AVES 



241 



FIG. 274. Nest of a chipping sparrow on the ground in a wheat field. Photo- 

 graph two thirds natural size. 



destroying insects, and should be coaxed about our yards 

 by nailing up boxes in which it may nest. The entrance 

 to a box must not be more than an inch in diameter, as 

 otherwise the English sparrow would preempt the home. 

 A study of fifty-two wrens showed that ninety-eight per 

 cent of their food was of insects. 



Nuthatches and Titmouse (Paridae). This is one of the 

 few families of birds remaining in middle and northern 



