Evening star., 1937-02-18

back. A bluebird house. or box, must
be larger, say to 10 inches tall, and
inches, at least, from front to back.
The doors, or holes should be rather
above than below the center, but not
so near the roof line that the birds
cannot enter easily.
Care must be taken to make the en-
frances very exactly the sizes given
above, as that is the way the birds like
them. Entrances too large for a wren
will not suit those wary birds, for they
know that larger birds can enter.
1t must be remembered that the nest
is rather high, or deep, in most cases,
and that there must be room enough
in the house for this, which is it's main
purpose. The door must be we'll above
the gaping mouths of the youngsters.
The parents feed them, of course, from
above.
Care must be taken, also, to make the
box waterproof, especially from above.
Metal Is not q good material, since it
grows too hot in the Summer. Wood is
by far the best material, and the thicker
the better, within reason II Stats are
used, of any sort, they should be over
Tapped, as shingles, and every care made
to construct roof that will not leak. A
good covering of wood should be over
laid with small shingles of some sort.
Ordinary composition roofing, cut to
cover the entire wood top, will do very
nicely. Projecting caves should be con-
structed, II possible, to carry off the
rain.
The inside of these boxes should be
finished as smooth as possible, with no
projecting nails left inside. Boxes which
show rough, hurried work, with project
ing nails inside, should be rejected They
have been made by people who have no
idea whatever of bird life.
If possible, the roof should be made
easily removable, SO that from time to
time. If birds nest in the house, the
little birds may be observed.
This is the real reason for having the
top removable. Sometimes one is told
that the top should be made so, in order
to facilitate cleaning, but mostly the
birds like to do their own cleaning up
of houses. Nor should the birds be
watched to the point where they are
pestered. But a peep, now and then. If
done carefully. and when the old birds
are away is highly edifying to the bird
student, and does not frighten the babies
at all.
All extra adornments, such windows,
chimneys and the like, should be kept
off bird houses. They have no place at
all in their construction. In reference
to the Slated material mentioned above,
it might be said that it would do best
as an outer and more ornamental COW
ering for plain wooden box. rather
higher than wide, and wider than deep,
for pluebird house This construction
would give double thickness and help
keep the young birds cool in hot
weather.
The placement of a bird house is i'm
portant. 1t should not be out in the
broiling sun, but in such a place as
would give it only some sun during the
day. Preferably it is faced away from
the direction of prevailing storms.
Wren houses go almost anywhere you
care to place them. Often they are hung
with success from the roof of an open
porch or over the doorway.
The bluebird house-and this also
applies to most other bird houses
should go up away from human habita-
ton. usually some 10 to II feet high in
q tree, preferably among vines, so that
cats cannot climb up. Robin shells do
best Is or more feet high. 1t is said that
bluebird houses are well liked If placed
on a pole well away from shrub trees
or houses. This pole is best about to
10 feet in height. 1t is not very pretty
way to use them. however.
As to color, subdued tones are best,
but the birds do not care much one way
or another. The best bird houses are
those which are the least obtrusive in
the general scene. Let the birds give
the color