BLUEBIRD 



Male — Upper parts, wings and tail bright blue turning to 

 a rusty shade in autumn; throat, breast and -sides cinnamon-red; 

 under parts white. Female has duller blue color washed with 

 gray, and a paler breast than the male. Range, North America 

 to Mexico. Winters from Maryland to the West Indies. 

 Length, seven inches. Nest of grasses in hollow trees, rails 

 or bird boxes. Eggs, four to six, bluish-white, .85 x .65 

 inches. 



This beautiful, migratory bird arrives in the North before 

 the Robin, early in March, and remains until November, being 

 one of the last birds to depart for the South. Its bright colors, 

 gentle ways and sweet song make it very attractive. The male 

 comes a few days before the female. As soon as the mate 

 arrives, the hunt for a nesting place begins. The birds may be 

 seen peering into deserted Woodpecker holes, exploring hollow 

 trees in the orchards and running in and out of cavities in 

 fence rails. At last the nest is sure to be placed near man's 

 home, for these birds, like the Robins, love human company. 



When a satisfactory hole has been found, grass is carried 

 in to form a nest, and there the eggs are hatched by the mother 

 bird while her mate perched on a branch cheers her with his 

 sweet song of trii-al-ly, tru-cU-ly, tru-al-ly. Both birds engage 

 in the work of searching for insects to feed their family. 

 Three broods may be raised by the same pair in a summer. 

 The little birds are almost black for many days. The blue 

 color does not appear until the young birds are ready to leave 

 the nest. 



Before the English Sparrows were brought to this 



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