THE PHCEBE. 141 



announced her arrival ceases, scarcely to be heard again 

 during her stay. Mr. Burroughs says of this note: "At 

 agreeable intervals in her lay, she describes a circle or an 

 ellipse in the air, ostensibly prospecting for insects, but 

 really, I suspect, as an artistic flourish, thrown in to make 

 up in some way for the deficiency of her musical perform- 

 ance." All pretty fancies aside, Phoebe is, without doubt, a 

 Flycatcher in earnest. Mark her as she describes her curve 

 from the fence-stake, the apple-tree, or the willow which 

 overhangs the brook, or hovers amidst a cloud of gnats or 

 midges, and be assured that the snapping of the bill is no 

 mere pretense. With head large, and legs weak, with 

 colors exceedingly plain, and a flight altogether ordinary, 

 this bird appeals as little to the eye as to the ear. In short, 

 Phoebe is in every point of view a homely bird; and yet, of 

 all the feathered tribes, none has a larger or tenderer place 

 in our sympathies. What makes her so beloved ? Just 

 that which endears certain plain and unpretending people 

 to our hearts; or, that supports the old proverb, "handsome 

 is that handsome does;" or, in other w^ords, an affectionate 

 kindliness and confidence, accompanied by a useful life, 

 greatly transcends any mere external accident of personal 

 beauty or accomplishment. The Phoebe has a better repu- 

 tation than either Wren or Robin, approaches us with even 

 more confidence than the Bluebird, can vie with the Swal- 

 lows in her destruction of noxious insects, in the self-sacri- 

 fice of her domestic cares is outdone by none, and is the 

 sure herald of the bright and happy days of spring. On 

 the other hand, no pilfering or cruel habits or faults of any 

 kind detract from her many virtues. In moral suggestive- 

 ness, the history of such a life is more potent than a 

 fable, and welcome as the beauty and fragrance of the 

 flowers. Then cordially greet this summer resident, more 



