THE BLUE-BIRD. 177 



Its song is a soft pleasing warble, which is often repeated, 

 and is uttered by the bird both when flying and perching. 

 In capturing insects, it has many of the habits of the Fly- 

 catchers. It remains perching on a post or twig until its 

 prey shows itself, when it suddenly flies at it flapping- 

 its wings rapidly, seizes it, and returns to its perch to eat 

 it. It often descends quickly, and seizes a grasshopper that 

 is crawling on a straw or weed; and, if it misses its aim, 

 even follows it while flying. 



About the last week of October, the parents and young 

 leave in a detached flock for the South. 



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