BLUEBIRDS. 47 



notes; but, though called " mockers," the " Thrashers " never 

 mimic other creatures, so far as I have observed. Often, if 

 interrupted, when singing, they softly repeat the syllables 

 " tu-whit, tu-whit," and immediately resume their song. In 

 May, at evening, I have often listened to them, when, having 

 chosen a high perch, they have sung sweetly and loudly ; and 

 it was when thinking of such singing that "Wilson wrote : 

 " The human being, who, amidst such scenes, and in such 

 seasons of rural serenity and delight, can pass them with cold 

 indifference, and even contempt, I sincerely pity ; for abject 

 must that heart be, and callous those feelings, and depraved 

 that taste, which neither the charms of nature, nor the melody 

 of innocence, nor the voice of gratitude or devotion can 

 reach." 



§ 2. SAXICOLID^. Stonechats and Bluebirds. (See 



§10 



I. SIALIA. 



A. siALis. (^Eastern) Bluebird. Very common in Mas- 

 sachusetts during the warmer half of the year.* 



a. 6^-7 inches long. Above, bright blue (in females, im- 

 mature specimens, and specimens in winter plumage, often in- 

 terrupted by dull-colored patches). Belly, white ; other under 

 parts, bright ruddy brown or chestnut. $ usually much 

 duller or paler than (J . 



b. The nest is generally placed in the hole of a tree or 

 post, or in a bird-box. The eggs, which measure about .85 X 

 .62 of an inch, are lights blue (very rarely white).! Two sets 

 of 4-6 are usually laid each year in this State, of which the 

 first commonly appears about the first of May. 



* Breeds throughout New England, t Although white eggs of this species 



but only Tery sparingly in the more are certainly uncommon, they are by 



northern and mountainous portions, no means Tery rare, for one or more sets 



It has been found in midwinter near can be found in most large collections. 



Boston, but is not often seen in that It is probable that certain Bluebirds 



neighborhood between December 1 and always lay white eggs, for those of 



February 20. It winters abundantly, each set are invariably uniform in color, 



however, in soutliem Connecticut. — and I know of an instance where two 



W. B. clutches of colorless eggs were taken 



from the same pair of birds. — W. B. 



