86 Bird-keeping. 



one note of defiance is instantly answered by another, 

 and a combat almost always ensues. The native 

 bird-catchers take advantage of this to decoy wild 

 birds ; taking a tame bird into the woods, who, on 

 receiving a signal from his master, utters his challenge, 

 and as soon as this is answered he is let loose, and the 

 two birds fight so eagerly that the bird-catcher easily 

 seizes both ; and it is said that the tame bird will help 

 him by holding his antagonist with his beak and claws. 

 The Thamnobia fulicata, or INDIAN ROBIN, is always 

 found about houses, and is as much cherished in India 

 as the English Robin is here. 



The American Robin is represented by the pretty 

 BLUEBIRD (Sialia sialis) of the United States, a great 

 favourite with the people, who often keep boxes in 

 their gardens and close to their houses for the Bluebird 

 to build in, with a hole in the side for it to enter. A 

 few of these birds appear to remain there through the 

 winter ; but the greater number resort to the warmer 

 parts of America, and the West Indian Islands, and 

 even to Brazil, for warmth during the inclement season. 

 They feed on insects, spiders, small worms, and cater- 

 pillars, and in the autumn on soft fruits and seeds. 

 The head, neck, and upper part of the body of the 

 male Bluebird are of a bright azure blue, with purple 

 reflections ; the quill-feathers of the wings and tail 

 darker ; the throat, breast, and sides of a ruddy 

 chestnut, and the lower part of the body white. The 



