THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 225 
This is no mere flight of rhetoric, for many 
observers have noticed the same trait in bird- 
character. They seem to understand the pur¬ 
pose of one who takes an interest in their ways, 
and gratify him by a little coquetry in showing 
off the graces of their feathers and their wings. 
In several instances of personal experience have 
birds shown great familiarity, allowing nearness 
of approach with little or no fear, when the 
presence of a stranger would cause earnest out¬ 
cries of disapprobation. This trait has been 
especially noted in robins, catbirds, wrens, blue¬ 
birds, and sparrows, only, perhaps, because they 
are the most common to observation. It was 
only a year ago that some bluebirds became 
too straitened in their quarters, and new accom¬ 
modations had to be provided for the increasing 
families. These were constructed under the 
curious eyes of the birds, and no sooner were 
they completed than the little home-seekers 
took possession, twittering out their joy and 
fluttering their wings in very thankfulness. 
Nor were they slow in sharply expressing their 
disapprobation to a family of wrens that tried 
to put in a claim to one of the apartments. It 
was quite plain that they tried to make Mrs. 
