THEBLUEBIRD. 77 



sooner becomes nicely and to all appearance perma- 

 nently fixed in his snug little box, than he is attacked 

 with such vigor and determination by the Wren, that 

 he is compelled to give up the premises which he had 

 preoccupied, the latter not considering his more tardj 

 habits as in any way lessening his right to its occu- 

 pancy, provided he can gain possession. 



There is something sweetly attractive in the man- 

 ners and habits as well as the song of the Bluebird. 

 Attaching himself closely to the habitations of man, 

 he seems to have become a sort of domesticated pet, 

 whose annual reappearance among us is welcomed 

 with peculiar pleasure. It is probable that he re- 

 mains with us during a greater portion of the year 

 than any other migratory song-bird, unless it be the 

 Robin. Before the cold breath of Winter has passed 

 away, he comes to us fresh from a land of sunshine 

 and flowers, with a merry little heart beating high 

 beneath his bright chestnut bosom, and his little 

 throat seeming to stretch to its utmost capacity to 

 cheer our lone hours with his song. During Sum- 

 mer he is our ever-constant and ever-welcome com- 

 panion. He attends us in our rambles, flitting before 

 us as we walk by the roadside. If we pass near the 

 place where his nest is built, he will mount a stake 

 near by and warble out his sweet little ditty, his 

 bright azure coat sparkling in the sun, as he nimbly 

 twits himself about, opening and shutting his wings 

 frequently and in rapid succession. He watches 

 carefully over the interests of the garden, and many 

 a noxious caterpillar is tran.sferred from his luiking- 

 7* 



