[Illustration: Illustrated capital T]
These birds are not classed as bird-house tenants. When they nest in a
building, it is nearly always a deserted human dwelling or some other
structure made originally for man's own use. In other words, the only
sort of bird house at all likely to attract Robin or Phoebe would be one
of cavern-like proportions in keeping with one type of natural site
which both species favor, especially the Phoebe.
The architecture of most human dwellings is such that either Robin or
Phoebe would find nesting-sites, as they often do, over windows, under
porches, or about eaves. But birds are not very considerate of the human
liking for cleanliness, and their nests therefore are often placed where
we least desire them. To lessen that chance and to furnish nesting-sites
when they do not otherwise occur on a given dwelling or outbuilding, the
following suggestions for nesting shelves are offered. The idea of
nesting shelves is not a new one, and experience shows that an effective
nesting shelf may be of almost any description.
[Illustration: Plate VI. For the House Finch, Robin, and Phoebe
1 and 2, Nest box for House Finch. The front is left entirely open,
except for a cleat to hold the nest in place. Drainage holes may be
bored in the bottom of the cleat, or the cleat may be raised a
quarter of an inch above the floor level. 3, Nesting shelves for
Robin and Phoebe. See text for directions. The raised rim shown here
is not always essential, but it may aid the birds to get a start,
since high winds are inclined to blow away the first straws from
exposed sites.]
The accompanying illustrations will fully explain themselves. However,
it is well to emphasize here that the simplest possible shelf, if only a
mere cleat, is all that is really required--5 to 6 inches wide for the
Robin, 3½ to 4½ inches wide for the Phoebe; any length of 8 inches or
over for either bird.
The Robin often nests more than 25 feet up, the Phoebe seldom so high.
Place the Phoebe's shelf 8 to 20 feet up, the Robin's 8 to 30 feet.
Should the locality be in the country, one must chance a Phoebe claiming
a shelf intended for Robins; either species should prove desirable as a
tenant. Certainly cultivators of cherries, currants, and other small
fruits may well console themselves should Phoebes become their uninvited
guests! The Phoebe is a true flycatcher and has none of the Robin's
special fondness for garden fruits.
[Illustration: Figure 4. A roofed nesting-shelf for Robins and
Phoebes. Length may be 8, or any multiple of 8, inches. Several ¼-
or 3/8-inch holes may be bored through the floor for drainage,
instead of in the rim as shown here.]
[Illustration: Plate VII. Bird Baths
1, Natural boulder bath; 2, natural flat stone bath; 3, cement bath
on a stone foundation; 4, a ground-pool bath of cement with a border
of small boulders.]