The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-04-18
HOW TO ATTRACT
BIRDS 10 HOME.
Feathered Friends Drawn by
Proper Shelter and Food.
LOCATION OF BIRD HOUSES

Birds appeal strongly to the inter
eStS and affections of mankind. No
only do they charm by their graceful
forms, harmonious colors, sprightly &C
lions and usually pleasing notes, but
tAey have an even more important
claim upon our esteem because OF theil
great economic value. Birds feed upon
practically all insect pests. They are
vOraciOus, able to move freely from
place to place, and exert steady In
duence In keeping down the swelling
tide Of insect life
The means Of increasing the num-
her Of birds about the home are few
and simple" says w. L. McAtee in 4
bulletin Of the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture on how to attract
them. 'They comprise adequate pro-
lection and the provision of suitable
nesting places, food and water. It Il
planned In series of publications to
recommend practicable methods Of at
tracing birds about homes in the vari-
GUS parts Of the United States. Pro
etctiOn is the prime requisite for in
creasing the number Of birds in any
area, and the results OF protection
are in direct proportion to its thor
Oughness.
Although a 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 the limbs or In the crotches.
Shrubbery and trees for nesting sites,
therefore, are essential for making Z
place attractive to birds, and a double
purpose Is served II the kinds planted
are chosen from the list of fruit-bear-
Ing species given further on. Shrubs
should be allowed to form thickets
and should be pruned back severely
when young, so as to produce numer-
GUS crotches.
Natural Bird Houses Going.
Constant removal Of old trees and
modern tree-surgery have resulted in
q great diminution in the number OF
tree cavities the natural homes OF
most of our hole-nesting birds. For
most of these birds will utfl-
1AC dItlACldI uCSl CdflLACS, VI OAA u
houses.
"As rule, birds do not like to be
crowded. and if place is studded
with bird houses only few of them
will be occupied. Birds not only do
not want bird neighbors too near, but
are impatient OF human meddling and
therefore should be granted as much
privacy as possible during the actual
incubating and brooding.
Nothing has a more potent attrac
ton for birds during hot weather than
and bathing places. The
birds water supply should be pool
not more than a few inches deep, the
bottom sloping gradually upward to-
ward the edge. Both bottom and
edge should be rough, so as to afford
a safe footing. A giant pottery
saucer is an excellent device, or the
pool may be made OF concrete, or
even metal, If the surface be rough
ened. The bird bath may be elevated
Or on the ground If in an open space
where skulking enemies cannot ap-
orOach too near. A water supply Is
in winter as well as in
summer. If running water cannot be
provided, that supplied should be |
warmed to delay freezing.
Supplying Plenty of Food.
FOOD supply is vital factor In |!
bird life and the most important |
single offering that can. be made in |
Efforts to attract birds. 1t is impOr- |
ant to note that an ample supply Of |
God prior to and during the nesting |
eason tends to increase the number
# eggs laid and also the number Of
,roods in season. Bird food may |
'e supplied in two ways-by planting
rees, shrubs and herbs which produce
eeds or fruits relished by birds, and
y exposing food in artificial devices.
Me most familiar phase of the latter
nethod is winter feeding.
"During the season when the nat
Iral food supply il at It's lowest ebb,
lrds respond most readily to our !
Winte- 1eeunng has be- /
Gle very popular, and the result has
zen to bring about better understand
ng between birds and humankind.
,he winter foods commonly used in
lude suet or other fat, pork rinds,
ones with shreds of meat, meal
yorms cut-up. apples, birdseed, buck
Forms, crackers, crumbs, coconut
leat, cracked corn. broken dog bis
uits or other bread, hemp seed. mil
It, nut meats of all kinds Especially
eanuts), whole or rolled oats, pep
ers, popcorn, pumpkin or squash
eeds, ray or boiled rice, sunf1owef
eeds and wheat"