Part 1 (1/2)

Bird Houses Boys Can Build

by Albert F Siepert

FOREWORD

Years ago a country boy heard or read that if a si a hole of a certain size were set upon a post in March or early April it would not be long before bluebirds would be around to see if the place would do as a su such as white lead is sold in, nailed a cover across the top, cut an opening in the side and then placed it on a post ten or twelve feet high Only a day or two passed before a soft call-note was heard, a flash of blue, and the songster had arrived Hiswith its tenants became the center of interest in my life A second brood was reared in midsummer and when the cool days of September came a fine flock left for the South Each year the house was occupied until the post decayed and the paint keg fell down, but inco ti for the home they had known

That boys elsewhere may know the joy of the companionshi+p of birds, this little book is written Birds will come and live near the houses of men whenever food and water are to be had, safety froiven, and when homes are built for them to replace the shelters nature offered before men came with their cultivated fields and crowded cities The following pages give pictures and drawings of houses that boys have built and in which birds have lived These houses are planned for the species of birds that have become accustomed to civilization so that they will inhabit the houses put up for them

The author is indebted to Professor Chas A Bennett of Bradley Institute and Mr L L Siestions and encourages; and to the following for the use of the originals of the illustrations which tell most of the story

Edward G Anderson, Seattle, Wash Figs 32, 33, 34, 36, 39, 54, 55, 56, 57

Frank H Ball, Pittsburgh, Pa Figs 12, 29, 45, 66, 67

Leon H Baxter, St Johnsbury, Vt Figs 21, 22

F D Cra, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis Figs

11, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44

Donald V Ferguson, St Paul, Minn Figs 9, 28, 38, 62

Geo G Gri 14

C M Hunt, Milton, Mass Figs 46, 52

H A Hutchins, Cleveland, O Figs 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Els 30, 31

National association of Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Chas Tesch, Milwaukee, Wis Fig 64

The Crescent Co, Tos 35, 49, 50

United States Departs 20, 51, 65

Youths Cos 58, 59, 60, 61

ALBERT F SIEPERT