90 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



is no favorite of mine ; he is so nnamiable and 

 ill-tempered. 



The blue bird lays five and sometimes six 

 eggs, of a pale blue color. I have known boys 

 steal the eggs of this charming bird; but I 

 never had the heart to do it. Moreover, I 

 always had a very low opinion of a boy who 

 would do such a thing ; and I think now as I 

 thought then, that any boy or girl who takes 

 pleasure in robbing the nests of innocent birds, 

 exhibits a cruel disposition; and I am always 

 afraid that this disposition will show itself in 

 their conduct toward mankind, as well as in 

 their conduct toward birds. 



The principal food of these birds is insects, 

 particularly large beetles, and worms, such as 

 usually abound in the heart of trees partially 

 decayed. Spiders, too, seem to afford them a 

 very acceptable re^^ast. In the fall of the year 

 they often feed on berries. 



The usual spring and summer song of the 

 blue bird, as most of my readers know, is a 

 soft, agreeable, and oft-repeated warble. He is 

 a remarkably good neighbor. I never heard 

 of his quarreling and fighting with other birds. 

 Every body ought to love him. Shall I tell 

 you, little boy — I mean you who live in the 

 country — how you can coax a pair of them to 



