perhaps even more persistent — for example, Washington Thorn among 
the trees, non-poisonous Sumacs among the shrubs, and Boston Iv}'- 
and false Bittersweet among the creepers. These last would naturally 
be among the things to plant in order that our bird guests might have 
a supply of food in the spring. Most of the plants I have mentioned 
are known to supply food to thirty or more species. 
Then there are many trees and shrubs which although they may not 
bear desirable fruit, are still very attractive because they harbor 
insects which birds feed on, or because they make good nesting sites, or 
because they offer shelter in bad weather or protection from enemies. 
Space will not permit of my doing more than touch on this important 
subject. Several lists of trees, shrubs and creepers which are attractive 
to birds have been published, and one or more of these should be 
consulted by all who propose to do planting for the birds.* 
In the absence of hollow trees and rocky ledges, many birds will 
gladly accept bird houses and nesting shelves as substitutes, and if we 
place such appHances in our gardens with due regard to the require- 
ments of feathered folk, it is possible to have many tenants. 
Some species are not at all particular and will use almost any kind 
of bird house put up for them. Among these are blue-birds, house 
wrens and tree swallows. Other birds Kke hairy wood-peckers, downy 
wood-peckers and redbreasted nut-hatches have never been known to 
use any but the Berlepsch type of nest box, which is made out of a 
short log of wood, hollowed by special machinery in such a way that 
the cavity is just hke that made by a wood-pecker or a nut-hatch. 
Purple martins being colonial birds — that is, birds which nest in 
colonies — require a bird house having at least several rooms. If mar- 
tins do not at once occupy a house which has been put up for them, we 
need not feel discouraged. In Meriden, New Hampshire, this year we 
have martins occupying for the first time a martin house which was 
erected just ten years ago. 
In putting up nest boxes we must bear in mind that we are catering 
to birds which naturally nest in holes in dead or dying trees, and that 
such cavities as a rule are not heavily shaded. Therefore we should 
select sites which are in fairly exposed positions. A little shade will do 
no harm, but a box placed in the heart of a shady tree is pretty sure to 
remain unoccupied. Birds seem to have no preference as to whether 
their homes face north, south, east or west, but as I have known 
young birds to be drowned in water which had been driven into a nest 
box by a high wind, it is safer to have the entrance hole facing away 
from the direction of prevailing storms. 
*The most complete list of this kind which has yet been published was prepared by Frederic H. 
Kennard, landscape architect and ornithologist, for Mr. Baynes' book, Wild Bird Guests (E. P. Button, 
New York). As the fruiting seasons are given, and the relative values of the different plants as attrac- 
ters of birds plainly indicated, it is an easy matter to make selection for a garden of any size. 
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