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wild birds but are much interested in encouraging those which may- 
be easily induced to nest and rear their young in boxes where they 
may be closely observed and also protected from their usual enemies. 
It is the custom in Switzerland and other parts of the continent to 
encourage Titmice and other small birds to nest in boxes fixed 
against trees. 
If people would fix suitable boxes on their bedroom window sills, 
or any other convenient place they might not only derive much 
amusement from watching the Blue Tits and their “large little 
family” of from nine to fourteen young ones, and examining the 
nest (which, so far as my experience goes, is always scented with the 
smallest, almost invisible, bits of green mint or other strong scented 
plant, and generally ornamented with plenty of coloured wool), but 
they might also find out by counting, how many hundred green 
caterpillars are brought daily to be swallowed by the fourteen 
hungry young tits ; let the observer beware, however, lest he 
mistakes the green grubs for small green gooseberries or buds. 
Most of the Titmice and other birds which nest in boxes become 
very tame, and may be taken off the nest by the hand in order to 
examine the eggs; but the Blue Tits need be held during the 
examination or they will sometimes fly straight on to the nest again. 
It is a good plan to remove all the old nests and clean out the 
boxes soon after the young have flown, and the boxes should be 
again cleaned out in the spring as the Titmice roost in them during 
the winter. My boxes are frequently occupied by other tenants 
than birds. Long-eared Bats take possession of some, others are 
partly filled with acorns, or with nests of the Long-tailed Field 
Mouse, which may then be easily caught and destroyed if trouble- 
some; and in some I have found small and very beautiful nests of 
both Hornet and Wasp; these nests were about the size and shape 
of half opened moss roses, and were suspended by short stalks. 
They contained few grubs and did not appear to be guarded by 
more than one owner to each nest, so that in this young state they 
are easily destroyed or removed to the cabinet. 
As to the position and construction of boxes, the following notes 
may be of service to those who wish to encourage birds in this way. 
If the boxes are placed within five or six feet of the ground it is 
easy to examine and clean them, but they are less likely to be 
disturbed by accident or by such enemies as boys and cats if they 
