Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1917 — QUESTIONS TO DETERMINE BEFORE BUILDING HOUSES. [ARTICLE]

QUESTIONS TO DETERMINE BEFORE BUILDING HOUSES.

Before erecting birdhouses on? should first deter/nine the kind of birds toi which his premises are adapted. The question usually next arising is as to the number of birds that can be accommodated. Cnless grounds are large, it is generally useless toex- , pect as tenants more than a pair of JSpecies, except martins, according to the United States Biological survey. However, the singular intolerance shown by most birds during the breeding season to others of their of different species. A dozen differ'ent kinds of birds will pursue their several modes of hunting and raise their families on the same lot. but rarely two of the same sort. Of all our native house birds, martins alone are sociable; Birds Are Tolerant. The fact that birds are more tolerant .toward strangers, t han t oward relatives was well iiliistrated by tin observation made recently in New Mexico. A one-story toolhouse ten feet square had nailed to three corners of its roof rough birdhouses made from packing boxes. One was occupied by violet-green swallows, another by western bluebirds, and the third by Bugiish sparrows. A strH moreTe" markable association of different species has been-reported by a resident of Bt. Louis. Mo., who once T>;.(l a pair each of flickers, martins, house wrens and English sparrows nesting —in the satne House. 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. Ip the final placing of birdhouses, 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 (he light, and the identical pairs which pest ip the house provided for them one year will often return the next season to enjoy the same bounty and protection. Location of Houses. The location of a birdhouse or food shelter has much to do with its succcss, for the“Tenson -that birds have as to proper - suF’ roundings for a dwelling. Martins prefer to breed near houses, but not within 20 feet of trees or buildings. Bluebirds are inclined to select orchards or pnstures having scattered trees.- Wrens, thrashers and catbirds live in thick shrubbery. Kobins like trees with sturdy trunks and branches. T ( itmice, nuth a tches ~a hd“ mos t ofhe woodland species, although flickers and red-headed woodpeckers are more at home among the scattered trees of roadsides and pastures. Song sparrows frequent weedy swales ami brush fences. Swallows do not enter woods, so that .a house , would be as attractive to them In one open place jis-another. The eastern “jilibeKe? the black phoebe and the’ house finch, while not limited to the haunts of man, are noticeably- partial; to. them. Crested flycatchers, screech awls, barn owls and sparrow hawks are governed more by convenience than by taste; although normally inclined to hold aloof from man, thf>y have ni many instances retired-their broods In close proximity to Barn owls, true to their name, accept without hesitation suitable quarters in buildings. __ —— - ■ '