“The bluebird enjoys the preeminence of being the first bit of color that cheers our northern landscape. The other birds that arrive about the same time--the sparrow, the robin, the phoebe-bird--are clad in neutral tints, gray, brown, or russet; but the bluebird brings one of the primary hues and the divinest of them all.” FirstsBitsEnjoyColorBirdPrimariesLandscapeBrownGrayCheerRobinsHueSparrowsBluebird Book:The birds of John Burroughs: keeping a sharp lookout Source: The birds of John Burroughs: keeping a sharp lookout
“Eagles are very tolerant and very adaptable, but they have to get established first. When birds are setting up their breeding territory, they are the most susceptible to being discouraged.” FirstsBirdSettingSettingsTerritoryDiscouragedEaglesBreedingSusceptibleAdaptable Author:Jim Elliot
“Is there any sign of spring quite so welcome as the glint of the first bluebird unless it is his softly whistled song? No wonder the bird has become the symbol for happiness. Before the farmer begins to plough the wet earth, often while snow is still on the ground, this hardy little minstrel is making himself very much at home in our orchards and gardens while waiting for a mate to arrive from the South.” FirstsLittlesStillsHomeEarthSongWaitingWonderSpringBirdGardenSouthSnowWelcomeSymbolsFarmersMatesWetHardyOrchardBluebirdMinstrels Author:Neltje Blanchan
“My Faith is larger than the Hills— So when the Hills decay— My Faith must take the Purple Wheel To show the Sun the way— 'Tis first He steps upon the Vane— And then — upon the Hill— And then abroad the World He go To do His Golden Will— And if His Yellow feet should miss— The Bird would not arise— The Flowers would slumber on their Stems— No Bells have Paradise— How dare I, therefore, stint a faith On which so vast depends— Lest Firmament should fail for me— The Rivet in the Bands” IfsWorldWayShouldFirstsShowsFaithStepsSunFailingFeetMissingFlowerDependsBandBirdDareAriseGoldenHillsParadiseWheelsYellowBellsDecayStemPurpleStep UpSlumberFirmament Book:Emily Dickinson’s Poems: As She Preserved Them Source: Emily Dickinson’s Poems: As She Preserved Them
“There's Carol like a rolling car, And Martin like a flying bird, And Adam like the Lord's First Word, And Raymond like the Harvest Moon, And Peter like a piper's tune, And Alan like the flowing on Of water. And there's John, like John.” FirstsWaterLordCarMoonBirdFlyingTunesAdamPeterRollingHarvestCarolsPipersHarvest Moon Author:Eleanor Farjeon