Birds of Indiana. 1163 



Prof. Evermann found a nest with a full set of eggs at Blooming- 

 ton April 4, 1882, and I noted young at Brookville April 14 of the 

 same year. It rears two and sometimes "three broods, often occupying 

 the same site for years. 



Occasionally eggs are found that are pure white, but usually the en- 

 tire set is of the same color. Mr. A. H. Kendrick, of Edwards, Ind., 

 informs me that he has taken a set of six, five of which are white, 

 and one, dark blue. 



Prof. B. W. Evermann in the Ornithologist and Oologist, August, 

 1886, p. 124, gives an account of a female Bluebird that laid three 

 successive sets of five white eggs each, the first two sets having been 

 taken. May 5, 1884, the first set was taken. May 14., the second nest 

 was completed and first egg laid. One egg was laid each day and the 

 set was completed the 18th. It was removed May 20th. The next 

 day work began rebuilding the first nest. June 3 the nest was com- 

 pleted and the third set was complete. It was not removed. In thirty 

 days two nests had been Iniilt and fifteen eggs laid. After the last 

 brood is reared they wander about the country in little groups, perhaps 

 family parties from three to a dozen individuals. These become more 

 numerous in October and November. With the first severe weather 

 most of them retire for a few weeks a little farther south. The great 

 number of Bluebirds winter between the Ohio Eiver and the Gulf 

 Coast. ■ This region is also the winter home of- most of the Robins, 

 Hermit Thrushes, Yellow-rump Warblers and Home Wrens. 



Dr. Vernon Gould, of Rochester, writes me that as a boy he recalls 

 having frequently found the bodies of Bluebirds under the loose bark 

 of trees and in crevices and cavities where they had sought shelter but 

 found death through the severe weather. Many of us recall similar 

 instances of the effect of sudden severe cold spells upon these birds. 

 The peculiar weather conditions of the early part of the year 1895 

 had a deadly efi^ect upon them. The Bluebirds remained in some 

 numbers north almost to middle Indiana until late in December, 1894. 

 The weather was warm until after Christmas. December 27 and 28 

 it became quite cold in this latitude. The Bluebirds were forced far- 

 ther southward beyond the limits of the severe weather. There it 

 remained warm imtil late in January. (_)n the 34th of that month the 

 temperature as far south as South Carolina remained near the zero 

 mark. It turned warmer that night and the next day. January 25, 

 the weather was bright and clear. The day following was Friday. It 

 rained, then snowed; the wind came down from the northwest with 

 great veloeity and the temperature fell rapidly. Everything was ice- 

 bound or snow-bound to the Gulf of Mexico. Then followed weeks 



