Year: 1869

they are among the earliest heralds OF
approaching summer, few of the
feathered tribe are more Interesting
than these, returning to their old
homes of the previous year. AS these
! like the Robins, are familiar to every
one in this latitude, no description is
needed to insure their recognition,
You have tut to look out to the orch
ard, or tree nearest your home, to see
them in all their beauty and merry
activity.


The Bluebird is a summer resident
Of the whole Of the United States, but
spends the winter in the South and
toward the Tropics. It is said, how
ever, that considerable numbers win
ter as far north as Tennessee, and in
stances have been known of their re-
naming in Ohio. But these cases are
very rare; and when they do occur,
the birds become very tame, harbOr-
ling about the house and stable for pro-
lection and food. They usually re-
turn here, from their winter retreats,
about the first week in March. ]
noticed them in my garden in Pom
erOy, for the first time this year, on
the 10th Of March.


The Bluebird builds its nest in a
hollow tree, when such is at hand ;
but It seems to be pleased with, and
readily occupies, a box prepared for
its use. A very neat and pleasing ef-
feet may be produced by hanging
gourds in the orchard trees, with holes
in them Just large enough for the birds
to enter They will soon find and
take possession of them, and, having
lonee occupied them, they will return
to them year after year. But he is
mot always a conscientious observer of
the rights of others. This is proven
by his taking possession, as he often
does, of the Martin house in the alb
sense Of its legal owner. This looks
bad for the morals of the Bluebird.
But as I do not fully understand the
l"COnstitution" of their government,
I cannot say that is illegal in bird law.
Perhaps they have a "Bureau OF
abandoned boxes, under whose sane
ton they proceed. However this
may be, the Martins do not always
submit quietly to the arrangement,
land furious fighting ensues. But I
have never known a case in which
the intruder was elected after he had
obtained possession.


He. has another moral defect which
may possibly have been imbibed in
consequence of his neighbOrhood to a
more lordly race of beings. He is no
ItOriOusly jealous of his mate. as may
be seen by his actions at any time af-
ter pairing. Whether Madam gives
him any cause for his jealousy l am
not prepared to say, nor what lectures
she may give him in private. So far
as the public can judge, she is a model
Of fidelity. You may see Mr.. Blue
bird any day, after one Of his jealous
fits, and a contest with his supposed
injurer, making up with his indignant
spouse by offering her the incest kind
of big fat grub, and caressing her
with more than a lovers devotion.
Could this fOible be the effect of his
Initiative faculty, and his facility for
peering through glass windows?


These beautiful little birds, I believe,
are not charged with doing much
damage to the farmer or gardener, and
for this reason, as well as for their
beauty and their merry songs, they
are pretty generally tolerated and even
cherished by all except those whose in
born cruelty of disposition impels
them to destroy whatever beautiful.
thing God has endowed with life, and
made to give and enjoy happiness.
Yet I am sure but very few appre-
ciate them at their true value as the
ordained destrOyers Of nOxious insects.
When people generally come to realize
the yearly spreading devastation ofour
orchards, our fields, and our forests
even, by the ever. Increasing swarms
of nOxious insects which devOur them,
and that the only remedy as yet dis
covered in all the resources of nature
is in the instincts of birds, their pro-
lection and multiplication will be de-
manded by the sentiment of the beau
tiful and by patriotism alike. And
when this good time comes, few will
hold warmer place in the affections
Ofall good people than our little friends
the Bluebird. .--.


The Bluebird, although not classed
with the Flycatchersy has many of the
habits of that family, as may be seen
by observing it at almost any time.
You viii see it perehed upon a stake
Of the fence, the corner of the cave, OF
the dead limb Of a tree, whence itsud-
denly flies out, snaps its prey on the
wing, and returns to its perch to eatI
at leisure. But unlike the true Fly
catcher, it will be seen flying down tOI
the ground and catching a grasshopper,
cricket or other insect on the surface.
In fact, the larger portion of its food
consists of beetles and other shelly
kinds of insects, and the quantity con-
sumed by them is almost Incredible.
] must therefore bespeak for these
beautiful and benehcent helpers of
man, his consideration and protection.


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