Page:How to have bird neighbors (IA howtohavebirdnei00patt).pdf/65

 be brought down and cleaned, when necessary, or closed.

One lovely June day found me again at the boy's home. I remarked the large number of young robins on the lawn.

"The young have just left their nests in that tree," answered the boy, pointing into a big cherry tree. "Robins have nested in that tree every year since I can remember."

I guessed that perhaps the cherries were the attraction.

"Well," he said, "we think birds earn all the cherries they eat; we never pick those on the top branches at all, but leave them for the birds."

During that visit the boy showed me several bird homes. First he apologized for doing it. "Every bird home is a secret between mother and me," he said; then added, "but I know I can trust you."

One of these little homes belonged to bluebirds. The others belonged to the flicker, the wood thrush, and the killdeer.

We walked slowly and talked low, as we went from one place to another. Loud talk and running frighten birds. And to go very near to a bird nest is harmful because, every time the mother is frightened away, the eggs or young are liable to get chilled if the weather is cool. If hot, and the nest is exposed to the sun, the eggs or young are liable to get overheated.