Bird Houses Boys Can Build Part 2

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 23. (CHICKADEE HOUSE)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 24. WREN, BLUE BIRD AND ROBIN HOUSES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 25. (FLICKER OR WOODp.e.c.k.e.r HOUSE)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 26. (WREN BOX)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 27. (FLYCATCHER HOME)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 28. RUSTIC HOUSES MADE BY ST. PAUL, MINN. BOYS.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 29. RUSTIC HOUSES MADE BY PITTSBURGH, PA. BOYS.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 30. SIMPLE LOG AND BIRCHBARK CONSTRUCTION, HOUSES FOR WRENS, BLUEBIRDS, ETC.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 31. BIRCH BARK HOUSES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 32. GOOD TYPES OF SMALL HOUSES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 33. GOOD TYPES OF SMALL HOUSES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 34. A QUAINT BIRD HOME.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 35. A HOUSE OF CEDAR SLABS FOR JENNY WREN.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 36. MAKING BIRD HOUSES TO ORDER.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 37. CONSTRUCTION OF A WOODp.e.c.k.e.r'S HOME. A MARTIN, OR TREE SWALLOW HOME.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 38. STUCCO HOUSES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 39. CONCRETE HOUSES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 40. READY TO PLACE FINISHED HOUSES.]

PLACING HOUSES.

The table given on page 16 states the height from the ground that different species of birds seem to prefer for their nests, to which several suggestions may be added. The houses should be so located that cats and other bird enemies do not have easy access to them. The openings ought to be turned away from the directions from which storms and winds most often come; and the house must hang or tilt so rain does not run in at the entrance. Such birds as the woodp.e.c.k.e.rs spend most of their time in the trees and so do not take as readily to a house set on a pole out in the open as martins or bluebirds. Flickers are seen on the ground a good share of the time in search of their favorite food, and so will frequently live in houses nailed to fence posts. Houses are more apt to be occupied if placed in position in fall or winter before the spring migration, especially houses made of freshly dressed or newly painted wood. However, such birds as the robin and bluebird rear more than one brood each season and so a house set up in May or June may have a tenant. Figs. 40 to 44 show boys of the University of Wisconsin High School placing some of the houses they had made.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 41. (PLACING HOUSES)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 42. (PLACING HOUSES)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 43. (PLACING HOUSES)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 44. (PLACING HOUSES)]

FEEDING SHELVES AND SHELTERS.

Nesting boxes make their appeal to but a part of the birds of any community. These attract during the early spring and summer months.

Many other species are worth having in our orchards and gardens for their songs and their activity in destroying insects and weed seeds.

To these some other attraction than nesting boxes must be offered.

Then again, many birds would spend a longer time with us if a certain food supply were a.s.sured them. A simple suet feeder is shown in Fig.

45. The birds cling to the chicken wire while eating. A feeding box for seed-eating birds is given in Fig. 46. Fig. 47 gives a shelf to be nailed to the sunny side of a building, while Fig. 48 shows a somewhat similar type to be fastened to a window sill, making it possible to observe the birds that come to dine. Birds that hesitate to come close to buildings may be attracted by the feeders set out in the open. Fig.

50 shows a feeder mounted on an iron pipe so it can be turned in any direction. This feeder has one end closed by a pane of gla.s.s, and is to be turned so that prevailing winds do not enter. Fig. 49 shows a feeding shelf for winter use which makes an acceptable robin nesting shelf in spring. In Fig. 53 is given a feeder mounted on a base with a vane so the adjustment takes place automatically. Figs. 51 and 52 show two food shelters considerably more difficult to construct. They have gla.s.s on all sides, and are open at the bottom so that birds can enter or leave at will. Fig. 30 shows a simple food shelter offering some protection against rain and snow, while a very attractive group of shelters are given in Figs. 54, 55, 56 and 57. If you look closely you may see "Mabel" in the right hand feeder in Fig. 54. The builder of these shelters found her so positive about her rights--since she discovered the food supply--that he has been obliged to put up the others to keep peace.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 45. (MARTIN HOUSE), (SUET FEEDER)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 46. (NESTING BOX FOR BLUEBIRDS), (FEEDING BOX)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 47. (FEEDING SHELF)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 48. (WINDOW FOOD SHELTER)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 49. ROBIN SHELF OR FEEDING SHELF.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 50. HILBERSDORFER FOOD HOUSE.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 51. (HOUSE FOR HOUSE FINCHES), (FOOD SHELTER HOUSE)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 52. (SHELTERED FOOD HOUSE)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 53. (ADJUSTABLE FOOD SHELTER)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 54. (FOOD SHELTERS)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 55. WHEN THE SHELTER IS MOST NEEDED.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 56. BIRDS SHOULD FIND THESE FOOD SHELTERS BEFORE BAD WEATHER COMES.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 57. A "j.a.pANESE" EFFECT.]

The window-sill lunch counter shown in Figs. 58 and 61 is a most effective way to study birds at close range. The window selected for this purpose should be on a quiet and sheltered side of the house if possible. If trees and shrubbery are near at hand birds are more likely to be attracted. Branches of thorn apples, alders and evergreens are fastened firmly to the window frames to dress the lunch counter on the outside while house plants or at least a curtain should be placed on the inside as a screen. Fig. 59 shows how particular varieties of birds may be attracted by offering favorite foods while Fig. 60 gives an idea of what kindness will do.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 58. THE BIRD WINDOW SEEN FROM INSIDE THE ROOM.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 59. BLUEBIRDS ATTRACTED TO THE WINDOW SILL BY MEAL WORMS.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 60. A ROBIN ABOUT TO EAT FROM THE CHILDREN'S HANDS.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 61. THE WINDOW-SILL LUNCH COUNTER FROM OUTSIDE.]