. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. Fig. 163. Phoebe's nest in shed. suitable nesting-places in limbs of trees. To attract which are among the most valuable insect-eating species, it is only necessary to put up suitable nest receptacles. These may be made of small wooden boxes or tin cans, with an entrance in each near the upper or outer end. This hole should be one and one-half inches in diameter for blue-birds, one and one-fourth inches for chickadees, about one inch for wrens and two or more inches for other larger birds. The above dimensions are such as will ba
. Cyclopedia of farm animals. Domestic animals; Animal products. Fig. 163. Phoebe's nest in shed. suitable nesting-places in limbs of trees. To attract which are among the most valuable insect-eating species, it is only necessary to put up suitable nest receptacles. These may be made of small wooden boxes or tin cans, with an entrance in each near the upper or outer end. This hole should be one and one-half inches in diameter for blue-birds, one and one-fourth inches for chickadees, about one inch for wrens and two or more inches for other larger birds. The above dimensions are such as will barely allow the entrance of the species mentioned in each case, and will keep out most of its enemies. Those who would cater to unusual visitors may bear in mind that a flicker or a screech owl will require an entrance about three inches in diameter, while a wood duck will use an opening five inches in width. The size of the box is not material, provided only that it is large enough, but the entrance should be so high above the bottom of the box that the cat cannot reach in and claw out the young birds. If the box be not so constructed, it should be so placed as to be inaccessible to this arch enemy of the birds. To be most useful, a nesting-box should have the opening turned away from prevailing storms, and should be protected by a tight, over- hanging roof. Its bottom should not be tight enough to hold any water that might chance to drive in. The box should be so situated as to be be shaded in the hotter part of the day, and the entrance should be made accessible by means of a hinged or removable door, slide or cover, so that the box may be readily cleaned and undesirable tenants may be speedily evicted. All the above conditions may be met without any expense by the use of worn-out utensils, such as milk cans, coffee-pots, tea-kettles, or fruit cans slightly altered for the purpose. Suitable and ornamental boxes may be made of the bark of the elm, chestnut and birch, all of wh
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbaileylh, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookyear1922
