OUR OLD-GARDEN BIRDS. 131 



observed such regularity. In my own yard, in the 

 summers from 1874 to 1895, these birds have been 

 absent but four times, and during the twenty-one 

 years have nearly equally divided their attentions, as 

 regards nest-building, between a sycamore and an 

 elm. The rule has been to alternate, and it has been 

 pretty closely adhered to. The beauty and intelli- 

 gence of orioles are to be commended, but there 

 is too much edge to their whistle : it cuts the ear 

 instead of falling gently upon it. If indulging in 

 a day-dream, we are startled, not merely roused, 

 by its suddenness and shrillness. The orioles that 

 stay with us after nesting-time are never musical. 



The day is not far distant when Aunt Peggy and 

 her husband will pass away, and the old garden, so 

 long a landmark, will be of interest only as regards 

 local history. Place and people, the old cottage and 

 its occupants, are so well fitted to each other that we 

 cannot dissociate them ; but young people would be 

 out of place here. A new roof must cover young 

 heads, it seems. The old is forever giving way, but 

 is it always to better as well as newer things ? New 

 flowers, at least, are not in every case an improve- 

 ment upon the old. What has the present to show 

 that is an advance over an old apple-tree and the 

 bluebirds ? Certainly not a japonica hedge and the 

 English sparrows. 



The blessed bluebirds ! Why are they so seldom 

 seen where but a few years ago they were abundant ? 

 For many years they were literally resident in a hay- 

 barn near my house, never leaving it longer than 



