BRUSHES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. 403 



Nova Scotia ; winters from southern Illinois and southern New York south- 

 ward. 



Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. K. Cambridge, com- 

 mon S. E., Mch. 6 to Nov. 1 ; more numerous during migrations, in Mch. and 

 Nov. 



Nest, of grasses, in hollow trees or bird-houses. Eggs, four to six, bluish 

 white, sometimes plain white, -85 x -65. 



A bird so familiar as the Bluebird needs no introduction ; in fact, 

 he seems so at home in our orchards and gardens or about our dwell- 

 ings that one wonders what he did for a home before the white man 

 came. 



In the winter, it is true, Bluebirds are greater rovers, and one may 

 see them in the Southern States whirling through the woods in great 

 flocks or feeding on the berries of the mistletoe. But the warmth of 

 returning spring reminds them of cozy bird-boxes or hospitable pear 

 or apple trees, and soon we see them inspecting last summer's home, 

 evidently planning repairs and alterations. 



The Bluebird's disposition is typical of all that is sweet and amia- 

 ble. H>is song breathes of love ; even his fall call-note tur-wee, titr- 

 wee is soft and gentle. So associated is his voice with the birth and 

 death of the seasons that to me his song is freighted with all the glad- 

 ness of springtime, while the sad notes of the birds passing southward 

 tell me more plainly than the falling leaves that the year is dying. 



