( 84 ) 



THE BLUE BIRD. 



Sylvia Sialis, Lath. 

 PLATE CXIII. Male, Female, and Young. 



This lovely bird is found in all parts of the United States, where it 

 is generally a permanent resident. It adds to the delight imparted by 

 spring, and enlivens the dull days of wiuter. Full of innocent vivacity, 

 warbling its ever pleasing notes, and familiar as any bird can be in its na- 

 tural freedom, it is one of the most agreeable of our feathered favourites. 

 The pure azure of its mantle, and the beautiful glaw of its breast, render 

 it conspicuous,- as it flits through the orchards and gardens, crosses the 

 fields or meadows, or hops along by the road-side. Recollecting the little- 

 box made for it, as it sits on the roof of the house, the barn, or the fence- 

 stake, it returns to it even during the winter, and its visits are always 

 welcomed by those who know it best. 



When March returns, the male commences his courtship, manifesting 

 as much tenderness and affection towards his chosen one, as the dove it- 

 self. Martins and House- wrens ! be prepared to encounter his anger, or 

 keep at a respectful distance. Even the wily cat he will torment with 

 querulous chirpings, whenever he sees her in the path from which he 

 wishes to pick up an insect for his mate. 



The Blue Bird breeds in the Floridas as early as January, and pairs 

 at Charleston in that month, in Pennsylvania about the middle of April, 

 and in the State of Maine in June. It forms its nest in the box made 

 expressly for the purpose, or in any convenient hole or cavity it can find, 

 often taking possession of those abandoned by the Woodpecker. The 

 eggs are from four to six, of a pale blue colour. Two and often three 

 broods are raised in the year. While the female sits on the second set of 

 eggs, the male takes charge of the first brood, and so on to the end. 



The food of this species consists of coleoptera, caterpillars, spiders, 

 and insects of various kinds, in procuring which it frequently alights 

 against the bark of trees. They are also fond of ripe fruits, such as figs, 

 persimons, and grapes, and during the autumnal months they pounce on 

 grasshoppers from the tops of the great mullein, so frequent in the old 

 fields. They are extremely fond of newly ploughed land, on which. 



