bird except downeys came to my lunch table; but in the 

 spring they returned in force to safe nesting sites within easy 

 reach of the fresh filled bath tubs, and the bird population of 

 Hillacre has reached high water mark this summer." 



AXN DENMS BURSCH. 



How We Brought the Birds to "Casa Mia'' 



Four years ago the writer could identify few of the com- 

 mon birds, had ne\er put up nesting boxes or fed birds in the 

 winter time. This introduction is written to correct a' general 

 impression that success in bird study and attracting them 

 about one's home calls for years of study and constant effort. 



Aside from Sundays, holidays and the usual summer va- 

 cation, the writer has not been able to devote other time to 

 bird stud}-. A summary, therefore, of what he has accom- 

 plished may be of interest to those similarl}' placed. 



Diligent search four }ears ago resulted in finding but 

 twelve nests on the same area which this summer contained 

 at least seventy-five. My recollection is that but four species 

 were represented in the tweh e nests, which have increased to 

 twenty species this year. 



Several types of nesting boxes were put up ; the best re- 

 sults were had from Berlepsch boxes, purchased from the 

 Audubon Bird House Company of Meriden, N. H. The mar- 

 tin house, one of twenty compartments, was made li\- lacobs 

 Bird House Company, W'aynesburge, Pa., which the writer 

 considers the best procurable. 



Although well planted with trees and shrubs, the area 

 under consideration lacks thick tangled growth of an}' kind. 

 Of the ten acres, at least se^"en consist of closeh' cropped 

 lawns and grass. To increase available nest sites, the stems 

 of shrubs were tied, as suggested by Baron Von Berlepsch. 



With the notable exception of the cat of the household, 

 all stray felines were eliminated. The cat trap manufactured 

 by the Society gave very satisfactory service. 



Seven thousand English sparrows have been destroyed 

 within the past four years, traps accounting for at least 6,000. 

 Starlings and English sparrows have been kept from nesting 

 boxes, but in a few instances a few occupied cavities made by 

 flickers and downey woodpeckers. 



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