BLUEBREAST. 37 



southwards in the autumn, the former at the end of March 

 or beginning of April, the latter .in the end b August or 

 beginning of September. They perform their migrations in 

 large flights, 'compagnions' de ,^ojag3.', , , ,\; , /;> 



This species has a habit oi* continaally spreading its tail, 

 which it also moves up and down after the manner of the 

 Eedbreast. It is thought very good for the table, and is 

 often served up on the continent. Like the Robin, it is 

 of solitary and pugnacious habits, but may readily be kept 

 in confinement, and becomes very familiar. It roosts upon 

 the ground, and is fond of bathing itself. 



In its flight also, which is performed near the ground, and 

 is a series of springs, it resembles that species. It does not 

 run, but advances quickly by hopping, the wings drooped 

 and the tail elevated, and when stationary, stands very 

 upright, displaying the beautiful cserulean blue of its breast, 

 and the small white cloud on its centre. 



Its food consists of insects and their larvae, worms, and 

 berries. 



The note is described as very pleasing, and Bechstein says 

 that it is of a double sound. It utters its song from the 

 top of some bush, the tail outspread at the time, from 

 whence, if alarmed, it drops into the concealment of the 

 underwood beneath. It also sings in the air, rising to a 

 moderate height, where it disports itself in the way that the 

 Wood Lark does, and descending to a resting-place some 

 little distance off: it is said to sing during the night. If 

 the nest be approached, it utters a note of anger or alarm: 

 its song is commenced with the earliest dawn of day. The 

 ordinary note is described by Meyer as resembling the 

 words 'tack, tack,' 'feed, feed.' 



The nest is placed on the ground, among the larger herbage, 

 on the sides of banks, and among low brushwood. It is 

 well concealed, and is composed of dried grass and a little 

 moss, the blossoms of the reed, leaves, small stalks, and 

 roots, and is lined with finer moss, hair, and the beautiful 

 down of the cotton-grass. There are two broods, and the 

 first is sometimes on the wing so early as the end of May. 

 The male assists the female in the work of incubation. 



The eggs are four or five, or six in number, and of a 

 greenish blue colour. The shell is very delicate and fragile. 



Male; length, five inches and a half to six inches; bill, 

 dark brown at the tip, the remainder yellowish, lightest at 



