Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-23
Rambler
w.. BIueys
IN the Woods

dow is popular with black
birds including starlings and
young starlings, cowbirds
and an occasional grackle.
When he ICONS In and struts
about the grain-scattered
lawn. he looks Ike y black
knight trooping among
peasants.
SO this letter dated June
10 Thursday found an in
terested reader who hopes
you1l find It interesting too.
II read:
MY bluejay came back to
me tonight in Soldiers Home
Park.
Just at shutdown I walked
into the park, which is a
block from my home.
IT had a saucer of Bluey's
favorite food, dark sweet
cherries and raisin bread.
81 stopped at the place un-
der q huge tree where / had
set her free this morning
having raised her from a
fiedgling.
"Bluey and I were dear
friends. I carried her back
and forth each day to school.
I am a teacher Of the handi-
capped at Buchanan School.
Bluey fitted in the program
nicely. She too was handi-
capped. She couldn't feed
herself and she couldn't n.y.
''How the children loved
her! At first they fed her
warm milk and bread. Later
hamburger and cherries,
strawberries and graham
cracker crumbs. They learned
many things from Bluey.
She was so tame that she
became part of our group at
school.
ION the last day Of school
the children all decided she
had done so well that she
was to be promoted to a
higher group.
Il brought her home and
she lived in a large squirrel
cage that she liked very
much. 1 would let her out
frequently and she would
perch on my shoulder and
make the funny little call of
a young bluejay.
"Of all people, I believe
she liked me best. We un-
derstood each other. I made
up a special little whistle,
which she always answered.
"She is now very large and
blue. My husband thought
that q wild bird should be
free.
$50 this morning I carried
her to the park and let her
go. She few to the tallest
tree. I watched her for a
time and left with a little
ache in my heart.
"You know, as when a lit
tie girl goes to school for the
first time. How much you
wish that you could walk
along right into the school
room to help. But deep in
your heart you know that
she must go alone and you
stand and watch and smile
and wave good-by.
1T was so with Bluey. So
many questions entered my
mind. Would she be able to
find food? Would the other
birds resent her? Would she
be able to adjust to the hard
cold world?
Tonight I returned to the
spot where I had let her 60
II hours earlier. She had
been on her own all day.
Perhaps she was miles away.
/ stood under the tree and
gave the little whistle she
knew so well. Suddenly back
came her call. Bluey was
near! There was a flash Of
blue and there was Bluey
not a foot away from me,
fluttering her wings and
chirping. I held out the
plate Of food, but she did
not eat. I had to feed her
bit by bit as I had done so
often.
II closed my hand around
her and brought her home.
How my husband laughed!
This morning ! carried
her back to the park to the
same tree. I shall return
again this evening with a
plate of food. Will she be
there? I'll let you know.
Sincerely,
HELEN BRUNHOUSE,
1910 Second street NV.
The Rambler telephoned
Mrs. Brunhouse. Bluey an
Swered her whistle that eve
ming. But Bluey had a male
bird with her. He was Just
a little larger and bluer and
had a crest. She wouldn't
LAT NEre nVt,nha,,ea f.aA ~,