INDIGO BIRD. 77 



eggs are deposited early in June. In antumn, the Indigoa 

 gather in flocks often in company with other Sparrows in weedy 

 fields, and as at this season, all are in the reddish brown dress 

 of the female, they are quite inconspicious. This brown dress 

 is assumed by the males with the autumnal moult and the 

 blue plumage is resumed again in spring, after a second moult, 

 which occurs before they leave their winter quarters, far south 

 of the United States. 



At all times the Indigo birds are very shy and should be 

 approached with caution. The males appear perfectly black 

 when seen against the light from below, but when viewed 

 from above or on a level with one's eye, the beautiful blue 

 colors may be seen. 



So.vG. The ordinary alarm note of the Indigo bird, which 

 is given by both sexes, is a rather sharp chirp. The song of 

 the male, which is uttered as the bird is perched on the top 

 of the highest tree, which he can find in his immediate neigh- 

 borhood, is an exceedingly, lively, lisping chant, given w^ith 

 considerable energy, but ends very abruptly. The whole per- 

 formance is not musical nor very pleasing. They sing very 

 persistently and often nearly continuously for an hour at a 

 time, and tlieir songs may be heard frequently as late as the 

 first week in August. 



