My Summer Tenants 



99 



Besides the jjossession of many 

 treasured photographs of the (h'i'fer- 

 ent summer tenants, main- other 

 rewards are retei\ed for the rental 

 of the bird-boxes. The birds nest- 

 ing about the house gain much 

 confidence in man when ihey learn 

 that his intentions toward them 

 are kindly. When the landlord 

 ct)mes out of IIh- house, on a hue 

 summer morning, he is greeted 

 by his grateful tenants; and his 

 presence is announced in various 

 languages. Bluebirds, Robins, 

 Swallows and Chickadees, — he 

 hears them all speaking in their 

 own tongue, "he is u])." Such 

 a greeting, though i)erhaps not 

 intended by the birds as a special 

 welcome, makes him feel as proud 

 as the kings of olden time, whose 

 approach was heralded wdth the sound of trumpets. The Swallow, at his vigil 

 on top of the box, sees him as he steps from the porch, and whispers to his 

 mate, "there he comes." The male Robin on the fence chirj)s out its modified 



BLUEBIRD AT XEST 



ROBIX AT XKST 



