Warring Birds

üii his lawn a largo blrd-house, intendod as the suraraer house of a Hoek of martins. It was a throe-story affair, and three varieties of birdg inhabited it - martins, blue-birds and spar rovvs. The numbers were aboul oquil. The mixture of breeds ilid not appèar to cause discontent for a long time. Kach bird nation gathered stieks and straw and other material for nests, and harmony prevailed for weeks. One day, however, this gentleman' family discovered that there was something wrong with the inhabitants of the airy house on the lawn. Thero was unusual commotion, a squalling, pecking and tluttering which denoted trouble in tlie hitherto happy fanrily. A close wateh brought the further discovery that the martins and blue-birda had joined forces and were making a mighty effort to drive the sparrows off the premises. Tho sparrows battled pluckily for their home, but were in the end doomed to defeat and an ignominious üight. Opposite the lawn in a neighbor's yard stood several large oak.s. A small colony of blue-jays had preempted homes here. The sparrows on being forced from homes and nests took refuge in the oaks. Their advent was followed by bird chatter, and chirp, and squafl, participated in by both sparrows and jays. The noise attracted the family, and now two households were watching with interest the actions of the winged tribes. Shortly the sparrows, seemingly escorted by a number of the jays, returned to the lawn and house. This was followed by a convontion of bird music, in which tho jays took tho firomiuent part. By and by the bedam of voices ceasod, and the jays did the talking or chirping. They soon returned to the oaks, leaving quiet and peaco on the lawn. The three bird colonics worked all summor without further jar or disagreement. Did tho iays act tho part of peacemakers? -