Outdoor Visits  by Edith M. Patch

Sounds of Spring

"A bluebird's song," said Mother. "It is a sweet and gentle song. It belongs to spring time for spring is full of sweet and gentle things.

"Buds on bushes and trees open into leaves and flowers.

"There are fresh colors to see and pleasant scents to smell.

"The bluebird's song makes me think of what is new and sweet.

"And so I have a name for it. I like to call it my Song of Lovely Beginnings."

One cool spring morning Don and Nan walked in the park on the way to school.

They came to the tree with a bird box on it. It was a box that Uncle Tom gave to Don and Nan. Mr. Gray put it up in the park for them the spring before.

Now, a little bird was looking in at the hole in the box. She had a blue back. Her under feathers were dull red near her head and white near her legs.

Another little bird was sitting on a branch not far from the box. He had a blue back, too. A very, very bright blue back!

The bird on the branch sang to the bird at the box. His song was soft and gentle.

Nan and her brother felt happy while they listened.

Don whispered, "I think his song is about beginning a new nest."