Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1915 — Home Town Helps [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Home Town Helps

TO KEEP DOWN INSECT PESTS Bird Houses in Field and Garden Are a Profitable Investment in Many Ways. Before erecting bird houses to attract the feathered songsters without whose presence successful gardening is impossible, one should first determine the kind of birds to which his premises are adapted. The question usually next arising is as to the number of birds that can be accommodated. Unless grounds are large, it is generally useless to expect as tenants more than a pair of each species, except martins. However, the singular intolerance shown by most birds during the breeding season to others of their kind does not operate between those of different species. A dozen different kinds of birds will pursue their several modes of hunting and raise their families on the same lot, but rarely itwo of the same soft. Of all our house birds, martins alone are social. The fact that there is a

limit to the possible bird population on any given tract must be taken into consideration. When the probable tenants have been decided upon, the selection of sites is in order, for the site often decides the style of house that is to occupy it In tbe final placing of bird houses, care should be taken to have them face away from the winds prevailing in stormy weather. The strongly developed homing instincts of birds can be relied on to attach them to the neighborhood where they first saw the light, and the identical pairs which nest in the houses provided for them one year wifi often return the next season to enjoy the same bounty and protection. The illustration shows one of the best ideas for building bird shelters.

Feed Shelter—No. 10, Side View of Food Shelter. No. 11, Food Bhelter Set on Top of Poet. No. 12, Food Shelter/Interior, Showing Suet Baskets.