The Audubon Societies 221 



time the house was painted. Although the birds flew away occasionally 

 when greatly annoyed, they did not desert their eggs. 



On June nth, in the afternoon, four little birds were hatched, and 

 although they were very ugly no one could help loving them. Soon after- 

 ward the fifth was hatched'. 



Nearly a month later the five little birds learned to fly, and it was very 

 interesting to watch them. As soon as they were able, they flew away, and 

 we certainly did miss their merry little twittering out on the front porch. 



The mailman on our route said that a pair of Bluebirds had built in 

 some one else's mail-box, but these people had gradually moved their mail- 

 box away from the front door so as not to disturb the birds by using the 

 front porch. 



The thing that interested us was that our Bluebirds had successfully 

 raised their young on our porch without anyone having moved their home. 

 — Margaret G. Cole (age 13 years), Madison, Wis. 



P. S. March 12th (1921). The Bluebirds returned today and were 

 looking into the mail-box. 



[Let us hope that Margaret's Bluebirds nested in the box again this year and that they 

 return for many years. Perhaps her father will put bands on their legs so that we will know 

 if it is the same birds that return each year. — A. A. A.] 



THE MAIL-BOX WHERE THE BLUEBIRD NESTED, WITH INSERTS OF THE YOUNG 

 BLUEBIRD ABOUT TO LEAVE AND ONE OF THE PARENTS BRINGING FOOD 



