XCIII 



BLUEBIED; BLUE ROBIN 

 766. Sialia sialis 



When the frost is about out of the ground, and the 

 still, shallow pools have only a fringe of thin ice about 

 their grassy borders, and the remains of snowdrifts are 

 found only on the shaded sides of tall hedges or northern 

 hillsides, then this little messenger, but seven inches in 

 length, brings its tidings, apparently coming from the 

 sky, with glorious azure still clinging to its outer gar- 

 ments. 



The Bluebird soon makes its presence known by its 

 modest acclaim from a nearby perch. It may be forced 

 to retrace its journey a few miles south, because of an 

 unlooked-for cold spell, but for only a few days, as the 

 bird is a pretty accurate weather forecaster. The male 

 usually arrives first, or else his modest mate remains in 

 silent retirement until the proper time for her appear- 

 ance, when, after a spirited courtship, they begin build- 

 ing their nest for their season 's first brood. 



This bird of early spring with its " cheery, cheery, 

 cheer up ! " and its lovely blue plumage is so familiar to 

 all that little description is required to prove its identity. 

 (Fig. 144.) 



Bluebirds build in abandoned Woodpecker holes, 

 knot holes, hollow stumps and often contest the owner- 

 ship of the bird boxes on our premises. Both male and 

 female are devoted parents ; both incubate and feed their 

 young and are pugnacious in the defense of their house- 

 hold. They rear two or three broods in a season, fre- 

 quently using the same nest for second and third broods. 

 The eggs number from five to six, and are of a pale blue 

 color. 



241 



