BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



below the bank. Downy lives nearer and the 

 sound of his tap, tap, tap reaches up to the 

 window. From near the barn comes the liquid 

 note of the Bluebird as he keeps watch over his 

 nest box. He has had a trying time, for some 

 European Sparrows have gained a foothold 

 about the barn and have worried him inces- 

 santly. 



In the late afternoon one hears the musical 

 twitter of the Swallows and the Swifts circling 

 about high above the tree tops. Then when 

 night comes and the last bird song has ceased, 

 there can be heard far in the distance the Whip- 

 poor-will and the Night Hawk. The others 

 had the day, to these belong the night and the 

 night flying insects. So every hour the orchard 

 has its bird voices. What would it be without 

 the beautiful plumage, the sweet songs, and 

 more than all the good deeds of the feathered 

 creatures ? 



June was by no means the beginning of their 

 songs. They had been there for weeks, some 

 coming before there was a sign of April foliage, 

 before even the April showers had washed away 

 the snow banks, and all through those dis- 

 couraging days they trilled and whistled and 



[4] 



