A dream: A country lane, with trees on both sides – Two birds flew into one of the trees, and I realized at once that they are the rare blue grosbeaks. Colored and marked somewhat like a jay, but the blue much richer, and their bodies more mod & compact and of course with the blunt grosbeak. I called to Bertha & told her the exciting news. As I did so I put up my hand to indicate where they were. One of the birds seemed to think I was offering it food and flew down, and then back again to its perch. So I held out my hand, palm upward. Again the bird blew down and this time after some fluttering hesitation, alighted on my hand. The reality of this part was so genuine that even now it seems almost like an actual experience. The feel of the claws clasping my fingers and then when the bird shyly permitted me to stroke its head and back, the cool firm feel of the feathers. While I was petting it I awoke.
Charles E. Burchfield, February 27, 1948