page [42] (seq. 44)

42
Salem, N.Y.
1901
July 2—9
(2)

pitchfork stuck into the ground were favorite
resting places. The birds knew that they
were secure at least from any harm by
man and they took advantage of it. One
poor Robin attempted, while I was there, to
build a nest directly in the gutter of the
old shed in the garden where the ice
tools and other implements are kept. The
spot was in the most exposed situation
in the direct path of all the water flowing
from the roof and close to the hole through
which flowed all the accumulated water to
the earth. Shipley, the man, tried to break
up the nest, but Robin kept persistently at it
and he was left alone. The partly—finished
nest was a sorry sight when two days
after there was a heavy thunder storm.
It is needless to say that the Robin gave
up the attempt. Within two feet of this
spot was a covered shelf under the eaves
of the gable end of the building. A small
swinging box in one of the lindens near the
house contained a brood of young Blue—birds
The old pair had already reared successfully a
first brood this season in the same box.
Before our visit was over, the second brood
had left the box. A nosy adult Purple
Finch once lit in the path with four feet of me
and Goldfinches perched in the wire fence quite
regardless of our presence. A brood of Phoebes were
successfully reared in two vents in the shed or "barn".