Big book of bird houses & bird feeders How to build unique bird houses, bird feeders and bird baths from the purely practical to simply outrageous

Prolific craft authors Boswell, Bruce Woods, and David Schoonmaker present a collection of fresh takes on bird abodes that mimic human homes. Designs vary in complexity from those that use natural materials such as gourds or logs to traditional boxes to unusual designs like a haunted house, a 1950s tract home, or a one-room schoolhouse (the dodo could have benefited from this one). The feeders and birdbaths are equally original and include a covered bridge, the Parthenon, a tropical island, and a spaceship. The houses can be opened for cleaning, which is important for the birds' health, and guidelines are given for proper placement. Most of the designs can be accomplished by those with basic woodworking skills; the painting and exterior embellishments require greater experience (but the color photos will help). This excellent title should be considered by most public libraries. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.