“I saw a thrasher in a brush heap over by that creek, today, while we were working in the barn yard,” said Janet now.
“Then we ought to place a house for him in that location,” rejoined Mrs. James.
“Isn’t it too late in the season for the birds to build in our houses?” asked Belle. “I thought birds mated and nested in the springtime.”
“They do, but storms, winds and other accidents are always breaking down nests so that the birds have to seek new quarters. These wanderers we are sure to attract to our houses. Besides these, the tree swallows, martins and chickadees are generally on the lookout for better homes than they have built. They will move, at any time, during the summer season.”
Finally the boxes were all turned into bird houses of different styles and workmanship, but all looked substantial and serviceable enough to suit any particular bird house hunter. Some of the boxes were covered with the bark from an old tree trunk; others had copied Norma’s plan of thatching a roof; and some were panelled and balconied, until they looked very elaborate, indeed.
“Well, we can’t do any more tonight, girls. Tomorrow morning, if you’ll come up after breakfast, we will place the bird houses wherever you choose,” said Mrs. James.
So good nights were said and the scouts went down the hill towards camp, while the house girls went slowly upstairs to bed.
CHAPTER V
MIGNONETTE AND CHRYSANTHEMUM.
Norma was out-of-doors before the others, the morning after completing the bird houses and selected suitable spots for the two large houses to be placed. The smaller ones belonged exclusively to the scouts and their locations would have to be decided upon by them.
Sam came from the kitchen door, yawning and stretching as he came. When he found Norma already up and busy, going about the back yard, he hurried over to see if he could help in any way.