How the Tule Wrens Acquired Summer Quarters 



11 



been looking for. Here was room with bath for each pair of 

 birds and its family to come, here was an opportunity to 

 watch squabbles and disputes over intermediate territory, 

 and here was a place for sheltered and unobstructed observa- 

 tion. 



I began to make regular visits and found, as I had sus- 

 pected, that the two birds had already chosen their space 

 for the season, one on either side of the pool. Presumably, 

 the area which each had taken was of a size that would pro- 

 vide food for itself, its mate, and its future family. When I 

 appeared, the bittern would usually flush, which was quite a 

 sure sign that its nesting site would be nearby. Often I would 

 see it make a short circle and then drop quietly into that area. 

 The song sparrows continued their unconcerned and cheery 

 investigation of the lower sections. I watched the scene with 

 much interest but with a sense of queerness that I did not 



