THE NATURALIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 1650, 7 July 1883, Page 28

THE NATURALIST.

A Singular Contest Between Bluebirds and Martens.

Some years ago a gentleman in Lexington, Kentucky, erected a marten-box on Main street, which was taken possession of by a single pair of bluebirds, and while they were building a nest the martens put in an appearance and laid claim to it. For several days considerable skirmishing was carried on for its possession between the single pair of bluebirds and a pair of martens, the bluebirds invariably coming off victorious. Thus the matter stood until one-fine' morning, about 6.30 o'clock, the attention of the neighbourhood was attracted to a congregation of hundreds of these birds, and it was evident from their manner that something unusual was to take place. There was more or less ill-feeling displayed on either side, but no decided outbreak until half an hour had elapsed after the first meeting. At th% end of that time the forces were marshalled on either side, and a general battle along the ■whole line commenced. It lasted over an hour, and was carried on with a fierceness and vindictiveness never equalled by man himself. They paid no attention to the surroundings, but fell fighting at the feet of persons standing in the yard. The weather being pleasant, the windows in the house were raised that the family might witness the conflict, but to their presence the birds paid no attention. Numbers of them passed through the windows, and several pairs of them were caught in the rooms fastened together. There were no cowards or shirks, but every bird seemed intent on doing his wh»le duty. In one hour the martens were beaten and retired from the contest, leaving the bluebirds in possession of the field. Now the question to be solved is— By what means did these birds communicate with each other that a great battle was to be fought? That it was so understood there is hardly room for a dpubt, for, from the number gathered together, c they must have been assembled from miles around.