FLICKER 
A large number of these houses should be put up in orchards, for these 
birds, are one of the most valuable protectors of fruit trees that the farmer 
has to depend on. 
The flicker and woodpecker generally build their nests in a hollow tree, 
and are most particular about the kind of houses to build their nests in. 
We must therefore build a house that is as near like the one nature 
provides for them in a hollow tree as possible. 
Material Required 
Lumber—White 
pine or cypress. 
Pieces 
Finished Size—In. 
Use 
1 
V 2 "x 6"x20" 
Back 
1 
34"x6"xl4)4" 
Front 
2 
V 2 "xS"x20" 
Sides 
1 
34"x6"x6" 
Bottom 
1 
34"xio"xio" 
Roof 
Hardware and tools required: 134 inch brads; 1 inch screws. 
Tools—Rule, pencil, square, saw, plane, hammer, brace, 2 inch ex¬ 
pansion bit, coping saw and screw driver. 
(Note)—The expansion bit is for boring the entrance hole in the front 
of the house. If you do not have an expansion bit, the hole may be cut 
out with a coping saw or pocket knife. 
Construction 
Cutting Stock. Cut all the pieces according to the finished sizes given. 
The curves on the two sides must be carefully marked out before cutting 
out with the coping saw. All saw marks should be sandpapered off, and 
HOUSE 
the entrance hole in the front cut out before putting the house together. 
Assembling 
First: Be sure all the pieces are square and the right shape and size. 
Second. Nail the two sides on the back, keeping the edges even and 
the joints tight. The back of this house fits inside of the sides as you will 
notice on the drawing, and the bottom ends of the sides and back must 
be kept even. 
Third. The front should be nailed between the two sides even with 
the outside edges, and just a little bit above where the curve starts on the 
bottom end of the sides. The curve on the top end of the sides should 
project out 1 inch from the front of the house. 
Fourth. Fit the roof on next and before nailing it in place be sure it 
fits tight, and is weather-proof. The back edge of the roof comes even 
with the back of the house and projects 1)4 inches over the sides and front 
of the house. 
Fifth. Fit the bottom of the house snugly between the sides, back and 
front, and fasten it in even with the bottom end of the front with a few 
1 inch screws. These screws can be removed, and the bottom taken out at 
housecleaning time. 
Finishing 
Before painting or staining the house, see that all nail holes are puttied, 
and all joints are even, and tight. Paint the body of the house white, and 
the roof green, or stain the house a dark brown and cover the roof with 
roofing. Do not paint or stain the inside of any of these houses. 
On account of the curved sides it will be impossible to cover this house 
with bark, but before putting the house up, put about 2 inches of fine 
chips or sawdust in the bottom. When woodpeckers make their own nests 
they always leave a certain amount of fine chips in the bottom, and cover 
this with feathers plucked from their own bodies. They do not gather any 
other nest material. 
Fasten this house to a tree about 10 or 12 feet from the ground. 
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