

 a common mistake by which the boxes hang too much in the dark when 

 the tree is in full leaf, especially in chestnut trees. Most birds like a 

 certain amount of covering, it is true, but they all a.void deep shade 

 where no sun can penetrate. 



