228 . HE BLUEBIRD. 
invariably address each other as dear or dearic, and they have a host of un- 
translatable tones of endearment beside. 
These gentle spirits are, however, best not aroused by an outsider. In 
securing his personal rights or in defending his home, Bluebird is always brave 
and sometimes pugnacious to a degree. Indeed it is to be feared that when 
it comes to a question of property rights, he is not always kind. The annals 
of bird-lore are full of accounts of spirited encounters between luckless Wrens, 
Martins, Woodpeckers, ete., and Bluebird. Here is one of them by Dr. How- 
ard Jones, of Circleville: “Some years ago I placed a bird box upon the 
house-top, which for a few seasons was occupied by a pair of Bluebirds. One 
spring they failed to appear at the usual time and the box was taken by a pair 
of Martins. ‘The old nest was carried out and the newcomers were thor- 
oughly settled in 
their quarters, 
when the Blue- 
birds returned 
(probably the 
same pair that had 
formerly occupied 
the box), and at 
once commenced 
tearing out the in- 
truders’ nest. But 
they were soon 
discovered and a 
pitched battle en- 
sued, the Blue- 
birds retiring as if 
defeated. This 
procedure was re- 
peated several 
mornings and at 
intervals during 
A DOUBLE NEST OF THE BLUEBIRD. the days. When, 
THE LOWER SET WAS LAID PREMATURELY, OR ELSE CHILLED BY A COLD SNAP. early one morn- 
+Photo by Rev. W. F. Henninger. 
ing, being awak- 
ened by the incessant screams of the Martins, 1 hastened to the yard to see 
what I supposed was the final encounter; but the affray was over before I 
arrived. My father, however, was there holding a female Martin in his hand, 
he having witnessed the whole affair. After much scolding and sparring 
one of the Bluebirds clinched with the Martin, and both birds rolled together 
from the house-top to the pavement below, where, in deadly embrace, they 
were captured; but the Bluebird, still strong and active, slipped away. In 
