244 



Bird- Lore 



alighted on one of the lower branches, off 

 to the right. His upper parts were light 

 gray, lower parts lighter, wings and tail 

 nearly black, outer tail feathers and lower 

 part of the primaries white, bill black and 

 slightly curved; unmistakably a Mocking- 

 bird. 



When I arrived at the pond, the part 

 nearest me was frozen, but the other side 

 was open, so I proceeded to walk around 

 the pond. After I had gotten to a place 

 where the point no longer obstructed my 



Our attention is more often called to the 

 preventive measures that insure us against 

 the ravages of certain species of insects, 

 which outnumber us a million to one. 

 Seldom do we consider the benefits de- 

 rived from those organisms which we see, 

 and with which we associate in our every- 

 day life. 



It has been to my profit to watch, for 

 seven consecutive seasons, the Wrens 

 shown in the photographs. They have been 

 a source of pleasure and a marked benefit. 





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HOUSE WREN LEAVING NEST- BOX 



view, I began to scan the pond with my 

 glasses. I identified many species, Amer- 

 ican Golden-eye, Black Ducks, American 

 Scaup Ducks. On my way back through 

 the Fenway, I saw the Mockingbird 

 again in about the same place. — Haskell 

 B. Curry, Boston, Mass. 



Our Friend, the House Wren 



Modern methods of civilization and 

 social life lead most of us to forget the 

 fact that man, although the possessor of 

 the earth, is quite dependent upon the 

 multitudes of plant and animal life that 

 surround him in his struggle for existence. 



The common House Wren is no un- 

 assuming individual who hides at the least 

 sign of danger. Both male and female 

 can and do battle royally for their home. 

 My observations lead me to conclude 

 that they are efficient and capable enemies 

 of the English Sparrows. The House 

 Wrens in the pictures have kept Sparrows 

 from nesting or roosting in an ivy vine 

 and rambler rose that cover the porch. 

 They accomplish this through their 

 fighting ability. A Common House Wren 

 moves several times more quickly than a 

 Sparrow. Oftentimes I have watched one 

 of these little birds take the advantage 

 by flying directly over the enemy. In 



