Blue and Bluish 
to the grain ; they build grassy nests in low bushes or tall, rank 
grass ; and their flight is short and labored. Borders of woods, 
roadside thickets, and even garden shrubbery, with open pasture 
lots for foraging grounds near by, are favorite haunts of these 
birds, that return again and again to some preferred spot. But 
however close to our homes they build theirs, our presence never 
ceases to be regarded by them with anything but suspicion, not 
to say alarm. Their metallic cheep, cheep, warns you to keep 
away from the little blue-white eggs, hidden away securely in 
the bushes ; and the nervous tail twitchings and jerkings are 
pathetic to see. Happily for the safety of their nest, the brood- 
ing mother has no tell-tale feathers to attract the eye. Dense 
foliage no more conceals the male bird’s brilliant coat than it can 
the tanager’s or oriole’s. 
With no attempt at concealment, which he doubtless under- 
stands would be quite impossible, he chooses some high, con- 
spicuous perch to which he mounts by easy stages, singing as he 
goes ; and there begins a loud and rapid strain that promises 
much, but growing weaker and weaker, ends as if the bird were 
either out of breath or too weak to finish. Then suddenly he 
begins the same song over again, and keeps up this continuous 
performance for nearly half an hour. The noonday heat of an 
August day that silences nearly every other voice, seems to give 
to the indigo bird’s only fresh animation and timbre. 
The Belted Kingfisher 
(Ceryle alcyon) Kingfisher family 
Called also: THE HALCYON 
Length—12 to 13 inches. About one-fourth as large again as the 
robin. 
Male—Upper part grayish blue, with prominent crest on head 
foelanp, fee the nape. A white spot in front of the eye. Bill 
longer than the head, which is large and heavy. ings and 
the short tail minutely speckled and marked with broken 
bands of white. Chin, band around throat, and underneath 
white. Two bluish bands across the breast and a bluish 
wash on sides. 
Female—Female and immature specimens have rufous bands 
where the adult male’s are blue. Plumage of both birds oily. 
Fo2 
