ENTICING BIRD FRIENDS TO THE GARDEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20644, 16 February 1929, Page 3

ENTICING BIRD FRIENDS TO THE GARDEN.

(From the Christian Science Monitor.) Birds are among the gardeners' best allies. Nearly every injurious insect has one or more enemies among the birds, bo it is an advantage to have birus living in or about the garden. The majority of our common birds are friendly, and will, with a bit of coaxing, take up abodes on the home grounds. To entice birds to the garden, one might plant shrubs and plants that bear fruits and seeds found palatable by them, and a. nge thick vines and shrubberies that will provide nestins P laces - Bi rds are lord of birdhouses, and these are advisable because they provide a haven of safety f:>m cats. Houses of bark are well liked by the birds, and inconspicuous as well. Many birds like to vary their insect diet with seeds. The sunflower bears seeds that are a great attraction to sn ail birds. They will perch upon the sunflower heads and pick until very few seeds remain. Indeed, so palatable are these seeds considered that the birds otten take them before they are fully ripe. If the large common sunflower proves incongruous in the garden area, the snail types may be used. Many other seeds are eaten by birds.

ornamental shrubs hear berries that arc relished by birds, and the miniature thickets formed by rambler roses make ideal nesting places for the smaller kinds, which are responsible for the destruction of many noxious insects. THE BIRD BATH.

Nothing will attra'ct niore bird visitors to the garden than the bird bath. These should be placed in the sun, away firm thick planting, but quite near to a small tree. Birds seem to prefer a bath in the sun, but a tree or tall shrub near by is necessary for their safety, because they cannot fly. well with wet feathers. Bltds are quite particular about the depth of the water. Two inches is sufficient for the smaller ones, and four inches will do nicely for the larger members of the tribe. The bottom of the bath should be sloping, increasing in depth as the centre is reached. Where the depth is but two inches, the slope must be gradual, if at all. A bath three feet in diameter will provide ample room for the bathers.

Baths of good design, constructed of cement made to resemble marble, nre good-looking, and may be cheaply constructed, If these are too formal for the garden design; simpler ones are easily made. In one small garden a log topped with an old earthenware pie plate proved so popular among the birds that -wo more bad to be set up so that the smaller and less aggressive birds could have a chance. These two were placed in a small, rather sparsely branched pear tree, on the side toward the. afternoon sun, and seem to be considered more satisfactory to the birds than the original one, which was placed a yard or so ’rom the base of the tree.

Birds must be treated considerately if they are to become tame and feel at home in the garden. They become more confident if one pretends not to see them. The nest should be left severely alone; it is-best not to approach it st all unless positive that the old birds are away. Cats, of course, are dangerous to birds, but if they are belled the birds' will have warning of their approach. Cats are cleverest at hunting when hungry, but mature birds are usually able to cope with and outwit a well-fed pet cat. — Christian Science Monitor.