Page:What to do for Uncle Sam; a first book of citizenship (IA whattodoforuncle00bail).pdf/164

160 the house that you build for any of the wood-pecker family to hold the eggs safely. Trees or poles that support bird houses need to be sheathed with tin. This will keep cats and squirrels away.

Almost the best part of taking care of Uncle Sam’s birds is to put up and keep a boarding house for them. The house itself may be a covered shelf in the orchard or garden, or a little shelter made of a wooden box and open at the back and front. It is necessary to coax the birds to come here and feed at first by putting bits of suet, seeds, bread crumbs or cracked nuts in a path leading to their boarding house. They will soon learn to eat in it, though. Keep it filled with such food as this, and they will find it a very great comfort. If it is not possible to build one of these feeding places, fasten food for the birds to the trunks or branches of trees, or scatter it in sheltered places on the ground.

The United States Government wants boys and girls to take better care of wild birds than they ever did before. The State of Massachusetts tells us just what birds are most useful in protecting certain trees and plants from their enemies. Look over the table and see if you can find the special bird that is most needed in your neighborhood. Then see what you can do to help him live and carry on his good warfare.