UNCOMMON BIRD BATHS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 771, 18 September 1929, Page 5

UNCOMMON BIRD BATHS

THAT COST NOTHING! liow much the birds appreciate a bath of their own is evidenced by the flutter of wings that arises each morning when some thoughtful birdlover has set a bowl on a high stand that will frustrate the tricks of the neighbouring cats! Now, a really pleasing bird-bath costs more money than some of us can afford, but why not look round and see what can be done with existing bowls and basins? ,Xn the scullery you may find a. washing-up bowl with chipped enamel and dented sides. If so, buy a new bowl for tbe sink and let the birds have the old one. Chip off a little more enamel and dent the sides further to make a roughened surface for the first successive coats of cemeDt which you will apply ta it. The first, applied quite wet and allowed to dry, will harden in a patchy fashion: the second, dabbed on where the hare places occur, will practically give a complete coat, and the third will provide a nicely roughcast look. The inside should be treated in this way before the outside. Next comes the question of a pedestal. A tree-trunk, not too large in circumference, will serve the purpose. Plant cuttings of ivy round it, so that, in time, the creeper can be trained to cover the whole with its fresh green leaves.