50 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



"brave," and yet, when their young are reared, they resume 

 their natural shyness, avoid man, and on his approach disap- 

 pear in the surrounding shrubbery ; but the instinct of mother- 

 hood can inspire bravery in those habitually timid, when 

 emergencies occur which require courage. 



(d). The loud chuck of the Brown Thrushes, their indescrib- 

 able note of alarm or displeasure, and their song are all, as 

 has been intimated, much like those of the Cat-bird. Their 

 song is very pleasing, being loud, emphatic, and wonderfully 

 varied ; so much so that it is sometimes well-nigh impossible 

 to believe that one bird can produce such widely different 

 notes, but, though called "mockers," the "Thrashers" never 

 mimic other creatures, so far as I have observed. Often, if 

 interrupted, when singing, they softly repeat the syllables " tu- 

 whit, tu-whit," and immediately resume their song. In May, 

 at evening, I have often listened to them, when, having chosen 

 a high perch, they have sung sweetly and loudly ; and it was 

 when thinking of such singing that Wilson wrote : " The human 

 being, who, amidst such scenes, and in such seasons of rural 

 serenity and delight, can pass them with cold indifference, and 

 even contempt, I sincerely pity ; for abject must that heart be, 

 and callous those feelings, and depraved that taste, which 

 neither the charms of nature, nor the melody of innocence, nor 

 the voice of devotion of gratitude or devotion reach." 



2. Saxicolidse. Stone-chats and bluebirds. (See 1.) 



I. SIALIA 



(A) SIALIS. (Eastern) Blue Bird. 



(Very common in Massachusetts during the warmer half of 

 the year.) 



(a). 6-7 inches long. Above, bright blue (in females, im- 

 mature specimens, and specimens in winter-plumage, often in- 

 terrupted by dull-colored patches) . Belly white ; other under 

 parts bright, ruddy brown or chestnut. 9 usually much duller 

 or paler than $ . 



(6). The nest is generally placed in the hole of a tree or 

 post, or in a bird-box. The eggs, which measure about -85 X 



