The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-23
A House for sWaIIows.

 swallows may be set on a pole or tree stub (See figs 12-15 of accom- panyfng buuetinl The house is a. simple box-like structure with a gable roof, The foundations floor and posts are first put in position and then the four sides which have been already fastened together with the gable roof are placed over the floor and posts. A small circu1ar hole. just under the gable permits the bird to enter This, house can be cleaned by simply lifting the box from its base.
 Design for Sparrow Hawks and
 Screetch Owls.
 A house that looks something like a mail box, and which may be fasten- ed to the side of tree, is particular l ly suitable for sparrow hawks and screech owls. Bluebirds and wrens. who do not seem very part ttcular about what habitation they occupy, may all so use a similar house. It's bottom can be removed bys turning a button 6See figs. 1921 in accompanying bulletin1.
 Woodpecker Box.
 Another house that also resembles a mail box, but has gable roof where the screech7owl dwelling has a fiat one, is designed to be placed on top of a post or stub Of a tree rather than companying lbulletin1.s Such 8 house has proven attractive to diclxers The roof may be lifted off just as a stopper is removed from bottle.
 Bird houses may be made more or less elaborate according as the human. landlord has time and inclination to put on their construction. Many bird lovers take great pleasure in arrang- ing, planning, and building elaborate habitations for birds, and such may receive valuable hints for the con- structipn of an attractive three-storied martin house from the departments s new bulletin 6See figs. 32-391. The English sparrow SEould Not Be
 EncouragelI
 The English sparrow, whose attacks often drive other birds away Tvonn the neighborhood will not be encouraged b. the careful landlord. The Depart ment's Farmers Bulletin (fIo. 493), entitled .sThe English Sparrow As A Pest" gives accommodation to those who wish to free their premises of this EundesirabIe bird.
 There are other undesirable prow1- CTS that seek to injure desirable feath- cred tenants and must be watched by the careful landlord. Cats and large Fl snakes are enemies of birds the for mer perhaps killing more than any other mammal. Trees and poles sup I porting houses should be sheathed these enemies from climbing to the nests.
 Bird Tenants Notional About Location
 of House.
 The fact that there is a. limit to the I possible bird population on any given tract must be taken into consideration in building houses for them. When l the probable tenants have been de- l cided upon, the selection of sites is in order. for the site often decides the style of houses that is to occupy it. I Birds often have decided notions as to the proper surroundings for a 5well- l ing Martins prefer to breed near | trees or buildings. Bluebirds are in cIined to select orchards or pastures I having scattered trees Wrens, thrashers. and C. birds live in thick shrubbery. Robins like trees with sturdy trunks and branches. The new fpublication gives great deal Of in- formation about these individual pref I erences of birds.
 In the final placing of bird houses, care should be taken to have them face away from the winds prevailing I in stormy weather. The strongly de- IveIoped homing instincts of birds can I be relied on to attach them to the neighborhood where they first saw the I light, and the identical pairs which nest in the houses provided for them l one year will often return the next I season to enjoy the same bounty and i protection.
 I There are other means of attracting ones bird neighbors besides build I building houses. In winter if they are supplied food they will haunt the premises and the new bulletin gives l plans for an adequate shelter where I food may be left In summer still ]. other means must often be sought to make them sociaab1e. On warm days I they particularly appreciate fresh I water for drinking and bathing. A shallow pool of varying depth, if only 1 a foot across, becomes a center of at l traction for all the birds in the vicini- | ty, and it may be made with little eff fort 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 serviceab1e.
 Bird lovers may obtain the new bull let;n with it's 19 pages of instruction including 48 diagrams. by writing the I U. s. Department of Agriculture.
 The annual convention of New York I1a o+ Dc