THE STONECHAT. a 21 



song. Many persons are in the habit of arranging a box with a hole in the side as a nest-box 

 for the Blue-bird, and the grateful little creature never fails to take advantage of the domicile 

 thus offered to it, and to pour forth its thanks in frequent music. 



Although, as a rule, the Blue-bird is not seen except in the spring and summer months, it 

 is evident that some specimens must remain throughout the winter, as even in the depth of the 

 cold season, a few days of sunshine and warmth are sure to witness the presence of two or 

 three Blue-birds that have been tempted by the genial warmth to leave for a while the snowy 

 home in which they have been resting. The habits of this pretty bird are very interesting, 

 and not the least so is the extreme care which it takes of its nest and young, sitting near them 

 and singing its best, and occasionally flying off and returning with a caterpillar or other insect 

 for their benefit. 



The Blue-bird builds its nest in the hollows of decaying trees and other similar situations, 

 where the eggs and nest are well sheltered from the rain and cold. The eggs are generally 

 from four to six in number, and their color is a pale blue. Two broods are generally pro- 

 duced in a single season, and it is not uncommon for the bird to rear a third brood later in 

 the year, should the weather be propitious. The food of this bird consists of various insects, 

 chiefly those of the coleopterous order, spiders, small worms, and in the autumn of soft fruits 

 and seeds. The bright, cheerful song of the Blue-bird is heard throughout the greater part of 

 the year, commencing at the end of February or the beginning of March, and not ceasing xintil 

 the end of October. The spring, however, is the season which is most enlivened by the song. 



This species is widely and plentifully spread throughout the greater part of North 

 America, and during the cold weather moves southward towards Brazil, Mexico, Guinea, and 

 the neighboring parts, beginning its migration about November. The total length of the Blue- 

 bird is rather more than seven inches, and its coloring is as follows : The head, back of 

 the neck, and the whole upper surface is of a rich azure with purple reflections, excepting the 

 shafts of the quill-feathers of the wing and tail, which are jetty black, and produce a very 

 pleasing effect when contrasted with the blue. The quill-feathers of the wing are also black 

 at their extremities. The throat, breast, and sides are rich ruddy chestnut, and the abdomen 

 is white. The female is similar to her mate in coloring, but the tints are not so bright. 



THE BLUE-BIRD (Sialia sialis). This favorite songster is one of the earliest visitors, arriv- 

 ing from the South about the middle of March, and sometimes earlier. 



Wilson says of him: "The pleasing and sociable disposition of this little bird, entitles 

 him to especial recognition. As one of the first messengers of spring, bringing the charming 

 tidings to our very doors, he bears his own recommendation always along with him, and 

 meets with a hearty welcome from everybody. The usual spring and summer song of the 

 Blue-bird is a soft, agreeable, and oft-repeated warble, uttered with open, quivering wings, 

 and is extremely pleasing. In his motions and general character, he has great resemblance to 

 Robin Redbreast of England ; and had he the brown-olive of that bird, instead of the blue, 

 could scarcely be distinguished from him." 



/ 



THE CALIFORNIA BLUE-BIRD (Sialia mexicana) is an inhabitant of the Pacific coast. The 

 preceding species is not seen west of the Mississippi River, the present species taking its 

 place on the west of this line. The shade of blue in this species is more intense than in the 

 Eastern. 



THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLUE-BIRD (Sialia arctica) is one of Audubon's discoveries. It is 

 a lighter blue than the two preceding species, and has none of the brown shade. The bill 

 is stouter and longer. The wings are longer in proportion to the body, reaching nearly to the 

 end of the tail. It inhabits the high, dry, central plains in upper Missouri to the Rocky 

 Mountain range, and south to Mexico, being rare on the coast of California. 



THE STONECHAT (Saxicola cenanthe) is an allied species, called in Europe the Wheatear. 

 It is a straggler in Greenland. 



