BIRD LIFE STORIES 



THE BLUEBIRD 



ALEXANDER WILSON 



THE pleasing manners and the sociable disposition of this 

 little bird entitle him to particular notice. As one of 

 the first messengers of spring, bringing the charming tidings 

 to our very doors, he bears his own recommendation always 

 along with him, and meets with a hearty welcome from 

 everybody. 



Though generally accounted a bird of passage, yet in 

 Pennsylvania so early as the middle of February, if the 

 weather be open, he usually makes his appearance about his 

 own haunts, — the barn, orchard and fenceposts. Storms and 

 deep snows sometimes succeeding, he disappears for a time, 

 but about the middle of March is again seen accompanied by 

 his mate, visiting the box in the garden or the hole in the old 

 apple-tree, the cradle of some generations of his ancestors. 



The preliminaries being settled and the spot fixed upon, 

 the Bluebirds begin to clean out from the old nest the 

 rubbish of the former year, and to prepare for the reception 

 of their future offspring. 



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