HOUSE AND GARDEN 
February, 
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The hairy woodpecker is one of our winter allies, searching dead 
branches and chiseling out the borers 
Set up a large branch or part of the trunk of an old tree in the 
garden. The flicker will probably accept it as a home 
birds require a great deal of food. The tidbits which they 
secure in larvae and pupae form are not large, and therefore, 
must be numerous. It is an interesting question whether our 
winter birds, working under the conditions mentioned during 
nearly eight months of the year—from September to May, do 
not destroy almost as many insects as the larger number of 
birds, working under summer condi¬ 
tions, during the other four months. 
During the time that fruit is ripe, 
certain birds exact a small toll, especially 
of cherries and raspberries. And yet, 
from the foregoing facts there would 
seem to be no question that the work 
which they do secures for the horti¬ 
culturist both a larger and a better crop 
of fruit than would otherwise be pos¬ 
sible. 
By giving the matter a little atten¬ 
tion, many birds may be attracted to 
garden or orchard which otherwise 
would seek different retreats. From 
the horticultural standpoint the best way 
to attract them is to provide those con¬ 
ditions under which they readily nest. 
On account of their exceedingly rapid 
growth, young birds are ravenous crea¬ 
tures and consume an astonishing 
amount of food. The young of most 
birds, even seed-eating birds, are fed up¬ 
on insects; so that a few nests in bushes 
and trees will mean the destruction of a 
surprising amount of insect life. 
A loose brushpile in the corner of 
the orchard nearly always means a 
brown thrasher’s nest. A few rasp¬ 
berry bushes growing wild along the fence among high grass, 
or better, a few wild rose bushes growing under the same con¬ 
ditions, make a favorite place for the black-billed cuckoo to rear 
her young. A wild goosberry bush in some secluded corner 
will nearly always contain a catbird's nest. Dead trees can be 
put to better use than that of fuel. A trunk or limb containing 
an old woodpecker’s nest, if set up as 
a fence post, will usually attract a pair 
of bluebirds or wrens. The observing 
man will erect several of these, for no 
sooner have these birds brought one 
brood from the nest than they are think¬ 
ing of another; and if the place is ready 
for them their second nest will usually 
be made in the same orchard as the first, 
so that the male can care for the first 
brood while his mate hatches the second 
clutch of eggs. 
Every dead trunk or large branch, 
whether it contains a former nest or 
not, is valuable if set up so as to appear 
natural, for flickers, downy and hairy 
woodpeckers and chickadees always 
seek dead trees in which to excavate 
their nests. But it is important to have 
the dead branch so decayed within as to 
be of brittle texture, otherwise the birds, 
with only their bills as instruments, will 
not be able to chisel out their nests in 
them; and the bark should be left on. 
For wrens and bluebirds, of course, 
suitable houses may be provided, even 
in one’s dooryard; but I always think 
the birds are a little better pleased if 
(Continued on page 115) 
A female bluebird bringing home a choice morsel 
for her young 
