THE BLUEBIRD. 283 



Description Docility How taken. 



THE BLUEBIRD. 



OF this bird, which is in every respect supe- 

 rior to the blackbird,, we shall give Bellonius's 

 description. " This beautiful animal entirely re- 

 sembles a blackbird in all but its blue colour. It 

 Jives in the highest part of the Alps, and even 

 there chuses 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 va- 

 luable 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 colour about the beginning of winter, from 

 blue becomes black, which changes to its origi- 

 nal 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 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 tb,e 

 2 N 2 



