82 RIVERBY 



was generally turned up, partly overlaid by a blue 

 coat. They were determined to make a finish of 

 it this time, but which got the better of the fight 

 I could not tell. But it was the last battle; they 

 finally separated, neither, apparently, any the worse 

 for the encounter. The females fought two more 

 rounds, the males looking on and warbling approv- 

 ingly when they separated, and the two pairs drifted 

 away in different directions. The next day they 

 were about the box and tree again, and seemed to 

 have definitely settled matters. Who won and who 

 lost I do not know, but two pairs of bluebirds have 

 since been very busy and very happy about the two 

 nesting- places. One of the males I recognize as a 

 bird that appeared early in March; I recognize him 

 from one peculiar note in the midst of his warble, 

 a note that suggests a whistle. 



The matchmaking of the high- holes, which often 

 comes under my observation, is in marked contrast 

 to that of the robins and bluebirds. There does not 

 appear to be any anger or any blows. The male 

 or two males will alight on a limb in front of the 

 female, and go through with a series of bowings and 

 scrapings that are truly comical. He spreads his 

 tail, he puffs out his breast, he throws back his 

 head, and then bends his body to the right and to 

 the left, uttering all the while a curious musical hic- 

 cough. The female confronts him unmoved, but 

 whether her attitude is critical or defensive I can- 

 not tell. Presently she flies away, followed by her 

 suitor or suitors, and the little comedy is enacted on 



