226 
THE BEAUTIFUL LAD DEE. 
Jenny Wren understand that the homestead 
had been erected exclusively for bluebird occu¬ 
pation, and it was imagined that an appeal was 
made more than once to the interested builder, 
who stood near by, to confirm the rights of the 
true claimants. To end the strife, the disap¬ 
pointed wrens were provided with suitable quar¬ 
ters, and the happy colonies are now among 
the feathered treasures of Willow Cottage. 
“ The study of birds has ever been a fasci¬ 
nation, much enhanced by the fact that it was 
in observing their construction and habits that 
there was early obtained the first deep impres¬ 
sion of special adaptations. Long before any 
knowledge of scientific classification was obtain¬ 
ed from books, the peculiar formation of many 
birds had arrested attention—the peculiar feet of 
the woodpeckers, the sharp claws and beaks of 
hawks and owls, the long legs of the waders, the 
webbed feet of ducks and geese, and the strong 
toes and legs of the scratchers. Indeed, quite a 
classification had been made out, and so correct¬ 
ly as to cause no ordinary delight when it was 
found that but little change was required to 
make it conform to the statements of the books. 
“The entire physical organization of a bird 
