Passing of the Bluebird 35 



Our efforts should be redoubled to aid the 

 wren whenever persecuted, and this is a 

 simple matter. By keeping their boxes 

 closed, after they leave us in autumn, until 

 their reappearance in April, we will prevent 

 the sparrows from taking possession in their 

 absence, and boxes built for wrens should 

 have the entrance too small for a sparrow to 

 pass through it. By such simple means I 

 have baffled the worthless foreigner, and 

 have the native wrens at my door the sum- 

 mer through. 



There being no more tame door-yard 

 bluebirds, I have spent the day with their 

 wilder brethren. In a cluster of old birches 

 on an island in the river I found these timid 

 birds dwelling in comparative security. 

 Their nests were in holes deserted years ago 

 by golden-winged woodpeckers, and no foe 

 but a man or a snake often much alike 

 could have reached their eggs or young. 

 My boat drifted to the sandy beach, and I 

 sat very still. The birds paid no attention 

 to me, and their singing was continuous. I 

 closed my eyes for a while, and, while listen- 

 ing, saw again the old arbor with its blue- 

 bird-box at the entrance. I heard the songs 



