RESTING TIME OF THE BIRDS 



ing like a gentleman, and like a gentle- 

 man fighting only when he must, will 

 drive a half-dozen of them. The English 

 sparrow has the true instincts of the 

 browbeating coward, and loves to fight 

 only when in overwhelming numbers he 

 may attack a lone pasture bird without 

 danger to himself. 



So trouble began with the building, 

 and for a week or so the warfare raged 

 from box to box, the cock bluebird boldly 

 defeating superior numbers again and 

 again, only to have his gentle wife an- 

 noyed by other villains while he drove 

 the first away, and his nesting material 

 stolen in spite of him. Finally he re- 

 sorted to what looked to me .like well- 

 planned and carefully executed strategy, 

 though it may have been merely that 

 fortune which favors the brave and per- 

 sistent. The pair abandoned the box in 

 179 



