The bluebird box should be at least ten inches deep, eight inches high and 

 eight inches wide. The hole at the end should be midway between the top 

 and the bottom, and it should be fully the size of a silver half-dollar. The 

 English sparrow is just about the size of a bluebird, and for some reason this 

 alien is particularly spitefully disposed toward the native. It is possible because 

 the American songster wears the colors of its country — red, grayish white and 

 blue. Sentinel duty over cats and English sparrows is the price one must pay 

 to secure and hold the bluebird as a summer companion. 



All the homes which money and labor can put up will not attract bird 

 neighbors unless there is water near at hand. The birds want water to drink 

 and water to bathe in. They drink constantly and "tub it" at least two or three 

 times a day. Sink a tin or an earthernware dish about three inches into the 

 turf of the lawn, making the edge of the dish even with the top of the ground, 

 and into it twice a day pour fresh water. It is the most potent attraction for 

 all kinds of birds, and you will find that not only your own friends but others 

 from a distance will come to bathe or to drink. An Illinois man who watched 

 his water pan daily through the summer had on September first a list of seventy- 

 five species of birds which had accepted his hospitality. 



The catbird, the rose-breasted grosbeak, the robin, the oriole and other 

 birds which like man's companionship, do not build in houses; but they will 

 make their nests in the trees and shrubbery of the yard if the conditions of safety 

 are such as to appeal to them. It is not necessary to feed the birds in summer, 

 although food on occasion is gratefully received. Water and protection are the 

 needful things. 



The catbird will build in the syringa bush, the robin in the maple, the phoehe 

 on the top of the pillar under the porch, the oriole will swing its cradle in the 

 elm or in any other tree if there is no elm ; the song sparrow will build on the 

 ground in the neglected corner which should be a part of every well-regulated 

 country garden ; the scarlet tanager and the rose-breasted grosbeak easily may 

 be tempted to nest within the zone of friendship, and with these and others the 

 song circle and the color scheme will be nearly enough complete to satisfy him 

 who loves the out-of-doors and its people. 



The Rose-Breasted Cockatoo {PUctoiophus leadbeateri) 



By Gerard Alan Abbott 



Length: About 12 inches. 

 Range : Australia. 



The Rose-breasted Cockatoos are natives of Australia and frequent the 

 larger portion of that continent. They are gregarious birds though the flocks 

 are never very large. It is said that they dislike the strong and hot rays of the 

 sun and during clear days frequent the tops of trees where they are shaded bv 



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