Trouble Among the Birds 155 



robin forsook her nest; and the sparrows borrowed her 

 timbers for their own nest, and forgot to bring them back 

 again. 



Just a moment ago a couple of young red-heaaed 

 woodpeckers and their parents visited the trees of my 

 yard, making a lively din, for the youngsters were calling 

 for their supper. Then the sparrows crowded about 

 them, called and jested, followed them from tree to tree, 

 never stopping their persecutions until the red-headed 

 family flew off in disgust. 



In a Kansas town one March day, as I was returning 

 to the house in which I was lodging, my attention was 

 attracted to a black-capped chickadee, which was flitting 

 about and calling in an agitated way in one of the trees. 

 Two English sparrows, a cock and his mate, were respon- 

 sible for the little bird's perturbation. What were they 

 doing ? Something rude, as usual. Perched on a couple of 

 twigs, they were bending over, stretching out their necks 

 and peering into a small hole in one of the larger branches. 

 The male was especially offensive, standing there and star- 

 ing into the cavity, and making insolent remarks. 



A good-sized club, hurled by myself, sent the sparrows 

 to other parts. Then I hurried into the house and sat 

 by the curtained window to watch. With much ado, the 

 little black-cap flew over to the limb with the cavity. He 

 flitted about a few moments, then darted to the opening 

 and looked in, chirping in a reassuring tone, as much as 

 to say, "The ruffians are gone now; you can come out." 



And out of the doorway flew his pretty wife, while he 



