File:Wild bird protection and nesting boxes and a full list of the orders made under the "Wild Birds Protection Acts" (1897) (14564679837).jpg

Identifier: wildbirdprotecti00maserich (find matches)
Title: Wild bird protection and nesting boxes ... and a full list of the orders made under the "Wild Birds Protection Acts" ..
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors: Masefield, John Richard Beach
Subjects: Birds -- Conservation Great Britain Birds -- Eggs
Publisher: Leeds, Eng., Taylor
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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too high up, or a favouriteplace for these birds to nest in is a hole three orfour feet from the ground in a decaying tree. Inthe trunk of a dead Birch tree I hollowed out a holewith chisel and mallet, and it was taken possession ofby a pair of Redstarts within a few days, and theysuccessfully reared their brood (see Plate v.). The same thing occurred in the decaying trunkof an Apple tree in my garden, in which there isa large hole, but, by covering the entrance partiallywith a piece of rough board, leaving the entrancejust large enough for the birds, Redstarts or Titshave now for many years annually nested there. Plate vi. is taken fiom a photograph of thisnesting place. Starlings always appear to be able to find nest-ing accommodation in some nook or cranny aboutour houses or buildings, frequently stopping-upspouts, and bringing down on themselves, I fear,curses instead of blessings ; but for all that theyare most useful insect-destroying birds, as I thinkno one can deny. (lafr VI.
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TiFK CitF.AT Tns Favouhitf, Nestixo Hom: ix Oi.n An-r.F. Tukk NESTING BOXES, ETC. 53 If, however, it is wished to induce Starlings tonest in any special locality, these birds are easilyattracted if they are regularly fed during the hardweather and in early spring; they then get ac-customed to the surroundings of the place, andtheir quick eyes soon detect any holes or nesting-boxes to which they can gain entrance. A disusedpigeon-box in my yard, containing three storeys andtwelve entrance-holes (see Plate vii.) has now formany years had almost every hole occupied by asmany pairs of Starlings. The Pied Wagtail prefers ivy on houses or wallswherein to nest, often at a considerable distancefrom water. Many other suggestions as to forms of nesting-iDOxes might be given, but a careful observer of ourwild birds and their habits will soon discover forhimself what is the most successful device. Amongstother peculiar nesting-places which have beenselected by birds are discarded kettles, old tin

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