2S8 



THE WESTERN BLUEBIRD. 



but regularly, until the second brood were well matured. Instinct! In.stinct ! 

 say you? But, wherefor? Is it not rather a foregleam of ethical life, an out- 

 cropping of that altruistic tendency which hints a deeper kinship with the birds 

 than we have yet confessed? 



.And real gallantrv ]:)ctween the sexes may not be less ethical. On a day in 

 Ohio, I located a liluebird's nest in the knot-hole of an apple tree, and planted 

 the camera in a commanding and somewhat threatening position. The cavity 

 held callow young, but after the parents had visited their charges once and 

 were somewhat reliexed in anxiety, I saw a \'er\' pretty passage which took 

 place between them. In a neighboring ajjple tree the male secured an elegant 



fat grub and was most de\outl}- tlu-ashing it, when the 

 female appeared ui)on the scene. With a coaxing 

 twitter she approached her mate; but he backed off, as 

 much as to say, "\\'ait, wait, dear, he isn't dead yet!" 

 But she was hungry and pressed her suit, until he 

 in good-natured impatience flitted across to another 

 liml). Here he whacked the worm vigorously, striking 

 him first against one side of the limb and then against 

 the (ither by a swinging motion of the head. The 

 female followed her lord and cooed : "Oh, I know that 

 will taste good. Um! I hav'n't tasted one of those 

 white grubs for a week. So good of you, dearest! 

 Reall}-, don't you think he is done now?" The valiant 

 husband ga\e the luckless gruli just one more whack; 

 and then, with e\ery appearance of satisfaction, he 

 hopped o\er toward his better half and placed the 

 morsel in her waiting beak, while she received the 

 fa\-i^r with (|ui\ering wings and a soft flood of tender 

 thanks. Altogether I think I never saw a prettier exhi- 

 bition of conjugal aftection, gallantry, and genuine 

 altruism than the sight afi^orded. It was not only like 

 the behavior of humans ; it was like the best in human 

 life, a pattern rather than a copy, an ins]:)iration to 

 nobilit\- and gentleness of the very highest type. 



Bluebirds ha\'e a decided preference for human 

 society, or at least are very quick to appreciate the 

 hospitalitv of proffered bird-boxes. Being chiefly insectivorous, their presence 

 is a benediction to any neighborhood, and is an especial advantage in the 

 orchard. A friend of mine in the East, who owns two young orchards and a 

 small vine_\-ard, maintains upon his premises upwards of fifty Bluebird boxes, 

 each composed of a section of a hollow limb closed with a board at top and 

 bottom, and pro\-ided with a neat augur-hole in the side. The boxes are made 



LITTLE BOY BLUE. 



