THE BLUEBIRD. if 
sooner becomes nicely and to all appearance perma- 
nently fixed in his snug little box, than he is attacked 
with such vigor and determination by the Wren, that 
he is compelled to give up the premises which he had 
preoccupied, the latter not considering his more tardy 
habits as in any way lessening his right to its occu- 
pancy, provided he can gain possession. 
There is something sweetly attractive in the man- 
ners and habits as well as the song of the Bluebird. 
Attaching himself closely to the habitations of man, 
he seems to have become a sort of domesticated pet, 
whose annual reappearance among us is welcomed 
with peculiar pleasure. It is probable that he re- 
mains with us during a greater portion of the year 
than any other migratory song-bird, unless it be the 
Robin. Before the cold breath of Winter has passed 
away, he comes to us fresh from a land of sunshine 
and flowers, with a merry little heart beating high 
beneath his bright chestnut bosom, and his little 
throat seeming to stretch to its utmost capacity to 
cheer our lone hours with his song. During Sum- 
mer he is our ever-constant and ever-welcome com- 
panion. He attends us in our rambles, flitting before 
us as we walk by the roadside. If we pass near the 
place where his nest is built, he will mount a stake 
near by and warble out his sweet little ditty, his 
bright azure coat sparkling in the sun, as he nimbly 
twits himself about, opening and shutting his wings 
frequently and in rapid succession. He watches 
carefully over the interests of the garden, and many 
a noxious caterpillar is transferred from his lmking- 
7* 
