28 HIRUNDINID^E. 



their notes together, fluttering about it with a tremulous uncertain 

 flight, like that of a hovering butterfly. About three weeks after first 

 arriving they begin to make advances towards the Oven-bird's nest that 

 stands on the nearest post or tree ; and if it be still occupied by the 

 rightful owners, after much time has been spent in sporting about 

 and reconnoitring it, a feud begins which is often exceedingly violent 

 and protracted for many days. 



In seasons favourable to them the Oven-birds build in autumn and 

 winter, and breed early in spring ; so that their broods are out of their 

 clay-houses by the end of October or earlier ; when this happens, the 

 Swallow that breeds in November quietly takes possession of the for- 

 saken fortress. But accidents will happen, even to the wonderful 

 fabric of the Oven-bird. It is sometimes destroyed and must be 

 rebuilt; or its completion has perhaps been retarded for months by 

 drought, or by the poor condition of the birds in severe weather ; or 

 the first brood has perhaps perished, destroyed by an opossum or other 

 enemy. November, and even December, may thus arrive before some 

 pairs have hatched their eggs; and it is these unfortunate late breeders 

 that suffer from the violence of the marauding Swallows. I have often 

 witnessed the wars of these birds with the deepest interest; and in 

 many ovens that I have opened I have found the eggs of the Oven-birds 

 buried under the nests of the Swallows. After the Swallows have taken 

 up a position near the coveted oven, they occasionally fly towards and 

 hover about it, returning again to their stand. By-and-by, instead of 

 returning as at first, they take to alighting at the entrance of the 

 coveted home; this is a sort of declaration of war, and marks the 

 beginning of hostilities. The Oven-birds, full of alarm and anger, rush 

 upon and repel them as often as they approach ; they retire before this 

 furious onset, but not discomfited, and only warbling out their gay 

 seemingly derisive notes in answer to the outrageous indignant screams 

 of their enemies. Soon they return ; the scene is repeated ; and this 

 desultory skirmishing is often continued for many days. 



But at length the lawless invaders, grown bolder, and familiar with 

 his strength and resources, will no longer fly from the master of the 

 house ; desperate struggles now frequently take place at the entrance, 

 the birds again and again dropping to the ground clutched fiercely 

 together, and again hurrying up only to resume the combat. Victory 

 at last declares itself for the aggressors, and they busy themselves 

 carrying in materials for their nest, screaming their jubilant notes all 

 the time as if in token of triumph. The brave and industrious Oven- 

 birds, dispossessed of their home, retire to spend their childless summer 

 together, for the male and female never separate ; and when the autumn 



