BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



be heard everywhere. They contradicted the 

 theory that European Sparrows will not go far 

 from the barns. They were at the nest-boxes 

 down the drive, and even those on the elms 

 that lined the road. The Bluebirds in the 

 house by the barn held their own, although they 

 were new comers, but down the drive in a 

 house on a maple near the road, a pair were less 

 fortunate. They built their little nest inside of 

 the house, but before the first egg was laid the 

 Sparrows had worn out their patience. If the 

 Bluebirds left for but the shortest time the 

 Sparrows were in the nest-box and carrying 

 in coarse grasses for a nest of their own. They 

 would fly at the Bluebirds when they returned. 

 Finally the Bluebirds became completely dis- 

 couraged and with quiet dignity took their de- 

 parture, leaving the farm with one pair of 

 beautiful, useful birds less, and in their place a 

 pair of worthless nuisances. 



We took the house down, finding inside the 

 dainty little nest Mrs. Bluebird had spent so 

 much care and labor upon, and we laid in wait 

 for the usurpers. 



A pair of Green and Yellow Warblers trying 

 to nest in a barberry bush in the edge of the 

 [183] 



