THE THRUSH AND ITS AFFINITIES. 21 



built at the stump of some old hawthorn, well plastered on 

 the inside with clay, straw, and hair. 



Pleasing, however, as this bird may be. the blue-bird, 

 described by Bellonins, is in every respect, far superior. 

 This beautiful animal entirely resembles a black-bird in 

 all but its blue color. It lives in the highest parts of the 

 Alps, and even there chooses the most craggy rocks and 

 the most frightful precipices for its residence. As it is rarely 

 caught, it is in high estimation even in the countries where 

 it breeds, but still more valuable when carried from home. 

 It not only whistles in the most delightful manner, but 

 speaks with an articulate distinct voice. It is so docile, 

 and observes all things with such diligence, that though 

 waked at midnight by any of the family, it will speak and 

 whistle at the word of command. Its color, about the be- 

 ginning of winter, from blue becomes black, which changes 

 to its original hue on the first approaches of spring. It 

 makes its nest in deep holes, in very high and inaccessible 

 solitudes, and removes it not only from the accesses of 

 man, but also hides it with surprising cunning from the 

 shammoy and other wild beasts, that might annoy its 

 young. 



The manner of taking this beautiful bird is said to be 

 this. The fowlers, either .by chance or by lying in wait, 

 having found out the place where it builds, take with them 

 a strong stilt or stake, such as the climbers of rocks make 

 use of to assist them in their ascent. With the assistance 

 of this, they mount where an indifferent spectator would 

 think it impossible to ascend, covering their heads at the 

 same time to ward off any danger of the falling of pebbles 

 or stones from above. At length, with extreme toil and 

 danger, having arrived at the nest, they draw it up from 

 the hole in which it is usually buried, and cherish the 

 young with an assiduity equal to the pains they took to 

 obtain them. It produces for the most part, five young, 

 and never more; it seldom descends into the plain coun- 



