NESTING-HOUSES 65 



cross-pieces by closely drawn wires or by wire 

 netting. A few barbed wires sbould be strung 

 along the outer horizontal edge of this fence. 

 Cover the outer ends of cross-pieces by a coil 

 of barbed wire. The meshes in the wire must, of 

 course, not be too large, there must be no holes 

 left near the ground, and no posts, walls or trees 

 from which cats can jump into the enclosure. The 

 appearance of such fences can be much improved 

 by using them as a support for such annual 

 climbing plants as do not form wood enough 

 for cats to climb on. Instead of wire netting, 

 a strong well-tarred fish-net six feet or more in 

 height may be used with good results. From 

 time to time the net must receive a fresh appli- 

 cation of tar." 



Mr. William Brewster at Cambridge, Mass., has 

 an excellent cat-proof fence for a city garden. It 

 is made of wire netting about six feet high, sur- 

 mounted by a fish-seine of heavy twine, fastened 

 to the top of the wire. The top of the net is 

 looped to the ends of long flexible stakes. This 

 gives so easily and furnishes so uncertain a foot- 

 ing that cats are not able to climb over it. 



English Sparrow. — It is difficult for one who 

 has had much experience with bird-houses to re- 

 strain his selection of words on referring to this 



