_Among the fondest and most memorable moments of childhood are the
discoveries of songbirds nesting in the backyard. The distinctive,
mud-lined nests of robins and their beautiful blue eggs captivate people
of all ages. Likewise, the nesting activities of house wrens, cardinals,
chickadees and other common birds can stimulate a lifelong interest in
nature._
_As you learn to enjoy the beauty of birdlife around their home, you may
wish to improve the “habitat” in your yard so that more birds will visit
your property. You can attract birds by placing bird feeders, nest
boxes, and bird baths in your yard, and by planting a variety of trees,
shrubs, and flowers. These can provide good nesting sites, winter
shelter, places to hide from predators and natural food supplies that
are available year-round._
_Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. More than
65 million Americans of all ages watch, feed and landscape for birds._
_It doesn’t matter where you live—in an apartment, townhouse or single
family dwelling, in the city, suburbs or country. Just stand still and
you’ll hear them: wild birds. It is hard to imagine life without them._
_Bird watching is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation
in the country. Each year millions of people discover for the first time
the joys of birdwatching. It’s easy to understand why. Birds are fun to
watch._
_And you can watch them just about everywhere. The most convenient place
to start is right in your own backyard. All it takes to get their
attention is food or water, a place to build a nest and appropriate
vegetation._
[Illustration: Bird on window feeder]
_Getting Started_