

, ■■ ^ 





IJAYAL. — Copsychus sauldrig. 



seized by the Lird-catcher. It is a veiy remarkable fact that the tame bird seems to take 

 a pride iu aiding its master, and will hold its struggling antagonist by beak and claws in 

 order to prevent it from making its escape. In Ceylon this bird goes by the name of the 

 Magpie Eobin. 



The pretty little Blxje-bied of America is desers-edly a gi-eat favourite in the country 

 which it inhaiiits, not only for its delicate blue back, red bosom, and sweet song, but from 

 the engaging familiarity of its character. 



In many respects the Blue-bird takes the place of the redbreast in the affections of 

 bird-loving persons, and fearlessly associates with mankind, even though it be not driven 

 to such companionship by cold or hunger. It is the harbinger of spring, and makes its 

 appearance as soon as the snow begins to melt away from the surface of the earth, and 

 the soil to loose itself from the icy bonds in which it had been held. Sometimes a few 

 days of sharp frost or hea\y snow will drive the Blue-bird to its hiding-place, but it soon 

 emerges when the inclemency of the weather is past, and cheers the face of nature with its 

 light-coloured feathers and sweet rich song. Many persons are in the habit of arranging 

 a box with a hole in the side as a nest-box for the Blue-bird, and the grateful little creature 

 never fails to take advantage of the domicile thus offered to it, and to pour forth its 

 thanks in frequent music. 



Although, as a rule, tlie Blue-bird is not seen except in the spring and summer months, 

 it is evident that some specimens must remain throughout the winter, as even in the 

 depth of the cold season, a few days of sunshine and warmth are sure to witness th» 

 presence of two or three Blue-birds that have been tempted by the genial wannth to leave 

 for a while the snowy home in which they have been resting. The habits of this pretty 

 bird are ver}' interesting, and not the least so is the extreme care which it takes of its 

 nest and young, sitting near them and singing its best, and occasionally fljang off and 

 returning with a caterpillar or other insect for their benefit. 



The Blue-bird builds its nest in the hollows of decajang trees and other similar 

 situations, where the eggs and nest are well sheltered from the rain and cold. The eggs 

 are generally from four to six in number, and their colour is a pale blue. Two broods are 

 generall}^ produced in a single season, and it is not uncommon for the bird to rear a third 

 brood later in the year, should the weather be propitious. The food of this bird consists 

 of various insects, cliiefly those of the coleopterous order, spiders, small worms, and in the 



