Leon H. Baxter

“ He makes his nest in a hollow where perhaps a woodpecker had a domicile the year before, but he is a pugnacious character, and if he happens to fancy one of the boxes put up for bluebirds, he does not hesitate to take it. He is usually not slow to avail himself of boxes, gourds, tin cans, or empty jars placed for his accommodation. ”

“ Protection is simple and may be limited to laws safeguarding birds from harm, to killing off as many as possible of the English sparrows, and to seeing that cats are not allowed any undue opportunity for harming them.
Fig. 1. Blue Bird Feeding Young.
The boy or girl who puts up boxes for the birds to nest in, supplies them with drinking and bathing places, and provides food for those species which remain in winter, is certain of an unfailing source of pleasure, which can [Pg 12] never be known to any one who pursues them with airgun and stones, or simply ignores their presence. ”

“ A progressive study of our native birds by competent individuals, especially through the United States Department of Agriculture in its Farmers’ Bulletins, has shown very decisively that the return made by our feathered friends by ridding our gardens and orchards of destructive worms and insects, is many times as valuable as the small commission they collect by sampling a berry or two here and there. ”

“ Bird Box Specifications.
To successfully entice the birds to a man,—or rather boy—or girl-made home, there are certain rules which experience has proven we must follow.
The drawings in this book have been made as nearly correct as careful study of all available data on the subject will allow. The author feels confident that if the drawings, together with the specifications that go with them, are carefully followed the artisan will be amply rewarded by finding all bird tenements “let” as soon as the spring migration and nesting season starts. ”

“ The chances are that the bird-loving boy or girl will make the better citizen.
Birds That Adapt Themselves to Nesting Boxes.
There is quite a large number of birds that easily adapt themselves to the artificially made house. The main thing is to consider the type of house that will appeal to the intended tenants, one that approaches nearest to their natural desires and nesting sites.
Bluebirds and house wrens are the easiest to entice to the nesting box. Plain weather stained boxes or those covered with bark have proven to be the best type. ”

“ OUR FRIENDS THE BIRDS It has been positively proven that birds will return annually in greater numbers to localities where assistance, in the form of nesting boxes, has been rendered by those interested in bird welfare, than to those places where no such provision has been made. ”

“ In boring the entrance hole, tip the bit upward slightly so that rain water will not drip inward.
Some device for attaching the house to a building or tree should be provided. It is best to have the house stationary to prevent undue swinging in a high wind, perhaps causing the breaking of eggs and discomfort to the mother bird.
Houses of unusual shape or design are not considered as good as the plainer types, the idea being to make each house harmonize as naturally as possible with the surroundings. ”

“ A similar Bird Home is made by boring an auger hole from one end of a piece of limb to within a couple inches of the other, plugging the bored end, and making an entrance hole near the other end. These homes are adapted to woodpeckers, bluebirds, house wrens, chickadees and tree swallows. A little larger home of the same type is required for crested fly catchers and decidedly larger ones for the flicker. ”

“ To many the robin is the most cherished of birds and is found throughout the States east of the Great Plains, and is represented farther west and south by slightly different sub-species. It breeds far north through Canada, and is found even in Alaska. It is quite fearless and will occupy a bird shelf close to human habitation. ”

“ Innumerable quantities of seeds of plants and weeds which would otherwise overun our gardens are eaten by the birds. This, together with the fact that these same birds with their brilliant plumage and beautiful songs, are a valuable asset to our neighborhood, ought certainly to impress us that they are deserving of our assistance and protection. ”

“ If old and weather stained boards are used in making the box houses, bark covering is not absolutely necessary, but it adds to the attractiveness, from both the birds’ and the human standpoint, and bark affords a good foothold for the birds as they alight at the entrance. Woodpeckers especially should have bark covered exteriors to their homes. ”

“ The local Commercial Club, as well as many of the merchants also, add generously to the fund, so that the boys and girls, besides having an incentive for helping their bird friends from an economic standpoint, also have a chance to profit financially. ”

“ The smaller birds will be bothered a great deal by the English sparrow, who enters if the opening is not kept very small.
It is considered by a majority of authorities that a perch is not a help but a hindrance at the opening. ”

“ In the Mississippi Valley it winters as far north as Southern Illinois, and in the East as far as Pennsylvania. It is one of the earliest northern migrants and everywhere is hailed as a harbinger of spring. ”

“ The birds may not find the food at once, but usually they will find it sooner or later. When the chickadees have discovered it we are ready for the next move.
Fresh meat or suet is now put up on the trees nearest the house, to accustom the birds to coming there.
Many types of feeders can be made, varying the plain wood shelf, to the artistic food shelters of natural limbs and bark. Some feeders can be placed on movable pivots on poles with extended vanes in front so that the wind will always cause them to be in a sheltered position. This type of feeding shelf, Fig. ”

“ All cutting should be finished before sandpapering so as not to dull our plane blade with the fine particles of sand left in the wood by the sandpaper.
Nail the sides to the front and rear, using 11⁄4 inch brads, placing about five on each edge, and taking care that they strike fair in the center of the edge to prevent splitting.
Next nail on roof C, having the rear edge flush with the rear of the box allowing all projection to come in front. Have ridge edge just level with peak. ”

“ The various species of wrens occupy more or less the whole country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The wren is one of our most [Pg 16] friendly birds and his presence should be encouraged about every farm, village, and suburban residence. ”

“ We have our pieces all cut out and numbered and shall now cut the shape of pieces A, which are the front and rear of the house, from our pieces that we have previously cut 81⁄2 inches wide by 10 inches long. ”

“ A piece of wooden tubing from a chainpump, with the ends plugged, and an entrance made in the side near the upper end, the tube being covered with bark, makes a very good substitute for a hollow limb. ”

“ These methods of attracting and domesticating the birds will be found full of interest, and in some cases our efforts will be rewarded by having some little feathered ball jump fearlessly on our fingers for a choice titbit. ”

“ There should be a few small holes bored in the bottom to allow any moisture that might accumulate, to drain. Also, another set of holes at least 1⁄4-inch in diameter should be bored for ventilation, high enough so that no drafts will affect the young. ”