BIRDS IN THE GARDEN 



353 



at the front and 6 inches or 7 inches at the back and an overhang of 

 at least 3 inches. A perch is not necessary. 



They are rather particular Httle fellows; for example, it is of little 

 use to hang such a shelf on a house painted a light or bright color for 

 they will not be interested. 

 They .will have nothing to 

 do with anything on a pole. 

 There must be the sugges- 

 tion of the big wall of rock 

 and the protected ledge, so 

 if you can, hang the shelf 

 under the eaves or under an 

 open porch, not more than 

 one story from the ground. 

 No high places for them, 

 but it should be 7 feet or 8 

 feet from the porch floor or 

 ground, at least. If you 

 are so fortunate as to have 

 a pair of phoebes nest on 

 your house, you will be well 

 repaid for the trouble of 

 putting up the Httle shelf 

 and be sure that it is some 

 dark color, brownish or 

 grayish, or you will have 

 your trouble for nothing. 



To make the birds per- 

 fectly at home we must 

 provide a bird bath or drink- 

 ing basin. For this purpose 

 any low bowl can be used in 

 which the water is not too 

 deep, for it would appear 

 that some birds fear too 

 deep water. If the bowl 

 is deep, fiU in with clean 

 pebbles or cement, or very 



attractive baths may be procured from some of the seed and florist 

 firms. These pedestals and bowls furnish an excellent ornament to 

 the garden as well. 



A suggestion for making the bath more attractive is to plant an 

 umbrella plant in a smaU pot and place it at the side. A small quantity 



Wren House — Simply a square box (5 in.), all 

 dimensions inside measurement, with slab 

 covering, flat on back, but Sin. overhang in front 

 and lin. at sides. One inch hole at center of 

 front; Sin, perch. We have shown this box on 

 pole but it could be hung from screw eye. 



