“As a Citizen the Bluebird is in every way a model.  He works with the Ground Gleaners in searching the grass and low bushes for grasshoppers and crickets; he searches the trees for caterpillars in company with the Tree Trappers; and in eating blueberries, cranberries, wild grapes, and other fruits he works with the Seed Sowers also.

“So who would not welcome this bird, who pays his rent and taxes in so cheerful a manner, and thanks you with a song into the bargain?  A very few straws are all that he asks for his housekeeping, and every time he promises a meal for his household, scores of creeping, crawling, hopping garden enemies are gobbled up.  Then he, modest little fellow that he is, comes to the roof of the shed and murmurs his thanks for your hospitality, as if you and not he had done the favor; he continues to whisper and warble about it all the way down the meadow until, having caught another grasshopper, his mouth is too full for singing.”

As the Doctor was speaking the shower cloud passed over, and the sun burst out full upon the Bluebirds that were building by the woodshed.

“Oh, they are red, white, and blue!” cried Dodo in great glee, “though the red is a little dirty,—­not so fresh and bright as the color in our new flag.”

“It is more the red of the ragged old flag they keep down in the Town Hall—­the one that has seen service,” said Rap thoughtfully.

Some things to remember about the Bluebird

Length (from tip of beak over head to end of tail) seven inches.

Upper parts clear bright blue.

Throat and breast reddish earth color.

Belly white.

A Summer Citizen of the United States, and a Citizen of the milder parts, of our country.

A member of the guilds of Ground Gleaners, Tree Trappers, and Seed
Sowers.

THE AMERICAN ROBIN

[Illustration:  American Robin.]

“Another home bird, first cousin to the Bluebird, coming with it in the spring, and often lingering through the winter in places that the Bluebird is obliged to leave—­”

“The Robin a cousin of the Bluebird!” interrupted Nat; “why, they don’t look one bit alike—­how can it be, Uncle Roy?”

“I expected you to ask that question,” said the Doctor.  “The relationship of bird families, like that of other animals, is based upon a likeness in the formation of their bodies, and not upon mere size or color.  That sort of likeness proves that their ancestors of long ago were the same, so that they are descended from one pair of very great-great-grandparents; and that always makes cousins, you know.  It runs in the blood; thus, a cat and a tiger are blood relations; the little coon and the great black bear are nearly akin.  A tall broad-shouldered man, with black hair and a full beard, may have a cousin who is short and thin, with yellow hair and no beard.  You see nothing strange in this, because it is something to which you are accustomed.  But with bird families it takes the trained eye of the student to see the likeness there really is between all birds who have had the same ancestors, though it may be hidden under many differences in their size, shape, color, voice, and habits.