40 Land Birds of New England 



Yonder bluebird, with the earth-tinge on his breast, 

 and the sky-tinge on his back. BURROUGHS. 



The nest is usually placed in the hole of a tree 

 or post, or in a bird box. The first eggs are laid 

 about the beginning of May, and there are two or 

 three sets. The same nest is repaired and used 

 for the second family ; and the little parents, if 

 kindly treated, will return year after year to the 

 same spot. 



The familiar call of the bluebird is a soft cry 

 which has been translated into the word " Bermuda, 

 Bermuda." This note may be heard in the spring 

 for a day or two before the bird can be seen. Be- 

 sides it, he has a simple warble, uttered with 

 open, quivering wings, which is very tenderly at- 

 tractive. He sings from the time of his arrival until 

 about midsummer, then becomes silent, but resumes 

 his song (in the neighborhood of New York, at 

 least) in mid-September, continuing it until the end 

 of October. 



LITERATURE: 



In Nesting-Time. OLIVE THORNE MILLER. 

 Little Brothers of the Air. IBID. 

 Wake-Robin. JOHN BURROUGHS. 



