Bird Houses, Baths and Feeding Shelters: How to Make and Where to Place Them

by Edmund J. Sawyer

The Tree Swallow

The Tree Swallow is often a bird of the small city, but may be expected more dependably in the country or in the rural community. He is easily satisfied as to a nesting place but it is sometimes difficult or impossible for him to find a nook about our dwellings which is safe from the English Sparrow’s intrusion. When nesting about inhabited buildings he cannot well afford to dispense with the vigilance of his human landlords. Small, quiet, and peace-loving, he is a particularly poor match for the pugnacious sparrow. Specifications for the Tree Swallow house are given in [Table I]. See also [Plate III]. The inner wall, between floor and entrance, must be rough or provided with cleats, in order to give the young a sure foothold. Several pairs of Tree Swallows will willingly nest near one another.

Other Swallows

For the beautiful Violet-green Swallow build exactly as for the Tree Swallow. Where, in the west, both species occur, there is the chance that a house intended for the Violet-green will be taken by the Tree Swallow. This chance, otherwise more than an even one, may be lessened by catering to the Violet-green’s observed choice of local haunts. Barn Swallows will sometimes use ledges, such as those described for the Robin ([page 29]), when these are sheltered.