172 



MIGRATION BECOBD. 



216. [766] Sialia sialis CLinn. ) . Bluebird.* Figs. 31-2. 



Resident; abundant in ali seasons except winter, moderately com- 

 mon then. Becomes abundant before the middle of March (February 

 22 to March 16). Seen in pairs February 22, 1884 (C. H. E.). All 

 records of Bluebirds for the winters 1900-01 and 1901-2 were made by 

 groups and show just how the birds were met. Nearly all of these 

 groups are twos or multiples of two, and of them equal numbers 

 were male and female. This is pretty good evidence that many Blue- 

 birds remain paired throughout the year. However, some of the sum- 

 mer residents mate here, and the.v Avere seen mating March 1, 1903. 

 Two males were singing madly and flying excitedly about a female, 

 the principal characteristic of whose attitude seemed to be utter indif- 

 ference to both of her suitors. 



Singing February 10, 1!¥)3. The first nest was finished March 15, 

 1903; it was in a fencepost which had rotted in two just above the 

 ground and which swayed on its supporting wires, with every wind. 

 A nest with three eggs was found March 22; and one with four eggs 



