98 Land Birds of New England 



its habit of keeping in the top of a high tree when 

 singing. Wilson spaaks of finding it frequently 

 perched on fences, but I have been less fortunate. 

 The bird comes to us in mid-May, and leaves in 

 late September. 



The nest is built in bushes or open shrubbery, 

 'usually ' 4 in the centre of a low, thick bush." In 

 one instance, at least, the same nest was repaired, 

 and used for a succession of years. Eggs are laid 

 about the end of May. 



The indigo-bird sings all clay, and continues his 

 song nearly or quite through July. 



Its song is not one continued strain, but a repetition 

 of short notes, commencing loud and rapid, and fall- 

 ing, by almost imperceptible gradations, for six or 

 eight seconds, till iJiey seem hardly articulate, as if the 

 little minstrel ?rv/v quite exhausted ; and, after a 

 pause of half a minute or /ess, commences again as 

 before. - - 



