GAME COVER PLANTS

When selecting ground-cover plants and undergrowth plantsfor locations which are naturally attractive to birds, especially thegame birds, it is possible to provide a more inviting "sanctuary" forthese birds by the use of plants which produce food either in the wayof buds and foliage, or of nuts and seeds. These plants are mostlynative species and many of them are not offered in the catalogs ofthe growers of ornamental plants. They could be easily collectedwhere they occur locally or secured from some of the collectors ofnative plants. Seeds also might be easily collected and sown wherethey are to grow. These game cover plants should be established inareas ranging from one hundred feet square to a number of acres, toprovide combined shelter and food for several kinds of birds at onetime. The location of these plantings should be chosen so that theywill not need to be disturbed for some years, and will also be withineasy flying distance of dense woods, if possible. An ideal locationwould be in a clearing entirely surrounded by woods which containhemlocks or pines or other dense shelter.