WOODLAXD WARBLERS 159 



one of the most attractive fruits to our familiar birds, 

 and at least twenty-five species feed upon it greedily. 



" Whoever plants a mulberry tree in his garden sends 

 a public invitation through Birdland for its people to 

 come and live with him. The invitation is always 

 accepted, and the birds appreciate the kindness so 

 much that when they find mulberries they leave the 

 cherries and strawberries in that garden in peace. 

 This should teach us to plant wild fruits and berries 

 for the birds, who prefer them to garden fruits." 



As the children turned from the road into Rap's 

 garden they saw that it held a great many birds. The 

 buslies and trees were all untrimmed, and the old 

 house with its shingled sides and coast-backed roof 

 was covered with a trumpet-creeper and some grape 

 vines. 



" What a lovely place for Hummingbirds ! " cried 

 Olive. 



" And Martins," added the Doctor, pointing to a bird- 

 box with ten or twelve divisions in it, that was fastened 

 under the eaves. 



" The Warbler's nest is here," said Rap, leading the 

 way to a back fence and feeling very proud at the 

 admiration his home was receiving. 



The children tiptoed up and each took a peep into 

 the cup-shaped nest. The little gold and olive mother, 

 trusting Rap from past experience, gave a quick flip of 

 her wings, and perched on a wild blackberry bush near 

 by. The outside of the nest looked as if it were made 

 of silvery-gray linen floss. There were some horse- 

 hairs Avoven in the lining, and here and there some- 

 thing that looked like sponge peeped out between the 



