Evening star., 1936-05-07
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRAcE1ELL.

twined with vines. It was large and
airy, its location was, indeed, splendid,
but then there were possible sparrows
to contend with. The bluebirds, alas,
had decided against 1t, after spending
one fine March day looking it over care
fully. Too new? Too many sparrows?
Too many vines? It was hard to tell.
The next time we put up a bluebird
house we will follow the books-erect 1t
on q metal pole about 5 feet high, out in
the lawn, away from trees and shrubs.
Sparrows and the like do not like such
a location, 1t Is said, but the bluebirds
do. So why not give them what they
like?
John Wren was glad.
He thought it very fine house, one
which he could easily defend with his
activity, his fearlessneSs and his long
sharp bill.
Quite bill, for such little bird! And
such loud voice, too. If other birds had
songs as loud in proportion, veritable
din would greet the suburban dweller at
dawn. AS it Is, he has to get used to
the chorus when he first moves to the
country, as he calls it.
Bumblebees and hornets also must be
reckoned with, as they like to build nests
in bird houses, If they get there first.
On the whole, Johnny rather preferred
the house over the arch. He was not
afraid Of humans, no wren ever is. They
will nest equally as freely back under
a porch as on the outside Of it. Many
tales are told Of the strange nesting
places they select.
House wren families stay in this vicin-
ity from the latter part of April to about
October Is, when they go south again.
Invariably the same birds return to
the same nests. This, of course. is their
great attraction TO mankind. The gar
dener feels something of the true mys-
terry Of migration when he sees these
feathered mites brave storm and wind
and other dangers to come back surely
and squarely to the same small garden
and same little house.
Yes, this Is a miracle.
But every wren must make a start
somewhere, of course, so every garden
that has been passed up by wrens may
make a start. too.
Just put up house, and hope for the
best.
The youngsters just beginning life on
their own, after a Fall and Winter in
Dixieland. will like your house as we'll
as another.
They, in their turn, will find their
way back each year to the old site.
**
The pert. outstanding tail of this wren
makes it seem smaller than it really is.
Yet the inch. or inch and a quarter,
hole which is the standard wren house
entrance, shows the bird very small, in
deed, as it slides easily inside. Surely it
is not much larger than humming-
bird!
What bubbling, vivacious song it has,
how loud in comparison with its total
bulk, how filled with life and mischief!
This is one bird which does not make
the gardener afraid to come into his
own garden. The wren does not mind
him bit, but flies around as if he were
not there. and even threatens him If he
insists on keeping too near the nest. AS
for cats. they had best beware! Not
even the bluejay, born cat hater, can
put cat to flight as handily as the
house wren.
We looked for Johnny Wren to 60 in
side one of the little houses when the
storm broke, but he did not; he sat on
limb of tree nearby, singing wildly
through the rain. If Jenny could have
seen him then, she would have been
very proud of him. He will be waiting
there when she flies in from the South.