THE BLUEBIRD. 223 



le88 than a minute, wren time. They carried in new 

 material, and by the third day were fairly installed 

 again in their old quarters ; but on the third day, so 

 rapidly are these little dramas played, the female 

 bluebird reappeared with another mate. Ah! how 

 the wren stock went down then ! What dismay and 

 despair filled again those little breasts ! It was piti- 

 ful. They did not scold as before, but after a day 

 or two withdrew from the garden, dumb with grie^ 

 and gave up the struggle. 



The bluebird, finding her eggs gone and her nest 

 changed, seemed suddenly seized with alarm and 

 shunned the box ; or else, finding she had less need 

 for another husband than she thought, repented her 

 rashness and wanted to dissolve the compact. But 

 the happy bridegroom would not take the hint, and 

 exerted all his eloquence to comfort and reassure her. 

 He was fresh and fond, and until this bereaved fe- 

 male found him I am sure his suit had not prospered 

 that season. He thought the box just the thing, and 

 that there was no need of alarm, and spent days in 

 trying to persuade the female back. Seeing he could 

 Dot be a step-father to a family, he was quite willing 

 'o assume a nearer relation. He hovered about the 

 box, he went in and out, he called, he warbled, he 

 entreated ; the female would respond occasionally 

 and come and alight near, and even peep into the 

 uest, but would not enter it, and quickly flew away 

 again. Her mate would reluctantly follow, but ha 

 Jiras soon back, uttering the most confident and cheer 



