110 BLUEBIRD COURTSHIP. 



After hopping to the end of the blind, he would 

 dash around behind it, as if he expected or 

 hoped to find something. 



After moulting, the birds feathered out beau- 

 tifully, and their spirits rose in proportion. 

 They delighted in flight, making long, sweep- 

 ing circles around the room, again and again, 

 without stopping. A few weeks later, as spring 

 approached, they grew somewhat belligerent 

 towards the other inhabitants of the place ; 

 driving every bird away from their cage, even 

 following them to their chosen resting-places, 

 insisting on their right to every perch in the 

 room. Then, too, began signs of courtship be- 

 tween the lovely pair. The first thing I noticed 

 was at worm-feeding time. One day I had 

 given each of them their portion. The female 

 swallowed hers instantly, and I turned to an- 

 other cage, when I heard a low, coaxing cry 

 many times repeated. I looked around. The 

 male stood on the upper perch, still holding his 

 worm, which he usually dispatched as quickly 

 as his mate did hers ; and she was on a lower 

 perch, looking up at him, mouth open, wings 

 fluttering, asking for it. While I looked, he 

 hopped down beside her, she opened her mouth 

 wide, and he fed her as if she were a nestling. 

 He was more amiable than a wild bluebird I 

 once saw, who had brought up a long earth- 



