traftos] PRACTICAL NATURE-STUDY WITH BIRDS 59 



simply to suspend their houses by wires. As a little incentive, a 

 prize was offered for the best account of experiences with the 

 bird houses. The children responded in large numbers with 

 great enthusiasm, which showed how easily this locality might 

 be made a paradise for the birds were it not for the discouraging 

 intervention of that annoying pest, the English sparrow. 



In the fall statistics were gathered from the children relative to 

 their experiences with the bird houses, and the results are given 

 below. 



In 33 moving or suspended houses 26 pairs of birds began to 

 build nests (12 bluebird, 12 wren, 3 robin, 1 starling, 6 English 

 sparrow); young were reared in 8 (2 bluebird, 4 wren, 2 spar- 

 row) ; birds were driven away from 6 houses by sparrows 

 (3 bluebird, 2 wren, 1 robin). In three other moving houses 

 the sparrows attempted to drive out the inmates, but were 

 unsuccessful. The sparrows attempted to drive out the star- 

 lings, but were unable to do so, one of the sparrows being killed 

 in the fight. It is interesting to note that robins are beginning 

 to nest in these houses. 



In 27 stationary houses 24 pairs of birds began to build nests 

 (13 bluebird, 7 wren, 2 robin, 3 sparrow); 15 reared young (8 

 bluebird, 5 wren, 1 robin, 1 sparrow) ; the birds were driven 

 from 3 houses (2 wren and 1 robin) by the English sparrows. 



These results show that the English sparrows were not out- 

 witted by the device of a moving house. The sparrows began 

 to build in six of these houses and two pairs successfully reared 

 their young, and doubtless others would have done so, had they 

 not been driven away by the children. In nine cases the sparrows 

 attempted to drive out birds which had begun to build in these 

 moving houses and in six cases were successful. 



These discouraging experiences have disheartened the children 

 in their efforts to do something for the birds, both in providing 

 nesting houses for them and in feeding them in winter. The 

 author would be very grateful to hear from anyone who has suc- 

 ceeded in outwitting the sparrows, or has any suggestions as to 

 how it may be done. 



