The Nest-Hole of the Bluebird. 



75 



in their new surroundings, the nest was cleaned six times in two hours. I saw this bird 

 bring to her young no less than twenty grasshoppers, four cone-headed katydids, two 

 black crickets, besides larvae and many small insects. During the forenoon, in the space 

 of nearly three hours, the young were fed on the average of once in six minutes, and for 

 two hours in the afternoon once in nine and a half minutes. 



The history of this interesting nest came to an unfortunate close, though through no 

 fault of mine. The old birds were subsequently frightened away, and their five young 

 ones left to perish. The young were not quite three inches long, and less than a week 

 old. They had yellow skins, and bright yellow mouths, and there was a sprinkling of 

 plumbeous down on the head, back, and shoulders. 



Toward evening on March 22d of the present year I saw a male Bluebird sitting 

 comfortably in an old Robin's nest, having apparently settled down to spend the night 

 there. 



The Bluebird is one of the most unobtrusive of wild birds. It goes about its busi- 

 ness quietly, and seems never to fight, except in defense of its home. According to one 

 authority, there are usually three broods, and before the first set of young can shift for 

 themselves the female repairs the nest and gets ready for the second. The male continues 

 to care for the first brood after the second has appeared, will feed his mate, and even 

 take her place at the nest. 



Fig. 65. Standing at entrance with large grasshopper in bill. 



