Nesting-Houses

There are other birds which may be attracted around buildings by putting up shelves or open boxes, or leaving openings in the barns ; such as the phoebe, robin, barn swallow, eave swallow, chimney swift, and Say's phoebe.

In building a bird-house one must take into account the species for which the house is in¬tended ; but the author will first take up the discussion of a few general considerations before treating the question of special adaptations for each bird.

Hollow Limbs. - We may evidently hope to be most successful with that kind of house which most closely imitates the natural nesting-site of the birds. Those birds which have been induced to nest in artificial houses are of species which naturally select a hollow tree or limb in which to locate their nest. Sections of such hollow trees or limbs make some of the very best bird-houses.

Sometimes pieces may be found with the centre already decayed, in which case it is necessary only to saw off a sec¬tion of the desired length, fasten on a floor and roof, and make the entrance hole. It is desirable that the roof be put on in such a way as to be readily removed. To hol¬low out a solid limb, saw it in halves from one end to about three inches from the other, where a cross-cut is made at right angles. The two pieces may be gouged out to the desired size and wired or screwed together, so that they can be easily taken apart if desired. Or, if one has a large auger, a hole may be bored. If one happens to have a section of the wooden tubing of an old-fashioned pump, this may be made to serve as a substitute for a hollow limb.

be made entirely of bark. Limbs of trees, or small trees of the desired size, should be cut into sections of ten or twelve inches in length, about the latter part of June, when the bark can be easily removed. Elm, chestnut, or birch is especially recommended, and limbs which are free from knots should be chosen. About two or three inches from one end bore an en¬trance hole of the desired size through the bark. On the opposite side of the section make an incision lengthwise through the entire bark. By means of a wooden wedge care¬fully remove the bark. Saw off sec¬tions of the wood about an inch thick for the top and bottom. Trim these off a little, so that when the bark is placed around them the edges overlap about a half-inch. Nail the bark to these sections, and along the slit at the back attach a strip of wood which may be used to fasten up the box in the desired locality. To make the roof waterproof a piece of tin or zinc may be fastened over the top. In order that the box may be opened for cleaning or examination, in place of the section of wood the bark may be fastened to a hoop and the box covered by means of a cap of wood or till fitting on over the top like the cover of a pail.

Very good imitations of tree-trunks may be secured by constructing boxes out of slabs with the bark on, or pieces of bark may be fastened on boards.