ATTRACTING BIRDS TO RESERVATIONS. 11 



have an advisory capacity in relation to the planning and treatment 

 of the campus. 



CEMETERIES. 



Cemeteries have the reputation of being good places for birds. 

 The reasons, one must infer, are seclusion, freedom from disturbance, 

 and an abundance of trees and shrubs. The last-named factor is by 

 no means least, nor on the other hand is it so perfect as not to be 

 susceptible of improvement. Selection of shrubs and trees with the 

 needs of birds in mind would not interfere with the general plan of a 

 cemetery, but would make it a still better resort for birds. 



Formal landscape gardening is more prevalent (perhaps excusably 

 so) in cemeteries than in other public reservations, yet there are very 

 beautiful cemeteries in which formal composition plays little part. 

 Here, as everywhere, the informal or naturalistic planting is most 

 favorable to birds. Nest boxes can be added without being obtrusive, 

 and bird fountains may be made to harmonize with the surroundings 

 or even to serve as memorials. 



The movement to convert cemeteries into bird sanctuaries and to 

 improve them for the purpose is already well under way and is being 

 fostered by the National Association of Audubon Societies. A 

 pioneer in this work, H. S. Mann, secretary of the Forest Lawn 

 Cemetery Association of Omaha, Nebr., reports: 



We have been very successful in attracting birds to Forest Lawn Cemetery. The 

 cemetery contains 320 acres, all fenced, and is located north of the city limits of 

 greater Qmaha. It has an abundance of trees and shrubbery, about 250 acres of the 

 half section being unimproved at this time. A creek runs through the southern por- 

 tion of the cemetery and east and north of it are great stretches of wild lands. 



Bird houses, feeding stations, and baths have been erected in the cemetery. Quan- 

 tities of tangled underbrush and small fruit-bearing bushes and vines have been set 

 out and preserved for the birds. With these attractions, free from annoyance of cats, 

 hunters, and children at play, it is a paradise for birds. 



Bud students visit the cemetery frequently, as a larger number and a greater variety 

 of birds may be found within its sacred enclosures than anywhere else in this section 

 of the country, excepting perhaps the great Fontenelle Forest Reserve of 400 acres 

 on the Missouri River adjoining the city on the south. 



RIGHT OF WAYS. 



A number of railroad companies have already made considerable 

 effort to beautify their right of ways and station grounds. In some 

 places the roads are paralleled for many miles by hedges, and the land 

 on either side of the tracks is covered by beautiful turf. About the 

 stations, hedges, shrubbery, and flower beds are common. ' If this 

 planting could be aimed in part, at least, toward attracting birds 

 it would be very effective and great good would be done. If the 

 clumps of shrubs were formed of kinds furnishing bird food (see 

 Table I) , if more of them were placed along the right of ways, if the 



