INDIGO-BIRD. 119 
the chewinks south, and I searched through the 
raspberry patch and wandered through the woods 
calling to them in vain. But one day after the 
middle of the month I found another male eating 
the grain. He scratched among the leaves in full 
view, running at them with a queer energetic mo- 
tion, tossing them up behind him. I had a long 
conversation with him, but though he answered 
all my remarks in a very friendly way, he looked 
cold, and talked in rather a pensive strain, and [ 
saw no more of the family that fall. 
XXXII. 
INDIGO-BIRD. 
In a paper in the “ Audubon Magazine,” Mr. 
Ridgway has shown what a mistake has been 
made in depreciating our American songsters. 
With equal justice an article might be written, 
calling attention to the brilliant plumages of many 
of our northern birds. The purple grackle, ori- 
ole, bluebird, goldfinch, humming-bird, barn swal- 
low, blue jay, purple finch, scarlet tanager, red- 
headed woodpecker, yellow-throated vireo, and 
numbers of our warblers would excite wondering 
delight if they should bear South American or 
European labels. Indeed, among birds as among 
roadside flowers, we need to make it the fashion 
to appreciate our own national gallery of beauties. 
