The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-06
FOOD SHELTERS FOR BIRDS AND
BIRD HOUSES.

II 5 MOI difficult to make friends with
wild birds and have them gather about
our homes AT all seasons In winter
IL meals are offered regularly the birds
will appear daily at mealtimes and
prove great source of interest for the
whole family. Fresh water should also
be supplied daily.
In summer. when food is plentiful
everywhere, fresh water for bathing and
drinking will attract them shallow
pool Of varying depth. II only foot or
two in diameter. will prove a centre Of
attraction on hot days for all the birds
in the nciChborhoOd. Where the lawn is
sprinkled regularly every morning the
birds will congreGatc at the usual
watering time. and some grow quite
bold. flying close I" the person handling
the hose IL fine spray Is maintained.
Their confidence. however. must never
hc betrayed. for one dash with a heavy
stream and they will never trust the
operator again.
\ small pool can he made with little
cement. or a good sized pan with a few
stones IN IT. projecting above the water,
for the birds to light on. will make a
good substitute.
Trees, shrubs and vines bearing fruit
relished by birds are great attractions
in their season.
One Of the favorite fruit trees for
birds is the mulberry. The fruit drops
and the lawn under the tree will he
more or less musscd in the fruitIne
season. Raking up the fallen fruit
every day viii keep the lawn in fair
.,f II
friends visiting the tree daily will prove
sufficiently attractive to more than Off
set any temporary upsetting Of the per-
feet neatness Of the lawn.
Birds are desirable moi only on sc-
counc OF their beauty and song, but he-
cause Of their economic value. They
are useful as insect destroyers during
the breeding season, when they work
early and late to obtain sufficient food
for their young, and the birds at this
season are NOR. interesting than az any
other time. Special nesting facilities
should he offered when the birds are
preparing to raise their young. III mud
Ia available swallows. robins and phoe-
hes will wall their nests with it, II
feathers, bits OF wool, Irvine and straws
are available several different kinds of
birds will make use of them. IL safe
retreats are supplied in which they can
rear their young comfortably most Of
them will be occupied No attraction
for summer birds is more effectual than
a series Of houses suited to the needs
and habits of the various kinds OF
house birds.
Formerly only the wren, buebird
tree swallow and martin We're regarded
as house birds, but many other species
avail themselves Of houses constructed
for them by their lman friends.
Woodp. ckers. n matches and titmice
exCavatc their own houses, usually new
ones each year. lea ing the old homes
to less capable architects. Builders of
artificial houses usually go to the wood
pecktr for designs, and by varying de-
signs to suit the tastes ~ diner"nt kinds
OF birds have been rewarded by such
tenants as chCkadres. tuft"G UllniCr
whitohreasted nuthatchts, Berwick ard
Carolina wrens. violet green swallows,
crested nNCatCherS, SCrceCh owls, spar
row hawks and even some Of 'hc wood
peckcrs. II, master builders themselves
Fuckers readily accept houses butt
and golden -fuontcd woodpeCkers are
willing occupants of artificial houses
She ters having one or more sides open
are used by birds that would never ven-