for the purpose of deceiving the parasiti- oriole is sometimes used for a second 



cal cuckoo. nesting. 



There is also a supposition that the There was bitter disappointment in 

 bird's active nature finds relief in work, wren circles earlier in the season when, 

 being urged on by the increasing lone- with the presumption of inexperience, the 

 someness. This wren-trait reaches a cli- pump was filled regularly with coaise 

 max in the marsh wrens, with whom the twigs, which were promptly dislodged at 

 building habit becomes a passion. nightfall. Undiscouraged at this defeat, 

 Nor is it restricted to the wren family, the morning hours were utilized for re- 

 many instances being recorded where building with a persistency well worthy 

 other species have beguiled the waiting a more intelligent effort; they worked 

 days by an imitative housekeeping. and sang, sang and worked, until a cigar 

 The house phoebe has been known to box was nailed to a tree for their special 

 build a second nest while its mate was accommodation. This was nearly full of 

 brooding. To all appearances this was twigs when they decided that the build- 

 an instance of over-developed domestic ing-site was ineligible, a decision has- 

 tastes. Nor did the experiment end with tened by the fact that just at this oppor- 

 the completion of the duplicate nest upon tune time a glas's fruit can was left upon 

 which the male bird sat regularly for sev- the piazza shelf. No sooner was this 

 eral hours daily. glass house seen than its possibilities 

 Wrens do not take kindly to double were realized and plans were quickly 

 houses, their warlike nature seeming to made for a kind of crystal palace experi- 

 revolt against living friendly with near ment. Under other circumstances this 

 neighbors. A pair of wrens that was might have been a dangerous precedent, 

 well established in an unoccupied martin as certain unneighborly conduct toward 

 house made it very uncomfortable for the their little brothers of the air had at vari- 

 later arrivals. While the martins were ous times fairly invited the throwing of 

 abroad after material for the nest the stones. The can was half full of tiny 

 wrens sallied forth in an utterly vindic- fagots, and Jenny was thinking of settling 

 tive spirit and scratched out all their upon the mattress of wood fibre when 

 neighbors had constructed. After sing- the thrifty housewife turned them adrift 

 ing a triumphant song with much parade summarily, well aware that this kind of 

 they wisely retired to their own domicile housekeeping, within easy range of 

 to be on the defensive. neighboring cats, would not be success- 

 Wiser wrens, with an instinctive ful. Before such supreme content, who 

 knowledge that an ounce of prevention is could have the heart to undeceive them? 

 worth a pound of cure, are known to And yet, the can was turned upside down 

 have the forethought when the box in before they could be made to understand 

 which they build contains two compart- the situation. Like Thoreau, they did 

 ments, to fill up one of them, thus avoid- not wish to practice self-denial unless it 

 ing the risk of troublesome neighbors, was quite necessary ! 

 Wrens have been known to nest in a hu- After the failure of this crystal scheme, 

 man skull. Others with less question- it was a difficult matter for Jenny to 

 able taste, have gone to housekeeping in make up her mind as to a further prefer- 

 an old boot, a watering pot, a coat sleeve ; ence, but when she really decided it was 

 in gourds and baskets, jars and water with such entire good faith as left no 

 pipes, while another pair made a nest in doubt in her lover's mind as to her judg- 

 the lower part of a stone vase in the gar- ment. This was more flattering as it was 

 den. There was a hole for drainage in his own choice, their last year's home 

 the bottom of the vase, and through this thoroughly remodeled, to which he had 

 hole they found, beneath some shavings, repeatedly called her attention, vainly. So 

 a circular space just suited for a nest, the hole in the house jet at least answered 

 The vase was not filled with plants until the question, "Where are the birds in last 

 the domestic affairs of the wren family year's nests?" for the wrens moved in 

 were happily concluded. regularly, the tenor having a perch upon 

 The delicate swaying hammock of the a projecting bracket where Jenny joined 



186 



