2.32 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



English sparrows often lug in a lot of stuff which should all 

 be thrown out. Wasps or hornets sometimes take posses- 

 sion, and must be dispossessed — ^not an agreeable procedure 

 before cold weather grips them. In localities where the 

 gypsy moth is found, these pests are very apt to lay their 

 eggs in nesting-boxes in July and August, so it is important 

 to give them all an examination, even when they seem to be 

 empty. Hence covers should always be made removable. 



Housing Boxes in Winter. To avoid deterioration by 

 the elements in winter it is often a good plan to store most 

 of the boxes under shelter, and put them up again before 

 their desired bird occupants arrive. Some boxes, however, 

 should be left up for winter birds to use as shelters and 

 roosting-places, in accordance with the number that are 

 staying about. 



Inducing Winter Birds to Nest. In at least some cases 

 shelter and feeding in winter doubtless induce birds to re- 

 main and nest, notwithstanding the common theory that 

 birds which remain in winter go North in summer and are 

 replaced by some southerly individuals of the same sort. 

 Rev. Wm. R. Lord is said by Mr. Forbush to have proved it 

 in at least one case, where a chickadee which he could dis- 

 tinguish both wintered and nested, using the boxes for 

 roosting during winter nights. Mr. Forbush is convinced 

 that some individuals of this species, and perhaps others, 

 are strictly resident, being found both in winter and in sum- 

 mer. At Wareham he fed a company of chickadees and 

 believed he induced them to stay. They were very tame, 

 and he wanted to see if he could make them accept his hos- 

 pitality. So he cut down all the rotten limbs and stubs 

 nearby and practically forced them to use his boxes, some- 

 times on the window-sill. Of course food, particularly suet, 

 should be kept on hand for them. 



