| OCR Text |
Show and vines bearing fruit relished by birds are great attractions in their season. Birds nre desirable nbout premises not only on account of their- beauty and song, but because of their economic eco-nomic worth, according to the United States bureau of biological survey. They nre especially useful as insect destroyers during the breeding period, when they have to work early and late to obtain sufficient food for theii nestlings, and their movements at this time are more interesting than durinf any other season. There Is. therefore a double purpose In offering them special spe-cial nesting facilities. If mud is avail able, swallows, robins and phoebes will found and wall their nests with it. If we put out feathers, bits of wool or twine, a dozen different kinds of birds will make use of them. If we furnish safe retreats In which they can rear their young comfortably, most of them will be occupied. In fact, no attraction attrac-tion for summer birds is more effectual effec-tual than a series of houses suited to the needs and habits of the various kinds of house birds. A few years afro only four species were commonly regarded ns house birdsi the house wren, the bluebird, the tree swiio n he martin. Since the movement to p;otect Dirds and make neighbors of them be-gan, however, how-ever, their natures and needs have become be-come better understood, and it Is now known that many other species f.ill avail themselves of houses constructed construct-ed for them by their human friends. The practice of erecting birdhouses in this country, while now nation wide, is not so common and unif'-tnnly distributed as It should be. and more extended provisions of this nature ennnot fall to resuit In a largely increased in-creased number of house birds. CATERING TO THEIR NEEDS. Birds may be gathered nbout ns in 1 all seasons of the year with ease and 1 "ertaiuty merely by offering what they ! desire. In winter they nre often 1 pushed for food, and if we supply this J need they will report daily at the lunch counter Snd help to relieve the ' tedium of our indoor life. In sum-! sum-! mer they car? less for food provided by their human friends, and other i ;: i . Bird Baths; a. Pottery; b. Metal or con-1 con-1 creie. ' J'-rie sought to attract them nome. They appreciate fresh ,r bathing and ifrinking. A v pool of varying depth, if only oot across, becomes on hot days a enter of attraction for all the birds in the vicinity, and it may be made with little effort and material. Only a small amount of cement Is required, or, if that be lacking, a pan with stones In It set In the ground will be equally serviceable. Trees, shrubs |
