The Bird Table Book [antikvár]

Preface The object of this book is to suggest ways in which we may have the interest and pleasure of sharing our lives with wild birds. Our working area need not necessarily be a spacious and old-established garden. Most of us have access to a window-sill and this can be one of the most entertaining bird locations. Even the vicinity of offices and industrial premises can be successfully adapted to bird gardening. Very often these places are already natural sanctuaries, guarded by high fences and impenetrable to small boys and cats. They need only a few of the right bushes and some open water to stimulate a bird take-over bid. In these enlightened days new civic and commercial enterprises often surround their buildings with soothing gardens and reflective ponds. How much more attractive they will be with the added pleasures of natural colour, movement and song provided by wild birds. With only a little foresight at the planning stage, a potentially unsuitable bird garden can be transformed into a thriving nature reserve, to the benefit of staff and, perhaps, output as well. Although it is true that ill-conceived commercial and residential development places great strains on wildlife many species have undoubtedly adapted themselves to peaceful co-existence with man. If we provide the right facilities we may expect to encourage new and ever more exciting species to regard us as sources of food and shelter, rather than as enemies. So let us make our gardens, our city centres and our factory grounds attractive places for birds as well as for ourselves. The two objects are perfectly compatible.