100 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



Food-tree. — The food-tree consists of a coni- 

 ferous tree on whose branches a mixture of hot 

 liquid food is poured, which hardens as it cools. 

 The chief constituents of this mixture are suet, 

 hemp, white bread (dried and ground), meat, 

 millet; the first two being the most important. 

 Small quantities of other materials may be added, 

 such as poppy-flour, oats, dried elder-berries, sun- 

 flower-seeds, and ants' eggs. The quantity of 

 suet used is about one and a half times that of the 

 total dry food. The suet is melted, and the other 

 ingredients stirred in with it. While this mixture 

 is boiling it is poured on the leaves and branches 

 of the evergreen tree, the aim being to imitate 

 a twig covered with insects' eggs and larvae. 



Food-house. — The food-house is a device 

 which might well be adopted in this country. The 

 main points of its construction are shown in the 

 cut. This may serve as a shelter as well as a food- 

 station. There is a narrow strip of glass just under 

 the roof on three sides. The purpose of the glass 

 is to protect the food and throw light on the 

 table, whose upper edge is on a level with the 

 support which holds the glass. The purpose of 

 the lower table is simply to attract the birds till 

 they have discovered the upper table, on which 

 the food is kept after the birds once begin to come. 



