OUT OF DOORS WITH NATURE. 333 



extremity of the abdomen was armed with a poisonous sting ; 

 and after this discovery, never attempted to swallow a wasp 

 until he first pinched his abdomen to the extremity, forcing 

 out the sting with the receptacle of poison.' " 



It will be perceived that I have here some pretty staunch 

 backing in regarding it as an absurdity to call such plainly 

 practical common -sense proceedings instinctive. Why, you 

 destroy the higher meaning of the most beautiful facts of 

 nature by levelling them all to mere mechanical and invol- 

 untary impulse. Pooh, tell me that the greeting of the 

 dainty Blue Bird to the opening spring is merely that of a 

 little feathered music-box, wound up and set going ! You 

 had as well stigmatize as " machine rhyming" the following 

 song, which only a happy human soul, brimming over with 

 that -most tender and delicate inspiration with which God 

 fills his nobler children here on earth, could have made 

 articulate ! 



Aye and verily it was my chivalric and gentle friend he 

 of the valorous Blue-Bird heart Noble Butler, Esq., of 

 Louisville, Kentucky, who did indite this same song. 



THE BLUE BIRD. 



Though winter's power fades away, 



The tyrant does not yield ; 

 But still he holds a waning sway 



O'er hill, and grove, and field. 



But while he still is lingering, 



Some lovely days appear 

 Bright heralds from the train of Spring, 



To tell that she is near. 



It is as if a day of heaven 



Had fallen from on high, 

 And God's own smiles, for sunlight given, 



Were beaming through the sky. 



The Blue Bird now, with joyous note, 

 His song of triumph sings ; 



