THE HOUSE MARTIN in 



dived in under the eaves. But those bold marauders the 

 House Sparrows, whom over-feeding and indulgence 

 have corrupted and made indolent, forcibly took posses- 

 sion of these homes which were ready for immediate 

 habitation. My neighbour literally fought the intruders, 

 brandishing a clothes-prop from her open bedroom 

 window for several mornings and evenings. The 

 Martins forsook the nests at last in dudgeon, worn out 

 with anxiety as to their homes which are now empty, 

 for my friend declares no Sparrows shall have them. 

 This is one of the worst indictments against the Sparrow, 

 as we all prefer the graceful and useful House Martins 

 about our homes; and through this evil habit of the 

 former their numbers are greatly lessening. 



There has been a general complaint of late years that 

 the numbers of the Swallow family are decreasing. This 

 is an international question. If the Southern European 

 States net and kill Swallows and other small useful birds 

 which are passing through on their migratory flight, the 

 more Northern States naturally suffer loss. That is why 

 many of us regret greatly that England has not as yet 

 seen her way towards joining that International conven- 

 tion for the protection of wild birds which had its 

 first beginning in Germany in a little band of foresters 

 and to which nearly all the European States excepting 

 England now subscribe. 



The whole study of the migration of birds is full of 

 interest and, indeed, of mystery, much as we have 

 learned of their life history during the last fifty years. 

 As a humble student of bird-life, glad to learn all I can 

 from other students, I have found that those who know 

 most about this wonderful migration are the most modest 

 in making definite assertions in the matter. So little, 



