port we learn that all the owls resident in our state are beneficial, that 
is, they do more good than harm. Only two of the hawks commonly 
found here, Cooper's and the sharp-shinned, are positively harmful. 
These two species live chiefly upon poultry and song birds. The owls 
and the other species of hawks do the farmer a great service and there- 
fore should be protected by him. 
How TO Attract the Birds.— Birds select their place of residence 
with reference to food, nesting privileges,, and protection from 
enemies. By furnishing these three things, many different kinds of birds 
may be attracted about our houses, lawns, gardens and orchards. Blue- 
birds, wrens, tree swallows, purple martins, chickadees and crested 
flycatchers will nest in bird houses. Almost anything that is hollow and 
has a hole in it will do. Care should be taken, however, to make the 
house rain proof or provide for proper drainage. Birch bark, old 
shingles, a funnel, a hollow limb, a hole bored into a block of wood, tin 
cans, lard pails, stove pipes and coffee pots have been used with success. 
For tree swallows and purple martins build houses of many com- 
partments and place upon the top of a pole at least twenty-five feet from 
the ground. For the other birds mentioned place the houses not more 
than fifteen or twenty feet up. "While the exact size of bird-boxes is 
rather immaterial, the size of the entrance hole is most important. 
This should be just large enough to admit the desired tenant, and small 
enough to keep out all larger birds. A diameter one and seven-eights of 
an inch will do for wrens, one and one-fourth inches for chickadees, 
one and one-half inches for bluebirds and swallows, two and one-half 
inches for martins, and three and one half inches for flickers and screech 
owls." — Forbush in Bird Lore. 
Narrow strips of boards nailed under the eaves will attract eave 
swallows, cleats nailed to the rafters, the barn swallows, and a shelf, 
the phoebe. 
The absence of a perch at the entrance will, in some cases, keep the 
English sparrow from occupying the bird-box. The best way is to drive 
this nuisance from the premises. Beware of the cats. A wide piece of 
tin placed around the trunk of the tree or pole will prevent the cat from 
climbing to the bird house. 
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