THE BLUEBIRD. 257 



wanted to dissolve the compact. But the 

 happy bridegroom would- not take the hint, 

 and exerted all his eloquence to comfort and 

 reassure her. He was fresh and fond, and 

 until this bereaved female found him, I am 

 sure his suit had not prospered that season. 

 He thought the box just the thing, and that 

 there was no need of alarm, and spent days 

 in trying to persuade the female back. See- 

 ing he could not be a step-father to a family, 

 he was quite willing to assume a nearer rela- 

 tion. He hovered about the box, he went in 

 and out, he called, he warbled, he entreated ; 

 the female would respond occasionally and 

 come and alight near, and even peep into the 

 nest, but would not enter it, and quickly flew 

 away again. Her mate would reluctantly 

 follow, but he was soon back, uttering the 

 most confident and cheering calls. If she 

 did not come, he would perch above the nest 

 and sound his loudest notes over and over 

 again, looking in the direction of his mate, 

 and beckoning with every motion. But she 

 responded less and less frequently. Some 

 days I would see him only, but finally he 

 gave it up ; the pair disappeared, and the 

 box remained deserted the rest of the suui' 



