Page:What to do for Uncle Sam; a first book of citizenship (IA whattodoforuncle00bail).pdf/160

156 set in the ground, or a cement-lined hole measuring a foot across for a bird’s bath. Bushes that bear berries attract birds. A mud hole will give the swallows, robins, and phoebes material for making the walls of their nests. And bits of soft linen cloth, wool, twine, and feathers will help a dozen different kinds of birds in their nest building.

Uncle Sam says that it is not necessary to build elaborate bird houses. In fact, the wild birds, which are most important to the farmer, are better satisfied with houses that are like their own nests. The woodpecker is one of the busiest and most valuable helps to the United States Government because he protects the trees from being destroyed by grubs. A branch of a tree that contains a real woodpecker hole makes a very good bird house. It should be hollowed out, and fitted to a fruit or shade tree so that it is partly hidden. If it is not possible to find such a branch, a small log can be hollowed and have a hole bored in it to look like the one the woodpecker made, The top of the log should be cut off slanting and have a hinged cover fitted on to keep out the moisture.

Boys and girls who live in the Southern states can make bird houses out of gourds. A hole must be cut in the side for an entrance and a drain hole in the bottom. A piece of wire put