Passing of the Bluebird 33 



bird-preservation, are really the bird's worst 

 foes while able to colleft, and then in their 

 declining years shed crocodile tears over the 

 skins of their viftims. Then, too, we must 

 consider the demand for feathers for millinery 

 purposes. At last the enormity of this vile 

 fashion is beginning to touch the public con- 

 science, and if Audubon societies effeft half 

 the good at which they aim, they will prove 

 one of the more notable blessings of these 

 later days. 



But let us go back to the haunts of the 

 bluebirds, even if deserted just now. For 

 the first time in over twenty years I have 

 failed to see and hear bluebirds in the month 

 of May, and yet every other species common 

 to the Delaware valley has been phenome- 

 nally abundant. Never were there so many 

 warblers, both summer residents and those 

 that were northward bound; never more 

 thrushes, more rose-breasted grosbeaks, 

 vireos, fly-catchers, and all the summer's 

 tuneful host, but no bluebirds. The reason 

 is not difficult to determine. Every available 

 nesting-site, such as formerly was occupied 

 by a bluebird, is now in possession of the 

 pestiferous sparrow. Happily, they find 



