210 HISTORY or 



Pleasing, however, as this bird may be, the blue -bird, describ- 

 ed by Bellonius, is in every lespect far superior. This beautiful 

 animal entirely resembles a blackbird in all but its blue colour. 

 It lives in the highest parts of the Alps, and even there chooses 

 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 valuable when 

 carried from home. It not only whistles in the most delightfid 

 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 original 

 hue on the fii'st 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, either by chance or by lying in wait, 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 the assistance of this, they mount where 

 an indifferent spectator would think it impossible to ascend, 

 iiovering their heads at the same time to ward off any danger of 

 the falling of pebbles or stones from above. At length, with 

 extreme toil and danger, having arrived at the nest, they draw it 

 up from the hole in which it is usually buried, and cherish the 

 young with an assiduity equal to the pains they took to obtain 

 them. It produces for the most part five young, and never 

 more ; it seldom descends into the plain country, flies swifter 

 than a blackbird, and uses the same food. 



The fieldfare and the red -wing make but a short stay in this 

 countiy. With us they are insipid tuneless birds, flying in 

 docks, and excessively watchful to preserve the general safety. 

 All their season of music and pleasure is employed in the more 

 northern climates, where they sing most delightfully, perched 

 among the forests of maples, with which those countries abound. 

 They build their nests in hedges ; and lay six bluish-green egg« 

 si'dttcd with black. 



