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Trees, Stars, and Birds 



Appearance of the 

 bluebird. Bluebirds are 

 so bright and beautiful 

 and yet so common 

 that it would seem as 

 if every one must know 

 them. Seen when 

 strong sunlight illumi- 

 nates the back, a male 

 bluebird is indeed a 

 conspicuous object. 

 Thoreau says that it 

 carries the color of the 

 earth on its breast and 

 of the sky on its back. 

 When the bird is perch- 

 ing on a telephone wire 

 or flying over us, we 

 do not see the back. 

 Persons who do not observe the form of birds, or give 

 heed to their songs and manner of flight, but merely 

 notice their color, often see bluebirds without knowing 

 what they are. 



A bluebird is about 6^ inches long, measured from the 

 tip of its beak to the end of its tail. It is only slightly 

 longer than an English sparrow. How do the wings of 

 these birds compare in length? Are their beaks shaped 

 alike ? Do the sparrows ever drive bluebirds away ? 



Nests and young. As a site for their nests, bluebirds 

 may use a hollow in an old apple tree. In what other 

 situations have you seen nests? Houses intended for 



Joseph H. Dodson 



FIG. 162. A house for bluebirds. The 

 occupants are less likely to be molested 

 by sparrows if the house is suspended by 

 a wire than if it is fixed on a post or 

 building. 



