8 by 8 12 to 15 12 3 10 to 30
Sparrow Hawk 8 by 8 12 to 15 12 3 10 to 30
Saw-whet Owl 6 by 6 10 to 12 10 2 1/2 12 to 20
Barn Owl 10 by 18 15 to 18 4 6 12 to 18
Wood Duck 10 by 18 10 to 15 3 6 4 to 20

[1] One or more sides open.

[2] All sides open.

{223}

The foregoing list does not contain the names of all the kinds of birds
which have thus far been induced to occupy these artificial nesting
sites, but it has most of them. It should be remembered that
hole-nesting birds are the only kind that will ever use a bird box.
One need not expect a Meadowlark to leave its nest in the grass for a
box on a pole, nor imagine that an Oriole will give up the practice of
weaving its swinging cradle on an elm limb to go into a box nailed to
the side of the tree.

Feeding Birds.--Much can be done to bring birds about the home or the
schoolhouse by placing food where they can readily get it. The
majority of land birds that pass the winter in Canada or in the colder
parts of the United States feed mainly upon seeds. Cracked corn,
wheat, rice, sunflower seed, hemp seed, and bird seed, purchased
readily in any town, are, therefore, exceedingly attractive articles of
diet. Bread crumbs are enjoyed by many species. Food should not be
thrown out on the snow unless there is a crust on it or the snow has
been well trampled down. {224} Usually it should be placed on boards.
Various feeding plans have been devised to prevent the food from being
covered or washed away by snow or rain. Detailed explanations of these
can be found in Bulletin No. 1, "Attracting Birds About the Home,"
issued by the National Association of Audubon Societies. Suet wired to
the limb of a tree on the lawn will give comfort and nourishment to
many a Chickadee, Nuthatch and Downy Woodpecker. To make a bird
sanctuary nesting sites and food are the first requirements. There
appears to be no reason why town and city parks should not be made into
places of great attraction for the wild birds.

[Illustration: A California hospital for injured birds, erected and
maintained by Mrs. Harriet W. Myers of Los Angeles]

_Community Sanctuaries._--At Meriden, New Hampshire, there is a tract
of land containing thirty-two acres of fields and woods, dedicated to
the comfort and happiness of wild birds. It is owned by the Meriden