Blue and Bluish 



It sounds as if they were perpetually quarrelling, and yet they are 

 really particularly devoted. 



The nest of these birds, like the bank swallow's, is excavated 

 in the face of a high bank, preferably one that rises from a stream ; 

 and at about six feet from the entrance of the tunnel six or eight 

 clear, shining white eggs are placed on a curious nest. All the fish- 

 bones and scales that, being indigestible, are disgorged in pellets 

 by the parents, are carefully carried to the end of the tunnel to form 

 a prickly cradle for the unhappy fledglings. Very rarely a nest is 

 made in the hollow trunk of a tree; but wherever the home is, 

 the kingfishers become strongly attached to it, returning again 

 and again to the spot that has cost them so much labor to exca- 

 vate. Some observers have accused them of appropriating the 

 holes of the water-rats. 



In ancient times of myths and fables, kingfishers or halcyons 

 were said to build a floating nest on the sea, and to possess some 

 mysterious power that calmed the troubled waves while the eggs 

 were hatching and the young birds were being reared, hence the 

 term "halcyon days/' meaning days of fair weather. 



Blue Jay 



(Cyanocitta'cristata) Crow and Jay family 



1 1 to 12 inches. A little larger than the robin. 



Male and Female Blue above. Black band around the neck, join- 

 ing some black feathers on the back. Under parts dusky 

 white. Wing coverts and tail bright blue, striped trans- 

 versely with black. Tail much rounded. Many feathers 

 edged and tipped with white. Head finely crested ; bill, 

 tongue, and legs black. 



Range Eastern coast of North America to the plains, and from 

 northern Canada to Florida and eastern Texas. 



Migrations Permanent resident. Although seen in flocks mov- 

 ing southward or northward, they are merely seeking hap- 

 pier hunting grounds, not migrating. 



No bird of finer color or presence sojourns with us the year 

 round than the blue jay. In a peculiar sense his is a case of 

 "beauty covering a multitude of sins." Among close students 

 of bird traits, we find none so poor as to do him reverence. Dis- 

 honest, cruel, inquisitive, murderous, voracious, villainous, are 



104. 



