llustration: FIG. 47. (FEEDING SHELF)]

[Illustration: FIG. 48. (WINDOW FOOD SHELTER)]

[Illustration: FIG. 49. ROBIN SHELF OR FEEDING SHELF.]

[Illustration: FIG. 50. HILBERSDORFER FOOD HOUSE.]

[Illustration: FIG. 51. (HOUSE FOR HOUSE FINCHES), (FOOD SHELTER
HOUSE)]

[Illustration: FIG. 52. (SHELTERED FOOD HOUSE)]

[Illustration: FIG. 53. (ADJUSTABLE FOOD SHELTER)]

[Illustration: FIG. 54. (FOOD SHELTERS)]

[Illustration: FIG. 55. WHEN THE SHELTER IS MOST NEEDED.]

[Illustration: FIG. 56. BIRDS SHOULD FIND THESE FOOD SHELTERS BEFORE
BAD WEATHER COMES.]

[Illustration: FIG. 57. A "JAPANESE" EFFECT.]

The window-sill lunch counter shown in Figs. 58 and 61 is a most
effective way to study birds at close range. The window selected for
this purpose should be on a quiet and sheltered side of the house if
possible. If trees and shrubbery are near at hand birds are more
likely to be attracted. Branches of thorn apples, alders and
evergreens are fastened firmly to the window frames to dress the lunch
counter on the outside while house plants or at least a curtain
should be placed on the inside as a screen. Fig. 59 shows how
particular varieties of birds may be attracted by offering favorite
foods while Fig. 60 gives an idea of what kindness will do.

[Illustration: FIG. 58. THE BIRD WINDOW SEEN FROM INSIDE THE ROOM.]

[Illustration: FIG. 59. BLUEBIRDS ATTRACTED TO THE WINDOW SILL BY MEAL
WORMS.]

[Illustration: FIG. 60. A ROBIN ABOUT TO EAT FROM THE CHILDREN'S
HANDS.]

[Illustration: FIG. 61. THE WINDOW-SILL LUNCH COUNTER FROM OUTSIDE.]

FOODS.

Food shelters become centers of interest in proportion to the number
of birds attracted to them. The kind of food placed there determines
in time the kind of birds that will be found frequenting them.
Seed-eating birds are readily attracted by the use of small grains
such as oats and wheat. However, every farmer finds a quantity of
weed seeds upon cleaning his seed grain, which proves very acceptable
to chickadees and blue jays. Bread crusts or crumbs, crackers and
doughnuts may be placed in the food shelter with the knowledge that
the birds will eat them. For those of the city who would need to buy
seeds, it will be just as well to get hemp, millet, canary seed and
sunflower seed, together with the small grains and cracked corn for
foods. Suet, scraps of meat and various vegetable scraps, such as
celery, lettuce, apples, raisins, and the berries of various bush