BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



particular spot, where a rake handle rested in 

 the branches of a willow tree. The strong 

 twine thus secured was then woven with in- 

 finite care in and out between rake handle and 

 branches, and over this foundation of binder 

 twine the nest was built. Mrs. Robin did the 

 building, but Mr. Robin stayed near, fought 

 away the European Sparrows, and saw that she 

 was not disturbed. The old gentleman speci- 

 ally liked to tell that when the rake was needed 

 his wife said he might buy or borrow, but dis- 

 turb the Robin he should not. 



We look about at the trees and naturally 

 think the birds have plenty to nest in, but if 

 we knew more of the requirements of the birds 

 we should understand that if they are not in a 

 certain place, it is because for some reason it 

 is not suitable for them. Possibly they cannot 

 get the branch formations they require, or the 

 shelter or the privacy they need, or they would 

 be too far away from water or from food. A 

 successful bird landlord must study the con- 

 ditions the birds require. The cutting down 

 and pruning of trees, the clearing away of 

 bushes and shrubs, the removing of the old rail 

 fences and the overgrown fence corners has de- 

 [210] 



