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A M ERIC AN ORNI THOL OGY. 



THE CASTLE. 



presently the irate father forgets that they are all one great family and 

 exponents of sociability and intimacy and spreads his wings, ducks his 

 head, and with open mouth forcibly and vociferously ejects them from 

 his private domain. 



Twenty or thirty usually return in the spring and when they are 

 ready to start for their southern home we can easily count seventy-five 

 or more. We have the only flock of Martins in the town, although 

 there are many attractive Martin houses. The secret lies in forcing out 

 the House or English Sparrow. Most of the other houses are occu- 

 pied by the Sparrows which have completely driven out the Martins. I 

 have not observed that the Sparrows make open warfare against the 

 Martins, but by their filthy habits about the boxes, and by robbing and 

 mobbing they completely dishearten them and drive them from their 

 abodes. 



At another time I will tell you about our Bluebirds and Tree Swal- 

 lows and hosts of other beautiful little winged creatures that find refuge 

 near by home. Francis, B. Horton, Brattleboro, Vt. 



