BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



barn found it, and built their nest inside the 

 room, just over the door. This room proved a 

 haven of safety for the birds. No cat could 

 reach it, no red squirrels could run up the 

 window pane to the hole where the birds went 

 through, and carry off the nestlings. No nest 

 robbing creature could enter there. There was 

 nothing about the house to attract the European 

 Sparrows, no chickens were being fed and no 

 grain was dropped about, so the Swallows were 

 unmolested. They came year after year, and 

 with them came many of the young of the year 

 before. Anyone who chanced to approach the 

 old house would see at all times birds circling 

 about the chimneys, the gables and the tree 

 tops, adding much to the picturesqueness of 

 the sight. 



This year the house has been occupied for a 

 few months, but the family living there have 

 not used the room where the Swallows have 

 their nests, nor have they disturbed them in 

 any way. The birds come in and out as before. 

 They may well let them stay, for they have 

 kept down the flies, while the Chimney Swifts 

 have kept the mosquitoes in check, and the 

 Wrens nesting in the crevices outside, the 

 [35] 



D 



