Bluebird Dick. 



lO' 



stormed the place, and fight as papa would 

 (and he did fight hard) the pirates forced 

 them out. Bobolink seemed troubled about 

 it and said he'd have his papa fix up an- 

 other box. Sure enough he did, and we 

 are in it now. Much obliged, but you had 

 better not disturb us here," muttered Dick, 

 as he whetted his beak on the floor and 

 looked very cross indeed at the elm tree. 

 *' Won't the boys throw stones at us?" 

 "Not now; they did once, I believe, but 

 their mamma told them it was wrong, and 

 if not scared too often we'd come back and 

 build again. Now there she spoke the truth, 

 Dot; for down South last week, Robin told 

 me he'd be along shortly and build a big 

 mud nest in the same old apple tree, and 

 Jenny Wren warned me to keep away from 

 her box by the kitchen. Yes, they'll be 

 here with many others, and I am very much 

 mistaken if any other half acre will have as 

 much bird music." "Don't the folks fire 

 off those big horrid guns and things ? " shud- 

 dered Dot. " Nary a bang. Dot, except on 

 the Fourth of July; then watch out. But 

 you know that's only for one day." So 

 Dick rattled on, and together they laid 

 plans for the morrow. While thus engaged 

 the storm passed over; the day wore down, 

 and evening with bed time arrived; then 

 the birds carefully dressed their feathers. 

 About the same time a certain little boy 

 next door carelessly undressed himself and 

 hopped into bed. Then each bird drew up 

 a leg well under its body and each head was 

 snugly hid beneath a blue wing. Then the 

 boy drew up both legs, and a warm blanket 

 was tucked around the little white shoulders ; 

 and then Bobolink and Dick and Dot alike 

 were soon wrapped in soft slumber. 



II. "GOD SHIELD YE, HERALDS OF THE 



SPRING." 



Morning again; and how can it be de- 

 scribed, and the days and times that fol- 

 lowed. How balmy the south wind was, 

 and how quickly the snow melted away in 



the warm sunshine. How the days grew 

 long and milder. How the wee frogs joy- 

 ously piped of coming spring, and how the 

 trees and fields donned their green recep- 

 tion robes, which proved that spring had 

 really come. How Robin kept his word 

 and Jennie took possession of her old 

 quarters. How the wood sparrow, black- 

 bird, lark, catbird and thrush, with others, 

 drifted back on this springtide, and the 

 place was flooded with melody, then Dick's 

 prophecy was fulfilled, though Dick was 

 with the dead. How busy Dot was in those 

 earlier days, scarcely taking time to eat or 

 think of love; and how carefully she placed 

 each twig of the nest just so; how Inspec- 

 tor Dick approved the work and most 

 heartily indorsed her finishing touch of four 

 blue eggs. What jolly times Dick had bath- 

 ing in the swamp; timidly at first, tossing a 

 few drops of water about; then wading 

 deeper, he'd dive and flap his wings and 

 splash like Toppy in the pond. Then at 

 nightfall how Oakie with his comrades 

 sallied forth to have their fun; then Brownie 

 and Midget, slyly creeping up, would touch 

 each other's noses and scamper off like mad. 

 Then the quiet sleepers would be startled 

 by a thud upon the roof, and the sudden 

 vision of two great, round eyes at the door; 

 but reassured by the merry chirp of Oakie, 

 " Halloo! Dick," who would then as quickly 

 vanish. Now firmly standing on the roof, 

 with fore paws doubled in, he'd stretch for- 

 ward and back like some huge measuring 

 worm; then with a downward leap and legs 

 outspread, he sailed away on the moonlight. 



III. "O WONDROUS birth!" 



Dot's breakfast had been served and serv- 

 ant Dick adjourned to the swamp. An extra 

 good bath, then back to the nest, and what 

 do you think he found ? One t^g was miss- 

 ing, but in its place lay a tiny baby blue- 

 bird! Lying there with upstretched neck 

 and mouth wide open, a funny, downy little 

 jack-in-a-box! Oh, my! wasn't Dick glad ? 



