OF THE THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 43 



doubt effectually." But shortly afterwards, while passing the trellis 

 where they commenced, a slight debris of greenery was observed 

 along under the vines. This led to an examination which showed, 

 to my intense mortification, that the heart had been eaten out of 

 every fruit bud where the birds had been, and nothing left but the 

 outside leaves. The report of firearms was heard several times in 

 the garden that afternoon ; many dead and wounded sparrows were 

 left to the care of the cats, and every crevice where the birds were 

 known to breed closed up at once. 



Since then the wrens have kept possession of their box, and 

 with a little attention I can keep the sparrows out of the garden, as 

 they find plenty of provender round the stables ; but they are still 

 on the increase, and if this continues in the future as in the past, the 

 time is not far distant when the streets and stable yards will not 

 furnish food enough for the increased numbers, and there is no 

 question but they will then betake themselves to the fields and 

 gardens and take whatever suits them. This is the serious view of 

 the subject which has called for legislation in other countries, and 

 may do so here unless some unexpected check arises to prevent the 

 necessity for it. 



In the meantime it is well that all parties having opportunity 

 should take notes of the movements and increase of the birds for 

 future consideration. 



One of our most showy birds, and one which seems to enjoy 

 the society of man is the Baltimore Oriole, whose clear, flute like 

 notes are usually heard round our dwelling for the first time in 

 spring about the 8th of May, soon after which the curious purse-like 

 nest may be observed suspended fiom the slender twigs of a 

 neighboring tree. There are seven different species of orioles 

 peculiar to North America, all of them very handsome birds, and 

 having a general family likeness. Hitherto we have only had the 

 one species with us, but in the spring of 1883 I found that several 

 pairs of the Orchard Orioles were breeding at different points 

 around the city. I was in hopes that this addition to our garden 

 birds would be permanent, but last year not one was noticed. The 

 orchard oriole is the smaller bird of the two, and where the Balti- 

 more is orange, the present species is rich chestnut brown. 



Another showy, dashing, familiar bird is the Blue Jay — better 

 known round the farm home than near the city. He is a gay, 



