. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. BIRDS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 291 first a mere wandering voice in the skies, comes down to us a sure augury of returning spring. The Robin, Song Spar- row, and Blackbird renew the vernal prophecy; but when the Bluebird warbles gently from the leafless trees, and flits from fence to house top, we feel that the very spirit of the spring has come. The Bluebird is usua
. Useful birds and their protection. Containing brief descriptions of the more common and useful species of Massachusetts, with accounts of their food habits, and a chapter on the means of attracting and protecting birds. Birds; Birds. BIRDS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 291 first a mere wandering voice in the skies, comes down to us a sure augury of returning spring. The Robin, Song Spar- row, and Blackbird renew the vernal prophecy; but when the Bluebird warbles gently from the leafless trees, and flits from fence to house top, we feel that the very spirit of the spring has come. The Bluebird is usually common, locally at least, in Massachusetts by the middle of March, and flights may be seen going south in September and October. The bird is seldom seen later than November; but it is quite possible that occasionally a few winter Fig. 127.âBluebird, about , 1 , -â «⢠, ,, ,1 one-hall natural size. in southeastern Massachusetts, as they have been reported there in December and January, and a few are said to winter in the same latitude in Connecticut. Wherever dense red cedar and sumac thickets are numerous and fruitful, there is food enough to carry through the winter such Bluebirds as may venture to stay. It is quite probable that some of the early birds which come from the south in February are starved and frozen during the extreme cold weather and snowstorms which sometimes follow their ap- pearance ; most of them, however, contrive to exist until warm weather appears. This bird often rears two or three broods. The male bird takes care of the young after they have learned to fly, while the female prepares a nest for the next brood. The Bluebird needs no defence; it has long been regarded as a harmless species, for it takes practically none of man's products, and boards itself. Nevertheless, it is probably not as useful as the Robin, âa bird which has been widely reviled as a pest. However, the utility of the Bluebird must be ac- knowledged, although it perhaps ea
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