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AMERICAN OFNITHOLOGY. 



The presence of two holes in the stump, each of which was peculiar- 

 ly adapted to the use of the two birds, gave evidence that the Wren and 

 Downy had each decided to make this their abode for the summer, as a 

 matter of fact, the Downy Woodpecker probably had one or two eggs 

 already laid when we found the place, although we did not look for 

 several days to see what the nest contained, knowing the aversion 

 that they have to being disturbed early in the nesting period. 



We decided that the Wrens must have put in their first appearance 

 on the very morning that we happened along for they had just com- 

 menced work on their nest. Considering the quiet domestic life that the 

 Downies are wont to lead, it is little wonder that they objected to the 

 presence of the boisterous and inquisitive pair of Wrens. They thought, 



DOWNY, (on the Wren's stump.) 



and correctly, that the continual song of the male Wren, musical though 

 it was, would surely betray the hiding place of the one spot most dear to 

 them. The male Downy took upon himself the task of driving away the 

 unwelcome neighbors. His persistency was commendable but the lack of 

 good generalship on his part rendered the efforts futile. Instead of de- 



