Photograph Ijy George R. 



A SCREECH-OWL S EAVORITE NEST-BOX 



"Of bird-houses, to be supplied for those birds that nest about buildings or in holes of 

 trees, there seems to be an almost infinite variety ; tree stumps, real or artificial, boxes, cot- 

 tages, houses, large and elaborate mansions, barrel-houses, gourds, flower-pots, tin-cans, 

 shelves, and all kinds of contraptions" (see page 176). The nest-boxes "on my place have 

 been occupied by screech-owls, bluebirds, chickadees, tree-swallows, flickers, wdiite-breasted 

 nuthatches, and great-crested flycatchers'' (see page 177). 



On stibtirban places and in the covmtr}' 

 the use of evergreens, large plantations 

 when possible, is of prime importance as 

 a protection from the elements, as a 

 source of natural food supply, and on 

 account also of the nesting sites they in- 



\'ariably offer. Xothing is finer than a 

 plantation of white pine or hemlock. 

 Spruce and balsam are beautiful and 

 oft'er tempting -nesting sites, while the 

 native red cedar seems a favorite tree 

 for the nest-builders and also contributes 



161 



