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BUILDING A BIRD
DRINKING FOUNTAIN |
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| Used with permission of Sterling Publishing
Co., Inc., 387 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016 from KID
STYLE NATURE CRAFTS by Gwen Diehn & Terry Krautwurst, © 1995 by Gwen
Diehn & Terry Krautwurst, A Sterling/Lark Book, photos by Richard Babb, Illustrations
by Gwen Diehn & Chris Colando |
| What You'll Need |
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A 6-inch clear plastic flowerpot saucer
A 10-inch clear plastic flowerpot saucer
A hole puncher
16 thin, straight branches, about 12 inches long; ¼ inch in diameter at the fat end
An awl or a large nail
6 feet of jute or other lightweight rope or heavy twine
Scissors |
|
 STEP 1 Punch 16 holes around the rim of the
10-inch saucer. Begin by punching two holes directly across from one another, then punch
two others midway between each of these holes. Punch four holes midway between each of
these holes. Then punch eight holes midway between each of these holes.
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 STEP 2 Now you will weave the thin branches
around the saucer. From the outside, poke one end of a branch into any hole. Pull the tip
of the branch across the inside of the saucer and out the fourth hole in either direction
across the rim. Adjust the branch so that the same amount sticks out from each end. |
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STEP 3 Continue placing
branches in one hole and out the fourth hole away. After a few branches are in place it
will be necessary to put two branches in the same hole. If the holes seem too small, use
the awl to slightly enlarge them. |
| STEP 4 When you have used
up all the branches, adjust them so they are evenly placed, with the tips crossing one
another. |
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STEP 5 Cut three
2-foot-long pieces of light rope. Tie them with double knots to three holes spaced evenly
around the rim. |
STEP 6 Gather the three
ends of the ropes together and tie them in one knot. Be sure that the drinking fountain
hangs straight. |
| STEP 7 Fill
the 6-inch flowerpot saucer with water and place it in the center of the 10-inch saucer.
Hang the fountain from a sturdy tree branch in your yard, one that gives you a good view
of the birds gathering to refresh themselves. |
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