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GENUS SIALIA— SWAINSON. 



BLUE BIRD. 



[Bill rather short, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end 

 — upper mandible declinate at tip, notched ; head rather large — neck short — 

 body full — wings long ; tail rathsr long, broad, slightly emarginate, of twelve 

 feathers ; tarsi rather short ; feet rather stout — toes of moderate length, outer 

 toe united at the base, inner free — hind toe strongest.] 



SIALIA WILSONII— SWAINSON. 



COMMON BLUE BIRD. 



Blue Bird, Sylvia Sialis, Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 Saxicola Sialis, Bonap. Syn, 

 Erythaca (Sialia) Wilsonii, Sw. & Rich. 

 Blue Bird, Ampelie Sialis, Nutt. Man. 

 Blue Bird, Sylvia Sialis, Aud, Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — -Upper parts ultramarine blue ; fore neck, 

 breast, and sides of the body light chestnut red ; abdomen and lower 

 tail coverts white. Female with the general plumage duller, and 

 about half an inch less. Length seven inches, wing three and three 

 quarters. 



This well known bird arrives among us in the early part of 

 March, and remains until the approach of winter. During spring 

 and summer it subsists chiefly on insects, and utters an agreeable 

 and somewhat musical note. It frequents the orchards, gardens, 

 open grounds, and woods. The eggs, which are from five to six 

 in number, are of a pale blue color. It rears two broods in a sea- 

 son, and remains quite late in the autumn, at whieh period its food 

 consists chiefly of berries, and its song is reduced to a single and 

 rather plaintive note. 

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