BIRDS OF THE CAMBRIDGE REGION. 1 3 



From three or four to twelve or thirteen 

 pairs nested regularly in the grounds 

 about the house. 



Two or three pairs nesting. 



One or two pairs nesting. 



Always a pair and nest. 



One or two breeding pairs. 



Three or four pairs nesting. 



Usually a pair, never more. 



From one to five pairs nesting. 



Five to eight pairs nesting. 



From one to three pairs nesting. 



Between the years 1873 and 1887 four of our six acres were cut up into 

 house lots and rather closely built upon. Of the ground remaining, that in 

 front and to the eastward of the present house — which stands on the founda- 

 tions of the old house — has changed but little in appearance since the earlier 

 time, most of it being still kept as a lawn, shaded, in places, by large trees. 

 The group of lindens has lost only one of its original members, but most of the 

 old elms have been replaced by younger trees. At the rear of the house all 

 the ancient lilacs, as well as four large apple trees, are still standing. The 

 ground formerly occupied by the pear orchard, about half an acre in extent, was 

 thickly planted in 1886 with native forest trees. Shrubs of many different 

 kinds, besides hundreds of ferns and innumerable perennial flowering plants 

 taken from the woods, have also been set out at various subsequent times, not 

 only under the trees but also in every available nook and corner, the only space 

 left open being that which has always been devoted to the flower garden. In 

 the selection of the herbaceous as well as woody-stemmed plants preference has 

 been given to those which are especially attractive to the birds. Of the fruit- 

 bearing trees and shrubs the mulberry, the rum cherry, the cultivated cherry, 

 the shad bush and the Parkman's apple have proved most desirable for this 

 purpose. The birds have also been furnished with an abundant supply of water 

 by the construction of two shallow ponds, which contain fish of several kinds, 

 besides a profusion of aquatic plants. In short the design has been to create 

 a bit of woodland sufficiently natural and varied to furnish a congenial haunt for 

 squirrels as well as birds. 



The cats had to be reckoned with, of course, for they literally swarm in 

 the neighborhood. After making a number of unsuccessful experiments I 

 finally contrived a fence over which they cannot possibly clamber. It is of 

 wire netting surmounted by a heavy twine fish seine which is fastened at the 



