30 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



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 invader, 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 rains have supplied them 

 with wet clay, and the sense of defeat is worn 

 off, they cheerfully begin their building operations 

 afresh. 



This is not, however, the invariable result of the 

 conflict. To the superior swiftness of the Martin 

 the Oven-bird opposes greater strength, and, it might 



