No. 20.] THE BIRDS OF CONNECTICUT. l8l 



1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, 189O, 189I, 1893, 1895, 1896, 1898, I9OI, 



1903, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 191 1 (J. H. S.). 



Nest. In a box or natural hole in a tree, or in the deserted 

 home of a woodpecker ; usually in an orchard but occasionally in 

 deep woods; 3^ to 20 feet from the ground. 



Eggs. 3-7, usually 4 or 5 ; the last of April. 



Nesting dates. Earliest record. April 12, 1898, seven eggs 

 (Hill). Latest record. July 8, 1882, three eggs (L. B. B.). 



White eggs have several times been found ; e. g., May 30, 

 1876, Essex, four (H. W. F.) ; July 8, 1882, Guilford, three (L. 

 B. B.) ; May 23, 1892, Stamford (Rowell) ; April 28, 1898, New- 

 town, four (Canfield). 



Although the Bluebird was almost exterminated in the winter 

 of 1895 by the long continued cold weather in the South, and was 

 consequently very rare that summer and in 1896, yet it had 

 regained its former abundance by 1898. 



This species while wintering has been found inside of a stack 

 of hay, Feb. 22, 1886 (L. B. B.), in an old Robin's nest, Feb. 11, 

 1882 (L. B. B.), March 31, 1906 (E. S. W. and L. B. B.), in 

 a hollow post in mid-winter, about 1883 (Augur). It probably 

 chooses such sheltered places in which to pass the nights. 



This species has been heard singing as early as Feb. 28 (1883), 

 and as late as Oct. 22 (1892), by L. B. B. 



A male Bluebird of a brilliant cobalt-blue, like Florida speci- 

 mens, was taken April 13, 1901, New Haven, by L. B. B. 



