BLUEBIRD. 
173 
trunks* of trees. Itipe persimmons is another of their 
favourite dishes, and many other fruits and seeds which 
I have found in their stomachs at that season, which, 
being' no botanist, I am unable to particularize. They 
are frequently pestered with a species of tape worm, 
some of which 1 have taken from their intestines of an 
extraordinary size, and, in some cases, in great num- 
bers. Most other birds are also plagued with these 
vermin, but the bluebird seems more subject to them 
than any I know, except the woodcock. An account 
of the different species of vermin, many of which, I 
doubt not, are nondescripts, that infest the plumage and 
intestines of our birds, would of itself form an interest- 
ing publication ; but, as this belongs more properly to 
the entomologist, I shall only, in the course of this work, 
take notice of some of the most remarkable. 
The usual spring and summer song of the bluebird 
is a soft, agreeable, and oft-repeated warble, uttered 
with open quivering wings, and is extremely pleasing. 
In his motions and general character, he has great 
resemblance to the robin redbreast of Britain ; and, had 
he the brown olive of that bird, instead of his own 
blue, could scarcely be distinguished from him. Like 
him, he is known to almost every child ; and shews as 
much confidence in man by associating with him in 
summer, as the other by his familiarity in winter. He 
is also of a mild and peaceful disposition, seldom fighting 
or quarrelling with other birds. His society is courted 
by the inhabitants of the country, and few farmers 
neglect to provide for him, in some suitable place, a 
snug little summer-house, ready fitted and rent free. 
For this he more than sufficiently repays them by the 
cheerfulness of his song, and the multitude of injurious 
insects which he daily destroys. Towards fall, that is 
in the month of October, his song changes to a single 
plaintive note, as he passes over the yellow many- 
coloured woods ; and its melancholy air recalls to our 
minds the approaching decay of the face of nature. 
Even after the trees are stript of their leaves, he still 
