334 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



10th to the 20th of February, often much earlier, and by the 

 last of the month or in early March migration is under way in 

 earnest. Countless thousands continue to pass until the middle 

 of April, by which time the local birds have young in the nest. 

 The southward migration occupies October and early Novem- 

 ber. Small flocks may be seen in late November and early 

 December that may move further south at the approach of zero 

 weather, but always a few hardy birds remain. 



The Robin has taken kindly to the advance of civilization 

 and is steadily increasing in numbers despite the persecution 

 of it in some southern states, where it is slaughtered in large 

 numbers for food. 



SiALiA siALis siALis (Linn.). Bluebird. 



Very common summer resident; rather rare but regular winter resi- 

 dent. 



Bluebirds have been seen in and near the city during the 

 coldest periods of seven of the last thirteen winters. The first 

 spring migrants arrive usually in the second week of February, 

 and by the 20th or 25th are common. The bulk of the migrants 

 pass through during the first two weeks of March. Flocks of 

 southbound migrants have been noted as early as September 

 18th, but the largest flocks are seen about a month later. 



