256 THE WESTERN BLUEBimn 



tlie male usually returned to the fence again, and warbled for a minute most 

 delightfully. This note altho somewhat like that of our C(jmmon U'tlsonii 

 [i. c., .S". sialis], is still so different as to Ix' easily recognize<l. It is e(|ually 

 sweet and clear hut t>f so little compass (at this season) as to be beard only a 

 siiort distance. In tiie spring it is louder, hut it is at all times much less strong 

 than that of the common s|)ecies." 



Dr. Brewer, condensing Xuttall, says": "He [Xuttall] speaks of its 

 iiahits as exactly similar to those i)f the common Bluebird. The male is ecpial- 

 ly tuneful tliruout the breeding-sea.son, and his song is also very similar. 

 Like tiie c<»mmon s|)ecies he is very devoted to his mate, alternately feeding 

 and caressing iier and entertaining her with bis song. This is a little more 

 i'(inV(/. tender, and S7veel [editor's italics] than that <«f the Kasiern s|)ecies. and 

 dilTers in its expressions." 



Our own Dr. Cooper testifies :'' "It also differs [i. e. from S. sialis] in its 

 song, which is not so loud as sweet, and is curiously perfomied to sound as if 

 two liirds were singing at once and in dilTercnt keys." Here the tradition 

 begins to w-aver. More recent writers say : "The song of the Western Blue- 

 bird is not full but is, like his tnanners, gentle and sweet" (Lord ) ; and, "It 

 lias the soft warl)le of its kind" (Mrs. Bailey). But again Dr. Brewer 

 writes:'^ "In regard to their song Mr. Ridgway states that be did not bear 

 even during the ])airing season, any note approaching in sweetness, or indce<i 

 similar to, the joyous spring warble which justly renders our ICastcrn Blue- 

 bird iS. sialis) so universal a favorite." The doctors <lisagree. S<>me one 

 iias been dreaming! 



All I can say is. that in an exi)erience I'f some sixteen seasons in Wash- 

 ingtfui. I have never heard the Bluel)ird sing, or utter any note more preten- 

 tious than the plaintive iiiiii already referred to. It has beside, however, a 

 note of |)rotest. which sounds remotely like the hek of a distrtistful Guinea 

 fowl : and it indulges certain very unmusical cluttering and clucking notes 

 when endeavoring to attract the attention of its young. 



No; the Western Bluebird is no nnisician. but he is a l)eauty : and lie does 

 have the same gentle courtesy of bearing wliich has endeared tiie Bluebird 

 wherever he is known. It is impossible to treat of Bluebirds' domestic life 

 without recourse to humanizing terms. Bluebird is a gentleman, chivalrous 

 and brave, as he is tender and loving. Mrs. Bluebird is a lady, gentle, confid- 

 ing, and most api)reciative. And as for the little Bluebirdses they are as well 

 behaved a lot of children as ever crowned an earthly affection. 



Both parents are un.sparing in their devotion to the rising generation, and 

 so thorolv is this unselfish spirit reflected in the conduct of the children that it 



». Baird. Brewer & Riitgwajr. Vol. I., o 6s (Rcprinll. 



b. Rtp. Pac. R R.. Siirv., Vol XII.. 1*59. p. i?i. 



c. Baird, Brewer & Ridjway. Land Birds. Vol. 1., p. 66 [Repnnll. 



