BIRDS OF NEW YORK 539 



remains to be seen how soon those that nest in this immediate vicinity 

 will be as abundant as they were from 1900 to 191 1. 



Haunts and habits. The Bluebird is one of our familiar summer 

 birds, frequenting the orchard and garden as well as the edges of open 

 woodlands. It is, however, characteristically a bird of the open, and 

 delights in vineyards, stump lots, pastures surrounded by rail fences, 

 cultivated fields interspersed with a few trees along the fence lines, especially 

 dead trees with hollow branches which furnish it the favorite nesting site. 

 This species readily accommodates itself to boxes erected for its use and 

 will build even in cigar boxes nailed to the top of fence posts or a grape 

 trellis, preferring a height of from 7 to 9 feet. In such situations I have 

 noticed that it is less troubled by the English sparrow than it is in boxes 

 which are erected in apple trees or on the corners of buildings. 



The Bluebird takes its food mostly from the ground, flying down 

 from its station on the top of the fence post or small tree, seizing a beetle, 

 grub or grasshopper which has attracted its attention and flying up again 

 to the top of the post to devour its prey. There is no question-but many 

 of the beetles taken are predaceous ground beetles and tiger beetles which- 

 are, in general, beneficial species; but, as Forbush has indicated, even 

 these, when they become overabundant, feed to a considerable extent on 

 vegetation, and as the Bluebird does not feed exclusively or principally 

 upon them we can forgive him this slight offense. 



The Bluebird's warble is a mellow, cheery song, a low-pitched lay of 

 four or five notes. It has been syllabled as " tu-ree-a-lee," its syllables 

 chattered and fluted in frequent repetition. When frightened or angry he 

 also utters a rattling chatter; and while flying, a call note which in the 

 fall is said to be "far away, far away," in the spring " Come with me." 

 It certainly means " Come with me " or " Here I go," for as the little 

 scattered company or the pairs of birds take flight, each one in succession 

 calls the note at intervals, thus keeping the group together. 



After the nesting season is finished the bluebirds remain in little 

 family groups and will be found about the edges of the woods and in the 



