The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-10

thNiiiy VI lilt OlEu. JOiln BUR-
roughs says more birds are destroyed
BY eats than by all their other enemies
put together. T.. y. Forbush. State
Ornithologist OF Massachusetts,, esti-
mates in that State alone cats kill more
than 100000 birds every year As a
result the birds have come instlnctively
to recognize the cat as their enemy and
are not easily attracted, nor will they
become tame where cats are kept. The
stray or underfcd cat is the worst. and
1t should he considered a crime to turn
a cat adrift on the nelghborhood as is
often done by persons moving away or
firing Of caring for their pets. Pet cats
should always be punished whenever
they catch birds or break up nests. and
many Of them can be broken Of the
habit In nearly every bird store in
New York city a cat is kept to keep
down rats and mice that are attracted
by the scattered seed. and these cats
seldom II ever attempt to touch the
birds constantly within easy reach. So
too. in the large stores OF the wholesale
bird dealers in England and Germany
cats roam about among she hundreds ~
Gagged birds. never Offering 10 harm the
birds even when they escape from the
I
The most effectual single step Ia to
surround the proposed bird sanctuary
with vermin proof fence. Tho curve
or angle faces the outside Of the
grounds, thus preventing entrance by
climbing, and SO, little below the level
OF the ground prevents entrance hy dig.
ging.
II It is impra cticable 70 build an i'm
pcnetrable fence the NEXT hest device is
20 put guards OF sheet metal on all
nesting trees and on poles supporting
bird houses. THIS SHOULD be done in. any
case where squirrels or snakes are
likely TO intrude. Tree guards should
be six feet or more above ground
breeding Places.
Although considerable number OF
our native birds build their nests ON
the ground the majority place them
in trees or shrubs. either in holes or ON
limbs or IN crotches. Shrubbery ana
trees for nesting sites, therefore. arc
essential for making a place attractive
to birds. and double purpose is served
II the kinds planted are chosen from
the list Of fruit bearing species glvon
further on. Shrubs should be slloyad
TO form thlckets and should be pruncd
back severely when young 50 rs TO pro-
duce humorous crotches.
Constant removal OF old trees and
modern tree surgery have resulted in n
great dimunitlon in the number Of tree
cavities, the natural homes of most az
our hole nesting birds Fortunately most
or these birds will utilize artificial nos,
cavities or bird houses. Food Shelters
for Birds and Bird Houses" was nph.
lished in THE Sun, Sunday. December
9. 1914, and will also be found IN
Farmers Bulletin No, 600, Department
or Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Tho
most common errors in putting out bird
houses are choosing poor locations and
supplying too many boxes. A bird
house In bald glaring location Is not
nearly So likely to attract tenants as
one in n partially shaded place Mar
tins only prefer house standing anart
from trees.
Az ruo birds do not Ike heinz
crowded, and II place is studded with
bird houses only few OF them will no
occupied. Birds not only do not want
bird neighbOrs too near, but thev ara
impatient OF human NEEDING and there.
fore should he granted as much prlyacv
as possible during tho actual lncubatsnr
and broodlrg, Nests built IN shrubberv
are especially likely 20 como 70 \ bad
end If the blrls arc frequently dis
turbed.
To protect sroUnd nesting birds. ss
mcadowlarks, boholinks and bob whites.
grass in the nesting fields must not be
cut during the breeding season.
water supply.
Nothing has n moro potent attraction
for birds during hot weather than drink.
Ing and bathing pla 'es. The birds
water supply should be u pool not more
than few inches deep. the bottom
slopinR gradually upward toward the
edge, Both bottom and edge should he
rough, SO as 10 afford safe footing.
giant pottery saucer Ia an excellent |
device, or the pool may be made Of con- |
crete or even metal II the surface he |
roughened. The bird bath may be ele- |
waited or on the ground II on an omen |
space whore skulking enemies cannot |
apprnacA too near.
A water supply Is appreciated in Win
ter as well as in summer.
Food.
Food supply Is the vital factor In bird
life ana the most important single Of