Oklahoma farmer . Winter You Can Have Them Nest Near You Next Spring, Too BY W. L. McATEE ANYONE can increase the number ofbirds-about their home if they willprovide adequate protection andsuitable nesting places, food and water. Altho a considerable number of ournative birds build their nests on theground, the majority place them in treesor shrubs either in holes, on the limbsor in the crotches. Shrubbery and treesfor nesting sites, therefore, are essentialfor making a place attractive to birds. Food supply is the most importantsingle offering that can be made in ef-forts to attract birds. An
Oklahoma farmer . Winter You Can Have Them Nest Near You Next Spring, Too BY W. L. McATEE ANYONE can increase the number ofbirds-about their home if they willprovide adequate protection andsuitable nesting places, food and water. Altho a considerable number of ournative birds build their nests on theground, the majority place them in treesor shrubs either in holes, on the limbsor in the crotches. Shrubbery and treesfor nesting sites, therefore, are essentialfor making a place attractive to birds. Food supply is the most importantsingle offering that can be made in ef-forts to attract birds. An ample supplyof food prior to and during the nestingseason increases the number of eggs laidand also the number of broods in a sea-son. Bird food may be supplied in twoways—by planting trees, shrubs, andherbs which produce seeds or fruits rel-ished by birds, and by exposing food inartificial devices. During the season when the naturalfood supply is at its lowest ebb birdsrespond most readily to our during hot weather than drinking andbathing places. The birds water supplyshould be a pool not more than a fewinches deep, the bottom sloping graduallyupward toward the edge. Both bottomand edge should be rough so as to af-ford a safe footing. A giant potterysaueer is an excellent device, or the poolmay be made of concrete, or even metal,if the surface is roughened. The birdbath may be elevated, or on the groundif on an open space where skulkingenemies cannot approach too near. They Like Warm Water. A water supply is appreciated in win-ter as well as in summer; if runningwater cannot be provided that suppliedshould be warmed to delay freezing. The location of a bird house or foodshelter has much to do with its successfor the reason that birds have decidednotions as to proper surroundings for adwelling. Martins prefer to breed nearhouses, but not within 20 feet of treesor buildings. Bluebirds are inclined toselect orchards or pastures having scat-tered trees. Wrens, th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectagriculture, bookyear
