. Finally,, I went modern with a ceramic, house,

Finally,, I went modern with a ceramic, house, designed by an artist and snapeauke a'gourd. A wren has .-moved in and occupied the designer house for two seasons, but the bluebirds, for whom it was designed, have ignored it.

The number might be declining because, as the experts maintain, much of their natural habitat is being destroyed by conversion of rural areas into suburban areas. I could understand why any self-respecting species of bird would not tolerate a suburb. But Rappahannock County is not suburban. Starlings might be taking breeding sites away from bluebirds, as some experts said, but there are few starlings in Rappahannock County.

Insecticides, undoubtedly, are having some effect. Yet doubts remain. I continue to see blue flashes along the roads and fields, in bushes and hedges, bluebirds in quick, darting flights as though trying to fly out of their color. I am beginning to question the experts. Maybe the numbers are not down. Maybe the bluebirds are hiding, or flying so fast they can scarcely be seen or counted. What could be the cause?

I think I have found the answer in Ms. Kelly’s report, from which I learned that whereas there were only 15.9 million Americans who . hunted wild game in 1985, there were 93 million bird watchers and wildlife photographers loose in the country that same year.

Bird watchers dress strangely and move in unusual ways, not like animals or other human beings. Their hats and caps are especially peculiar. Most of them, I know, wear glasses. Many imitate bird calls;-some carry telescopes and field glasses and cameras. The lenses of all these devices must flash in the sun as they are turned on birds.

Bluebirds are not secretive, nor are they recluses, but they do like marginal privacy. Ninety-three mil- -■ lion bird watchers on the loose may well have driven the bluebirds to more secluded and protected places, where they continue to increase and multiply.