81 



little ones^ — rather iingallant of Mr. Bluebird to thus expose 

 liis mate to fancied dangers he dare not face. 



Another pair of Bluebirds has nested annually, for 

 years^ in the top of a certain fence post. This same nest 

 has^ on several occasions, furnished a little joke at the ex- 

 pense of some of my friends. As we approached the field 

 in which this post was located, I would casually remark 

 that I had a little Bluebird-friend that would allow me to 



Fig. 70. The sleeve of scare-crow opened so as to shoiv the 

 nest and eggs. 



put my arm about her without any attempt to get away. 

 Naturally such a statement would be viewed with some 

 doubt and I would be called upon for proof. The proof 

 was easy, for I had but to step up to the post and put my 

 arm about it, the bird at the time being sitting closely upon 

 the eggs within. Usually two broods a year were reared in 

 this secure home. 



