160 MINOR SONGSTERS. 
him to change, even for the better. But the 
bluebird, who like the titmouse is hardly to be 
accounted a musician, does seem to be some- 
what blameworthy. Once ina while, it is true, 
he takes a perch and sings; but for the most 
part he is contented with a few simple notes, 
having no semblance of a tune. Possibly he 
holds that his pure contralto voice (I do not re- 
member ever to have heard from him any note 
of a soprano, or even of a mezzo-soprano quality ) 
ought by itself to be a sufficient distinction ; but 
I think it likelier that his slight attempt at 
music is only one manifestation of the habitual 
reserve which, more than anything else per- 
haps, may be said to characterize him. How 
differently he and the robin impress us in this 
particular! Both take up their abode in our 
door-yards and orchards; the bluebird goes so 
far, indeed, as to accept our hospitality outright, 
building his nest in boxes put up for his accom- 
modation, and making the roofs of our houses 
his favorite perching stations. But, while the 
robin is noisily and jauntily familiar, the blue- 
bird maintains a dignified aloofness ; coming and 
going about the premises, but keeping his 
thoughts to himself, and never becoming one of 
us save by the mere accident of local proximity. 
The robin, again, loves to travel in large flocks, 
when household duties are over for the season ; 
