BLUE-BIRD.— SidJia siali. 



autumn of soft fruits and seeds. The bright, cheerful song of the Blue-bird is heard 

 throughout the greater part of the year, commencing at the end of February or the 

 beginning of March, and not ceasing until the end of October. The spring, however, is 

 the season which is most enlivened by the song. 



This species is widely and plentil'ully spread throughout the greater part of North 

 America, and during the cold weather moves southward towards Brazil, Mexico, Guinea, 

 and the neighbouring parts, beginning its migration about November. The total length 

 of the Blue-bird is rather more than seven inches, and its colouring is as follows : The 

 head, back of the neck, and the whole upper surface is of a rich azure with purple reflections, 

 excepting the shafts of the quill-i'eathers of the wing and tail, which are jetty black, and 

 ju'oduce a very pleasing effect when contrasted with the blue. The quill-feathers of the 

 wing are also black at their extremities. The throat, breast, and sides are rich ruddy 

 chestnut, and the abdomen is white. The female is similar to her mate in colouring, but 

 the tints are not so bright. 



Of the pretty though sober-plumaged Accentors, we have one or two British examples, 

 that which is best known being the Hedge Accentoe, or IIedge Spareow, as it is often, 

 though wrongly, called, as it by no means belongs to the same group of birds. 



Tl>e Hedge Accentor is very common through the whole of England, and ma}' be 

 heard in the gardens, copses, and hedge-rows, chanting its pleasing and plaintive melody 

 witliout displaying much fear of its auditors. It seems, indeed, to be actuaUy attracted 

 to man, and, in spite of the terrible havoc which is made year after year by young bird- 

 nesters among its homes, it always draws near to human habitations as soon as the cold 

 days of autumn commence, and may be seen Hitting about the barns and outhouses in a 

 perfectly unconcerned manner. 



It is especially adai)ted for living among the hedges, as it possesses a singular facility 

 in threading its way through the twigs, stems, and branches. It seems eqnally at home in 

 dried lirushwood, and may often be seen traversing the interior of a woodpile with perfect 

 ease. The nest is one of the earliest to be built, and as it is fi-equently completed and the 



