SIALIA SIALIS : BLUE-BIRD. 69 



linian, than in the Canadian. In southern New Eng- 

 land, and particularly in the lower valley of the Con- 

 necticut, a few Blue-birds may be observed in the 

 winter, at any time during mild open weather ; but it 

 does not follow that such birds actually pass the whole 

 season within our limits. As one of the earliest har- 

 bingers of spring, this agreeable bird appears in south- 

 ern New England sometime in February ; and the flocks 

 which make up in the fall do not all leave before the 

 middle of November. From March to October, how- 

 ever, the Blue-birds are in 

 full force, and there are few 

 localities in the southern 

 part of New England 

 where they are not famil- 

 iar and abundant birds 

 about the habitation of 

 man, though they grow 

 less numerous as we pass 

 northward of Massachu- 

 setts. They are very ben- 

 eficial birds, destroying F '- "--HEADY BLUE-BIRD. (Nat. size.) 



great numbers of insects, though they also feed ex- 

 tensively on various berries and other small soft fruits. 

 The nest is placed in the hollow of a tree, stump, or 

 fence, or in the box so often provided for their ac- 

 commodation. It consists chiefly of dried grasses or 

 other soft vegetative materials, but may also be fur- 

 nished with feathers or hair. The bird is an early 

 breeder, constructing its first nest in April, and usually 

 having eggs by the first week in May ; another set 

 may be laid late in June. The eggs are commonly 

 four to six in number ; but if they be taken, as many 



