14 BIRDS THROUGH AN OPERA-GLASS. 



III. 



THE BLUEBIRD. 



As you stroll through the meadows on a May 

 morning, drinking in the spring air and sunshine, 

 and delighting in the color of the dandelions and 

 the big bunches of blue violets that dot the grass, 

 a bird call comes quavering overhead that seems 

 the voice of all country loveliness. Simple, sweet, 

 and fresh as the spirit of the meadows, with a 

 tinge of forest richness in the plaintive t'm-al-ly 

 that marks the rhythm of our bluebird's undulat- 

 ing flight, wherever the song is heard, from city 

 street or bird-box, it must bring pictures of flower- 

 ing fields, blue skies, and the freedom of the 

 wandering summer winds. 



Look at the bluebird now as he goes over your 

 head note the cinnamon of his breast ; and as 

 he flies down and turns quickly to light on the 

 fence post, see the cobalt-blue that flashes from 

 his back. These colors are the poet's signs that 

 the bird's sponsors are the " earth and sky." And 

 the little creature has a wavering way of lifting 

 its wings when perching, as if hesitating between 

 earth and sky, that may well carry out the poet's 

 hint of his wild ethereal spirit. 



Notice the bluebird's place in literature. The 

 robin, with his cheerful soprano call, serves as the 

 emblem of domestic peace and homely cheer ; but 



