A good sized, deserted flickers’ home or similar cavity provides a nesting place attractive to the screech owl.
A piece of wooden tubing from a chainpump, with the ends plugged, and an entrance made in the side near the upper end, the tube being covered with bark, makes a very good substitute for a hollow limb.
If old and weather stained boards are used in making the box houses, bark covering is not absolutely necessary, but it adds to the attractiveness, from both the birds’ and the human standpoint, and bark affords a good foothold for the birds as they alight at the entrance. Woodpeckers especially should have bark covered exteriors to their homes.
Dried gourds, hollowed out, and with an opening made for an entrance, often attract wrens and bluebirds.
While tin cans may be used, it is not desirable, in the author’s opinion to make use of this medium as tin becomes very hot in the sun. If cans are used, care should be taken to place them in shaded places. Flower pots inverted, as illustrated in Plate [19], are suitable for some of the smaller birds.
The old fashioned chimney having been replaced by the modern chimney with small flues, the chimney swifts may be provided with suitable nesting quarters by building on the roofs of barns or sheds, artificial chimneys of wood.
Birds may not always respond promptly to the first attempt at placing a Bird Box, but the would-be landlord must not get discouraged.
Prepare some Bird Homes in as attractive a manner as possible, keep a supply of water for bathing and drinking at hand, and prevent their being disturbed. Then watch for the results that are almost sure to come.
Persistent and intelligent effort will bring ultimate results, which will be sure to reward the attempt. Experience is the best teacher.