Ornithological and Other Oddities 



and more typical thrushes, as well as by many 

 of their habits. The bluebird, however, has 

 longer wings and shorter legs than our robin 

 or thrush, and in accordance with this difference 

 of structure is more addicted to feeding on flying 

 insects. In other respects, however, he is mar- 

 vellously like the former, having the same large 

 dark eye and intelligent expression ; he is also 

 equally tame and ready to build about houses, 

 although now too often ousted by the sparrow 

 from the boxes put up for his accommodation. 

 For, although he is an early migrant to the 

 Northern States, arriving before the snow is 

 off the ground, it is frequently his lot to find 

 his domicile already in the possession of the 

 ugly, worthless finch, which has stayed all the 

 winter, and, secure in the proverbial " nine 

 points " of the law, is ready to meet all comers. 

 In spite of his form, size, and familiarity, and 

 of the redness of his breast, the beautiful azure 

 of his upper plumage appears to have struck 

 the early immigrants to the States more than 

 any other point about the bluebird, and thus 

 allowed his larger and less attractive rival to gain 

 the old familiar name. But the English dealers, 

 who used not infrequently to import the blue- 

 bird, always knew it as the blue robin ; and it is 

 gratifying to know that it will breed in captivity ; 



indeed, I have seen a young bird of this species 



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