BIRD STUDIES 



389 



3. Nest boxes of several types should be made and put up in suitable 

 places. See which kinds are used most eagerly by birds. 



4. Fruit-bearing shrubs and trees that are wild in the region, should be 

 listed and studied. Mark their locations and transplant them to the home 

 grounds during the dormant season. 



5. Protect nests against cats in the different ways suggested. Study the 

 results. Cats may be killed; then note the renewed friendship of the birds. 



6. Feed and water the birds and note how much tamer they become. 



7. Contests in attracting birds may be started. Let all the known methods 

 be used as well as possible. Success may be judged by results. 



Fig. 287. — The house wren is one of the moBt friendlyibirds, and is easily attracted. Make 

 a nest box with a hole the size of a silver twenty-five cent piece. This will let the wrens in, 

 but keep the hated English sparrow out. (U. S. Biological Survey.) 



QUESTIONS 



1. What are the chief reasons for attracting birds? 



2. What fruit-bearing shrubs will aid in attracting birds? 



3. What forms of bird boxes have you seen put up for birds? Why should 



they be used? 



4. Give suggestions for protection against cats. 



5. How are dogs injurious to birds? How may this be prevented? 



6. Discuss the feeding of birds in winter. 



7. Under what conditions should water be provided for birds? How is this 



done? 



8. Can you give other methods for attracting birds? 



9. What enemies of birds have you ever seen? 



References. — U. S. Farmers' Bulletins: 493, English Sparrow as a Pest; 

 609 Bird Houses; 630, Common Useful Birds; 497, Some Common Game, 

 Aquatic and Rapacious Birds in Relation to Man; 506, Food of Some Birds of 

 Forest Farm and Garden; 621, How to Attract Birds m Northeastern Dmted 

 States' 755 Common Birds of Southeastern United States; 760, How to Attract 

 Birds in Northwestern United States; 770, Canaries; 912, How to Attract 

 Birds in East Central States; 1102, The Crow. 



Insect Enemies and Bird Friends, Washburn, J. B. Lippincott Company. 



