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BOC BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
Baxter
RirtRENCE
"SROOM
20 iv.
NEW Yl , '
Rxhihition of Bird Houses in the Fairbanks Museum, Johnsbury, Vt
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
LEON H. BAXTER
THE BRUCE PUBLISHING CO.
MILWAUKEE, WIS
Copyright, 1920
THE BRUCE PUBLISHING CO.
rinted in the United Slates of America
(Eighth Printing— 1950)
PROPERTY OF THE ^ d CITY OF NEW YORK ^ '
J 15574 1
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
It is with much pleasure that I commend to the public this little book regarding the con- struction of Bird Houses. As Instructor in Nature Study at the Fairbanks Museum it has been my privilege and pleasure to co-oper- ate closely with Mr. Baxter's work in the manual training department of the local schools. Through his instruction our boys are proud to be considered natural guardians of bird homes in our town, which is veritably a bird sanctuary. About two hundred suitable nesting boxes have been placed in proper lo- calities during the past three years.
The Museum offers prizes each year to the boys of Mr. Baxter's classes and our exhibit of Bird Houses on the first Saturday in April is an event that attracts many proud parents to inspect the work of their children.
In this little book, Mr. Baxter tells very explicitly just how any one can build suitable houses to attract our native birds.
Just here I would like to say tjiat any town or community that protects its birds, insures its harvests against destruction by insect pests. Therefore the economic value of Bird Houses is even greater than the aesthetic. The results actually accomplished by IMr. Baxter along these lines vouch for the accuracy of the infor- mation contained in this little book.
Inez Addie Howe,
Instructor in Xatnrr Study.
The Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
To the lover of the open, the -woods, the fields, and waterways and all of Clod's wild things, this book is affectionately dedicated.
To lead the boy and girl toward their proper relationship with their feathered friends of the air, and to instil the feeling of protection toward our native birds, these pages have been written and these designs made.
What is offered between the covei-s of this little book is the results of study and observa- tion of birds and their ways covering a period of six years.
Each drawing offered is of a proven house, one that has served as a home for some of our songsters and if the directions, here set down,
are faithfully followed. (Mpia crown the builders' cITorts.
success will
While the greater part of the text is the result of knowledge which the writer has gleaned at first hand, yet the author has sev- eral times quoted from the text of the Farm- ers' Bulletin Xo. 621, United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, and from a contribution by Edward Howe Forbush, in Bulletin No. 1, published by The National Association of Audubon Societies. Fig. 2, the photograph showing a blue bird entering a box, is by S. P. Brownell, East Barnet, Vt.
Leon H. Baxter.
St. Johnsbury, Vt. Feb. 2, 1920.
TABLE OF
rage
Our Friends the Birds 11
Birds That Adapt Themselves to Nesting
Boxes 12
The Bluebirds 13
The Kobin 1-t
The Titmice 14
The Wrens 15
The AVoodpecker 16
Bird House Material 16
Methods of Finishinj,^ Exteriors IS
Bird Box Specifications 20
Typical Bird House Specifications 21
Methods of Conducting; a Bird House
Contest 23
Bird House Day 26
Bird Enemies 27
General Directions for Starting Work on
the Bird Boxes 28
Winter Care of the Birds 35
Plate 1— Blue Bird House 41
CONTENTS
Page
Plate 2— Blue Bird House 42
Plate 3— Blue Bird House 43
Plate 4— Blue Bird House 44
Plate 5— Blue Bird House 45
Plate 6— Box for Robins 46
Plate 7— Box for Robins 47
Plate 8— Box for Wrens 48
Plate 9— Double Wren House 4«)
Plate 10 — Downy AA'oodpecker House 50
Plate 11— Box for Hairy Woodpeckers 51
Plate 12— Flicker House 52
Plate 13 — Woodpecker House 53
Plate 14— Xuthatch House 54
Plate 15 — Nuthatch House 55
Plate 16— Box for Tree Swallow 56
Plate 17 — Titmouse House 57
Plate 18— Chickadee House 58
Plate 19 — Houses from Common Objects. . 59
Plate 19a — Suggested Designs for Boxes. . 60
Plate 20— Feeding Devices '. . 61
|
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OUR FRIENDS THE BIRDS
IT has been positively proven that birds will return annually in greater numbers to lo- calities where assistance, in the form of nesting boxes, has been rendered by those in- terested in bird welfare, than to those places where no such provision has been made.
A progressive study of our native bii-ds by competent individuals, especially through the United States Department of Agriculture in its Farmers' Bulletins, has shown very de- cisively that the return made by our feathered friends by ridding our gaidens and orchards of destructive worms and insects, is many times as valuable as the small commission they collect by sampling a ben-y or two hei-e and there.
Innumerable quantities of seeds of plants and weeds which would otherwise oveiun our gardens are eaten hy the birds. This, together
with the fact that these same birds with their brilliant plumage and beautiful songs, are a valuable asset to our neighborhood, ought cer- tainly to impress us that they are deserving of our assistance and protection. Assistance is best afforded by preparing suitable houses and feeding shelves for them, and also by plac- ing bits of string, horsehair, and other nesting material convenient for them. Protection is simple and may be limited to laws safeguard- ing birds from harm, to killing off as many as possible of the English sparrows, and to see- ing that cats are not allowed any undue op- portunity for harming them.
The boy or girl who puts up boxes for the birds to nest in, supplies them Avith drinking and bathing places, and provides food for those spet'ies which remain in winter, is certain of an unfailing source of pleasure, which can
BOY BIRD HOUSE AKCHITECTURE
Fig. 1
never be known to any one who pursues tliem with airgun and stones, or simply ignores their presence. The chances are that the bird- loving boy or girl will make the better citizen.
Birds That Adapt Themselves to Nesting Boxes.
There is quite a large number of birds that easily adapt themselves to the artificially made house. The main thing is to consider the type of house that will appeal to the in- tended tenants, one that approaches nearest to tlicir natural desires aiid nesting sites.
Bluebirds and house wrens are the easiest ti) entice to the nesting box. Plain weather stained boxes or those covered with bark have ])roven to be the best type.
Purple martins nest in colonies but are scarce now in contrast to their former num- l)ers. Tree swallows take to the boxes, but if an occasion arises where they have a choice between the box and a natural cavity, gen- erally the latter will be selected.
THE BLUEBIRDS
Chickadees and flickers take to the home- made box and, sometimes the little screech owl occupies one of the man-made residences.
He makes a worthy tenant, for as a moiiser, he is superior to the house cat.
Robin Red Breast is another easily at- tracted native bird. Last year I put up a robin shelf, similar to the ones shown in the following drawings, and inside of fifteen min- utes Mr. and Mrs. Robin had hired the apart- ment for the season and were soon busily en- gaged in weaving the nest within fifteen feet of where we were observing them.
The Bluebirds.
The eastern bluebird is a common inhabit- ant of all States east of the Rocky Mountains from the Gulf of Mexico to Southern Canada.
In the Mississippi Valley it winters as far
north as Southern Illinois, and in the East as far as Pennsylvania. It is one of the earliest northern migrants and everywhere is hailed as a harbinger of spring.
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
Domestic in habits, it frequents orchards and gardens and builds close to human habita- tions.
Fig. 1 shows a bluebird at the entrance to an artificially hollowed tree trunk, feeding its
young. Fig. 2 shows to enter a bird box.
mother bluebird about
The Robin.
To many the robin is the most cherished of birds and is found throughout the States east of the Great Plains, and is represented farther west and south by slightly different sub-species. It breeds far north through Can- ada, and is found eyen in Alaska. It is quite fearless and will occupy a bird shelf close to human habitation. The robin, howeyer, re- fuses the enclosed house and therefore the front and one side should be made open.
The Titmice.
These birds, although insignificant in size, have enormous appetites and feed chiefly on small insects and their eggs that wholly escape
THE WRENS
the search of larger birds. This bird, or some of its sub-species, occupies the whole of the United States north of the latitude of Wash- ington and extends into Canada.
In the eastern portion of the country the best known and most widely distributed species is the common black capped chickadee. Fig. 3 shows a chickadee feeding from the hand.
The Wrens.
The diminutive house wren frequents barns and gardens and particularly old orchards in which the trees are partially decayed. He makes his nest in a hollow where perhaps a woodpecker had a domicile the year before, but he is a pugnacious character, and if he happens to fancy one of the boxes put up for bluebirds, he does not hesitate to take it. He is usually not slow to avail himself of boxes,
Pig. 4.
gourds, tin cans, or empty jars placed for his accommodation.
The various species of wrens occupy more or less the whole country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The wren is one of our most
16
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
friendly birds and his presence should be en- couraged about every farm, village, and sub- urban residence.
The Woodpecker.
The woodpeckers are the true bird carpen- ters and do a great amount of good in destroy- ing harmful insects and boring worms.
These birds are found most everywhere iu the United States, several species remaining in the northern States throughout the year.
Two of the best known woodpeckers, the hairy woodpecker and the downy woodpecker, range over a greater part of the United States.
One of the larger woodpeckers familiar to us all is the flicker, or golden winged wood- pecker.
Most all of the woodpeckers will adopt the
artificial house, especially those hollowed out of a split piece of limb.
Bird House Material.
Great varieties of houses can be con- structed of half inch lumber and can be made very attractive to the eye. Other material, however, can be utilized.
The most natural Bird Homes, and such as may often be provided with the least trou- ble, are pieces of hollow limbs or small hollow trunks of trees, or the old nesting holes of woodpeckers. If no limbs with suitable cavi- ties are found, they may be made by taking a piece of a limb, about eight inches in diam- eter and fourteen to sixteen inches long, divid- ing it in half, with a rip saw, from one end to within three inches of the other, where the cut is met by a right-angle cut from the side-
BIRD HOUSE MATERIAL
After this an entrance hole of the required size is made through the shorter or front half.
The two halves are hollowed out, as shown in Plate 19, so as to form a cylindrical cavity about three and one-half inches in diameter and ten inches deep; then the two halves are placed together and held with screws or bolts. A similar Bird Home is made by boring an auger hole from one end of a piece of limb to within a couple inches of the other, plugging the bored end, and making an entrance hole near the other end. These homes are adapted to woodpeckers, bluebirds, house wrens, chick- adees and tree swallows. A little larger home of the same type is required for crested fly catchers and decidedly larger ones for the flicker.
A good sized, deserted flickers' home or
similar cavity provides a nesting place attrac- tive to the screecli owl.
A piece of wooden tubing from a chain- l)ump, with the ends plugged, and an entrance made in the side near the upper end, the tube being covei-ed with bark, makes a very good substitute for a hollow limb.
If old and weather stained boards are used in making the box houses, bark covering is not absolutely necessary, but it adds to the attractiveness, from both the birds' and the human standpoint, and bark affords a good foothold for the birds as they alight at tlie entrance. Woodpeckers especially should have bark covered exteriors to their homes.
Dried gourds, hollowed out, and with an opening made for an entrance, often attract wrens and bluebirds.
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
While tin cans may be used, it is not desirable, in the author's opinion to make use of this medium as tin becomes very hot in the sun. If cans are used, care should be taken to place them in shaded places. Flower pots inverted, as illustrated in Plate 19, are suit- able for some of the smaller birds.
The old fashioned chimney having been re- placed by the modern chimney with small flues, the chimney swifts may be provided with suitable nesting quarters by building on the roofs of barns or sheds, artificial chimneys of wood.
Birds may not always respond promptly to the first attempt at placing a Bird Box, but the would-be landlord must not get discour- aged.
Prepare some Bird Homes in as attractive a manner as possible, keep a supply of water
for bathing and drinking at hand, and prevent their being disturbed. Then watch lor the re- sults that are almost sure to come.
Persistent and intelligent effort will bring ultimate results, which will be sure to reward the attempt. Experience is the best teacher.
Methods of Finishing Exteriors.
As has been before stated, the best finish for the outside of our Bird Houses is bark.
The writer has experimented with various kinds of bark and has obtained the best re- sults with the bark from the cedar.
It is rough enough for the birds to obtain a good foothold upon, it is very artistic in ap- pearance, cuts and bends very easily and can be held with four ounce tacks.
A word should be said here about obtaining
BIRD BOX SPECIFICATIONS
this bark, as it should never be taken from the living tree. Cedar posts are used very much for supports in building and most any contractor or mill man has quantities on hand. These posts most always must have the bark removed, especially the part to show above ground, and the owners, I have found, are glad to have the boys remove the bark from them. Sometimes a fallen cedar will be found in the woods and from it may be obtained all the bark necessary for a number of boxes.
If the whole Bird Box is not to be bark covered it is a good plan to see that the roof is protected by bark.
The remaining portions of the house should be stained or painted a very somber color, such as dull gray, brown, or dark green. Avoid all gloss paints as they reflect light and tend to drive' awav rather than attract the birds.
Bright colors should also be avoided. A nicely constructed Bird Box painted a brilliant red with yellow trimmings or some other equally absurd combination such as the writer has seen, is a travesty on proper Bird House con- struction. Gloss paints can be dulled by add- ing turpentine.
Painted or stained houses should be put out at least a month or more before the time for the bii'ds to arrive. This is to weather them and remove all odors. It is a good plan to put out Bird Boxes in the fall if possible, and they are then in excellent shape for spring use. Do not paint or stain Bird Boxes on the inside.
Place the houses in quiet places, away from the direct rays of the sun, high enough to be out of the way of prowling cats or too inquisi- tive human beings.
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
Bird Box Specifications.
To successfully entice the birds to a man, — or rather boy — or girl-made home, there are certain rules -which experience has proven we must follow.
The drawings in this book have been made as nearly correct as careful study of all avail able data on the subject will allow. The au- thor feels confident that if the drawings, to- gether with the specifications that go with them, are carefully followed the artisan will be amply rewarded by finding all bird tene- ments "let" as soon as the spring migration and nesting season starts.
These houses and many of varied design have been successfully built by pupils of the seventh and eighth grades, with over 75 per- cent of success in having them occupied.
The table given below gives the correct di- mensions for a variet}' of houses for different birds.
The size of the opening is very important, as it is essential that it be no larger than is necessary for the bird for whom it is intended, to conveniently enter.
The smaller birds will be bothered a great deal by the English sparrow, who enters if the opening is not kept very small.
It is considered by a majority of authori- ties that a perch is not a help but a hindrance at the opening. The sparrows alight there and by their incessant chirping drive out or annoy the more desirable occupants. Again, the bluebird and most of the other song birds can fly directly to the edge of the opening and thus go in, while the sparrow, not quite
TYPICAL BIRD HOUSE SPECIFICATIONS
as clever, must first alight on the perch and get his bearing before hopping in.
It is exceedingly important that there be some means of cleaning out Bird Houses at the season's end or to remove any dead bird- lings during the season. This may be taken care of by having either the roof or the bottom hinged.
Tyi'ical Bird House Specifications.
|
Bluebird . . . . |
. 5x5 |
8 |
6 |
1-V2 |
510 |
|
Robin |
. 6x8 |
8 |
(a) |
(a) |
6-15 |
|
Chickadee . . |
. 4x4 |
8-10 |
8 |
l-Vs |
6-15 |
Tufted Tit- mouse 4x4
AVhite-breusti'd
Nuthatch . . 4x4
House Wren.. 4x4
Bewick Wren. 4x4 Carolina
Wren 4x4
Dipper 6x6
Violet-Green
Swallow . ... 5x5
Tree Swallow. 5.\5
Barn Swallow. 6x6
Martin 6x6
8-10 8 1-14 6 15
|
8-10 |
8 |
1-1/4 |
12-20 |
|
6-8 |
1-6 |
% |
6-10 |
|
6-8 |
1-6 |
1-% |
6-10 |
|
6-8 |
1-6 |
l-Vs |
6-10 |
|
6 |
1 |
3 |
1-3 |
|
6 |
1-6 |
1-1/0 |
10-15 |
|
6 |
1-6 |
i-y2 |
10-15 |
|
6 |
(a) |
(a) |
8-12 |
|
6 |
1 |
2-1/, |
16-20 |
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
Swallow ... 6x6 6 1 2-1/2 16-20
Song
SpaiTOw ... 6x6 6 (b) ... 1-3 Crested
Flycatcher .. 6x6 8-10 8 2 8-20
Eed-headed
Woodpecker. 6x6 12-15 12 2 12-20
Golden- Fronted
Woodpecker. 6x6 12-15 12 l-i/. 12-20 Hairy
Woodpecker. 6x6 12-15 12 l-Vo 12-20 Downy
Woodpecker. 4x4 8-10 8 1-1/4 6-20 Screech Owl... 8x8 12-15 12 3 10-30
Sparrow Hawk 8x8 12-15 12 3 10-30
Saw- Whet Owl 6x6 10-12 10 2-1/2 12-20
Barn Owl 10x18 15-18 4 6 12-18
Wood Duck... 10x18 10-15 3 6 4-20
(a) One or more sides open.
(b) All sides open.
There should be a few small holes bored in the bottom to allow any moisture that might accumulate, to drain. Also, another set of holes at least 14-inch in diameter should be bored for ventilation, high enough so that no drafts will att'ect the young. These are best located just under the eaves.
BIRD HOUSE CONTESTS
In boring the entrance hole, tip the bit up- ward slightly so that rain water will not drip inward.
Some device for attaching the house to a building or tree should be provided. It is best to have the house stationary to prevent undue swinging in a high wind, pei-liai)s causing the breaking of eggs and discomfort to the mother bird.
Houses of unusual shape or design are not considered as good as the plainer types, the idea being to make each house harmonize as naturally as possible with the surroundings.
It must be evident from the foregoing that there are quite a number of things to keep in mind as we prepare our plans for the homes of the future feathered inhabitants.
Methods of Conducting a Bird House
Contest.
St. Johnsbury, Vermont, is very fortunate in having a fine Museum of Natural Science with a corps of very efficient workers on its staff.
Every year the directors of the Museum do- nate a substantial amount of pi-ize money as rewards for the best houses constructed for birds by pupils of the grammar school.
The local Commercial Club, as well as many of the merchants also, add generously to the fund, so that the boys and girls, besides having an incentive for helping their bird friends from an economic standpoint, also have a chance to profit financially.
Previous to starting work the Museum in- structors give interesting lectures on the ne-
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
I :-. C. A Group of Prize Winners.
cessity of providing all possible assistance for the birds, and by mounted specimens show the various birds that readilj' accept the artificial houses. They also explain the entrance sizes required by the different species, and go into detail concerning ventilation, drainage, color- ing and placing of the houses.
Later on the children are taken on bird walks, so as to study first hand the character- istics, habitat, and difference in coloring of the male and female of the various native birds.
Original designs are encouraged, and with discussions and good advice the work is started. A stated amount of time is allowed for completing the houses, and the material is paid for by each pupil.
On the appointed day the houses are num- bered and grouped and are ready for the judg- ing.
Three judges are appointed from among people who are proficient to judge such au ex- hibit, usually one of the museum instructors, to judge the technical side, a carpenter or mechanic, to judge the workmanship, and one
BIRD HOUSE DAY
25
Fig. 7. Results of the First Contest iu St. Jol)u.sbur.v.
who is interestod in art to take care of the general design and appearance.
The score card is as follows:
Fitness to i)urpose 50%
Skill in Workmanship a07c
Appearance, design, color. . . . 20% Total TlOO%~
Each judge marks individually on the tally and the box whose score is highest in the esti- mation of all, receives first and so on through all the prizes.
Sometiiiu's the i)npils judge the display be- forehand and compai'e their results with those
Fig. 8. Some Houses Made iu lOlC.
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
Fig. 9. A Few Houses Made in 1917.
of the selected judges, and it has proven gen- erally that boys and girls will use very excel- lent judgment in selecting the winners.
The prizes are usually tools, good books, and thrift stamps, and this annual event is
looked forward to Avith keen anticipation by the youthful designers.
Figs. 4 and 5 show exhibits at the local mu- seum for the past two years.
Fig. 6 shows a group of prize winners.
Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show collections of houses made during the past four years.
Fig. 10 shows one prize winner with his 1 1 ( )use hollowed from a piece of birch limb.
Bird House Day. After the prize winners have been an- nounced a day is set for all who are interested, to gather at the Museum, and with nails, ham- mers, wire and step ladder, together with the Bird Boxes start out to place the houses in po- sition. Fig. 11 shows a group about to start. Fig. 12 gives a view of the boys placing a house in a tree.
ENGLISH SPARROWS
Bird Enemies.
Our bird friends have mucli to contend with in raising their broods, and it is here we can render them valuable assistance.
The cat, the greatest enemy of birds, must be attended to diplomatically.
The shot gun method will not do here or we may find ourselves haled into court upon the complaint of some neighbor.
The best way is to guard the tree trunks with tin as suggested in several ways in Plate 19. For tramp cats, having no home or owner, the trap shown in the same plate will bo found efficient.
Spikes may be driven in part way about a pole so that the row of heads prevent the cats getting by.
Fig. 10. A. Winner.
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
Fig. 11. Children Starting Out to Put Vp Houses.
English Sparrows are another sworn enemy of onr song birds and they should be exterminated in every way possible.
Traps, air guns and any other means, no matter how diabolical, are all too good for this feathered pest. Their nests should be pulled
down and the young destroyed whenever and wherever found. They are persistent and must be continuously harassed.
Squirrels and snakes also steal both the eggs and the young and they should be driven from localities frequented by birds.
Ckneual Directions for Starting Work on THE Bird Boxes.
First decide upon the bird for which your house is to be made and, referring to the draw- ings, select the one which best suits your fancy.
Look the various pieces over and estimate about how much lumber will be required, then plan your work so as to cut your board with as little waste as possible. Take pieces of a similar width and get them out in one long piece from your board.
DIRECTIONS FOR STARTING WORK
Plane one edge of the board straight and smooth and call this the working edge, or edge from which all measurements are to be taken. Square one end square with the working edge and the surface. Measure from this square end, the length specified on the drawing, and square a line across tlie board, i)hicing tlic try square handle tight against the working edge.
Next take the cross-cut saw and saw care- fully just outside your line on the side away from the piece to be cut off. Plane now back to the line and no further. The width must next be obtained either with a marking gage, if you have one, set at the required distance, or by measuring carefully with your ruler.
Now saw and plane to your line. Treat each piece in this manner and mark with its proper letter, to be ready for assembling later.
We shall consider, for illustration, that we
b'ig. 12. I'utUiig UiJ a House.
A School Exhibit of Bird H
FINISHING BIRD HOUSES
are making the Blue Bird House shown in Plate 3. We have our pieces all cut out and numbered and shall now cut the shape of pieces A, which are the front and rear of the house, from our pieces that we have previously cut S-i/o inches wide by 10 inches long.
Find the center of one end, which will be one-half of 8-iX. inches or l-i/j inches. Meas- ure down on each side 4 Inches and draw from our edge center to these points.
Find the center of our bottom edge next and measure 21/0 inches each side to make our bottom edge 5 inches wide, as shown. Draw from the ends of this 5 inch lines to our points on the sides and we are ready to care- fully cut out the form as shown in the draw- ing. Always remember when sawing to a line to leave about 1/16 inch between our saw cut
and the line and finish with a plane to the line.
Be sure that the front and rear pieces are exactly the same size and shape to insure our house going together nicely later.
Take the bottom piece E and draw light lines from corner to corner, and with a dot locate the points where we are to bore our drainage holes.
In boring these take care not to split through on the opposite side.
Locate the holes for ventilation next and bore these carefully.
Take our back brace F next and draw a light pencil line from end to end, through the center, and locate the holes for nailing to the tree 1 inch in from either end. The holes for
FINISHING BIRD HOUSES
screwing piece F to tlie box are 3-1/4 inches beyond these outer holes. Bore carefully.
Bore the entrance hole with an expansive bit set so as to bore a hole l-i/^ inch in diam- eter. The center for this hole is 3 inches down from the top and 4-14 inches from either side.
If the house is to be painted it should be thoroughly sandpapered with No. i/o sand- paper, going with the grain.
Take the sides and bevel them to fit the front and back pieces, that is plane them so that when they are placed in proper position against the front and rear, the edges will fol- low the same sweep as the eaves and the bot- tom edge. All cutting should be finished be- fore sandpapering so as not to dull our plane blade with the fine particles of sand left in the wood by the sandpaper.
Nail the sides to the front and rear, using I-14 inch brads, placing about five on each edge, and taking care that they strike fair in the center of the edge to prevent splitting.
Next nail on roof C, having the rear edge flush with the rear of the box allowing all pro- jection to come in front. Have ridge edge just level with peak. Next nail on roof B, seeing that it overlaps and is nailed to the edge of C.
Next attach piece F to the rear of the box with screws, allowing equal projection above and below the box. Take the bottom E and screw on an inch butt hinge to the under side at the middle point of the rear edge. Then place in position and screw the other part of hinge to F, taking care that the bottom fits tightly against the bottom edges of the box.
Retain in front by means of a small flat hook and eve as shown.
BOY BIRD HOUSE ARCHITECTURE
Fig. 13. A Food Shelter.
Our box is now ready to be either painted or covered with bark as desired.
If it is to be bark covered use a pair of snip shears to cut the bark to the size re-
quired. It is general!}^ a good plan to cut the bark a little large and trim off after attaching it to the box. Use 4 oz. tacks, using as few as possible. Have the bark run uniformly in the same direction over the box. Bark directly over all holes and when finished cut these out with a sharp knife.
If a house is to be painted and have a bark roof only, paint first and allow to dry, per- haps giving a second coat and then place the bark on the roof.
This same method of construction as de- scribed will be practically the same for any of the houses shown.
Lumber should be used that will withstand the weather. Cypress, spruce and soft pine are perhaps the best.
WINTER CARE OF BIRDS
Winter Care of the Birds.
If you wish to attract birds about the house durinjj the winter, do not wait until the ground is covered with snow, but begin in the Fall to scatter hayseed from the barn or stable floor, on the bare ground about the yard.
Millet or any bird seed will do as well. Hang some pieces of suet or beef-trimmings on the branches of the trees beyond the reach of cats and dogs. If at first these pieces are widely scattered at points radiating from the house as a center, your success should be as- sured. Your lures will keep best at this sea- son if tied on the shade side of a tree trunk; but later in the winter they should be put on the sunny side. They should be well wound to limbs with twine, or covered with wire net-
ting, so that neither jays or crows can carry them off bodily.
They are now ready to attract and hold birds that might otherwise pass on to the south. The birds may not find the food at once, but usually they will find it sooner or later. When the chickadees have discovered it we are I'eady for the next move.
Fresh meat or suet is now put up on the trees nearest the house, to accustom the bird.s to coming there.
Many types of feeders can be made, varying the plain wood shelf, to the artistic food shel- ters of natural limbs and bark. Some feeders can be placed on movable pivots on poles with extended vanes in front so that the wind will always cause them to be in a sheltered posi- tion. This type of feeding shelf, Fig. 4, and others are shown on Plate 20.
Bird Houses Made at Rochester. X. Y.
WINTER CARE OF BIRDS
37
The window shelf shown on Plate 20, Fig. 1, is convenient and can be easily watched and tended. Fig. 2 shows a feeding stick. Melted suet is poiired into the holes and al- lowed to cool and the birds eat from the out- side.
The cocoanut larder is inexpensive and easily set up. One end of a cocoanut is broken in as shown and the birds have access to the meat. Fig. 4 is one type of rustic feeder which has proven popular.
The following birds have been attracted about local feeders: Chickadees, Fig. 3, nut- hatches, woodpeckei'S, juncos, and even the wary jay. Fig. i;?. Figure 14 shows a simple form of feeding shelf with sides of glass. A hairy woodpecker can be seen just below the upper box.
Corn, suet, scraps of meat, crumbs from the table, pieces of doughnut, nuts, sunflower seed, frozen milk and many other food ma- terials may be utilized, if one wishes to ex- periment.
These methods of attracting and domesti- cating the birds will be found full of interest, and in some cases our efforts will be rewarded by having some little feathered ball jump fear- lessly on our fingers for a choice titbit.
The birds will furnish instruction and amusement to the household throughout the year and a vast amount of good may be accom- plished in this manner, adding greatly to the comfort and happiness of our wild bird friends.
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DESIGNS FOR BIRD HOUSES
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