6 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



to reside there for the summer. Naturally, these same feeding grounds fell 

 under his observant eye and with quick decision he determined to make them 

 his own. But what of the foreigners who had made the locality their per- 

 manent residence, could they be imposed upon by summer boarders ? Not 

 if they had anything to say. So an envoy was sent to inform Mr. Robin to 

 keep away, but he was received with a look of scorn. . 



One whole day passed and when the morning dawned bright and clear 

 two robust Sparrows were sent to meet Mr. Robin and give him battle. Mr. 

 Robin "came, saw and -conquered." 



Now, I should judge by the noise and chatter in Sparrowdom that 

 a council of war was taking place, shortly after the contest which left the 

 field in possession of Mr. Robin. Another day passed and again the 

 morning dawned peacefully and quietly. Even Sparrowdom was quiet, but 

 it was only the calm before the storm, for all the men. or rather Sparrows, in 

 the entire colony had been mobilized. The hour for Mr. Robin's appear- 

 ance was at hand and across the lawn he came, sailing proudly. Immediately 

 the brown hordes swept down from the eaves with a cry equaling the "Rebel 

 Yell," and Mr. Robin found himself encircled by a tribe of screeching sav- 

 ages. First he dashed at one group, then at another, but as soon as his back 

 was turned, those at his rear closed in upon him making feathers fly. Mr. 

 Robin now decided to quit such an unequal contest, so he attempted to with- 

 draw by flying upward, but quicker than words can tell, the encircling 

 Sparrows made a like move and darted down upon him from above forcing 

 Mr. Robin to the ground. Then the besiegers took up their former position 

 and so the contest continued. Mr. Robin was allowed to retire, conquered, 

 when the little brown and gray birds were tired out. 



THE BLUE.JAY. 



The Blue- jay has always been a favorite with me, both for his beautiful 

 plumage and because I And him full of surprises. Who knows the limit of 

 his repertoire? and who outside the bird lover has heard him sing? He who 

 follows the Jay through the year must add many interesting pages to his 

 journal 



A companion and I were returning from a long bird walk, our path 

 skirting a large swamp, the., day nearly spent, and the calm of a spring 

 Sabbath evening pervading the air, when from the swamp came a Sow clear 

 song, which rooted us in our tracks. Neither of us knew the song, nor would 

 we have believed it could come from a Jay, had we not seen the bird a mo- 

 ment later and heard the song a second time, while we watched the singer 

 through our glasses. 



Another time, in the same place, we saw one seemingly trying to get some- 



