NESTING BOXES, ETC. 53 



If, however, it is wished to induce Starlings to 

 nest in any special locality, these birds are easily 

 attracted if they are regularly fed during the hard 

 weather and in early spring ; they then get ac- 

 customed to the surroundings of the place, and 

 their quick eyes soon detect any holes or nesting- 

 boxes to which they can gain entrance. A disused 

 pigeon-box in my yard, containing three storeys and 

 twelve entrance-holes (see Plate vii.) has now for 

 many years had almost every hole occupied by as 

 many pairs of Starlings. 



The Pied Wagtail prefers ivy on houses or walls 

 wherein to nest, often at a considerable distance 

 from water. 



Many other suggestions as to forms of nesting- 

 boxes might be given, but a careful observer of our 

 wild birds and their habits will soon discover for 

 himself what is the most successful device. Amongst 

 other peculiar nesting-places which have been 

 selected by birds are discarded kettles, old tin cans, 

 upturned flower-pots, and book shelves, all of which 

 situations have been appropriated by Robins. Wrens 

 have been known to nest in old rags, and even on 

 ■an old disused mop ; Tits in letter-boxes and old 

 pumps (Plates viii. and ix.) ; Wagtails in travelling 

 railway waggons ; Swallows in an old hat on a shelf. 



