Blue and Bluish 



to the grain ; they build grassy nests in low bushes or tall, rank 

 grass ; and their flight is short and labored. Borders of woods, 

 roadside thickets, and even garden shrubbery, with open pasture 

 lots for foraging grounds near by, are favorite haunts of these 

 birds, that return again and again to some preferred spot. But 

 however close to our homes they build theirs, our presence never 

 ceases to be regarded by them with anything but suspicion, not 

 to say alarm. Their metallic cheep, cheep, warns you to keep 

 away from the little blue-white eggs, hidden away securely in 

 the bushes ; and the nervous tail twitchings and jerkings are 

 pathetic to see. Happily for the safety of their nest, the brood- 

 ing mother has no tell-tale feathers to attract the eye. Dense 

 foliage no more conceals the male bird's brilliant coat than it can 

 the tanager's or oriole's. 



With no attempt at concealment, which he doubtless under- 

 stands would be quite impossible, he chooses some high, con- 

 spicuous perch to which he mounts by easy stages, singing as he 

 goes ; and there begins a loud and rapid strain that promises 

 much, but growing weaker and weaker, ends as if the bird were 

 either out of breath or too weak to finish. Then suddenly he 

 begins the same song over again, and keeps up this continuous 

 performance for nearly half an hour. The noonday heat of an 

 August day that silences nearly every other voice, seems to give 

 to the indigo bird's only fresh animation and timbre. 



The Belted Kingfisher 



(Ceryle alcyon) Kingfisher family 



Called also: THE HALCYON 



Length — 12 to 13 inches. About one-fourth as large again as the 

 robin. 



Male — Upper part grayish blue, with prominent crest on head 

 reaching to the nape. A white spot in front of the eye. Bill 

 longer than the head, which is large and heavy. Wings and 

 the short tail minutely speckled and marked with broken 

 bands of white. Chin, band around throat, and underneath 

 white. Two bluish bands across the breast and a bluish 

 wash on sides. 



Female — Female and immature specimens have rufous bands 

 where the adult male's are blue. Plumage of both birds oily. 



102 



