AIDS TO NESTING 223 



from the next group, 6 inches; group (e), flicker, 7 inches; 

 group (f) 8 inches; group (g) 10 x 18 inches. 



Household Furnishings. For the most part the birds 

 will furnish the apartment to suit themselves. There is just 

 one simple thing, however, to be done. Woodpeckers al- 

 ways deposit their eggs on a layer of fine chips or rotted 

 wood which they leave in the bottom of the cavity. They 

 will not nest in a box with bare bottom. Even for other 

 species a soft layer of this sort is weU enough, as they find 

 it in the natural cavities. Moreover, one cannot teU just 

 which boxes woodpeckers might choose. Hence, it is well 

 to put a moderate layer of sawdust in most nesting -boxes, 

 except martin and wren houses. 



Location of Boxes. Where to place the boxes is a most 

 important matter, since mistakes here may bring all pre- 

 vious efforts to naught. In general the aim should be to 

 select the locations with particular species in mind, and to 

 place the boxes for them in just such situations as they would 

 naturally select. Here is where a person who has studied 

 birds and found their nests has an advantage. It is quite 

 good fun to put yourself in the place of the bird. Just im- 

 agine you are this or that sort of bird, and you are looking 

 for a site for a nest on this estate. Would you care to nest 

 there at all and, if so, just where? 



"Thinking Bird." All my life I have devoted consider- 

 able attention to the nesting habits of birds. In connection 

 with species which are quite familiar, there comes to be a 

 feeling almost of intimacy with their viewpoint. For in- 

 stance, after finding hundreds of nests of hawks and owls, 

 when I go into the woods now to hunt them out I have a 

 sort of instinctive feeling of recognition when I see a place 

 or site just adapted to this or that species. If I do not find 

 it there, I merrily criticise, and say that if the bird knew as 



