196 The Bluebird 



tHeir enemies, of which the house wrens, and especially 

 the Enghsh sparrows, are chief. However, owing to 

 the continuous warf-are waged against them by these 

 pugnacious foes, the bluebirds are, year by year, 

 becoming less numerous about our dwellings. 



In my bird note book I find a sketch of the blue- 

 bird families that have, for several years in succession, 

 occupied my "bird-box." This artificial home con- 

 sisted . of a hollow limb, about twenty inches long 

 and eight in diameter, closed at top and bottom, and 

 having an entrance for the birds on one side, while 

 on another: side was a door, through which the nest 

 and its contents could be inspected. In the wall 

 opposite to the bird's entrance a microphone was 

 arranged, and a line joined it to a telephone re- 

 -ceiver in the house. This unique "bird-box" was 

 .-located about twelve feet above the ground and made 

 fast to the body of a tree that stood in the rear of the 

 house. 



I did hot expect to obtain results that could any 

 more be turned into words than could the music of 

 the veery or the murmuring of a mountain stream; 

 but I wanted to hear the notes of the old birds and 

 young, when undisturbed by man, and this was the 

 only method known to me of accomplishing the de- 

 sired end, 



