YELLOW HOUSE-SPARROW 63 



anywhere but in some domed nest, and at home I 

 frequently put up boxes for them in the trees, but 

 they would not notice them, though the Wrens and 

 Swallows were glad to have them. Sometimes they 

 make choice of the large fabric of the Anumbius 

 acuticaudatus, called Lefiatero in the vernacular ; 

 but their claim to this nest (even when the Lenateros 

 are out of it) is frequently disputed by other species 

 which possess the same habit as this Sparrow, but 

 are more powerful than he. Their favourite breeding- 

 place is, however, the solid earthen structure of the 

 Oven-bird ; and it is wonderful to see how per- 

 sistently and systematically they labour to drive out 

 the lawful owners birds so much larger and more 

 powerful than themselves. Early in spring, and 

 before the advent of the Tree-Martins, the pair of 

 Sparrows begin haunting the neighbourhood of the 

 oven they have elected to take possession of, usually 

 one pretty high up in a tree. As the season advances 

 their desire towards it increases, and they take up 

 their position on the very tree it is in ; and finally 

 a particular branch near the oven, commanding a 

 good view of the entrance, is chosen for a permanent 

 resting-place. Here they spend a great portion of 

 their time in song, twitterings, and loving dalliance, 

 and, if attentively observed, they are seen with eyes 

 ever fixed on the coveted abode. As the need for a 

 receptacle for the eggs becomes more urgent they 

 grow bolder, and in the absence of the owners flit 

 about the oven, alight on it, and even enter it. The 

 Oven-bird appears to drive them off with screams 



