r or laurel bush. A pair of Red Birds in
Ohio returned for a number of years to build their nest in a honeysuckle
vine under a portico. They were never disturbed and never failed to rear
a brood of young. The nest was constructed of small twigs, dry weeds,
slips of vine bark, and lined with stalks of fine grass. Four eggs of
brownish olive were laid, and they usually raised two broods in a
season.

In confinement they fade in color, but if well cared for, will live to
a considerable age. They are generally known by the names: Red Bird,
Virginia Red Bird, Virginia Nightingale, and Crested Red Bird. It is
said that the female often sings nearly as well as the male.

THE REDBIRDS.

Two Redbirds came in early May,
Flashing like rubies on the way;
Their joyous notes awoke the day,
And made all nature glad and gay.

Thrice welcome! crested visitants;
Thou doest well to seek our haunts;
The bounteous vine, by thee possessed,
From prying eyes shall keep thy nest.

Sing to us in the early dawn;
'Tis then thy scarlet throats have drawn
Refreshing draughts from drops of dew,
The enchanting concert to renew.

No plaintive notes, we ween, are thine;
They gurgle like a royal wine;
They cheer, rejoice, they quite outshine
Thy neighbor's voice, tho' it's divine.

Free as the circumambient air
Do thou remain, a perfect pair,
To come once more when Proserpine
Shall swell the buds of tree and vine.
--C. C. M.

[Illustration: CARDINAL.]

THE RED BIRD.

Is it because he wears a red hat,
That we call him the Cardinal Bird?
Or is it because his voice is so rich
That scarcely a finer is heard?

'Tis neither, but this--I've guessed it, I'm sure--
His dress is a primary color of Nature.
It blends with the Oriole's golden display,
And the garment of Blue Bird completes the array.
--C. C. M.

* * * * *

ATTEND THE BEST.
CHICAGO BUSINESS COLLEGE
Wabash Ave. & Randolph St.

[Illustration]

Elegant new building. Finer apartments than any other Commercial School
in the United States. Thorough courses in BUSINESS, SHORTHAND and ENGLISH.
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