Douglas daily dispatch., 1928-03-16
CHILDREN CAN BRING BIRDS
TONEST IN THEIR GARDENS
If THEY MAKE THE EFFORT

With spring weather bringing the
blossoms TO the trees, and the life
that spring weather brings appearing
on every hand, the birds that nest
In this section will be showing an
interest in their usual haunCs soon.
And now that the governor : has
designated April 13 as the day when
people generally should take interest
in the protection OF bird life to the
end that they Will help destroy the
bugs and worms that are a pest
to vegetable and plant life, the boys
and girls Of Arizona, and especially
of Douglas, have an assignment for
the summer Birds can be made the
intimate friends OF boys and girls if
effort is made in that direction
Boys are anxious to learn 10 make
things. They have an opportunity to
try their hand in making bird houses.
When they have made them they
should place them on a pole several
feet above the ground and then ii
there are any cats handy, they either
should build a flare on the pole just
below the bird box or else cover the
pole some four feet above the ground
with sheet tin for a distance OF
about 20 inches so that cat can
not climb it to the box Cats and
birds do not, mix well around bird
boxes.
Put Out Food For Birds
Having put the box to place, it
is well to place some small grain
or meal or even bread crusts on
the platform to the birds door SC
they will find that they are welcome
and visit the box After they have
been given that friendly assurance
that the box is to be their home,
it will surprise the boys and girls
how quickly. their little feathered
acquaintances will be fitting around
and singing from the bueshes abotlC
the yard. It will be well, also, to
place container in which water can
be kept and keep the water fresh
ened up from day to day, because
the birds like their drink and their
bath better than lots OF children.
In placing the watering facilities
for the birds, flat pan in which
half an inch of water can be kept
is the best type, or pan in which
the water is shallow at the edges|
so that the bird can wade into it
and take its bath. IT this IS arranged
and one does not attempt to disturb
the birds when they come about,
they will soon be coming to drink
and bathe and not, be disturbed II
ore watches them in tneir actions.
And in the course OF a year or two
with the birds that will be Ilatcned
on the premises, they Will become
so tame that they will come to
ones window for crumbs if you will
place them where the bird may find
them.
When Dr. Clifton F. Hodge, X the
biological department of Clark uni
verSity, moved to his home on Char
lottee street in Worcester, Mass, there
was a large weed patch on the next
lot to his residence. Donald and
Maize were his two children, aged
three and five years. His first step
was to secure permission to clear
the weeds off the vacant lot. Then
he built shallow pool at the cage
of his yard and kept tiny spray
of water coming from a pipe ana
falling into it. Near the spray ne
erected a little platform on q post
and on that he kept small amounts
of food, chiefly bread crumbs, Or
dren were instructed that they might
watch the birds but they must never
try 70 catch or torment them.
Birds Became Children's Friends
It was not long until the birds
became quite plentiful around that
little pool and Donald and Maize
would play On the lawn and watch
them. They also would toss crumbs
toward the pool and birds finally
came to learn that those two children
were their friends. And before the
end of the second season, pictures
were made showing as many as three
birds, type of small song bird
common to that city, alighted On
Mazie's arm and shoulder, having
come to her for crumbs. They also
learned the window to the childrens
room and came there to be fed OF