160 MINOR SONGSTERS. 



him to change, even far the better. But the 

 bluebird, who like the titmouse is hardly to be 

 accounted a, musician, does seem to be some- 

 what blameworthy. Once in a 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-soDrano 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 habituai 

 reserve which, more than anything else per- 

 haps, may be said to cnaracterize 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 sc 

 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 ; coining and 

 going about the premises, but keeping his 

 thoughts f o 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 



