The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-05-25
Articles on 0rnitholegy

Owing to the demand for further
knowledge of the life histories of our
wild birds, it has been deemed adyis-
able by the State Department of In
land Fisheries and Game to issue.
from time to time. short bulletins on
the subject of ORTHODOXY II is
the desire of this Department to is
sue a bulletin on Maine birds for gem
eral distribution. but funds for this
work must be provided by the Legis-
lature, thereoEe this work must wait
until another year For the pres
ent. we hope to issue short bulle-
tin monthly or bi-monthly. in the coll
umns of the press, not with the idea
of imparting scientific Information
but, rather to increase public inter-
est toward our best friend and ally.
the wild bird.
1t is extremely pleasing to note the
steady increase in correspondence re-
garding our wild BIRDS | think the
main reasonsfor this is the good work
which is being accomplished by the
different Bird Clubs which have been
organized throughout Maine within
the past few years.
h Many ask the question "What can
| do to attract birds about my place"
As an answer to such Inquiries |
would say Erect nesting boxes. pro-
vide bird baths, plant shrubbery for
shade and shelter. erect feeding sta
ton for winter birds and control the
domestic cat
There are very few homes but that
would be greatly improved and their
value increased by liberal plant
ing of shrubbery which would furnish
4 nesting place for many of our birds.
especially the always welcome oh 'rp-
ing sparrow; and many others such
as the blue bird, tree swallow. chick
adee. purple marten and wren. nay
be all made to feel at home by find
ing suitable nesting boxes erected on
J poles or in shade trees, or even on
! buildings. Another interesting eX-
pertinent is to hang up a handful of
warn or wool for nesting material and
the birds help themselves will well
| repay you.
Birds baths are a necessity. Have
eou ever watched the little fellow
about puddle after "A shower? If
o. YOU can realize what a pleasure +
must be for bird to have its BATH
| ready at all times. A bird bath
need not be expensive. but should
re so placed that it would be in the
shade Of a tree or building, prefer1bl5
a tree and so placed that the bird
could enjoy their bath without danger
from the family cat
Concrete is the best material for
hird bath construction and shoulJ.
t possible be at least four feet from
The ground. The receptacle shoul /
be sloping from the outer rim to the
center, so that the depth of water at
he center will be three or four inches
Owing to the danger of beng broken
w winter freezing, the bath proper
should be made removable from the
standard or base so that il may be
stored away during the winter months.
Keep the bath clean by emptying.
md scrubbing once a week. and Sc
that it is kept full Of water at all
times.
Bird houses make an excellent sub
stitute for hollow trees and should
Invariably be constructed Of wood
birds vary to such a degree that con
siderable study must he given as to
the size of house. diameter of en-
trance, also the space inside the
house. Briefly, the conditions should
conform as near as possible to tha
nesting conditions of the same family
when nesting in the forests or fields
Houses and How to Build Them" is
pamphlet valuable to those intcr4
ested and may be procured by writ
ing the L. S. Department of Agri-
culture, Bureau of Biological Survey,
Washington y. c.