. Animal snapshots and how made . about twenty inches longand eight in diameter, closed at top and bottom, andhaving an entrance for the birds on one side, whileon another: side was a door, through which the nestand its contents could be inspected. In the wallopposite to the birds entrance a microphone wasarranged, and a line joined it to a telephone re--ceiver in the house. This unique bird-box about twelve feet above the ground and madefast to the body of a tree that stood in the rear of thehouse. I did hot expect to obtain results that could anymore be turned into words than co
. Animal snapshots and how made . about twenty inches longand eight in diameter, closed at top and bottom, andhaving an entrance for the birds on one side, whileon another: side was a door, through which the nestand its contents could be inspected. In the wallopposite to the birds entrance a microphone wasarranged, and a line joined it to a telephone re--ceiver in the house. This unique bird-box about twelve feet above the ground and madefast to the body of a tree that stood in the rear of thehouse. I did hot expect to obtain results that could anymore be turned into words than could the music ofthe veery or the murmuring of a mountain stream;but I wanted to hear the notes of the old birds andyoung, when undisturbed by man, and this was theonly method known to me of accomplishing the de-sired end, The Bluebird 197 When the arrangements were completed, I waitedfor the house to be occupied. By March twentieth ithad been inspected by many bluebirds, but none haddecided to remain. Through the apparatus I had. Section Removed Showing Microphone the pleasure of hstening to bluebird conversationssuch as I had never heard before. As the birds werehouse hunting their notes were at times very spirited,and their quick movements were plainly indicative ofexcitement. 198 The Bluebird The first week in April, after a very careful inspec-tion of the house inside and out, a pair of bluebirdsdecided to remain. They conimenced the nest atonce, using fine grass as material, and the sounds oftheir building could be heard very distinctly throughthe telephone receiver. The third day a great com-motion was heard over the line, and upon investigatingI found that some English sparrows were trying toturn the bluebirds out. After two days of disturbancethe bluebirds were victorious, but the male bird kepta very careful watch about the box for several days,proving himself to be a veritable blue streak toevery English sparrow that came within a hundredfeet of his home. In due seaso
Size: 1515px × 1648px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectani, booksubjectbirds
