70 SAXICOLID^ : STONE CHATS, ETC. 



as fifteen or twenty may be successively deposited by 

 the distressed but persevering parent. The eggs are 

 very pale blue in color, sometimes almost white, and 

 are unmarked; they measure from 0.75 to 0.85 in 

 length, by 0.60 to 0.65 in breadth. 



Beinof amonof the most familiar of our several half- 

 domesticated native species, which habitually breed 

 about the dwelling-places of man in the boxes or other 

 shelter provided for their accommodation, tlie Blue- 

 birds have of late years been incessantly subjected to 

 annoyance by the European Sparrow. These aggres- 

 sive and quarrelsome birds, finding the boxes quite to 

 their liking, commonly attempt to take forcible pos- 

 session, and drive out the rightful occupants. To their 

 credit be it said, however, the Blue-birds resent the 

 intrusion with more spirit than such mild-mannered 

 creatures, of the utmost gentleness of disposition, might 

 be expected to display ; being not seldom successful in 

 the attempt to defend themselves and hold their own. 

 Sharp disputes, however, are inevitable, in all places 

 where the Sparrows are numerous, and only cease 

 with the complete discomfiture of either the attacking 

 or the defending party ; and the inoffensive Blue-birds 

 are sometimes forced to contend against successive 

 outrages of this kind, till all the Sparrows in the vicin- 

 ity, satisfied of the futility of their attempts to dis- 

 possess the resolute Blue-birds, direct their hostilities 

 against other birds, such as Swallows, less fitted by 

 nature to withstand their attack. 



