74 The Bluebird 



day after the young were hatched, a severe wind and 

 rain storm so broke and split the old stub that the 

 young were in danger of perishing. We soon converted 

 a small basket into a temporary and comfortable nest 

 for the unfortunate family, and from a second story 

 window of the house we watched the birds unobserved. 

 The old birds accepted the situation, and continued to 

 feed and care for the young. As the food was brought 

 there was no strife on the part of the young birds, but 

 each waited his turn. This continued not only while 

 the young were in the nest, but until they flew away. 



The bluebird makes a very playful and affectionate 

 little pet. Mr. A. Radclyffe Dugmore tells of a very 

 interesting one he possessed. "While I am writing," 

 he says, "a pet one, but three months old, is sitting 

 on my paper, seenung to wonder what I am doing 

 and why I do not play with him. He nips my pencil, 

 but I pay no attention to him; then he tries to creep 

 up my sleeve, and still I pay no attention; so, dis- 

 gusted, he flies off in search for ants or other small 

 insects. After a time I raise my hand and call; 

 back he comes, Uke a flash, and, hovering more like 

 a large moth than a bird, he perches on my finger, 

 singing at the same time a soft little song that is his 

 method of speech." 



