60 THE BLUE-BIRD. 



and pleasurable sensations the robin is regarded by 

 our countrymen. With the same affection the re- 

 sidents of America look upon the blue-bird. True, 

 they have a songster which belongs to the thrush 

 family, to which they give the name of robin, but it 

 does not obtain the same sympathy as the little 

 azure warbler. If we had blue-birds they would be 

 the theme, par excellence, of nursery and children's 

 story-books. To-day (the one succeeding my fishing 

 experience) I have welcomed the first blue-bird I 

 have seen this season, and the little darling was so 

 tame that I almost believed he knew and appreciated 

 my kindly feelings towards him. 



Upon a dry limb of a shumach the blue-bird sat 

 alone and warbled forth his sweet song, inviting a 

 mate to join him in the cares of housekeeping. Again 

 and again with renewed vigour he carolled out his 

 dulcet strains ; but he was alone, and no lady-love 

 answered : not even any jealous rival of his race 

 taunted him with want of success. He was, in this 

 respect, a fit emblem of myself; but his solitude 

 would not last long, for, unless a change in the 

 weather took place, a day or two more would bring 

 thousands of his species from the more hospitable 

 sunny south, who, possibly quite as ardent but 

 less venturous, wished to be assured that winter 

 had departed ere they trusted themselves to this 

 treacherous climate. 



In build and size these birds much resemble the 

 bullfinch, but they lack its defiant, impudent look. 



