4^ JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 



In the spring of the following year the numbers had increased, 

 and they began to roost under the veranda round the house, which 

 brought frequent complaints from the sanitary department, and a 

 protest was made against their being allowed to lodge there at all. 

 Still, in view of the prospective riddance of insect pests from the 

 garden, matters were arranged with the least possible disturbance to 

 the birds, and we even stood by and saw them dislodge a pair of 

 house wrens who had for years been in possession of a box fixed for 

 them in an apple tree in the garden. So the second year wore on, 

 no further notice being taken of the sparrows except that they were 

 getting more numerous 



I had missed the sprightly song and lively manners of the 

 wrens, and in the spring when they came round again seeking 

 admission to their old home, I killed the sparrows which were in 

 possession in order to give the wrens a chance, and they at once 

 took advantage of it and commenced to carry up sticks in their 

 usual industrious manner. They had only enjoyed possession for 

 two days, however, when they were again dislodged. Again the 

 intruders were killed off, and domestic felicity reigned for three 

 days, when a third pair of sparrows came along bent on the same 

 object, and, if possible, more overbearing and determined than 

 their predecessors. This time I thought of a different mode of 

 accomplishing the object in view, and taking down the box at night, 

 nailed a shingle over the end and worked it flush round the edges ; 

 with a centre bit a hole was then pierced just large enough to admit 

 the wrens, but too small for the sparrows, and the box was put back 

 in its place. Early in the morning the assault was renewed, but the 

 wrens found at once that they were masters of the situation, and 

 never were two birds more delighted. From his perch aloft the 

 male poured forth torrents of scorn and ridicule, while the female 

 inside the box fairly danced with delight, and I almost fancied was 

 making faces at their enemy as he struggled ineffectually to gain 

 admission, or sullenly, but fruitlessly, tried to widen the aperture. 



Shortly after this dispute was settled I noticed ten or twelve 

 sparrows quietly at work at the grape vines, and feeling pleased at 

 the havoc they were apparently making among the insects passed 

 on, speculating mentally on the probable increase of fruit I would 

 have. In the afternoon they had moved to another treUis, and I 

 thought "Well, they are doing the work systematically, and no 



