METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 
117 
destroy vast amounts of weed 
seeds. Among the seed 
eaters are the quail, grouse, 
pheasant, goldfinch, spar¬ 
row, bobolink, and meadow 
lark. A definite plan for bird 
study is suggested in the 
appendix. There are many 
facts which we should know 
about each bird which are 
more important than know¬ 
ing its name. 
95. Methods of Attracting 
Birds. — For the purpose of 
study and of appreciation, it 
is advantageous to bring the 
birds near the windows of a home where we may look upon 
them at odd times and study them at close range. There 
are several ways of getting the birds to come near a building. 
A common method is by feeding them. Foods such as suet, 
bread crumbs, hemp, canary seed, sunflower seeds, and raisins 
are attractive to birds. They should be so placed that cats 
cannot strike down the 
birds while they are feed¬ 
ing. Unless some care is 
exercised in selecting these 
feeding places, the birds 
will be lured into the claws 
of the ever waiting cat. 
Suet may be placed on 
the side of a tree trunk 
three or four feet from the 
ground in a bag or in a 
hole bored in the tree. 
Bird seed and crumbs may 
Figure 107 . — Kingfisher. 
What advantage does a long sharp 
pointed beak give this bird? Note the 
short legs and small toes. Do king¬ 
fishers use their feet in catching fish ? 
Figure 106 . — Female Bobolink:. 
Notice the short, stout beak. This 
bird feeds on seeds during a part of 
the year. How would such a beak 
be an advantage ? 
