The Western Bluebird 
may not be less ethical. On a day in Ohio, I 
located a Bluebird’s nest in the knot-hole of 
an apple tree, and planted the camera in a 
commanding and somewhat threatening posi¬ 
tion. The cavity held callow young, but after 
the parents had visited their charges once and 
were somewhat relieved in anxiety, I saw a 
very r pretty passage which took place between 
them. In a neighboring apple tree the male 
secured an elegant fat grub and was most 
devoutly thrashing it, when the female ap¬ 
peared upon the scene. With a coaxing twitter 
she approached her mate; but he 
backed off, as much as to say, 
“Wait, wait, dear, he isn’t dead yet!” But she 
was hungry and pressed her suit, until he in 
good-natured impatience flitted across to 
another limb. Here he whacked the worm 
vigorously, striking him first against one side 
of the limb and then the other by a swinging 
motion of the head. The female followed her 
lord and cooed: “Oh, I know that will taste 
good. Um! I hav’n’t tasted one of those white 
grubs for a week. So good of you, dearest! 
Really, don’t you think he is done now?” 
The valiant husband gave the luckless grub 
and then, with every appearance of satisfaction 
his better half and placed the 
Taken in San Luis Obispo County 
Photo by the Author 
WESTERN BLUEBIRD 
just one more whack; 
he hopped over toward 
morsel in her waiting beak, while she 
received the favor with quivering wings and a soft flood of tender thanks. 
Altogether I think I never saw a prettier exhibition of conjugal affection, 
gallantry, and genuine altruism than the sight afforded. It was not 
only like the behavior of humans; it was like the best in human life, a 
pattern rather than a copy, an inspiration to nobility and gentleness of 
the very highest type. 
Bluebirds have a decided preference for human society, or at least 
are very quick to appreciate hospitality of proffered bird-boxes. Being 
chiefly' insectivorous, their presence is a benediction to any neighborhood, 
and is an especial advantage in the orchard. A friend of mine in the 
East, who owns two young orchards and a small vineyard, maintains upon 
his premises upwards of fifty Bluebird boxes, each composed of a section 
of a hollow limb closed with a board at top and bottom, and provided 
with a neat auger-hole in the side. The boxes are made fast to the apple- 
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